Blessed to be a Blessing
During the months of May and June, Gabe was able to make two trips down to Chiapas. These were the first trips we have been able to make this year due to problems with our visas and trying to work out details regarding our truck, trailer and camper that were located in Chiapas. The May trip was planned with the anticipation of an international transport company out of Houston being able to get the truck, trailer and camper moved from the south of Mexico up to the Texas border. Well that didn't happen.
When Gabe first arrived the truck cranked fine and he went about getting things loaded and ready for the transport truck to arrive later that week. After running for 3 hours, he shut off the engine and tried to start it again and it wouldn't crank. The next day he tried to fix it with everything he knew to do without any luck; while at the same time God was stirring something in his heart. We talked it over, discussed it with our board, and prayed. Finally we came to the conclusion that God wanted us to give all three (truck, trailer, and camper) to fellow missionaries, Bill and Tammy Woods, who have an orphanage, church, and ranch down in Arriaga. When Gabe told them about it a sense of peace and a release came over us; we knew it was what God wanted. Little did we know that they had been praying for a new vehicle that they could use to haul materials and people to and from their ranch.
Now there were the details of the truck still not cranking. So, Gabe had a tow truck come and tow it to the Ford dealership. He then had to leave it and come back home until they fixed it. During that trip the Lord allowed him time to drill 6 new wells and minister the Gospel to 3 different villages. Several weeks later he got the word the truck was fixed and flew back down to Chiapas to pick it up. He was able to get everything down to Bill and Tammy, with their help, and still had time to drill 2 new wells and 3 well rehabilitations in 5 different villages.
From the time we first met them, Bill and Tammy have always offered a room at their orphanage for Gabe and I to stay. He has been taking them up on their offer and this second trip he was able to spend some time just hanging out with the kids and getting to know them better. When he left, Bill, Tammy and the kids really ministered to him through prayer and spoke words of encouragement over him. They were definitely words in due season! It feels good to know that God used all of this to be a blessing and an answer to prayer for these precious servants of the Lord.
As for us, our mission and purpose remain the same...show others the love of Christ in a real, tangible way (through meeting needs - providing fresh water) while encouraging them to have a true, love relationship with their Heavenly Father...the way we are doing it is just a little different. We will continue flying from Houston direct to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Then for getting around we will utilize taxis, public transportation, and friends. This will help us be more inconspicuous during a time in Mexico when things are so volatile. We will continue to work together with Jose Louis as he and his crew have become an important part of our work down in Arriaga. Our next trip is in August, where we will be working together with Living Water to conduct a workshop to teach believers how to share their faith through Bible story telling. Please join us in praying for a successful trip.
The Lord's ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts; but His plans are always for our good. Amen! (Isaiah 55:8,9 and Jeremiah 29:11)
In Christ,
Jessica (and Gabe) Hilliard
When Gabe first arrived the truck cranked fine and he went about getting things loaded and ready for the transport truck to arrive later that week. After running for 3 hours, he shut off the engine and tried to start it again and it wouldn't crank. The next day he tried to fix it with everything he knew to do without any luck; while at the same time God was stirring something in his heart. We talked it over, discussed it with our board, and prayed. Finally we came to the conclusion that God wanted us to give all three (truck, trailer, and camper) to fellow missionaries, Bill and Tammy Woods, who have an orphanage, church, and ranch down in Arriaga. When Gabe told them about it a sense of peace and a release came over us; we knew it was what God wanted. Little did we know that they had been praying for a new vehicle that they could use to haul materials and people to and from their ranch.
Now there were the details of the truck still not cranking. So, Gabe had a tow truck come and tow it to the Ford dealership. He then had to leave it and come back home until they fixed it. During that trip the Lord allowed him time to drill 6 new wells and minister the Gospel to 3 different villages. Several weeks later he got the word the truck was fixed and flew back down to Chiapas to pick it up. He was able to get everything down to Bill and Tammy, with their help, and still had time to drill 2 new wells and 3 well rehabilitations in 5 different villages.
From the time we first met them, Bill and Tammy have always offered a room at their orphanage for Gabe and I to stay. He has been taking them up on their offer and this second trip he was able to spend some time just hanging out with the kids and getting to know them better. When he left, Bill, Tammy and the kids really ministered to him through prayer and spoke words of encouragement over him. They were definitely words in due season! It feels good to know that God used all of this to be a blessing and an answer to prayer for these precious servants of the Lord.
As for us, our mission and purpose remain the same...show others the love of Christ in a real, tangible way (through meeting needs - providing fresh water) while encouraging them to have a true, love relationship with their Heavenly Father...the way we are doing it is just a little different. We will continue flying from Houston direct to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Then for getting around we will utilize taxis, public transportation, and friends. This will help us be more inconspicuous during a time in Mexico when things are so volatile. We will continue to work together with Jose Louis as he and his crew have become an important part of our work down in Arriaga. Our next trip is in August, where we will be working together with Living Water to conduct a workshop to teach believers how to share their faith through Bible story telling. Please join us in praying for a successful trip.
The Lord's ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts; but His plans are always for our good. Amen! (Isaiah 55:8,9 and Jeremiah 29:11)
In Christ,
Jessica (and Gabe) Hilliard
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