We took an amazing and successful trip into Mexico with Spanish Bibles last month. There were friendly people everywhere ready to help us or give us directions or just visit with us.
It’s hard to describe the many contrasts in that country. We drove slowly on dirt roads into remote areas in the mountains and we drove on new four lane highways across the flatlands. We spent nights in high places where we were surrounded by soft green hills and we stayed along the Emerald Coast on the Gulf of Mexico. In one cafe near a beautiful plaza pigeons walked around our feet searching for crumbs. In the night green geckos clung to the walls and ceilings watching for insects. Old men rode burros and carried heavy loads while young men sped around town on motorbikes. And always there was the feeling that we were traveling across an ancient land.
Our first destination was the old city of Ocampo that is nestled in a high valley. The city was established in the early 1700's near an old Catholic mission. Indians who lived in the nearby hills joined the Spaniards in farming the land and raising sugar cane. The city was first known as Santa Barbara.
We stayed in the home of Pastor Carlos Chapas, on a shady cobblestone street at the edge of town. The place was full of the sound of turtle doves singing in the enormous old trees. Almost every backyard was home to chickens and roosters, one or two pigs and lots of fruit trees. Since there was little traffic, there were always dogs sleeping in the middle of the streets.
We stayed in the home of Pastor Carlos Chapas, on a shady cobblestone street at the edge of town. The place was full of the sound of turtle doves singing in the enormous old trees. Almost every backyard was home to chickens and roosters, one or two pigs and lots of fruit trees. Since there was little traffic, there were always dogs sleeping in the middle of the streets.
Pastor Chapas guided us into remote areas in the countryside, down narrow winding lanes looking for small churches that needed Bibles. In one area we met Pastor Rodrigo Olvera Vazquez who had been crippled since childhood. After giving the pastor and his wife a box of Bibles, we joined with them in prayer, especially for him to be healed. And we all felt the presence of the Lord in that secluded and quiet place.
We stood holding hands in that ancient land praying to our Father in Heaven, the "Ancient of days." Daniel 7:9
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