Articles
Oaxaca Team - emails
07/03/10
The team in Oaxaca has been having an amazing time facilitating medical clinics and ministering to the poorest of the poor in the mountains. They are also ministering to the missionaries that live and work in these areas. Read the exciting emails we have been receiving.
The most recent are at the top, the earliest at the bottom.
From: Mark Molina
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:16 PM
Subject: Day 11 update
We made it back to Oaxaca. Very uneventful. Went to the Mission to drop off leftover medications and did a full inventory. We did have to find a new hotel. Protestors had blocked the road and all water deliveries to the hotel. God provided us with a new one not far down the road and they have water. Showers all around. WOOHOO......
Gods blessings to all and all our love,
Mark
Prayers for Bill and Anamarie for a safe trip here to Oaxaca tomorrow......
From: Pastor Bill Dwyer
Sent: Saturday, June 12 2010
Subject: Great Day
Mari receiving her new truck
Mari receiving her new truck
Mari in her new truck!
Great day yesterday. We changed locations at the last minute and thought we would have few patients. We had as many as on any other day and had a great time. We were in an extremely closed village and it was the first time they allowed protestants in to do something like this. We could not even say "God bless you" or pray in any way, but we believe our efforts opened the door for future work.
It just so turned out that this village was the ancestral birthplace of one of our dentist's family.
A lot of difficult history, so it was very emotional for her to return here. She was able to bless the descendants of those who had hurt her family. The chanhge of location was God's arrangement for Laura.
We also gave Mari her new 4wd truck. Roberto drove it up to the church filled with screaming team members.
Mari broke down in sobs. She was overwhelmed and had prayed for so long for a new vehicle to replace the
1982 Dodge Ram that barely runs. It was awesome.
Bill.
From: W. Wiley
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Subject: Oaxaca Notes
Hello Sharon and Intercessors -
Today we went to Yucuyi near Juxtuluapa. This is the town where Eugenia, Marey's mother, is from originally. Mark did not go with us today because the town was reached by traveling up very rough roads. Overall the clinic went very well given that it was put together in only a few days. (We were originally scheduled to go to another town.) The local coordinators were hopeful that more people would show up; however, there were still many people seen. Domingo was able to accompany Pastor Martin around the area to invite people to come to the clinic which was challenging given the terrain (with steep roads and walking conditions). There were also signs up around the area that alerted everyone that the clinic was happening.
The Bible Institute students were able to join us today which was a great blessing. They mainly did child evangelism and that proved to be very popular. The team of five students played games, sang songs, made balloon animals, and did a puppet
Clinic4 Roberto prays
show. Another highlight was that one of the male students offered to do haircuts and three boys were able to to get their hair cut.
Roberto was very pleased at how the prayer time went today! He said that 80-90% accepted the Lord. He was also able to ask deeper questions to reveal their relationship with Christ. Most everyone said they knew and respected God; however, Roberto found that a lot of people did not have a relationship with Christ. The good news is that this area is open to the Gospel and that there is much hope for the people. The work of Teresita and Marey in that area as local missionaries is evident. We have helped advance their work by holding the clinic.
We had a team of three doctors (Heber, Edgardo, and Minerva). The doctors did not see any extreme cases. Dr. Minerva had a wife come to ask about her husband's condition. He was in a car accident 15 days earlier and hurt his knee, so he was not able to come in person. Based on the wife's report, Dr. Minerva thinks that his knee ligaments have been ruptured. He has not been able to see a doctor because they do not have the funds to do so. Pray for miraculous healing for the man.
We saw a great team effort when we were serving another patient named Eulalia. She first came to Dr. Heber and she only spoke Mixteco so her daughter was with her for translation. He found it challenging to get Eulalia's history because the daughter didn't understand Mixteco very well. Dr. Heber treated her symptoms without having much information and sent her for prescriptions. Later, she came to the dentist with a different translator, Teresita, and during that time, Dr. Lucy thought she may have additional issues with diabetes (which could affect the dental procedures). Dr. Heber was available immediately to check her blood sugar and confirm for Dr. Lucy that Eulalia was okay to be worked on. This time Dr. Heber was able to get a lot more information because the translation was much better. He brought Eulalia back to Dr. Lucy who was able to pull two teeth
clinic3
and speak with her through the translator. Eulalia probably experiences a lot of other times where she is not understood, but we were able to keep trying to serve her despite the language difference and it really showed how our team works together.
