Yay God!

Sometimes the only thing we know to say is, "Yay God!!" On Thursday afternoon Greg and I went to our friend's house to check on Nana Keri. That is how you say grandma in Purepecha. So, that is what we have called her forever. She is the one I mentioned is dying of cancer. When we arrived she was curled up like a little child on the bed. No music, no TV, no nothing. Just laying there by herself waiting. Waiting for something to happen to her to make her all better. She was waiting to be cured. She explained to us that she didn't understand why she had received this punishment from God. Bless her heart. She really doesn't understand that her cancer was in no way a punishment. However, that is what many believe here in the village. Many people feel that someone here in the village can cast a spell on others and cause bad things to happen to them, so this was probably another thought she had, "Who put this spell on me?" We entered her room and told her we wanted to share something from the Bible. Something that Jesus promised us. She was eager to hear what Jesus had to say.



So, Greg started telling a story about a man who wanted to get to heaven and didn't know how to do it. He thought about different ways he could do it, going to church, giving money, helping others, and that didn't seem to be good enough. So the man tried studying religion and he couldn't seem to learn enough. So he tried being good to everyone he came in contact with. Again, that didn't seem like enough. So the man asked, "What do I need to do to make it to heaven when I die?" He said, " I feel like you are right here in front of me, Jesus and I don't know how to get to you." The response from Jesus was: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and OPENS the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev. 3:20) At this point the man was astonished, to think it could be that simple. All I have to do is open the door to my heart and He will come in? Jesus responded, " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ( John 14:6) So the man chose to open the door to his heart and ask Jesus to come in. That is when the man was given eternal life. A life that would never end because he would be with Jesus forever, even when he left the earth.



Greg told this story and we of course gave many other Bible verses to back the truth up. We used as much of their language as we could and had Nana Keri's daughter-in-law translate and clean up parts that were not clear to them as they speak very little spanish. After they both listened to the story they asked a precious question, "How can we open the door to our hearts?" So we explained that it was an act of the heart, all you have to do is "...confess with your mouth ,"Jesus is Lord,"and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

So at that time they both prayed to receive Christ into their hearts. We explained to them that now, no matter how they die, the end result will be entering into the gates of heaven! They both thought that was a wonderful gift! So, the day ended on a great note! We are so thankful to all of you who pray for us! You are the reason God is moving among our people! Thank you!