This past October I made my third visit to Mexico with our Field Representative, Dr. Bill Higgins. For 26 years Dr. Higgins has been sharing in a 3-day conference, giving presentations on different Reformers with our Spanish-speaking faithful in Mexico City at the Seminario Teológico Juan Calvino and then again in Paracho Michoacan and other small towns in what is known as the land of the Purépecha, where many still speak an indigenous language of Puré. Fortunately for me, most in these areas now speak Spanish.
Three years ago, WBM asked me to accompany my dear friend Dr. Higgins and observe and help with translations where needed. In the past 2 years, Dr. Higgins brought presentations on the German Reformer Martin Bucer and the Italian Reformer Peter Martyr Vermigli. This year, he went back to the Pre-Reformer John Hus. He reminded us that many great movements in history have those that lay the groundwork for the great events of times, in this case the Protestant Reformation. The conference took place over three evenings but was also broadcast live on Facebook. At the conclusion of the conferences, the Rector of the Seminary Dr. Virgilio Crisóstomo presented Dr. Higgins with a plaque of appreciation for his 26 years of bringing presentations.
The conference in Mexico City ended on Saturday evening and so on to Paracho via overnight bus trip. In Paracho we stayed with Juan and Irma Ramos in two upstairs rooms and got a little sleep before we headed out a few hours later for Sunday services at the Templo Eben-Ezer in Paracho. Dr. Higgins would bring a few words from scripture to the congregation in English, and yours truly would help in the translation to Spanish. Later that day, we made our way to Cheran for an evening service and again Dr. Higgins preached, and I translated. One of the customs there was to share a little coffee, hot Mexican chocolate, or fruit tea (called ponche). Along with fresh-baked sweet breads, the evening fellowship was truly wonderful. Over the next three evenings, we would once again bring the presentation on John Hus at three different Churches, two in Cheran (one Reformed Presbyterian and the other Reformed Baptist, or as we call them Sovereign Grace) and the one in Paracho, another Reformed Presbyterian Church.
The church history of this area would be another article, but in short, Presbyterian missionary Max Lathrop and his wife, came to this area in the 1930s, learned the language, and reduced it to writing. Max not only created the written language but also translated the New Testament in Puré. He went on to help start several churches and brought the gospel to many in this mountainous area of the Purépecha People. Max has long gone on to glory, but the effects of his ministry continue. Dr. Higgins met Max in his later years in Texas where he relocated for health reasons. From that point on, Dr. Higgins continued the work in both Mexico City and among the Purépecha. Today there are two churches with other mission works in other small towns. The work of David Custodio (elder), along with other elders and deacons, assures that the brother and sisters in that part of the world are in good hands. One thing we are praying for is that the Lord raises up pastors for these churches, as the elders and deacons are all tent makers. Already one of the elders in Cheran is working towards that end.
While in Paracho, I got a little stomach issue. Irma Ramos is a sister to David Custodio and a nurse who works at the hospital in Paracho. She introduced me to the doctor on duty, and he prescribed medication which restored me in 24 hours later. I told Irma about the trip to Cuba coming up in less than a week, with a delivery of medical necessities to a group of Christian nurses there. The next day she brought me a box full of extra medicine from the hospital and I thanked her. I can report that her gift, along with others that were donated, made it to Cuba the next week. The Lord is good!
Mr. Jose Fabila
Board of Directors WBM