Recently We had a family visit us, after leaving this is what they had to say to some congregations that support us:
“ Omar and Tana have been working for six years. They are now in their 2nd 5 year contract with us. This will see them through the year 2014. Omar and Tana are now the only remaining couple out of the original three couples. * One family left 2 years ago after the completion of their commitment. *And the second family has just left after six years. It is my belief that in each of those two cases these were basically American families ready to return to their home country.* Interestingly, these two families will be missed, but there are already in place others that are willing to assume the leadership in this mission effort. One *family is a missionary family from Toluca Mexico already in place there. They are supported from a congregation out of Dallas. Also a former aimer in Leon, has married a girl from Leon, and they are making their home there and assisting in the church work. This family* is being supported from their home congregation in Alaska. In addition to these, a new missionary* family is in place in Guanajuato, and is planting a congregation there now with the assistance of the Leon men. We in fact worshiped with that congregation a week ago Sunday.
As all these changes happen and the families departed, there has been extra burden on the leaders left. This is a time when Omar would prefer to be planting more churches. But both of the above mentioned Leon men are capable of sharing that burden as time goes on. So, Omar continues in his desire to
plant more churches. He does have after all a huge energy source at his
disposal with 2 AIM teams now in place.
With the vision these men have to plant more churches, everyone will be
needed to assist in these efforts. Yet, Omar in all his humility is in need of all our support and more. Our collaboration of small congregations (including yours) and individuals here in Texas make up about 75% (more or less) of Omar’s stated budget goals. Moreover, it is my understanding that the funding is probably just adequate for them to get by. This is sad, because who wants to just get by? And just getting by can be disheartening/discouraging...we need to encourage not discourage.
There in Leon are the building blocks for a great work throughout Mexico. These men have a special gift for evangelism. They want to see more and more souls won for Christ, and not just in that single congregation. But in congregations that plant other congregations that plant other congregations.
These are rare individuals, especially Omar Palafox. Much needs to be done to keep them in that field. There must be encouragement to everyone to stay committed to this valuable effort. Please consider these points, and thank you for the opportunity to partner together in this effort for our Master.
In closing, on this recent trip, I recalled a trip that my daughter and I made the year before Omar and Tana arrived In Leon. We were on an AIM trip to Mexico City, and while there she and I caught a bus and traveled to Leon. When we arrived Omar's parents met us and gave us a whirlwind tour of the city (we only had about 4 hours). From that trip, we decided to begin our partnership with this remarkable family. Now, some 7 or 8 years later, there are over 100 souls worshipping the Lord in Leon. There are young congregations in the cities of Tequila, Tepic, Tepatitlan, and Guanajuato. There have been over 25 Aimers that have served in Leon. There are now 2 former Aimers interning in Leon. The congregation has now sent a young man from their own to preaching school in Ecuador. And finally there are two Aimers that came from the Leon congregation just now on the field in Scotland. None of this could have been possible without the support of congregations assisting.
Please, let us do all we can and more to assist and support this wonderful effort in the city of Leon, Mexico.”
Best regards, ***
** Names have been taken out and changed for privacy***
This is a letter sent from one of Omar and Tana Palafox' main supporters to various congregations that support them. It gives a good description of the work that is being done in Leon and what has happened in the past. The Palafoxes are an amazing missionary family and we are blessed to be working with them here in Leon. Please pray for all of the missionarys who are here in Leon trying to show Jesus to Mexico. God bless