Mexico missions

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.” (Pro 1:8-9)

 

 

Journal,

This past Sunday was Resurrection Sunday. And I am always reminded that it was on Resurrection morning 2005, seven years ago, that my mom went to be with the Lord. She was 85 years young.

How I miss my mom. But as much as I miss her, my heart rejoices that the Lord chose to call her home on the day that we celebrate His resurrection.

Guess I was a bit spoiled. I have three sisters and we have shared a lot of family love through the years. But as an only son, my mom and I had that unique mother-son bond. I use to love to talk with her. She often shared with me about her childhood and how very special her family was to her. We also had wonderful Bible talks.

It reminds of what the sage said:

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.” (Pro 1:8-9)

Yes, it was my mother who first introduced me to the Lord in the children’s prayer of, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep’.

And this brings me to…

 

Mom’s Memorabilia

Occasionally I will look in an old shoe box were mom kept bits of memorabilia about her family. It was mostly newspaper clippings of her kids, along with items about other members of our family. Mom had such a love for her family.

She had a clipping about my cousin Ora Vay, about her appearance on the Grand Old Opry. Another clipping was of my cousin Eddie Tilley, who was a missionary to Norway.

There were clippings about my great-uncle John Carver, a pioneer preacher with the Church of God (Anderson.)

She had a clipping of our son, André, and his military training. (André was in Desert Storm.) It goes on and on. Each clipping spoke to my heart. And each one was special.

Then there was a newspaper clipping where our son Nathan, was interviewed by the newspaper, about his missionary work in Mexico. It is dated, Saturday, May 30, 1987. That was 25 years ago. Nathan was 22 years old then. He is now 47.

Thought I’d share part of mama’s clipping on that interview. Hope you enjoy it.

Here goes…

 

MISSIONARY BRINGS JESUS TO MEXICAN INDIAN TRIBES – Long hikes, witches’ curses don’t deter him – by Sidney Williams, Staff reporter (Alexandria Daily Town Talk.)

Every mission field has unusual elements. Mexico’s version of the unusual is witchcraft.

During these past five months, Nathan Martin has been working with other missionaries in the jungles of southern Mexico preaching and helping establish Christian churches for Indian tribes in the Mexican states, Oaxaca and Vera Cruz.

There are many witches in the area who practice spells and make herbal potions. One area is considered the witch capital of Mexico, Las Tuxtlas, or the “Land of Witches.”

“They’re real proud of their witches,” Martin, a Christian Challenge International missionary, explained.

People there go to witches for consultations. “They all charge money for what they do,” he said.

Martin said the Christian missionaries are not popular with the witches. “When people see the power of Jesus, they stop going to witches,” he explained.

That has led to the witches placing curses on the missionaries.

Miracle and healings

Despite the hardship, Martin said there have been some real miracles, including healings. He attributed that to the fact that the Gospel has never been preached to many in the area, and miracles can be expected when the Gospel comes alive.

Martin also trains churches leaders. Right now, he’s home in Pineville with his family. His father, Buddy Martin

Through the years. Buddy, Betty, Nathan, Andre and Shana

is pastor of Pineville Christian Challenge church.

“I’m required by the Mexican government to come out every six months,” Nathan Martin explained in a recent interview.

The past five months have been busy ones for him. Much of that time he’s had to hike to his preaching points. One trek was 4 1/2 hours over mountains and across a river. That’s not uncommon.

“The people are sturdy,” Martin noted. Most of the Indians are farmers who raise coffee or cattle.

Not familiar with Jesus

Martin, who speaks Spanish, said one thing he’s discovered about the people  is that they don’t have a concept of who Jesus was. When he can present them a message about Christ, they respond.

One time when he was conducting a campaign, which is like a revival, he saw 109 people converted to Christianity. He said many of the people who make that decision continue in a Christian life.

A campaign is an interesting experience, Martin said. A tent is set up and a band plays songs. He said missionaries take generators into remote areas and set up musical equipment.

“Campaigns are electric,” he said. “They’re exciting.”

Build Churches

He said the Indians build their own churches because it gives them a great sense of pride. “They value it higher,” he said.

The churches, like the homes, are of mud or concrete blocks with thatched or tin roofs.

He recalled that one night while he was preaching, a bat flew into one of the buildings. On another night, he saw a man rise, take off his shoe and charge toward the pulpit. Martin said he thought the man was charging at him, but the fellow ran past him and killed a scorpion on the wall.

Congregations in the churches range in number from 10 members in the smaller churches to about 100 members in the larger ones.

Alcoholism is a problem

Martin said there are other problems besides witchcraft among the Indian tribes. Alcoholism is prevalent.

“I think that’s one of the major problems we have down there,” Martin said.

He’s seen women come for prayer whose husbands have spent every penny on alcohol.

“It’s destroying lives,” he said.

Bars close at 8 p.m. in the area where Martin lives, but that doesn’t ease the problem. In the United States, people might see drunks on the street at 1 or 2 a.m. “Down there you see drunks at six in the afternoon,” Martin said.

While there are hardships involved, Martin is enjoying his work and is looking forward to going back.

“I love it. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I know I’m doing exactly what God wants me to do,” he said.

 

Well, that was 25 years ago. The churches have grown and some are sending out their own missionaries now. The last church Nathan and Joel founded has grown to several hundred. And the churches that they founded continue to look to Nathan and Joel as their spiritual fathers.

 

Mama’s Love for Jesus

Well mama, thanks for holding on to all the clippings…

Yes indeed. My mom was an extra special woman. One of my sisters liked to refer to her as a queen without a country. That’s not the case anymore. Before mama went home on Resurrection morning, 2005, she shared with me her wonderful experience with Jesus.

She said that one morning while she was reading her Bible, it was like the very presence of Jesus rested upon her and filled the place where she was sitting. Mama could hardly find words to describe what happened. That awesome feeling of security and happiness lasted three days. She told me that if this is what heaven is like, she was ready to go.

Well, just a few days later mama made her journey home. There was no fear in mama. She loved the Lord deeply. And mama will be there when I make my journey home.

Boy, my mama was one beautiful woman, and in more ways than one.

Well, maybe this country gospel song will tell the story better than I can. Take time to listen to the Palmetto State Quartet as they sing, ‘Don’t That Sound Like Heaven.’

In love with Jesus always,

Buddy

 

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