You Are in the Hands of Jesus
Read: Isaiah 35 Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (v. 10 NIV) As we approached the small group of believers near the village of C’ancuc, we could see a mixture of welcome and concern. Four years before, their homes had been burned by the villagers. They had rebuilt […]
The Lord’s Timing in C’ancuc
Read: Psalm 56 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. (v. 9 NIV) C’ancuc was a Tzeltal village where eight families had left their animistic religion to become Christians. As a result, their homes were burned to the ground by other […]
Having Two Hearts
Read: James 4:7-10; 5:13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. (5:13) Thomas was an elder in the young Tzeltal church and a medical worker. He was a capable, very loving, and kind person. One day, a rumor started that he was being unfaithful […]
Why Have a Birthday Party?
Read: Psalm 139:13-16; Psalm 95:6-7 Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. (Ps. 95:6 NIV) Juan, one of our Bible school students, invited us to a birthday party for their two-year-old son. We gladly agreed to come and celebrate with them. When all the guests had arrived […]
Restore One Another Gently
Read: Galatians 6:1-10 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. (v. 1 NIV) “I am so sorry. Will you please forgive me, my brothers and sisters in Christ?” There were tears coursing down Isidro’s cheeks as he stood in the church […]
God Supplied Our Needs
Read: Psalm 34:1-10 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. (v. 9 NIV) Manuel was one of the first Tzeltal school teachers and taught in remote villages. He was one of the few Tzeltals who received a monthly paycheck at that time. As time passed, Manuel and his […]
God Closed the Lions’ Mouths
Read: Daniel 6:13-22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. (v. 22). When I am afraid, I will trust in you. (Ps. 56:3 NIV) I grew up on a dairy farm and knew how dangerous a […]
The Generosity of the Poor
Read: Luke 21:1-4 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us . . . if it is giving, then give generously. (Romans 12:6, 8 NIV) We were new missionaries, having lived among the Tzeltals only six months. Francisco Gomez, the Tzeltal pastor, had planned a six-week missionary trip to the […]
Feed My Sheep
Read: John 21:15-17 Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” . . . Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (v. 17 NIV) Francisco Gomez was a church elder in the mother Tzeltal church of Corralito. He was also a school teacher. The Tzeltal church had grown quickly, but there were still no ordained […]