Most of the patients seen by the dentists were children. Dr. Laura was impressed by a 10 year old boy named Nezahvalcoyolt who came to the clinic alone and needed a tooth pulled. She was impressed with how mature he was and that he was a very good patient. We found out that he has younger siblings at home that he probably helps care for. It was a very enjoyable interaction with Nezahvalcoyolt. He seemed to be older than a 10 year old boy intellectually, so pray that he gets to be a kid despite his situation.
The patient that has left the most memorable impression was Josefina. She is 4 years old and came to be seen by the dentist. In the morning, her grandfather brought her to the dentist and Dr. Laura determined she needed a tooth pulled. Dr. Laura asked if the parents were available, but he said they were working. Dr. Laura said we should wait until at least one parent can come so she can speak to them. Later, she was brought back but there were still no parents. At the end of the day, her aunt brought her back and Dr. Lucy pulled Josefina's tooth. What struck us about Josefina is that she was completely emotionless and never spoke a word. Both her grandfather and aunt spoke for her. She had a blank look on her face and I tried to get some reaction from her but I was unsuccessful. Even when I took a picture with her and we told her to smile, she had no expression. During her dental procedure, she didn't get upset like most of the children do that are her age. We think she has probably been through a traumatic experience which could be an ongoing part of her environment. Please pray for Josefina that she may learn to know the love of Christ and that she can be the child she was created to be.
Thank you for sending Sally's message to us. Her email confirmed the verse that I was given on Friday and told the group - Matthew 10:11. I believe that there are worthy people everywhere we go that have divine appointments.
Thanks for your prayers. We love and miss you!
Hugs, Wendy
From: Pastor Bill Dwyer
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2010
Subject: Darkness and Light
Things have gone well so far. We had 2 great clinics on Monday & Tuesday. The work in the prison on Wednesday was awesome. Many came to Christ. The team is working well together with minimal sickness, almost none.
We arrived Juxtlahuaca to find a lot of changes.
Humanitarian demonstrators were trying to get into Copala to bring 30 toms of relief supplies in thsi violent Trici area. The ruling group has cut off this town and children are literally starving. 250 police have lined the roads to stop them. This is the same road we have to take to get to our clinic and no one thinks it's safe to take this road, so we are going to spontaneously do a clinic in a different town and away from any gunfire. Good idea, huh.
Tomorrow we are supposed to go to San Juan Mixtepec, a Misteco area, but there has been a dispute with a neighboring community and the neighbors have surrounded San Juan with guns and won't let anyone in. So we have to come up with an alternative site.
Here in Juxtlahuaca the water and sanitation people are trying to stir up everyone to confront the mayor who has not fulfilled his campaign promises. They stopped trash pick up and turned off most of the water. They are guarding the water plant with guns.
So, other than walking into a war zone, we are doing fine!
We have great contacts here and I'm sure they will help us be safe and do the wisest things. It's great to be here and I'm sure none of this takes the Lord by surprise. We will just adjust to Plan B, C or D.
The sad thing is that the people who live in this region and are in great fear. The ruling group of the Tricis has a slogan, "We were born in darkness and we will live in darkness." There is so much oppression of people here, the poor and the rich, the children and the old. I know the Lord has sent us here to be a light. We can encourage the saints. We can show the sick compassion, mercy, and the power of God. We will lead a few to Christ and into the light.
Finally, today we will give Mari, our missionary friend her almost new pickup truck. I know she will be blown away.
Bill Dwyer
From: Mark Molina
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010
Subject: Day 7 update
Hola Sharon,
What a glorious day!!!
We started our day at Martin and Karen Church. Mary ( Mardi ) opened the gates for us and we then surprised her with truck that the Baja mission had provided for her. She broke down in tears while crying how great God was. It was a very touching moment, she is such a woman of God. If you know her, then you have felt Gods Love through her. Morning worship was next. Mary, spelling is right, the pronunciation is different, gave her testament, simply amazing. We went over the new, new changes. We were suppose to have been able to hold our clinic at the local school. We were told that the school had changed their minds. God provided a municipal building and as many people as any of our other clinics. The people showed such kindness and goodness. They were also very respectful and gracious. There is more to this story but I will have to explain tomorrow. I am very tired. Tomorrow the rest of the team will travel to Yucuyi, a village about an hour away. This village is also the place Mary grew up.
God is leading, we are following and victories are being accomplished. What a concept. Your prayers have kept the team from faltering in this time of uncertainty.
Please keep Martin & Karen in your prayers they are working tirelessly trying to find us places to have our outreaches.
