Streets of the Chiapas capital invaded by Christians sharing the love of Christ
by Dan Wooding
March 27, 2007
TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, CHIAPAS, MEXICO (ANS) -- Some 400 American Christians have joined with their Mexican counterparts to "invade" the streets of Tuxtla Gutierrez, the picturesque state capital of Chiapas in Southern Mexico, with the loving message of Christ. The Americans, who had paid their own way, were taking part in "Festival de Vida 2007" (in English "Festival of Life 2007"), an exceptional outreach led by San Diego pastor, Mike MacIntosh, from March 20-26, 2007.
Some of them were doctors, dentists and nurses who, under the leadership of Dr. Fred Salley, a San Diego doctor, were conducing and will include medical/dental clinics around the city and in the outside areas.
There were even a colorful group of clowns who were bringing joy and fun the many mini festivals taking place all day long in various areas, as well as construction of orphanages, hospital visitations, prison outreaches, and gifts to the poor.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Mike MacIntosh will speak at the city's many soccer stadium and besides American singers like Sarah MacIntosh, a host of well-known Mexican performers will be there including Fermin IV, Maria del Sol, Ernesto D'alessio, Semilla de Mostaza Mexico, Isai Pinon (ex-Kumbia Kings) and Orquesta Fortaleza.
Many of the participants have been bringing back testimonies and praise reports about what happened to them.
One was a person involved in praying for the staff and patients are a free medical clinic who said, "At Patrina Nueva we felt led to 'hands-on' pray and we were directed to a room in the medical clinic and prayed for one man there. Then we gave up the room to the eye doctor.
"We went outside to find another place to pray and met a female pastor who offered her church as a place to pray - three doors away. It was a sweet church, with fans and pews and the Holy Spirit. She went and brought us people to pray for. We prayed for about six people. The Lord brought us another female pastor to pray as our interpreter. She brought more people from the park to pray for. Two got saved for sure (Lupita and Petrona). We prayed for healing for about eleven others. Praise God!"
Another participant said, "I joined a group of eight that went to Central Plaza to invite and witness in the plaza there. The first guy I shared the gospel with, Juan, recommitted his life to Christ. The next couple I shared with, (Ernesto and Beline) both heard the gospel and prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior -- Praise the Lord! All three of these individuals were in their early twenties.
Festival participant Steve Armendariz then said, "Four members of the Children's Team went to a Festival at Jardines del Pedregal where a local church had a Children's Festival. They were so gracious to us and treated us so wonderfully and were so thankful we came beside them and complimented their ministry. They had singing, teaching, and puppet shows. We made 'Cristo' crowns and rainbow windsocks. We were busy. So many children - the tables were never empty. They loved the crowns especially-then they would crowd in, grab a crayon and look for the paper to color. We handed out Festival brochures, little red Bibles, and teenage booklets.
"We were so busy that we had a little time to do the wordless bracelets, but were able to pray with about 30 children to receive Christ. Many of the children were already saved and were a part of the local church. Of course, the mommies and grandmothers who accompanied them heard the story of God's grace also. We praise God for this outpouring of kids to the park and the outreach!"
Darrel Wilmoth from Calvary Chapel in Aurora, Colorado, stated, "Don't underestimate the time you spend with the children. We met an eleven year old today named Francisco. A group from previous festivals ministered to this young man. A team member from San Diego remembered this boy as it will be hard for me to forget him. Francisco's smile was infectious, and he wouldn't stop shaking our hands. Francisco helped us hand out fliers. We had fun with it as we would race to the next group. I do believe we were more received because he was with us. Francisco stayed with us throughout the day and the most special was when an other team member from San Diego who spoke Spanish asked Francisco if he knew Jesus Christ. A smile that immediately grew larger-a nod-and YES!"
A couple, Philip & Linda Balestrieri, said, "At the Festival at Patria Nueva, we spoke with the Perez family in their home. We shared the love of Christ with them along with His Salvation and they received it gladly. The father of the house was not feeling well and did not want to go to the medical clinic. After much encouragement from us and his family, we took him across the street to the clinic. Walking back to his house we continued to witness and encourage him. Arriving at his house was a lady they know from 'Jesus es el Camino' and she asked us to please tell them more about the Lord. The mother of the house said it was a miracle that her husband went with us to the medical clinic and allowed us to tell him about the Lord."
Vi Goodrich, wife of Bill Goodrich, pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship in Indianapolis, said, "We were witnessing outside the cathedral and handing out flyers. An ice cream man (Emmanual Mendez), wanted to know if we were Christians (He saw our bible). We said 'Yes' and that led to praying with him for his salvation. He said that his wife Paulina Gomez, who has a tumor in her head, needs prayer for healing. Yolanda Vega prayed for him. Yolanda also helped Diane Carmel witness to and pray for a man's salvation who came to her selling bracelets. She bought one."
One of the group has asked people around the world to pray for a "woman called Guadalupe and her entire family would be saved."
That person added, "Guadalupe was a sweet lady who was sitting at the park with tears in her eyes due to her sadness over her son's recent accident. Her young toddler fell into the street and smacked his head very hard and is in the hospital and needs a lot of medical help and she doesn't have the money. We are praying for healing for the son, for financial provision for the hospital and medicine expenses, and for the parent's hearts to be comforted, and that Guadalupe's family will get saved from this incident-for Jesus to be glorified. Seeds were planted and we pray that Guadalupe's family will come to the festival and come to faith!"
Note: Chiapas is a state in the southeast of Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tabasco to the north, Veracruz to the northwest, and Oaxaca to the west. To the east Chiapas borders Guatemala, and to the south the Pacific Ocean. The 2003 population estimate was 4,224,800 people.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
