January News
We went back to Chiapas this month for 2 weeks. We got delayed on the two day drive down because the leaf springs in our trailer broke. But thank God we noticed it when we stopped in a fairly large town and were able to get it patched up. All in all we were set back a few days but thankfully we didn't have any accidents.
Our first stop was in a small community south of Tuxtla Gutierrez called Benito Juarez. Through a series of contacts we found out that there was a clinic being built there by some Christians and they needed water. Some of you might remember last year we went to this same community and tried to drill a water well with the manual method but it didn't work. So it was an answer to prayer to be able to go back with the portable rig and actually drill a successful well. Gabe drilled the water well with the help of some local Christian men and a missionary/pastor named Roger. During our stay we showed a movie and had a Bible class and hygiene class with the kids. We remembered they had a need for complete Bibles so we were glad to bring some down on this trip. The well was 80 feet deep and had clean beautiful water coming out of it. Until the clinic gets finished, anyone who lives close or passes by is able to come and take water from this well.
Next, we went to the Tzotzil Indian community of Nachig. We have been making trips off and on to Nachig now for about 2 years and have plans to make regular trips back through out the year. The spiritual and physical needs are great. In the dry season they only get water every 13 days and in the rainy season it is every 8 days. There is a lot of sickness and sometimes death caused from using contaminated water. Gabe was able to drill one water well there on this trip. This well was 85' deep and even though right now it has a slow recharge rate, it will get better with time and the people are thrilled to have the well. Spiritually the people are very strong in their traditional/Catholic beliefs. Not too many years ago no one was even allowed to live in the village if it was rumored that they were Christians. Today there are a few Christians and a new Christian church. Our work there is starting to become more visible. We have met the local authorities and they have given us permission to drill but some of the people have been less than receptive. Some will come to our friends, The Sanchez family, and ask about receiving a well but as soon as they hear we are Christian missionaries they don't want to hear anymore. Also, some rumors have started spreading that we put "666" on our wells, or that the children need to stay away from us because we will eat them. That's my favorite! The good thing is that our Christian brothers and sisters there believe in the work and in spreading the gospel so they are willing to continue despite any hardships this might cause them. We are so thankful to be a part of what God is doing in this area.
We were also blessed to be able to give away Samaritan's Purse shoe box toys to some of the children in Nachig. The sounds and chatter of excited kids getting presents, some for the first time, was truly rewarding. It really is more blessed to give than receive. One man came just to check out the drilling and later on that evening, he accepted Jesus as his savior. Praise the Lord! We also showed the "Jesus" film one night and gave away Bibles and Bible study books. Below is a slide show of pictures from our trip. Thank you for all your prayers. They truly keep us going when we are in the middle of the spiritual battle.
Our first stop was in a small community south of Tuxtla Gutierrez called Benito Juarez. Through a series of contacts we found out that there was a clinic being built there by some Christians and they needed water. Some of you might remember last year we went to this same community and tried to drill a water well with the manual method but it didn't work. So it was an answer to prayer to be able to go back with the portable rig and actually drill a successful well. Gabe drilled the water well with the help of some local Christian men and a missionary/pastor named Roger. During our stay we showed a movie and had a Bible class and hygiene class with the kids. We remembered they had a need for complete Bibles so we were glad to bring some down on this trip. The well was 80 feet deep and had clean beautiful water coming out of it. Until the clinic gets finished, anyone who lives close or passes by is able to come and take water from this well.
Next, we went to the Tzotzil Indian community of Nachig. We have been making trips off and on to Nachig now for about 2 years and have plans to make regular trips back through out the year. The spiritual and physical needs are great. In the dry season they only get water every 13 days and in the rainy season it is every 8 days. There is a lot of sickness and sometimes death caused from using contaminated water. Gabe was able to drill one water well there on this trip. This well was 85' deep and even though right now it has a slow recharge rate, it will get better with time and the people are thrilled to have the well. Spiritually the people are very strong in their traditional/Catholic beliefs. Not too many years ago no one was even allowed to live in the village if it was rumored that they were Christians. Today there are a few Christians and a new Christian church. Our work there is starting to become more visible. We have met the local authorities and they have given us permission to drill but some of the people have been less than receptive. Some will come to our friends, The Sanchez family, and ask about receiving a well but as soon as they hear we are Christian missionaries they don't want to hear anymore. Also, some rumors have started spreading that we put "666" on our wells, or that the children need to stay away from us because we will eat them. That's my favorite! The good thing is that our Christian brothers and sisters there believe in the work and in spreading the gospel so they are willing to continue despite any hardships this might cause them. We are so thankful to be a part of what God is doing in this area.
We were also blessed to be able to give away Samaritan's Purse shoe box toys to some of the children in Nachig. The sounds and chatter of excited kids getting presents, some for the first time, was truly rewarding. It really is more blessed to give than receive. One man came just to check out the drilling and later on that evening, he accepted Jesus as his savior. Praise the Lord! We also showed the "Jesus" film one night and gave away Bibles and Bible study books. Below is a slide show of pictures from our trip. Thank you for all your prayers. They truly keep us going when we are in the middle of the spiritual battle.
ITS ON
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This site looks good and allows us to see all the pictures of the trip. I like that alot. It helps us get a clearer vision of what you are doing when we can't be there.
Love you all
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