Mateo and Mai Lou Garcia
Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I Corinthians 15:58
As I, Mai Lou, joined the funeral procession to the Catholic Church and then on to the cemetery with the family and friends of Enrique, who was shot and killed a few weeks ago over drugs. I thought to myself, what a differe3nce 23 years make because I knew personally many of the people, approximately 400, who accompanied this family in their heartache.
It was 23 years ago when we arrived in Huasca de Ocampo, Hidalgo. Not knowing another person, we began evangelizing, visiting door to door, sharing the gospel. We would have evangelistic outreaches in the plaza, and no one would come. Our offer to pray for people with needs was rejected; people showed no interest in the gospel. And even today, despite greater openness, their hearts are still hard.
Despite this we have continued to reach out and over the years our ministry has evolved into what it is today. Our house church, Monte Olivos Huasca, affiliated with Monte Olivos Actopan, Hidalgo, continues to stand firm. Though not large in number, this group of disciples is hungry to know about Jesus.
A ministry of prayer has opened up as people have become more open. We have a ministry of help, reaching out to those who need help in a need or crisis, offering moral and prayer support, and economic support. Hospitality has also been an essential part of our ministry as well. We have hosted many pastors and people of the community in our home.
In 23 years, we have grown to know this community's people. We know the spiritual darkness that has a stronghold here, which has become even stronger in recent years, Idolatry, witchcraft, worshiping the dead, the spirits of darkness, drugs, generational sins, etc. Yet, we have persevered and will continue to persist because the greatest need of the people of Huasca is to know Jesus.