But, there is one very big difference. “One nation under God”. We have had the supreme privilege of living in a country where the reigning belief has been in a supreme God whose very supremacy has brought hope, abundance, a general unity, and morality among other things. That has never been available to the country of Mexico.
We met a man who grew up here in the state of Oaxaca, lived 30 years in the USA, met Jesus there, and is now compelled to return to his home, his country, his people. Why? Because he realizes the great darkness they live in, the great hopelessness, the great poverty of body, soul, and spirit. He told of his childhood when the priests would tell them the Good Book said “blessed is the man who is poor…he will inherit heaven”, and so they were taught poverty, that it was good. They were and are still being told that the Bible which missionaries carry is an evil book; that missionaries do witchcraft and are full of demons. Yet, their priest stands holding the same Good Book and speaking from it to the people, according to what the Church allows him to teach.
He told of how no foreigner could ever enter their villages without being beaten or shot. Even Mexican people from other cities were not accepted to live in other villages. Fear ruled and reigned and the law was within each village to take care of their own with whatever violence was necessary. He’s talking about situations only 40 years ago and these same conditions are still being found today in the mountain villages. The same lies are being told to and believed by the people.
Rueben, Spanish teacher and family |
Another young man, a teacher of ours, has been relating sad political news to us this week as its has been burdening his heart. Of the huge teachers’ strikes that leave children without teachers for months. Of mountain villages where there are no teachers or schools. Of a people who have no hobbies so that when the week of work is finished for the men, they have only drinking to turn to. And for them, there is little to no stopping till they are drunk which leaves their family poverty stricken. Of the six large drug cartels that are fighting everywhere to gain the most power, including power of the government, and in the midst of the struggle are killing many innocent people. You’ve heard some of this in the news recently. He told the same stories of lies being spoken to the people that missionaries are really witches come to cast curses and fill people with demons.
Hey, this may be a modern world, but there are still a large number of people that do not know that. You may think that there are way too many missionaries who have gone or are going to Mexico, but there are still so many who have never heard the truth or been set free from their terrors by night and by day. There are too many languages, too many remote places still ruled by historic views and beliefs. There is still a very great need, a very great harvest.
There is another war coming. It is a spiritual war, full of fire and full of fight and God is setting up His people in preparation for it; to set free His bride in Mexico, especially the part of His bride that is present in Oaxaca, Mexico.
This year, Roca Blanca has the largest number of students going through the intense bible training. One of our sweet friends, who previously was a worker at the Guest House, is now in bible school and is glowing with the greatness and gladness of what he is learning and experiencing. A broken, wounded pastor and wife are here in training, thrilled to be hearing greater and deeper things, to be healing and preparing for the promotion the Lord has for them. Two doctors have left their practices for the year to receive discipleship at bible school. Lots of very young people and a number of older adults are here together, crowding every available space on the Base and renting every available room in Cacalote, to come together and eat from the same table of both physical and spiritual food.
What an exciting privilege and opportunity to be here, training ourselves in the Spanish language, preparing for the spiritual breakthroughs that God has for this state and this people in this time and this place. Watch and Pray! Watch and Pray! See the day of the Lord that is coming! See the release of the prisoners, the freedom of the captives that will take place here! See the powers of darkness that WILL BE overcome because…”THUS SAYS THE LORD”.
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