Veronica's Wedding in Lachiguiri

In the middle of April, God provided a buddy pass so i was able to fly down to Lachiguiri for a couple of events and also to help with Israel and Virginia's daughter,Veronica wedding that took place on the 3rd of May 2014.

First when I got to my house, I had time alone to go through many of my personal items and pack them away so it would be easier for Garett and his family to have space when they are in Lachiguiri.

After they arrived we headed to a couple of the missions deeper in the mountains for a couple of reunions celebrating their missions. One was held in La Loma Esperanza and the other was close to there. It was  so good to see so many friends in each area. The special speaker in La Loma Esperanza was an old friend, Alfredo from Vera Cruz Mexico.

Then we were back in Lachiguiri for Veronica's wedding.

Esteban, Virginia, Veronica, the groom and his parents

While there I started making plans to return about October so that I can hire speakers to help us record at least all of the Book of Luke. There are some from the village who want to help with this project. When we were way back in the villages for the reunions I was told there are still many people who do not speak any Spanish and need to be able to hear the scripture in their language.  I am looking forward to this time there.

Be in prayer with us for this project. I originally went to Mexico to translate the scriptures into the Lachiguiri Zapotec. There is a lot of details to be worked out.

Sheri

Israel Lopez Co-Bible Translator in the Santiago Lachiguiri Zapotec

 Israel Lopez

RIP

10 Jan 1953-

22 Mar 2014

It was 26 years ago when I first went to Lachiguiri. Within a year I started working with Israel Lopez, at the time, a single pastor who dedicated his life to working with me on the translation of Luke and John. He then married Virginia and they have five children. Their son Esteban was born in my house in Arizona 18 years ago. 

His step mother gave her heart to the Lord as she heard the story of Jesus Calming the Sea in Zapotec at one of the Children's events we had there in Lachiguiri. Her husband asked how she understood this as she didn't speak Spanish. She told him that the story was in Zapotec. We later had her baptized shortly before she died. You can listen to this on our Media Page.

I told Israel when I was there in January he couldn't die yet as he hadn't finished recording the book of Luke and John. He told me that was a reason to live yet. But God must have someone else to do that job.

Then the Jackson's wrote me today:

Garett Jackson: When the news of Israel’s passing was announced over the village PA system, they played the recordings of Israel singing those hymns that he had translated into Zapotec.

Sheri Burk: Oh, Garett Jackson that touches my heart more than you will ever know. Maclovio, his father’s wife accepted Christ when she heard his recording of Jesus calming the sea only weeks before her passing. She did not speak any Spanish, only Zapotec. His work was not in vain!!

Stephanie and Garett Jackson who work with us in the Lachiguiri area shared the following:

We arrived by 9 p.m. Sunday night.   We were amazed at the huge crowd at the Lopez house. People filled the house and lined the street on both sides sitting on the curbs and standing in groups. The back bedroom had been cleared of beds and was the viewing room. People were sitting in chairs against the walls there singing or listening to someone sharing a message. There was a table at the head of the coffin with a money box. We saw many people come in and contribute. 

Garett and I were blessed to be able to share some songs for about an hour in this room. It was very hot and stuffy, but no one noted that. It was a beautiful time.

Next day more crowds. They, of course, were feeding everyone both these days. Oh! We had stopped by Angelina's (My favorite restaurant in the area) on the way to see if she knew. They said Angelina and Carlos were already in Lachiguiri. They had brought a ton of meat and veggies. Many people brought dispensas (beans, other food).  Pastor Jose Pepe gave some words. Garett shared and then he gave words from you. You were there in spirit. They knew.

Garett added to Sheri: everybody really really really missed u a lot.
With the coffin being carried in front and the mourners walking behind, we all made our way down to the graveyard. Jose Eli (Israel's brother) and Pastor Nellie sang lovely Christian songs. Someone shared a short message of hope 

Israel's daughter, Emma approached and sobbed, yelling out "Papito!" It was so sad. The coffin was lowered, flowers and possessions put in and then the cement poured.

 
 The next evening a group of us went down (walking) to the grave to show our respects. I was able to encourage them with the truth that Israel is not in the grave; he is in heaven. 

 Veronica shared about Israel how he was always very kind and patient, and that he got along with everyone.

What next?

Veronica is getting married on May 3rd and I, Sheri, feel I need to be there for the family. But I am out of funds for another trip down so soon. How can I go? I thought. Then this morning a brother called and says he has a way of getting me a huge discount to fly down. 

I feel that is God's way of telling me, YES Sheri I will make a way.

I had to share this about our friend and Co-Bible Translator with you all. 

We are having problems with our web page but as soon as it is working again I will put up photos and more on how God used Israel and I in getting the gospel of the Book of Luke and John into his peoples language. 

Sheri Burk

2014 Go Forward

WOW. Here it is already 2014. This year, more than ever, I plan to start each day with my daily routine since 1986… Grab a cup of Lachiguiri coffee, my newest Inductive Study Bible and communicate my intimate relationship with Abba Father. For sure I will need all the guidance He is willing to share with me daily.

I recently posted on my Facebook page this thought: “Don’t get ahead of God. STOP! LISTEN! Listen to His guidance as He speaks through the Holy Spirit His plan each day.”

January 19^th I fly out of Montrose, Colorado at 6am, passing through Denver, Houston, Mexico City and on to Oaxaca City Mexico. From there I take an allnight, First Class bus to Huatulco, arriving about 8am on the 20th. Hopefully I will be able to sleep well as they have nice spacious reclining seats.

Our team members Pastor Lee Shaw of Chino Valley Family Church in Arizona and his father, Tom Shaw, a missionary who recently retired from serving in Honduras will arrive about 2:30pm on the 20th. They want to know Pastor Damian and his ministry, especially in the areas that are unreached villages to the gospel.  

We will visit several of these remote villages where Pastor Damian has started about 18 new missions. On Friday the 24^th we will join the mission churches in a Baptismal in San Agustin where at least 21 people from our various missions want to be baptized. We seem to average about 20 who wish to be baptized every two months.

At this event we will also be ordaining Damian as Missionary Director over our Agape Coastal Missions. We will be discussing how to set up a school to train intern pastors for our many missions. This has been the Shaw’s main focus. They would also like to share with us other ways we can help these communities earn a living as most of these villagers are extremely poor with no real income to take care of their own families.

Also I want to give you a brief update on Pastor Israel of Lachiguiri. Last week I was able to talk directly with him and his wife Virginia. They received the funds we sent down and he did have the transfusion. It had to be paid for in advance. Then when he was released he stayed at his sister’s house in Salina Cruz while Virginia returned to their home to sterilize everything as they then planned to start dialysis. For some reason that didn’t happen as yet, He was feeling much better and returned to Lachiguiri until another date can be set. Not sure of the next step as I can’t reach Lachiguiri. All phone service is down except one phone downtown. I will keep trying. Garett Jackson, the director of our Bible conferences in Lachiguiri has planned to go there this coming Monday.

Agape Missions has been based on networking with other missions. Our funds are mostly through friends and churches who have supported our work over many years. God has always provided even when it has been hard for me physically to do much travel. You have faithfully supported this effort financially and your prayers. We so appreciate you.

Sheri Burk