Making Jesus known to the Totonac people of Mexico

Hello,

I hope you are doing great! The last two months have been packed for us, here’s a quick update. Thanks for your prayers and continue support.

The last update we sent was from Mexico at my arrival to Papantla, Veracruz. Papantla is located in the Veracruz state of Mexico, deep in the heart of Mexico’s oil region where temperatures reach higher than 100 degrees. This is where our team sweated it out for two weeks working with Mexico missionaries on Phase I of training with the JESUS Film recording systems. Praise the Lord the training was successful and the Totonac speakers of Mexico can now hear Jesus speak their heart language.

Juan’s answered Prayers

 Building the sound booth after hours searching for a store

Juan Gaona worked on the Totonac script translation training workshop with us last year.  Born, raised, and schooled in the area, Juan’s first language is Totonac, his second Spanish.  He communicates with his family in Totonac.  Born in a Christian home, Juan sensed the call of God to become more involved in ministry about seven years ago.  He was very involved in soccer until he was injured during a game.  While in the hospital, he watched the JESUS film.  Juan thinks that God was using the injury to get his attention.  Because his injury would not heal, Juan’s family was going to take him to another doctor.  Juan then asked the Lord to heal him and one week later he was completely healed.  Eventually, God lead him to go to seminary.  Right now Juan is about to finish his 3rd year in theology at seminary.  He married two years ago, and is now considering obtaining a Master’s Degree in Old Testament theology. Juan wants to help his people be trained as missionaries. God put on his heart planting a church.  He is working with mentors to see if they can plant a church in the municipality of Papantla using the JESUS film.   His dream for the last three years is to see the JESUS film used to plant churches in the community. 

 A staff member training the Mexican team

Praying for the logistics of the recordings.

According to the last census, less than 15% of the Totonac are true believers.  Most who make a commitment to follow Jesus are women.  Some churches are led by women alone because the women want to see a change in their husbands. The majority of men are not drawn to believe because they think that they must immediately give up their drinking and smoking.  Some men go to church because their wives go, but still don’t understand what it means to be a believer. 

 Juan has been praying for how he and other believers will use the JESUS Film to reach the men and address what is happening in this region.  They want to start reaching out to the local churches first and help people overcome denominationalism by discipling the people. One of the things about the JESUS film that he really likes is the Old Testament introduction because it shows how we fall into sin and shows how we come to salvation through Jesus.  Before starting the translation process, he watched the film again in Spanish, and again sensed the touch of God on him. Juan likes that the JESUS film shows God as our creator and why God created us. The film helps us find our purpose here, shows that we can make our own choices but demonstrates that God will eventually bring us back to be reconciled to do His will through His son Jesus.

Juan thinks that the film in Totonac will help many people in the community, because it will expose them to the Word and help them be transformed.  If men understand this, he has high hopes for community change. Thank you for making JESUS available for the Totonac speakers of Papantla. We look forward to hearing how God uses the Film and Juan to change lives for Christ.

Juan Gaona and Mariano Marquez who assisted us to make the Totonac, Papantla JESUS film be a reality

Me and David Escobar our Mexico project coordinator

The same team that trained and recorded in Mexico back in May is now headed to Jamaica on July 26th to finish Phase II of their training during the recordings of the JESUS film in Jamaican Patios. Once this Mexico team is fully trained they will be partnering with JESUS Film and assisting the ministry on future language recordings. We are thankful to God for adding them to our team with the mission of sharing JESUS with every nation, tribe and tongue.

  

On The Home Front

This summer we moved! It’s a blessing but let’s be honest, nobody likes to move. It’s taken 3 weeks to unpack and settle but it’s starting to feel like home.

Morgan and Blake continue to serve in the church youth worship band at both services on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Volunteering at a learn to row camp for new rowers has been a highlight of the summer. Blake is steady making a little money working on a paver job for a family friend and Morgan’s blessed with a nanny job for a family with 3 children. But, before we know it school will start up again!

Micaela is 4 going on 16. She shadows the good and the bad of her older siblings. We are excited for VPK and homeschool co-op to start for her in August.

Blake (15), Micaela (4) and Morgan (17) inseparable sisters!

The family is gearing up for a mission trip on July 22nd to the Kuna people of Panama. This trip is very special for us. Keep a look out for a future email about the trip and prayer requests.

Thank you for your friendship and partnership in ministry, most importantly your prayers. We couldn’t and wouldn’t even think about trying to do this without you.

Blessings,

Edgar and Melanie Rodriguez

The JESUS Film Project

Language Production Manager

Latin America & the Caribbean

Cell: 407-480-0997

Off.: 407-515-4471

Skype: edgar.rodriguez17