Invitation for Churches in Northern Tlaxcala

As part of the “Operation Christmas Child” team for Samaritan´s Purse in Tlaxcala, Paco and I have the task of searching out Christian churches throughout the state of Tlaxcala and inviting them to participate in the “Operation Christmas Child” ministry.  This year, the ministry will be focused on the northern counties of the state (who have never before participated).

 

Without any directory or list of churches in the area, Paco and I drive from town to town searching for temples and asking for Christian groups.  It is a slow process.  However, it is worth the effort to find a small congregation, sometimes the only one in the whole town, sometimes at the end of an unpaved road, that we can bless with the opportunity to

receive ministry resources from Samaritan´s Purse. 

Northern Tlaxcala is fairly unpopulated- lots of hills, countryside, fields: quite different from the more populated/civilized southern areas.  Paco and I marveled at the green scenery, the old-fashioned (stereotypical) adobe homes, horse/donkey carts, and

traditionally dressed women in some of the towns/villages.  At times, we felt like we were venturing to the ends of the earth in search of hidden churches among the windy mountain paths and open fields.

One exciting story:  we received word that one village did not have a church but only house Bible

study, at the home of “Conchita” who made clay pots.  With that tip, we travelled up and down the streets asking at every pottery shop until finding a “Conchita”.  When we asked if a Christian group met in her home, she was immediately suspicious of our intentions, until we explained our desire to bless her ministry with resources from Samaritan´s Purse.  She was

amazed we had found her, as she usually hides her faith and the Bible study from the rest of the town, who openly scorn her for being a Christian and try to hinder any Christian events they try to promote.  We told her that the Lord was with her and saw her need and persecution, and sent us, as Samaritan´s Purse representatives, to show her she is

not alone in her faith but connected to a large international body of believers.  It was eye-opening for us to talk to Christians who experience persecution even in our own state.

We continue to pray that the Lord will guide us to find the churches in Northern Tlaxcala and invite them to participate in “Operation

Christmas Child”.