September 2007 E-Update

Angie Velasco

I remember my summer months in Chicago. I used to be an avid cyclist. My weekends used to be packed with cycling trips in Wisconsin, Michigan or the outskirts of Chicago like Starved Rock State Park or the Fox River Valley. I know from experience what a cyclist’s “high” is. It is that last adrenalin rush in those last few miles of a 32-mile or 50-mile bike ride when you know you have endured the most difficult uphill ride and would finish with just 3-4 more miles to go!

Today, as a missionary, the Lord has given me the privilege to experience what I would call a missionary’s “high”. It is that renewed energy to serve Him knowing you are making an impact --- that people are receiving the Lord, being discipled and visible changes are occurring in their lives!

This summer I have had many missionary “high” experiences but time and space is permitting me to mention only one. Call me (011-52-777-312-1879) if you want to hear more of my “high” experiences.

Lupita (not her real name) came faithfully to the Thursday Women’s Bible studies. We had our summer break but I told all the ladies to please call me anytime if they want to get together for coffee or just to talk. Lupita called me one Thursday afternoon. She was desperate! She came to my apartment crying because she had heard that her son is using drugs. I prayed for her as she was in a crisis. She cried the whole time and cried out to God to please help her! To make a long story short, I started praying with Lupita every Thursday afternoon and started studying Chuck Smith’s Spanish version of Effective Prayer Life. We learned that if we have sin in our lives the Lord will not hear our prayers. The Holy Spirit convicted Lupita of her sin. She sells fresh chicken to earn a living. She confessed that she does not tell her clients the real price of the chicken per kilo because when she tells the real price people don’t buy. She also confessed that when people looked poor she charges less but when they appear “rich” she charges more.

I challenged Lupita with Proverbs 3:5, 6 to “trust the Lord” and not take things in her own hands like some women of the Bible, like Sarah or Rebecca, who took things in their own hands and suffered the consequences. Her clients would buy chicken regardless of the price but she needs to be honest and tell the real price per kilo and charge them based on the weight of the chicken and not based on their physical appearance. I said, “If you want God to hear your prayers, you have to deal with this sin.” I prayed for Lupita to be honest in her business deals.

Last Thursday, without me asking, Lupita said, “Angie, it has been very difficult but I started telling people the real price of the chicken per kilo and started charging people based on the weight of the chicken and not based on their physical appearance. I feel “clean” inside.” PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!! I told her following Christ will cost but obedience brings blessings and disobedience brings problems.

This to me is one missionary “high” experience. God is in the business of changing people’s lives! What a privilege to be here in Mexico seeing Him do it in one life after another! I can tell you about the change in many more lives like Carmen, Rosa, Flor, Paola and others but you just have to call meJ.

To date we continue to pray for Lupita’s son to have good friends and not to be in the company of drug users. As far as I know, Lupita does not have any proof that her son is truly using drugs.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support.

For one reason or another (divorce, illness, unemployment, new church etc. on the part of my donors) my monthly financial support this summer is down by $500. This being my 4^th year living as a missionary I know God is faithful but He does use His people to carry on His work. Please pray that those who committed to give monthly would not forget that the Lord’s work here continues even during the summer months. Ask God to raise up new donors if others are not able to continue to give.

I truly appreciate your partnership! Again, thank you!