Oops, almost forgot Dr. Minerva joined us today.
God's blessings to all,
Mark
From: Mark Molina
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010
Subject: Day 6 Update
Hi Sharon,
I am back on line again. Feeling much better. Needed a little rest. We traveled to Juxtahuaca today, it was about a9 1/2 hour drive. A couple of stops and a big detour in Oaxaca. We are all checked in at the hotel and have meet with Pastor Martin. We are going to have a few changes in our schedule. There is a lot of unrest in the area and surrounding villages. Tomorrow we are going to a elementary school in San Miguel. Saturday is also going to have to be changed. I don't have all of the details yet. Theses changes are sudden so there has not been any advance ground work laid by us. We had a meeting in the Hotel to explain the changes and the problems and concerns. We are all in agreement that the plans we want to follow are God's plans. We feel that if circumstances are changing then God has a different plan for us. The advanced ground work is truly in his hands. As a team we are going to follow the path he is leading us on. We asked God for his blessings, discernment, protection and a bountiful harvest. We also prayed for you our intercessors, thanking him for you and a to place a covering over you. Change as you know can lead to stress but it seems that we all have a peace and resolve to move forward and do Gods work.
Everyone's health seems to be in good shape.
Our Love to all of you,
Mark
From: W. Wiley
Sent: Saturday, June 9, 2010
Subject: The Prison in Etla
Hello Sharon and Intercessors -
Today we went to the prison in Etla. It was a good day. This prison is known to have the highest incidence of AIDS in Mexico. After the outreach, we had a debriefing meeting where everyone shared their thoughts. Today's update features some thoughts from each team member.
Martin - arrived safely today and his trip was uneventful (which is good!).
Mark - his back is still bothering him and he didn't go with us again today. He was upset that he couldn't join us, but he knew he had to rest. Pray for our upcoming travel as we have several people that require front seats (which are the most secure) and parts of the terrain are very bumpy. Please continue in prayer for him.
Bill- Apolonia led the outreach today within the prison. He didn't realize she was a prisoner and thought she was an outsider that coordinates stuff within the prison; however, he later found out that she was a prisoner. Bill and AnaMarie were given a small tour that included Apolonia's cell. It was very touching for Pastor Bill.
AnaMarie - was still processing the day's outreach and didn't have anything to share yet. Her heart opened up to Apolonia.
Wendy - thought the people today were very kind. If I wasn't aware that the people we were serving were in prison, then I would not have suspected they were prisoners. All of my interactions were very good.
Chelsea - is visiting Oaxaca for the first time. She has heard a lot of information about the great need in Oaxaca, in both physical and spiritual senses. During the first outreach at San Juan Chiomisuchtl (sp?), she expected to see a greater need. As a result, she didn't feel a huge spiritual oppression in the town and felt that things in that town are turning around. While she is normally very compassionate, she was a little surprised that she didn't feel a huge burden for the people the first day. She prayed that she would love the people she is serving and have the heart of Christ. On Tuesday, she noticed that she felt different toward the people she was serving and that compassion continued today. The increase in her compassion is a small answer to prayer.
Joe - felt he got to participate more today than in the past. He had a good talk with a white man from Texas that has been in prison for over 20 years and speaks perfect English. Joe listened about the man's family and his beliefs then spoke about his own. After the man left, he reappeared to ask a question which could show that the interactions with the team today made the man think and whatever Joe said did impact the man.
Domingo - had a very good experience. He spent the day sharing about his own life and praying with people. Every person that came to him accepted the Lord and those that didn't come to the Lord are already in the body of Christ. Domingo got to share on a personal level including parts of his past. He was very blessed by participating.
David - was really touched by the outreach. There was a patient that was being served and Roberto discerned that he needed prayer. Roberto and David were able to talk to the man together and had constant dialogue while speaking to the man. He felt that the Lord was really leading them throughout the discussion and the man had a divine appointment. In his other interactions with people, he said that every person that he got to speak with also came to the Lord. Some people claimed to know the Lord and he felt he needed to push in farther. A couple of people knew the right words to say about Christianity but he sensed that they did not have a change of heart. After speaking with them, David witnessed how the spirit of the Lord was flowing and it was perfect timing for the people to accept Jesus. He thinks the people realized that it was time for the Lord in their lives also.
