Chiapas

Chiapas: Report

When I first heard of PBM going into Chiapas, Mexico to assist with the first Timothy Leadership Training in the rural areas, I was very excited.  You see, the TLT component is one that not many people are aware of, yet plays a vital role in the ministry with PBM. 

Most people are aware of the house building and the medical clinics that happen when teams from the States come down to Guatemala.  This element has been happening for nearly 18 years.  This covers the Evangelism side of the ministry.  However, the discipleship side of the ministry has really taken shape the last few years.

TLT seeks out men and women, called by God to serve villages, and provides training, support, theology, and encouragement.  Basically, it is placing diesel fuel on a small fire…..except it is all based in God’s spirit and glory!

We have seen wonderful results from blessing pastors and then releasing back into the corners of the world (or at least Guatemala and Mexico).  Going into this Chiapas week, we heard that there was some potential for persecutions towards Christians, especially Americans.  This information came from another missionary.  The information that we found from the Internet showed that there could be some truth to this story.  Yet, we still felt compelled to go to assist with this first TLT.  There were 20 pastors that were wanting, needing, and were crying out for help. 

So we went.  We bathed it in prayer and trusted in the Lord to lead us.   The drive to the border was truly amazing.  The joys of trying to figure out the border crossing and getting to Las Margaritas proved to be much longer than we anticipated.  There were many obstacles placed in our way, but we took that as confirmation that we were to go.

The week was filled with hospitality, spirituality, and amazement.  Our desire is to work with this group of pastors.  Train up the ones that will graduate to become master trainers and then step back and watch God work in the lives of the pastors living in the sticks of Chiapas! 

Something is stirring.  God is moving and it is showing.  Let the pictures soak in and speak to you.

As this is being written, we are preparing for the first team to come to the base and build houses and host clinics.  For me, it is encouraging to the fullness of what God is doing and moving among the people of Guatemala.