DAY FIVE

Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It is hard to think of any place on this planet where you do not have access to the popular soft drink “Coca Cola,” especially in Mexico. However, this is the description I received of a village in the hills of Michoacán, Mexico where our college missions team was asked to visit. When the day came for our visit, a local pastor guided our team on a three-hour hike into the mountains. We loaded our equipment on donkeys because there were no roads where we were going, only trails. When we arrived at the village, we approached the village elder and requested permission to visit with them for a day and share some teachings about Jesus. The village elder’s response broke my heart; he said, “We only have one Bible in our village, but no one here knows how to read. Although we cannot read, we have very good memories and we will remember your teachings. We only ask that you do not speak badly about the Virgin Mary.” 

I was saddened by the fact that these people knew the name of Jesus and that Mary was his mother but nothing else. They had no idea of the eternal life we can receive through Jesus. We presented puppet shows and skits; afterward, the local pastor shared his testimony and invited people to receive Jesus. I could not hold back the tears as many in the village prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior. The visit to this mountain village was my first encounter with an unreached people group. My calling to missionary work among the unreached of Mexico was sealed during this trip. There are still many that have not heard the Gospel message and more missionaries are needed. Are you willing to go?

Efrain Figueroa - Mexico

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we ask You today to give us a heart that is willing, "willing to go".  Let us be attentive to Your voice and submitted to Your will.  Let "wherever" and "whenever" become a part of our spiritual vocabulary and posture.  Remove all resistance and let us always be ready and willing to go.  Amen.