[About the photos: Look at what God and his people have accomplished in the last two and a half years!]
Dear friends of Mexico Ministries:
“You’re 80 now, maybe you should think about retiring!” That’s what folk said to me two and a half years ago.
Since then we have built ten new churches (with more being planned), drilled a water well for the central church in Tuxtepec, and built a new home for Pastor Sabani’s family, including their very first refrigerator and gas stove. We are also finishing a parsonage for Pastor Jose in Atoyac, have provided a pickup for Pastor Cesar, and supplied a 4x4 3/4 ton pickup which will be used in the mountains of Oaxaca.
The reason I didn’t retire two and a half years ago because I didn’t hear God tell me to, and I knew His purpose for me was still alive. When Isaiah heard God ask, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us,” he responded, “Here am I, send me.” That same prophet would later pen the words of purpose that Jesus quoted about his own ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners, to comfort all who mourn.” (Isaiah 61 and Luke 4) I believe every one of us have a similar purpose, to join with Christ in his ministry of bringing and expanding the Kingdom of God to the people of the world. And until we have played our part, we keep on keeping on.
Moses was sent by God to set His people free, and when his time came, he knew he had fulfilled his purpose: “I am 120 years old today, I am no longer able to come and go, and the Lord said to me, you shall not cross the Jordan.” (Dt. 31.2) Moses’ purpose had been accomplished.
Until the Holy Spirit makes it clear that my work is complete, I’ll keep striving to fulfill God’s purpose in my life. I’m not saying I’ll still be at it when I’m 120, like Moses, but I will keep doing what God has called me to do until, “I am no longer able to come and go.” Thank you, every one of you, who has stood with us these last 41 years and joined with us in fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives and in Mexico. May the Lord bless our labors in the years to come!
God bless you in this new year,
Larry