Francisco

          My name is Francisco Jimenez. I was born in a Catholic home where I learned the traditions of Catholicism. You could say my life was normal, but lived in the vanity of this world. When I was younger, a normal environment included alcoholism and parties. But inside I felt a void in my heart that made me feel alone, despite all the friends I had. In June of 2008, my uncle invited me to a youth meeting where I was surprised by how the youth amused themselves without the need to drink, make two-way jokes, or cuss. This impacted my life and at the end of the meeting I was presented the gospel and made a decision for Christ. I was invited to a Word of Life Mexico camp. I went and there God spoke to my life and I decided to devote my life to Him.

          Then I began to congregate in the church and to learn more about the Bible, and began serving it. In 2012 a group of students from the Bible Institute of Word of Life in Argentina came to my church. I was surprised and shocked to see their preparation, their courage, and their dedication in serving God. I wanted to develop that in my own life and began to pray and save to go the Bible Institute in Mexico. It became a conviction and I wanted to know more about God and His will.

          In 2015 God allowed me to have my first year here in Mexico’s Word of Life Bible Institute; with only the economic promise of $500 MEX ($27 USD) per month, and with the prayers of my church. During that year I could see God's provision, I could cover up to 80% of my student bill, including the offerings of believers I don’t even know and a work program with the Bible Institute. I thank God because I never missed anything for my personal hygiene supplies, clothes, shoes, or shelter. It was amazing to see the hand of God and His provision during my first year of study here.

          I trust that God will sustain me again. I have the conviction that He wants me to continue to prepare myself and I want to be a useful tool in the work of God.
 Glory be to God.

Help Francisco*

*Mexico BI Scholarships Project (03034C), Please specify in Summary Notes "Francisco Jimenez" so that your gift is properly designated. 

 

Eduardo

          I’m Eduardo Alonso, I’m 30 years old, and I’m originally from Mexico City. I grew up in a dysfunctional home, like many others, in a well-known and dangerous neighborhood in the city. My parents separated when I was 9 years old and that was the beginning of many bad decisions in my life and the denial of the existence of God. At age 11 I started to get involved in the world of neighborhood gangs and I was involved in them for the next 15 years, where I got lost in drugs, alcohol, and violence. So many times I was in danger of death by constant conflicts in that environment. In 2005 I had a very serious car accident with great consequences needing emergency intervention since my liver had been split in half. This was something that greatly marked my life. God was actually talking to me, but I kept in my foolishness. May of 2013 was when God began this extraordinary work in my life through a very difficult health situation due to the excesses of alcohol and drugs. During that situation God used the life of my mother to share the gospel with me again and, for the first time, I cried out to God and thanks to my mother for no longer tolerating my sinful decisions. It was then that I asked God's forgiveness for my sins. I recognized my condition and need before Him- that night, May 11, 2013, I accepted Christ as my only and sufficient savior.

          Since that moment God began an amazing work in my life, He completely renewed my whole being, and from that day forward I didn’t want to know more about the things of the world; I became involved in church and after a few months God had put in my heart a new and very big challenge- to prepare myself to serve Him full time. And so I began a great process in my life in which God gave me a great lesson on His will. I spent a little more than a year praying for God's guidance and that, if it was His will for me to prepare myself in a Bible Institute, He would open the doors and provide the financial means necessary to study at Word of Life.

           And that was the beginning of a new challenge. The first challenge was to know God more, He has grown my faith, and I know that now my life belongs to Him and that He will make of me what He wills. It has been a year of many trials, but above all of a lot of blessings, and total dependence since shortly after reaching the Institute I was left without financial support. Only my church helped me, but not enough to financially cover my expenses and Bible school. But God has given me a great lesson in depending completely on Him and allowed me to serve in a beautiful ministry called "Born Again to a Living Hope" and Bible Clubs. He’s allowed me to grow a lot as through the classes and has spoken so much into my life.

           Now I'm about to take my second year of Bible school and every day God keeps surprising me because up through today He has continued to provide for me.

          This has been a year in which I give many thanks to God for the great blessings that He keeps giving me and today I have it more than clear that my life is in full service to God and that God will use me to according His will.

Help Eduardo*

*Mexico BI Scholarships Project (03034C), Please specify in Summary Notes "Gustavo Alonso Martinez (Eduardo)" so that your gift is properly designated.  

I Knew Passion

 

 

 

Passion was once an intellect.

He sought truth and glorified knowledge.

He explained history and expounded wisdom. 

I knew Passion the day he taught.

 

Passion was once a physician.

He studied faithfully and endured sleepless nights.

