Here's an update from Costa Maya Ministries, where our 1st semester mission offerings will go!
September 2019
Your Encouragement Makes a Difference
It is good to be encouraged by fellow believers near and far. Angela, a local Mexican woman, provides one example. She has been attending Cruz de Cristo for about a year and a half. She is a model of an active faith that has struggles but keeps seeking the Lord. This month she shares a bit about herself and expresses her gratitude to Pastor Vallesky and Costa Maya Ministries for the support they have provided in her life.
Angela is originally from Veracruz, Mexico. Like many others, she came to Mahahual about 3 years ago to find work in the restaurant/tourism industry because earning a living can be a difficult task in much of Mexico. Her journey in Mahahual led her to open a food shack on the grounds of our future church building (groundbreaking coming in the near future!). She named her shop “Saulo,” which means Saul. Angela shares, “Since the name isn’t common in Spanish, it sparks conversation with customers and has enabled me to share the story of Saul/Paul with my customers.” She tells them God chose Saul in spite of his many sins, forgave and loved him, gave him faith, a new name, and a new way of life. Angela likes to let people know that God does love them even when they feel like the ‘worst of sinners,’ like Saul.
Angela herself has experienced a type of Saul conversion. She has passed through dark, confusing periods where she distanced herself from her Lord. As a child, seeds of faith were planted in her by her father (Catholic in name) who taught her to pray but didn’t take her to church. Later, various forms of abuse, neglect from family, and hypocrisy witnessed in the church skewed her understanding of grace.
After marriage, 2 children, and a divorce, Angela was led to read God’s word by some friends and began to believe what it said. At Cruz de Cristo she was pleased to hear the message of God’s unconditional love for her through Jesus. She notes, “Pastor Vallesky and the mission have treated me with respect and been generous with time to provide spiritual encouragement and counsel.” She also has received intermittent financial assistance for an acute illness that family experienced.
Angela attends church and weekly Bible studies regularly and enjoys cooking meals for staff, and hosting church rummage sales in her food hut. She extends her sincere thanks to all that give support of various kinds to allow Costa Maya Ministries to continue to share the gospel in words and actions.
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****************************** ****************************** ******* Online donations may be made at www.Costamayaministries.org or by check payable to Costa Maya Ministries and mailed c/o Fred Starck 2818 Jennifer Lane Johnsburg, IL 60051 |
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