Ministry in Baciroa

After the October hurricane, the ministry in the highway villages came to a screetching halt for about a month. Everyone was traumatized by the event, and our focus moved to rebuilding and comforting those who had lost homes, churches, and buildings.

After the hurricane, the church began again in Toltecas. Joshua was also invited to teach at an Assembly of God for several weeks, but the children's classes, which were our main ministry focus, never came back into full swing. We tried several times to have classes in varying villages, but it was obvious to us that the Lord was preparing our hearts for a change.

As we prayed about the change that was taking place in our lives, we continued serving faithfully in the Toltecas church. One night, a young lady who regularly attends the meetings brought with her a young man and his sister. They were both obviously believers, and they shared about the Lord's work in their church in the mountain village of Baciroa.

After the service, Joshua pulled the young man aside and asked him who his pastor was in Baciroa. He introduced himself as Fabian, and at 20 years old, he was currently pastoring a congregation of about 12 people. Joshua was astounded that at such a young age he was over a congregation. Fabian, also, was shaken. After the previous pastor of his church decided to leave, he was considered the most spiritually mature out of the other older adults, and so was charged to watch this small fold of sheep.

Joshua, in compassion and concern, offered to come to Baciroa the next week and hold a revival. What we didn`t realize was that the revival would never come to fruition, but a great love for the people in Baciroa grew almost immediately in our hearts. Joshua preached for one night. He eagerly asked to come back the next Friday night if Fabian would allow him, and preach again.

After two months, we realized that there was a great need for a Christian work in this area. The highway villages are all full of two to three churches per village, and the villages that are near the highway have many works that regularly spring up out of the highway churches. We had felt for some time that there was another avenue we were to follow, but never knew which one. The trips to Baciroa revealed a great area of villages with little to no Christian influence...not even Catholic influence! The doors are wide open for evangelism in Baciroa and the surrounding areas.

One night after service, Fabian asked Joshua to take him to the city in his pickup. During that next morning's drive, Fabian poured out his heart over his church. The church was about to receive from the church government the 9th pastor in 15 years. The pastors all come from the seminary, and are looking for a good paying church to support them. Unfortunately, in Baciroa, the ranch is poor, and the seclusion from the city makes life difficult at times. Most pastors ask for replacements within a year. Fabian was feeling incredibly concerned about the new replacement that would soon come. He was planning on bailing out of the village after the new pastor came because he couldn't bear to see the church fall again when the pastor left.

As Fabian talked, Joshua grew excited. Fabian what if I stayed, he asked. That question has led to us living in Baciroa now. Fabian's zeal for his people has been renewed and he longs to see the church grow again strong and together.

We are now living in Baciroa. The Toltecas church still meets once a week on Wednsdays, but all other days, we are in the mountains. We are so excited about what God is doing in and through us!