He nurtured the sick and served the down.

I knew Passion the day he healed.

 

Passion was once a musician.

He tirelessly articulated his essence and perfected his song.

He soothed torn hearts and animated the audience.

I knew Passion the day he performed.

 

 Passion was once a warrior.

He relentlessly trained for victory and numbed his body to pain.

He was dangerous for evil and protected his own.

 I knew Passion the day he fought.

 

Passion was once a lover.

He pursued her heart with conviction and grace.

 He won his wife every day and consistently built her up.

I knew Passion the day he loved.

  

But Passion was mortal.

He encountered misuse, betrayal, denial, and loss.

His object of affection was set out of reach and, in the unexplained, he quietly faded.

I knew Passion the day he died.

 

      Why do passions come and go? On one hand, I think our passions can be attributed to genetics, conditioning by our unique experiences, and refining by our talents, gifts, and opportunities. I think God gives us passions and will use them for His glory. Passion is a beautiful thing when its drive is for good. We typically praise the passionate. But passion is mortal and, as long as it’s based on temporary things, always has the potential of changed, diminish, and death. The point is that we will always be set up for disappointment unless our greatest passion is immortal- a passion based on the eternal.

     There is no greater passion than passion for Christ, Himself. (Where do I even begin with His worthiness?) His unsearchable richness, splendor, and wisdom as God- His humility, dedication, and sacrifice of love demonstrated in His life on earth- and the cross! His greatness as God the Creator and Sustainer of the universe blows my mind and His intimacy as my Father, Friend, and Redeemer win my heart. I long for my own heart's cry to be like the Psalmist’s:

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You.
I thirst for You;
my body faints for You
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
So I gaze on You in the sanctuary
to see Your strength and Your glory.

My lips will glorify You
because Your faithful love is better than life.
So I will praise You as long as I live;
at Your name, I will lift up my hands.
You satisfy me as with rich food;
my mouth will praise You with joyful lips

 (Psalm 63:1-5, HCSB)

     One of the most sorrowful things to see is people loose their passions and become hard or apathetic. Everyone goes through rough times. It can be instrumental in increasing an immortal passion for God if we trust Him and let them draw us closer to Him. But not everyone comes out of them the better. I mourn in my heart when I see it happen to those I care for and my prayer is that God reignites within them an everlasting passion- a living passion for God; for His person, His truth, and promises. And I hope they will do the same for me if they see me struggle or question.

Oh, God-ignite within us true lasting passion!

Be the Intellect’s Light-
The Physician’s Remedy-
The Musician’s Muse-
The Warrior’s Allegiance-
The lover’s first Love….
 

 

There is an everlasting Passion.

He tasted the Lord and found Him good.

He worshiped God and illuminated Him to the world.

May this be the Passion I know today.

Totally Dominated

Thoughts from my devos today....

Proverbs 25:28
"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

Someone who doesn't have self-control is like an invaded city and without walls.

The idea of self-control:
English: Control of one's emotions, desires, or actions by one's own will.
Spanish: Able to dominate your spirit/ self.

Verse insinuates that lack thereof makes you vulnerable...
- to be taken advantage of by others
- w/o strength or protection
- unable to grow/ be successful

This characteristic is fruit of God in our lives... abiding, walking with Him. (Gal. 5:22,23)

Controlling myself.
Normally bears the idea of not being one to loose your temper in my mind... I think because the lack thereof is most evident in those moments. But just as pride goes extroverted and inverted, I think self-control does too. Self-control is not just a "defense". I think to look at it as a quality, we must look at it as a whole- being able to control yourself emotionally and physically, not just from anger, but also disappointment, laziness, enjoying the wrong kinds of things, etc. This is the quality of one who moves themselves to not only that soft answer, but also to discipline, looking away, hope, speak what needs to be heard, serve though no one is watching, etc. Perhaps this is how we will weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice.

It's not easy, it's self-control.
In it's most pure and perfect form, it reflects God's presence in our lives. It's learned abiding and walking with Him.

I am selfish, but there is self-control.
I am manipulative, but there is self-control.
I am hurtful words, but there is self-control.
I am lazy, but there is self-control.
I am afraid, but  there is self-control.
I am anxious, but there is self-control.
I am judgmental, but there is self-control.
I am numb, but there is self-control.
I am captivated, but there is self-control.
I am hurt, but there is self-control.
I am proud, but there is self-control.
I am annoyed, but there is self-control.
I am wicked, but there is self-control.

Seems too hard.

I am Camden, but there is God.

It's a gift, it's a tool, it's beautiful.

