Dear Firefighters For Christ,
Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” We saw this take place last week in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico. Orlando Sanchez, his daughter, Oleny, Jane and I thought we would just be ministering to firefighters and their families. Our purpose was to encourage the approximately two hundred firefighters, who had stood and made a profession of faith last October when FFC’s training team was there. Juan Domingo, founding pastor of Horizonte Church in Ensenada, and three young pastors from Durango and Ensenada, joined us. They came to see if God would have them start a Bible study for the new converts.
Fresnillo’s Fire Chief, his wife, children and many firefighters warmly greeted us at the airport. They treated us to a great Mexican meal and delivered us safely to our hotel. On Tuesday we spoke to a large group of firefighters at Headquarters, inviting them to a Bible Study that evening, where Juan Domingo taught forty-five attendees from the first chapter of Mark.
Wednesday the Lord arranged an unexpected trip for Orlando and me. We were asked by the Mayor’s secretary to go with some Fresnillo firefighters on an eight-hour caravan trip over rough, dusty dirt roads to bring food, blankets and foam bed pads to people in extreme poverty. In the first village we met a widow in her sixties. She seemed to appear out of nowhere and told us that morning she had asked God to send a doctor for her son, who had kidney problems. As we walked quite a ways down a steep hill to her house, she told us that no one in the village would have anything to do with her because she was an “Alleluia” — a true believer in Jesus Christ. However one woman from the village had slipped out and told her that food was being given out. We prayed with her son and asked for God’s healing. As we were walking back to get her food, we told her we would ask the Lord to send a doctor for her son. She said, “Oh, that won’t be necessary. I prayed and God sent you, and I know the Lord God Almighty will heal my son.” When we got back to the village, all of the allotted food, etc. had been given away. Again, the Lord gave us the privilege of seeing Him meet the needs of His own. Instead of getting only one item, this dear widow was given food, blankets and foam pads. Four Fresnillo firefighters carried her goods down to her house, as Orlando and I thanked the Lord for His bountiful provision.
The rest of our week in Fresnillo was filled with meaningful times with new and old friends. Oleny translated for Jane as she shared The Father’s Love Letter from Genesis to Revelation with ten ladies from Fresnillo. Five of them, who had never made confessions of faith in Jesus Christ, did so at the conclusion of the Bible Study. Saturday evening we shared the Gospel message at a local church where many received Jesus as their Savior. More came forward for healing and other prayer needs at the conclusion of the service. The Lord loves the people of Fresnillo. So do we! Our prayer is that the believers will “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Our prayer is that you will see the Lord provide for each of your needs in Christ Jesus and that only His purposes will be accomplished in and through your life! Philippians 4:19; Proverbs 19:21
Your brother in Jesus,
John