For 14 years they have faced adversity after adversity. They have been robbed, threatened with their lives, beaten, attacked by snakes and Satanic forces, and even kidnapped. Yet they have remained faithful, strong, solid, unmovable. They are Pastor Jose Manuel Martinez and his wife Maria Dolores. They Pastor the church Dios Con Nosotros (God With Us) in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. And I have had the great honor of meeting this couple, and I have the privilege of calling them my friends, even my brother and my sister.
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| THE CURRENT DIOS CON NOSOTROS CHURCH |
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| THE UNFINISHED PHASE OF THE NEW LOCATION |
Fourteen years ago the Holy Spirit led this couple to the place where the church is currently located. It's an incredible story. And here is just a glimpse of the highlights. The Holy Spirit sent them out one day and told them to go West and up the mountain. Like Abraham of old, they did not know where they were headed to. They just followed His instructions. The Holy Spirit kept speaking to them as they drove West. And then they saw the mountain. Then the Holy Spirit spoke again: "Where you see two donkeys grazing is where the land that I am giving you will be." They were surprised at these last instructions. They thought about the 2 donkeys and wondered why. Surely there wouldn't be ONE donkey in that dry patch of desert ground...much less two! They went over a hill and there right in front of them were the 2 donkeys! They walked the rocks and dirt and claimed that piece of desert land for the Lord. The Holy Spirit also told them that someday people from all over Juarez will come to the church. They wondered how that would be possible. The place was out of the way, almost unreachable. The road to the property was very tough. But eight years after they arrived at their "oasis" a major four lane road was built not far from the church. The road connects the South and the North part of Juarez on the West side. You can actually follow the road and it will take you all through the outer perimeter of the entire City of Juarez. Pastor Manuel and his wife "Lolis" did not know in 1999 that the road was going to be built. But God knew.
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| INSIDE THE FOUR WALLS OF THE NEW BUILDING |
After 14 years of sweat, hard work, scorching heat, freezing temperatures, and attacks for every direction they are still delightfully struggling to turn this place into the place that God wants it to be. They still do not have running water or electricity. Here they operate with hurricane lanterns and candles. Water for the outside is delivered by trucks, and every church member brings a jug of water to contribute to the drinking water containers. I know that someday they will have both electricity and running water.
Any stray dog that comes to the church is more than welcomed to stay as they will help protect the property with the guards that watch over the church 24/7.
When they arrived 14 years ago the land hardly had a place flat enough to build anything. But with the help of their people they began to level out the ground. I'm sure that there were many nights that a lot people went to bed with their backs aching and throbbing from all the work that has been done to this property. And there is still so very much work that needs to be done. The vision that the Lord has given this couple will carry them through many years of hard labor.
Today they have services in a small building that they have long outgrown. The shack that they used before has been all but been destroyed by the strong wind currents in the area. And as funds trickle in they faithfully continue to build a larger church building but that still has a long way to go. They still need about $5,000US to finish that new building. They are hoping that they can have it finished before this winter.
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| YEARS OF HARD WORK MAY NOT BE SEEN HERE |
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| DIOS CON NOSOTROS CHURCH FROM THE DISTANCE |
In the meantime they have planted about 170 young trees that one day will adorn this desert land and they are still planting. Occasionally they have outreaches for the community, especially for the children, who are very poor. They try to feed the children once a month and give them shoes and clothing as other people donate these items to them. The community is so poor that these Pastors know of a family that only eats every other day, and another family that only eats every three days. One time they had announced that they were going to be giving away shoes, but when the day arrived the temperatures dropped and it began to snow. Children who were barefooted still walked to the church to pick up a pair of used shoes. When events for children are held at this church 200 or more kids show up.
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| VIEW FROM THE CHURCH TO THE COMMUNITY |
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| EVERY TREE IS ADORNED WITH PAINTED ROCKS |
There is no doubt that these Pastors are being used of God and that the Lord has a long-range plan for this church. Their love for people is a beautiful thing to see. Yes, it can be seen! They have strong roots here. When they first saw those two donkeys their two sons were merely little boys. Today they are both studying at the University. I know that someday in the not-too-distant future I will come to this "oasis" and find trees that will be full of life and marking the path that leads to a beautiful church, which will also be fruitful, productive, and showing multitudes the path to God's door.
P.S. Double click on the pictures for enlargement.
Daniel Torres
650 Linwood Dr.
El Paso, Texas 79928
501-827-7679
For tax receipts send contributions to:
Covenant Fellowship
P.O. Box 8126Searcy, Arkansas 72145
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