Missionaries

I would imagine the most people think of a missionary as someone who leaves one country to serve in another country (usually Africa). Well, I want to tell you about a native missionary from a big city and the church that he pastors.

Jacinto and his wife, Lourdes, have been married for nineteen years. They have one daughter in college and a son and second daughter that will be graduating in a few years. The Aguilar family live in a city called Guadalupe that is just east of Monterey. Like most large cities with adjacent cities, it is hard to tell where one city stops and the next starts. Jacinto is an earthly employee of the Mexican Postal Service. On the Kingdom of God side, Jacinto is a pastor of a very small church in a very, very poor section of Guadalupe . Although this church is small there is a massive passion for God that is undeniably evident in their services. One thing that is not easy to find in the neighborhood of the church is necessities, including food. This is where this little church has a large outreach. A few days a week about a dozen women from the church setup a very makeshift kitchen in a corner of the church and prepare meals for the children. All the children have to do is show up and believe me they show up. I was able to observe one of these meal time preparations. I can tell you that these people are doing this for the Lord. Anyone can do good works, but to do it for the Lord is different and it shows at this little church.

When it comes to resources it appears that this little church has none compared to Grace Community Church. Yet, with God's help and the support of Grace this little congregation is able to do so much with so little. God's hand it very evident. My heart melts and yearns to go back (and stay) whenever I think about the work that God is doing.

After visiting with Jacinto, his family, his church and the children in the neighborhood I have had so many things in mind that I would like to do to help them expand the reach of their church. I would like to see a group from Grace go a least once every other year (I prefer every month) to Guadalupe to help support this Kingdom work. I must warn you that if you go you will not be the same when you return. The trip to Guadalupe can be very difficult at times, but returning home hurts far more.

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