Serving with Medical Missions in Mexico
The Rule of Lawlessness
“Why are you trembling!?” he spat at her, as the barrel of his AK-47 automatic weapon dug into her chest. “I thought Christians weren’t supposed to be afraid to die!” He was right she thought…why should she be afraid to die if she knew Christ as her Savior? “Well, you can pray for me” he said half mockingly. “In the past I learned to follow Christ, but now I follow the Santa Muerte” (Saint Death). He then sauntered off to intimidate someone else.
Amazingly his group didn’t kill Estella (a missionary co-worker here in Mexico) or anyone else on the bus they hijacked - this time. Each passenger had their ransom paid, and consequently all were set free. It was a group ransom requirement. If thirty nine of the passengers had family or friends who could pay their ransom but the fortieth didn’t, all the passengers died…which is what happened three other times on buses previously hijacked. Everyone was killed and thrown in a mass grave or were never found. In this case, the grave was already dug and the bus was waiting patiently next to the dark gaping hole…reminding the passengers of a fate that would befall them one day soon or maybe in the distant future. They desperately hop0ed their ransoms would be paid.
God had other plans for our friend Estella and her fellow passengers. Each one had their ransom paid, and they were all released to return to their families. Often times in kidnapping cases, the money is paid but the victim is never set free. The families of these hostages, however, were fortunate. Estella’s ransom was paid by her family and her impending death sentence was lifted. She is still serving today as a missionary to the Tarahumara, glory to God!
As Christians, we also have had a ransom paid for each of us - one that is good for eternity. It was paid by a loving Father who gave the greatest of payments…the sacrifice of His own son. A monumental and crucial factor is that the payment lasts forever, not just until the “saint” of death comes stalking again…tomorrow, next week, next month, or in ten years! “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3) Believers can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will be united with other believers and with their heavenly Father for eternity. The AK-47 carrying, confused young Cartel member was actually correct - for Christians, there is no place for fear! He frees those who through fear of death are subject to slavery all their lives.” (Heb. 2:15)
The worship of “Saint Death” seems to be influencing the apparent lack of law and order in Mexico. Death itself, however, has become almost insignificant…to a people among whom it is of utmost significance. The worst of all things! Without Christ, it is eternal separation from God the Father (2 Ts 1:9)…from life, light, joy, hope, fullness, purpose. Death is emptiness, pain and suffering forever - not just ceasing to exist!
Lawlessness now has the appearance, if not reality, of ruling Mexico…and it is abounding more every day. Here in the secluded mountains, far from the (corrupt) federal, state and local police forces there isn’t even the false pretense of law. There had been at one point, but the officers (who often didn’t have bullets for their guns) decided it was safer not to be here. Since death is insignificant and there is no enforcement of law to deter people, killing is rampant and indiscriminate. When a man, his wife and little boy were gunned down in our village there was no investigation. When our young hospital receptionist’s dad was killed in front of her on their doorstep, no one made a serious investigation. As other people in our village have been systematically eliminated, there has been no real investigation. In the immediate future, there will be no true investigations here when people are kidnapped, tortured, gunned down on the road, or the heads of decapitated people are found. The killing continues and the cemeteries overflow.
Satan is pleased when a life is taken. One life less that might glorify God. His goal is to (try to) take away glory from God. What else are we on this earth for other than to glorify God?
So the days are evil and we must make the most of our time. Should we be afraid and leave? “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6) It is crucial that the light of Christ remain in the darkest of places. “Saint Death” (Satan) will not have the victory in the end and we don’t want to see that he has any victories along the way. People are hungry for good news and hope and consequently are open to hear where real Hope comes from. Christ is changing lives and bringing about His kingdom even in the darkest of places. He has already tasted death for us so that we don’t have to. “Through death He rendered powerless him who had power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb. 2:14) We have seen some of those most affected by the violence now coming to Him. Our receptionist’s mom and others in the family have given their lives to Christ. The wife of the previous commissioner is now a believer. The current commissioner and his wife have trusted in Jesus. Bible study is growing and the Word is not falling on deaf ears. Often the families of those left behind are the ones who come to faith. But we want to see more of His kingdom come. So we will remain…and continue striving to be light and salt to a thirsty land of death and hopelessness.
On a lighter note, many other good things have occurred since the last time I wrote…too much to fit into one letter. I realize that’s simply because so much time has elapsed between letters. For some reason I can’t find (or make) time to write. Consequently, I’ll give a quick summary and try to send another letter before too long.
Isabella! She is growing and doing well. The reflux problems that bothered her the first couple months have gone away and she is sleeping better. What a joy and light she is in our lives….a gift from the Lord!
When we returned from Ensenada with Isabella, Carmen’s mom came with us and spent two months sharing the work load and helping us get accustomed to caring for a baby…a huge blessing.
After she left, my6 folks came to visit for three weeks. Mom also helped care for Isabella while my dad worked with us on the plane and a dozen other projects around the hangar. It was a privilege to have them here but the time went by too quickly!
In the meantime, Carmen’s sister also stayed with us and worked at the local Bible Institute teaching phonetics/linguistics for a month. Four of her fiends also joined us in the apartment for one of those weeks. Always a full house along with the new baby!
During several months of that time, a helicopter pilot (retired Army National Guard) Dave McKnight and his wife Jody joined us to help work on the Super Cub, around the hangar, and on anything and everything else requested. They were a great blessing and encouragement to all of us in the mission and especially here at the aviation department.
Dave did everything from working on the plane to finishing an airstrip with the dozer, to fixing up things around the facilities and building a railing (along with my dad) around our porch.
These were things I had wanted to accomplish for a long time but didn’t have a chance with all the aviation projects and flights going on. We have been tremendously blessed by so many folks helping advance the work here through prayer, service and gifts. Thanks you in not sufficient!
Glory to God!
*Fellowship with family and friends who came to help and encourage us.
*Prayer and financial support, both for our family and the aviation ministry.
*Growth in the aviation ministry.
*Protection while surrounded by violence in a semi-lawless country.
PRAYER
*That His kingdom will come and His will be done here in this dark place.
“Take them down the road and shoot them both”the leader said to the man guarding our mission’s Dentist and her brother at gunpoint after they stole her truck. They were then tied up and thrown in the back of another truck, certain they would soon be with Jesus. After a short ride that probably seemed like a lifetime, they were pulled out and thrown on the ground. The shots, however, never came and the truck drove off. That Dentist (who is not still with our mission) is still serving the Lord with much gratefulness here in the mountains of Mexico. Glory to God! We are truly grateful for your prayers!
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Mark & Carmen Egolf