Dr. Heber - thinks that the work of the team is good. He is more accustomed to working with people that come, do some work, and then take off immediately afterwards. This is the first time that he is apart of a group that has gone into a prison. He really imagined the experience and people to be different. He was very touched by the wife of one of the prisoners. She was served and then sent for medications and glasses. She is not in prison but she got to be blessed because she was in the right place in the right time. He believes that it is not us being there, but that the Lord is working and has a plan for her life.
Dr. Edgardo - is having a good experience and this is his second time ministering in Oaxaca. He likes the dynamic of the team - If you do your part right, it will work. He likes to operate by the philosophy to preach the gospel all the time and when necessary, use words. He saw this in action today with the man from Texas that he served and was later served by Joe. The man seemed to be well educated but he has been through a lot. Dr. Edgardo treated the man like he was a patient that came to an appointment in his office. The man seemed to be expecting a different type of experience. Dr. Edgardo thought the man was waiting for the speech about how he is a sinner. Instead, Dr. Edgardo talked to him about his family and personal details like he normally does for the patients that come to his office. Once the man left Dr. Edgardo, he went to speak to Joe and it was apparent that his initial experience helped open up the conversation for Joe. Dr. Edgardo was happy that the Lord was using our team in the man's life.
Dentist Laura - has had to make decisions to perform procedures without a lot of resources. The dentists are working in a very primitive way (without drills and doing manual extractions). Last year, she had to do a complicated extraction which was more of an informal oral surgery. She acknowledges that it is a miracle that things don't go wrong beause usually she has xrays and more tools to work on people, including any issues that can arise. We don't have the tools to deal with many complicated issues and it is the work of the Lord that we haven't experienced the problems that require more tools.
Lucy - had a patient yesterday that did not reveal his health issues when asked. She performed a tooth extraction and then the man said he had diabetes. He began bleeding a lot after his procedure and she was pretty scared. She did pray and the bleeding stopped. It is just an example of how it is a miracle how God works miracles. Today, she got to speak to a different man after we were done with patients. He was asking questions. She said she was a Seventh Day Adventist and he revealed that his family was also. He also had a grandma that was a dentist and she used to take him to to church. He was encouraged that Lucy was out continuing the work of serving others. He also made pens for the dental team (Lucy, Laura, Wendy).
Roberto - thought it was the best day of prayer yet. He got to minister to a man that is currently serving his prison term in solitary confinement. Roberto thinks that the goodness and kindness of the team prepared the man, so he was ready when it ws time to accept Jesus. Roberto asked if the man felt peace and he said yes. Throughout the prayers of today, Roberto was was able to emphasize how the people have been set free even though they are inside a physical jail. At the end of the day, Domingo and Roberto talked to a couple and they came to Christ together. The man had said that he knew he did something wrong and he had to pay for it, but then after praying, Domingo got to say that the man was now free. Roberto rejoiced because Jesus set the captives free. There were sad situations today, but the doors in the prison and the hearts of the people were opened by the intecessors. Praise God!
Thank you for your prayers! We are traveling to Juxtuluapa tomorrow so pray for traveling mercies. We love you.
Hugs, Wendy
From: W. Wiley
Sent: Saturday, June 8, 2010
Subject: Medical Clinic in Santa Cecilia Jalleza
Hello Sharon and Intercessors -
We went to Santa Cecilia Jalleza today. This is our third time visiting the village and it appears that the people are are starting to open up. Some people were happy to see us and welcomed us when we first arrived. The children ran over to us right when we pulled up. There was still resistance in some forms - they again said they would let us use the Municipal building but when we got there no one could locate the keys so we again did the clinic outside in front of the building and then some of the local men stood watching us suspiciously from a short distance (there were much fewer people watching us this time though).
Regarding the medical, we had an interesting case today. A man was waiting for us begore we got there. He approached Dr. Edgardo and asked if the doctors could give him a second opinion about his cancer diagnosis. It was determined that the man had got a "bad prognosis" because he was told that he had 3 months to live. After viewing the x-rays and reading the test information, Dr. Edgardo confirmed that the man's original diagnosis was correct that he has cancer except that it is hard to tell how long he will live. He doesn't look sick but has pain. In speaking to the man, Dr. Edgardo discerned that he was a believer and talked to him about miracles and how we believe that God can move. The doctor found out that the man recently got a Bible and started reading it, so Dr. Edgardo connected the man to Esteban and the man said he would start going to the meetings held by Esteban and Yadira. The man was reassured and left smiling. It is a difficult situation but Dr. Edgardo said that the man was open to God's Will to be done in his life.