Lord, teach me to have control over my emotions, desires, and actions so that I am dominating my spirit and myself in a godly way. I pray that I will choose what I know is right and good. That I will be obedient to Your Spirit because I truly believe that You are GOOD and Your way of life is the best way of life. Thank You for Your grace to save me eternally and change me now. I love You and I pray that You will enable me to reflect You in my life. Thank You for self-control and I pray that the good works done through it will cause others to praise Your name because You truly deserve it!

It's a Brand New Day

    
I like remembering when I get up in the morning that -today- is a brand new day! The outcome of today does not depend on yesterday's failures or successes. That's pretty refreshing and challenging! As I start my day, I want to remember that:


1) Today the Lord loves me and shows me grace just as much as He ever has!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

2) Today is part of God's plan for me - whatever it may bring!

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 139:16

This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

3) Today I must make the decision to follow Christ!

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23

Inwardly:

• Seeking the Lord and trusting that He alone meets my needs. (Mt. 6:11/ Lk. 11:3)
• Meditating on God's Word. (Ps. 1:2)
• Praying. (Lk. 2:37)

Outwardly:

• Sharing God's good news of salvation and grace. (Acts 5:42)
• Being an encouragement to those around me. (Heb. 3:13)
• Being available to meet the needs of others. (Acts 6:1/ Jm. 2:15-17)

Extra "Daily" Verses:
1 Cor. 15:31
Acts 17:11
Ps. 30:5
Ps. 23:6

Changed Lives

I've gotten a couple testimonies of campers in Mexico! Even though I was not able to physically be there, I am encouraged by what God is doing in lives as I pursue returning.

Bryan Garduño

"I heard about camp through my Uncle Luis. Before coming to camp my life was different. I said bad words, talked back to my parents, and was around people who were bad influences. I accepted Christ as my Savior July 9th, 2013 during a time of reflection in the evening. Jesus has made many changes in my heart. I want to be well behaved and follow Christ, who cleansed me from all sin. My challenge when I go home is to continue changing, to stop talking back to my parents, make good friendships, and read the Bible."

Gisela Rendendiz

"I found out about camp through the Manriquez family. Before coming to camp, I did not have Christ in my heart and I felt lonely. On Monday, during the week I attended camp, I accepted Christ. I have learned a lot but mostly that I am free from my sin. I was also taught to listen to His Word. Two challenges that I want to take home are: To talk with my family about how we are doing wrong because we do not have Christ and to do my quiet time."






Praise the Lord that young people are coming to trust Christ as their Savior and make decisions to live their lives for Him!

I've spent the last couple weeks in upstate New York sharing the ministry that the Lord has built in Mexico and the part He's letting me play in it. So far I've been able to sit down with 24 individuals or couples here and I'm praying for more opportunities as my time here draws to a close. God has shown me grace using the hands of His believers through their encouragement, prayers, and acts of kindness. I've been meditating in my heart part of Col. 1:16,

 "...all things were created by Him, and for Him"

 It's what I really desire and pray for this season of my life right now. Having been created by the Lord, may it all truly be for Him and His glory.

My Calling

This morning I found Paul before a king, queen, governor, all the military tribunes, and all the prominent men of the city he was in. Having been given permission to speak freely his defense, he begins with his story, his testimony, of how it happened that God saved him and how he’d been called to serve Him. It’s really quite beautiful what Jesus said to him that day:

“…I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:17c-18)

My conversion was just a little different (I was a child in junior church) and so was my calling (I was 14 at camp praying what my God wanted for my life after being extremely challenged by an elderly missionary) also my time period and circumstances. But I am called to the same cause –to people who are living in darkness and bound by Satan’s power… to open their eyes so that they might see it and turn to the light and to God: So that they may receive forgiveness of their sins and an inheritance among the others that have been sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ! Wow! That’s amazing! What a privilege I have! What privilege every believer has to be a part of someone coming to Christ and growing in Him!

I am excited to be returning to Mexico to continue serving the Lord there! I want young people to have the same opportunity I was given –to have their eyes opened and live in the light of the gospel, to know their God, His forgiveness, and sanctification.

Right now I am traveling some to meet and share with people, to invite them to partner with me, then I intend to head back to VA to continue doing the same thing. If God has called me to go, will He not call others to send me? This season of my life God has been calling me to another side of simple faith and boldness in Him. For anyone who knows me, “aggressive” would not be a part of my description. But I need prayer to aggressively pursue what God’s called me to, which boils down to pursuing faithful prayer warriors and being fully-funded. May I be a faithful traveler in the journey that He’s set out for me.

A little more about me and what I get to do in Mexico can me read here.