| Testimonies |
Click on CompassionNet for the most recent prayer requests for our people group in Cd. Juárez.
| A pastor's wife and team leader from Abilene, Texas |
Wow, in regards to your request, I wish we had recordings of all the Juarez
reports we've given in the past--following our trips! Lives been touched???
Phew! Have they ever.
Anyway, it has been remarkable how these trips have changed the
"complexion" of Ridgemont. It seems her (Ridgemont's) world vision has
changed and increased. Our people have "gotten out of themselves" and
their own needs and into the needs of others. We've seen grown men cry
as they shared about how their lives were touched by a short 2 or 3 day
trip to Juarez. They were overwhelmed by the poverty we saw on our first
trip (May 2004) as we ministered basically in the San Francisco area.
We have been greatly touched and overwhelmed by the warmth of the
people we have encountered and by their openness to us as well as to the
gospel we came to share through prayer walking. Our youth have been
greatly touched by the openness of the youth of CdE. These trips have
helped not only our youth, but all of us to see how very blessed we are to
have a "roof over our head," food on our tables...things some of the people
of Juarez and the rest of the world do not have.
I also think of those who "resisted coming" for a thousand different reasons
and, now that they've been, they want to come every trip! I did a little
"survey" of a sort, just now and here is what I found. Of our 150 or so
average attendance at Ridgemont, 64 have made the trip to Juarez, 14 of
those are couples and 32 of the 64 have made repeated trips. Ten
children under the age of 12 and nine teenagers have come with us
through the years. Three of our six deacons and all of our staff members
have been on these trips to Juarez! Toni Locke has driven from Arizona
four times just to be a part of these trips!
Coming home from these trips knowing that we had a small part in the
"positive contacts" that were made has been a tremendous boost to our
people. It has encouraged us to be that same witness here at Abilene.
We've begun prayer walking in our church neighborhood. Many who have
made these trips are much bolder in their witness for the Lord.
Returning trip after trip and seeing those who are now a part of the
fellowship of CdE perhaps because we were willing to "come and prayer
walk" while someone else witnessed has helped us to realize that it is not
about us, it is all about God and His Spirit drawing people to Him.
I don't know what else to say, but, "Praise the Lord!"
reports we've given in the past--following our trips! Lives been touched???
Phew! Have they ever.
Anyway, it has been remarkable how these trips have changed the
"complexion" of Ridgemont. It seems her (Ridgemont's) world vision has
changed and increased. Our people have "gotten out of themselves" and
their own needs and into the needs of others. We've seen grown men cry
as they shared about how their lives were touched by a short 2 or 3 day
trip to Juarez. They were overwhelmed by the poverty we saw on our first
trip (May 2004) as we ministered basically in the San Francisco area.
We have been greatly touched and overwhelmed by the warmth of the
people we have encountered and by their openness to us as well as to the
gospel we came to share through prayer walking. Our youth have been
greatly touched by the openness of the youth of CdE. These trips have
helped not only our youth, but all of us to see how very blessed we are to
have a "roof over our head," food on our tables...things some of the people
of Juarez and the rest of the world do not have.
I also think of those who "resisted coming" for a thousand different reasons
and, now that they've been, they want to come every trip! I did a little
"survey" of a sort, just now and here is what I found. Of our 150 or so
average attendance at Ridgemont, 64 have made the trip to Juarez, 14 of
those are couples and 32 of the 64 have made repeated trips. Ten
children under the age of 12 and nine teenagers have come with us
through the years. Three of our six deacons and all of our staff members
have been on these trips to Juarez! Toni Locke has driven from Arizona
four times just to be a part of these trips!
Coming home from these trips knowing that we had a small part in the
"positive contacts" that were made has been a tremendous boost to our
people. It has encouraged us to be that same witness here at Abilene.
We've begun prayer walking in our church neighborhood. Many who have
made these trips are much bolder in their witness for the Lord.
Returning trip after trip and seeing those who are now a part of the
fellowship of CdE perhaps because we were willing to "come and prayer
walk" while someone else witnessed has helped us to realize that it is not
about us, it is all about God and His Spirit drawing people to Him.
I don't know what else to say, but, "Praise the Lord!"
The first time I went to Juarez I didn't know what to expect. But after getting
there and seeing the poverty they lived on a day to day bases, I was
shocked at first. I knew things weren't going to be like it is here at home,
but I truly didn't know the extent of how bad it was. I was raised poor and
thought my life was bad, living with my grandparents in a three room
house with an outdoor toilet was really embarrassing. But after going and
seeing the conditions in Juarez, I feel my life wasn't bad after all.
Compared to them I was blessed and didn't realize it. God opened my eyes
to how rich my family really was...
there and seeing the poverty they lived on a day to day bases, I was
shocked at first. I knew things weren't going to be like it is here at home,
but I truly didn't know the extent of how bad it was. I was raised poor and
thought my life was bad, living with my grandparents in a three room
house with an outdoor toilet was really embarrassing. But after going and
seeing the conditions in Juarez, I feel my life wasn't bad after all.
