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Capilla Calvario Jusibampo
Our first contact with Jusibampo was when I was asked to
translate for a doctor that was doing medical examinations for children that were going to
be attending a new school being built by "Food for the Hungry". The policy for
them was to establish humanitarian aid first and then down the road they would work on the
spiritual needs. Since I was only doing them a favor by translating, I wasn't bound to
this policy. I told the people that I was only helping them out for the day and explained
to them that at other times I went around and showed Christian movies and taught Bible
studies. I went on to tell them that if the community wanted they could invite me
there and I would be glad to do that with them. The ones that were there quickly said yes.
I told them that it was necessary that they talk to the other four houses in the village.
(did I say that this is a small community?) They quickly did that and came back and told
me that everyone wanted me to come. That started a weekly visit that lasted almost without
fruit for the next twelve years. There were always people that were close to becoming
disciples, and there were people who would say a prayer, but there was no real lasting
fruit that could be seen.
After twelve years, three new families moved in. By this time
two of the families where I had given the studies in the past had moved out of their
homes. In addition to the regular study, my wife started doing a Bible study with the
ladies and to our great pleasure, three of them ended up giving their lives to the Lord.
There was such a change in their lives that others started to be interested. These ladies'
husbands, Mateo and Carmelo, would listen to our weekly Bible studies and I would always
ask them if they were ready to accept the Lord. "No, not yet," was the reply
week after week. They continued to attend, and after about a year of saying, "No, not
yet," I finally had to clarify something with them. I asked them, "Do you
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?" "Oh yes, of course we do!" "Do you
believe that He died for your sins and then rose again?" "Oh yes, of course we
do!" "Do you believe that you are sinners and that you need His
forgiveness?" "Oh yes, of course we do!" "Okay, have you asked Him to
forgive you for those sins?" "Oh yes, of course we have!" "What do
people call you at your jobs?" "Well you know that they call us,
'brothers'." "Is it true that you both quit drinking over a year ago and carry
your Bibles around and read them at work?" "Oh yes, that's true!" I told
them at that point, "YOU'RE ALREADY CHRISTIANS!" They replied, "I guess
you're right, we are!" I still had them pray with me, but the work had already taken
place in their lives over a period of time.
These two men have been ordained deacons for the last couple of
years and have remained faithful to the Lord. It's such a blessing to see the changes in
their families lives. Someone once asked a man if he really believed that Jesus had turned
water into wine. "Of course!" he replied. "I believe it because for me, He
turned wine into furniture!" These men's families are so grateful for what the Lord
has done for them. They are a sample of what the Lord is doing in all the earth, breathing
life into impossible situations and giving hope where there was none.If you ever have a chance, come down and meet these dear
believers, you will be glad that you did!
Mateo helps baptize "Licha"