Imagine a canyon 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point. Imagine descending foot paths that snake from the rim past a rope bridge spanning a portion of the canyon to the bottom where small waterfalls feed pools hidden in the shadows of the steep canyon walls. Imagine Tarahumara Indians in their traditional dress still eeking out a living in such a rugged environment. These were the very images that met our Puppet Team when we traveled to La Sierra Tarahumara – the Tarahumara Mountains.
But, the purpose of our trip was not sightseeing. We were there to use our puppets as a means to share the Gospel. During our time there we gave our puppet presentation three times, visited & encouraged two missionary families, and interacted with both Mexican & Tarahumara believers.
First, we had the privilege of putting on our puppet show at a rural public school for Tarahumara children. They laughed at the puppet’s antics through the contrasting stories of Noah’s obedience & Jonah’s disobedience, all the while learning of the truth of God’s Word & His trustworthiness. As this group was mostly nonbelievers, we took extra time afterward to clearly explain the Gospel message.
Next, we performed to a group of about one hundred men, women & children at a local auditorium in the largest town in the area. Three local churches had gone together & rented the building for the purpose of reaching the lost in the town. Once again, a member of our group clearly explained the Gospel & the need to trust in Jesus alone as Savior.
Our final presentation was at a Tarahumara church planted by fellow New Tribe’s missionaries. The simple dwellings of the community were nestled among grass-covered hills & towering rock formations high in the Sierra Tarahumara. The view was breathtaking. A group of about 80 Tarahumaras filled the small church building to capacity.
As Sherri looked out over the crowd of people in their colorful, traditional clothing, she began to think of how much their lives had changed.
“I was moved to tears as I listened to the hymns these people had written in their own native tongue. I was overwhelmed with emotion to think of how these once animistic people had been set free by the Truth of God’s Word. They no longer had to fear evil spirits, but instead had the Holy Spirit assuring them of an eternity with the one true God of the Bible.”
The missionary who works with that church assured us he would use the seeds we had planted & expound on those truths in the weeks & months ahead as he continues to teach the believers there.
On the last night of our trip, all 8 members of our team gathered to talk about what the trip meant to each of us. As we shared, it became obvious that our trip to minister to others had, in fact, ministered to us. God had used it to encourage, inspire & challenge the three adults & five young people who make up our team. But, isn’t that the way God does things? He’s always at work conforming His children to the image of His Son.
David & Sherri
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