Compared to them I was blessed and didn't realize it. God opened my eyes
to how rich my family really was...
| A team member from Abilene |
I wasn't used to sharing my heart with total strangers. On top of that, I
could not speak their language which is also an uncomfortable feeling.
Despite my initial unease, I soon realized I had nothing to fear. God was
obviously with us. No matter how clumsy or awkward any of us felt, God
repeatedly used the power of His word - truth from the Bible – to draw men,
and women, and we only had to be open and willing to share when the
opportunity arose. It became clear that what happened in each of those
homes in Mexico had nothing to do with the eloquence of the person
speaking. It was completely a matter of the hearer’s heart and the Holy
Spirit using God’s word to bring those in darkness to the light of His son
Jesus. There was no reason for any of us to be afraid because God was in
control. We only had to be open and willing to share when the opportunity
arose.
could not speak their language which is also an uncomfortable feeling.
Despite my initial unease, I soon realized I had nothing to fear. God was
obviously with us. No matter how clumsy or awkward any of us felt, God
repeatedly used the power of His word - truth from the Bible – to draw men,
and women, and we only had to be open and willing to share when the
opportunity arose. It became clear that what happened in each of those
homes in Mexico had nothing to do with the eloquence of the person
speaking. It was completely a matter of the hearer’s heart and the Holy
Spirit using God’s word to bring those in darkness to the light of His son
Jesus. There was no reason for any of us to be afraid because God was in
control. We only had to be open and willing to share when the opportunity
arose.
| A team member from Knoxville, TN |
Dear Brother and Sisters In Christ,
My Heart is so full I cannot begin to actually put into words how I feel when
it comes to Juarez! When I first began going to Ridgemont Baptist Church
and they began to talk about a Mission trip to Juarez, I thought how great
to be able to go and share Christ. Then I began to doubt how could I go. I
have always been sort of quiet, not getting up in front of people. I have
trouble talking here in my town how can I go where mostly Spanish is
spoken? But I still wanted to go and the closer the time came, the more I
wanted to go.
I truly felt that the Lord was wanting me to go, and I continued to pray
about it. My main thought was for God to use me.
Well, I went on the mission trip, and my life has never been the same
since! When we went to Juárez, we ministered with Communities of Hope.
There I found some of the most beautiful people you will ever see!
After arriving, we began prayerwalking and knocking on doors where the
people were so receptive. Seeing people accept Christ filled you with such
joy!
During one of the church services I gave my testimony. I admit I was
nervous, but, when I began to speak, God began to tell me what to say.
My heart felt so full. I have been so blessed because of Communities of
Hope Church. Such friends I have met. Even though we were where I could
not speak their language, and they could not speak mine, it shows how, if
you trust and pray, God can break any barrier. All of us bonded and
communicated great. There are so many things and blessings that there is
not enough time or paper to tell it all, but everyone needs to go at least
once, but once you have been you will want to return every time.
My Heart is so full I cannot begin to actually put into words how I feel when
it comes to Juarez! When I first began going to Ridgemont Baptist Church
and they began to talk about a Mission trip to Juarez, I thought how great
to be able to go and share Christ. Then I began to doubt how could I go. I
have always been sort of quiet, not getting up in front of people. I have
trouble talking here in my town how can I go where mostly Spanish is
spoken? But I still wanted to go and the closer the time came, the more I
wanted to go.
I truly felt that the Lord was wanting me to go, and I continued to pray
about it. My main thought was for God to use me.
Well, I went on the mission trip, and my life has never been the same
since! When we went to Juárez, we ministered with Communities of Hope.
There I found some of the most beautiful people you will ever see!
After arriving, we began prayerwalking and knocking on doors where the
people were so receptive. Seeing people accept Christ filled you with such
joy!
During one of the church services I gave my testimony. I admit I was
nervous, but, when I began to speak, God began to tell me what to say.
My heart felt so full. I have been so blessed because of Communities of
Hope Church. Such friends I have met. Even though we were where I could
not speak their language, and they could not speak mine, it shows how, if
you trust and pray, God can break any barrier. All of us bonded and
communicated great. There are so many things and blessings that there is
not enough time or paper to tell it all, but everyone needs to go at least
once, but once you have been you will want to return every time.
| A team member from Abilene |
The old familiar hymn, "Set My Soul on Fire" has come alive because of
our involvement in Juarez. Any church that might be considering an
outreach of this time need not pray for long. Just do it. You will be blessed.
You don't have to go to seminary or be concerned about having special
talents. God knows your abilities and will find a place to use you, just as
you are.
our involvement in Juarez. Any church that might be considering an
outreach of this time need not pray for long. Just do it. You will be blessed.
You don't have to go to seminary or be concerned about having special
talents. God knows your abilities and will find a place to use you, just as
you are.
| A team member from Abilene |
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