MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
This year we celebrate a Golden Anniversary of ministry (1972 - 2022) Following are a few opportunities we have had over the years. The mission helped pay for an emergency cesarean section of a mother and child in need. The father knew he could not repay for the operation instead he built us 2 desks, 2 doors and a wall for the office. The mission helped pay for a little boy's open heart surgery. Even though they could not repay, they made sure little Danny was in VBS as soon as he recovered. The mission helped cover the cost for many campers each summer. Even though their parents could not afford camp we rejoiced with them when their child accepted Christ. We have helped hundreds of children who were abused, abandoned, neglected; and families who were torn apart by drugs, alcohol and even imprisonment. We´ve housed drug addicts, street children living alone and migrants who were headed north only to turn south towards home when they heard the Gospel preached for the first time. One such boy was Rito. A lost soul searching for a better life became a baptized believer while in our care. Most recently Jose has been asked by the Mexican Immigration officials to help with the new influx of Haitian refugees and others to San Luis Potosi. Many have decided to stay and make their home here in the inner city. Jose said what he needs most at this moment are more bibles. The mission has helped build an adobe church, a bamboo church, a mountain church, an urban church, a country church and even an inner city church called the Ontañon Church of Christ who is celebrating 30 years of ministry (1992 - 2022). The mission was found in hospitals, cemeteries, court rooms, jail cells, rehab facilities, school rooms, villages, house churches, rivers, mountains, patios, dirt floored huts, churches without a roof, walls or doors and even fancy tiled sanctuaries. We have driven for miles and miles to remote destinations, walked for hours, slept on beds made out of palm trees, been to places and ate foods that no one ever heard of. All to meet the needs of others. In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, there are stark contrasts of life events that have happened or will happen to us all. The writer sums it up well by saying, "He has made everything beautiful in its time". One such life event happened to Jose recently when he had to make a quick decision all on his own. A family very close to us lost their daughter to leukemia. The mother also is suffering from a brain tumor and parkinson´s disease. They came several months ago to the city for treatment for both daughter and mother. The father was searching for a way to safely return to their remote mountain top village some 24 hours away. Without hesitation Jose offered them what they needed most at that moment. He drove non-stop for 23 hours and got them home safely in time for the funeral. Jose was able to make something beautiful in its time while staying on visiting the family and the Church of Christ of Zaragoza, Oaxaca, where the family are members. Tired and exhausted from driving the day before Jose rose early on Sunday to prepare for his sermon. In the mountains they have church services at 7a.m. every Sunday. Singing and rejoicing in the Word can be heard by every child, youth and adult. Poor mountain people and all they could afford to repay Jose for what he had done for them was a plate full of food to send him on his way. Jose said, "my cup runneth over". Meeting the needs of others is not about what we will receive in return. It is about giving all you have and more at times. It is about a grateful heart. You give because you are blessed. In return we are able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. Fifty years of meeting the needs of children, youth, adults and families in the inner city and most recently to a small remote mountain top village far from home. With your help we will continue meeting the needs of others. Jose Manuel Gonzalez Field Director of E.M.M. David and Sheri DeBolt Directors of E.M.M. All gifts are tax deductible. Donations can be made out to: Emanuel Mexico Mission Address: 2950 E. 350 N. Bluffton, IN 46714 Comments are closed.
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MISSION &
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