Another patient seen by Dr. Edgardo was a teenage boy with emotional troubles. Just pray that he would follow up with a professional about this emotional and likely spiritual issues. He has been self inflicting pain and the doctor thinks he needs more help.
Roberto observed that both of the doctors are very compassionate and really spent quality time with the patients. The local people really felt comfortable with them.
Regarding the dentists, we noticed that they were not as busy as the last time; however, the people were very thankful today. Many were asking when we would be coming back again. Both of the dentists are very compassionate and took time to help people - sometimes doing two extractions on the same person. I noticed that the people trusted what the dentists instructed. The town doesn't have resources for dental resources, so there are a lot of patients with more work that needs to be done which we are not able to do, such as fillings. We should pray that there will be more opportunities for dental outreaches.
Prayer in AM was good. One man that had a severe alcohol problem got to talk to Roberto and hear his story. The man accepted Christ but we are not sure if his heart was changed. Pray that he encounters God on a personal level. There was also another time of prayer with two young girls (17-18) and they were very touched by Holy Spirit. Pray for an increase of God in their lives.
Pharmacy was very busy and mobbed at all times. Pastor Bill and David L. were very patient and explained the instructions with people around them at all times.
The whole team was very compassionate with the people. Domingo, Joe, and Roberto did a lot of different types of jobs very willingly.
The biggest development is that Yadira and Esteban have moved to the village since our last time visiting in January. They have been ministering in the town for over a year and now they feel they have been accepted enough to live there. They teach a class that is for illiterate people and that is going very well. Our medical clinics have really opened the doors for Yadira and Esteban also. They have been able to speak to a lot of people; however, now they are experiencing a challenging situation with appointments being broken a lot. The main issue is that there is a spirit of fear surrounding the involvment with Christians where people have been threatened to lose their house and land if they become Christians. The persecution is very real and can be scary for the locals. Yadira and Esteban will continue their work there and need prayers for more breakthrough.
Finally, please pray for Mark. He stayed home today with back issues. The long van rides are very difficult for him. Also, Joe is still not feeling well and today he had a headache. He is not back to his normal self yet.
Thank you very much for your prayers! We love you.
Hugs, Wendy
From: Mark Molina
Sent: June 8, 2010
Subject: In The Mountains
We traveled 2 hours to San Juan Chicomezuchil in the mountains of Oaxaca. This has been a difficult village for Pastor Omar to try to get a foothold in. From our viewpoint there has been a softening of the hearts of the people since our first visit a year ago. We were able to see a few people we had prayed for our last visit. The people expressed their ongoing commitment to the Lord. I was working with the dentists today so I was not able to see much of the turnout of the village. There is one story that I would like to report on. Anamarie prayed for a young girl (beginning teens), other members of her family had been prayed for on our previous visit. Anamaria was able to get her to open up. The girl had not talked to anyone before but was now afraid, She had a feeling that there was a dust covering her skin, it was a feeling she was having daily. She had been feeling ill and had been visiting a witchdoctor. She was having great feelings of fear that something was covering her in dust. It took Anamarie quite a while to get the information from the girl due to her fears. Anamarie had her rebuke the workings of the witchdoctor. The people praying for the girl said that the power of the Holy Spirit was heavy in the room. That is as far as I know as to what happened.
Gods Blessings and Love to everyone,
Mark
From: Mark Molina
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010
Subject: Day 2 and 3 update
Hola Sharon,
I am having to combine 2 days due to lack of time..
Day 2 Sunday... Went to Pastor Omar's Church. He has out grown his old church and moved into a much bigger building, it really looks great. I wont bother you with the boring details of our home made tamales, 3 different types, fresh fruit plates, fresh squeezed O.J. or the variety of sweet breads we had to eat for breakfast. None of it tasted very good, not even after 3 or 4 servings..... I would like to go back and maybe check out the food just a couple more times just in case I have made an error.
Anamarie and Roberto talked at the service and Bill gave the sermon. There was a time for people who wanted to be prayed for. The response was very good I feel many people were helped.
We spent some time at the Zocolo and went back to the orphanage to organize and pack our medicines. Our dentists from Baja Lucy and Laura arrived in the evening. I don't have all of the details yet but Lucy's luggage was stolen, I think prior to her departure.
I'm sorry Sharon I was going to try to do two days but I can't maybe in the morning I can finish. Sorry.... I think we just had an earthquake.... maybe not, very small.. maybe just tired. All our Love to those praying for us..
Prayer Request...
Joe Ellis some type of intestinal problem. He felt very sick
Talk to you soon,
Mark
