May we share a sample of the work God is doing among the people of La Paz.
The first night Zeinaida came to the tent, it was obvious that she had a medical problem. The large growth as big as a doubled fist protruded from her neck. She came with her cousin, Gloria. Gloria had invited her many times and Zeinaida knew well her cousin's testimony.
Two and a half years ago when the tent crusade was just beginning in La Paz, Gloria was a very sick woman. After painful test and weeks of discomfort from swelling and extreme abdominal bloating, the doctors frankly told her that there was no remedy for her liver condition. The only remote possibility for her survival would be a liver transplant. The probability of having such a surgery was a fantasy for this Mexican family. There was no hope. Pain and death seemed imminent.
Gloria's husband, Victor, was a taxi driver. He had co-workers whose taxi station was across the street from the bright yellow and white crusade tent. Nothing like this had ever been in La Paz before and it became a frequent subject of conversation. From their vantage point across the street, these taxi drivers heard and observed much of what transpired under the big top. People were healed. Lives were changed.
Victor hoped that Gloria might be helped at the tent. But she refused to go. She had faith in God. She had been true to her religious upbringing. But time went by and her condition worsened. There was no comfortable position for her pain-racked body, movements were tedious. Pushing one foot in front of the other, she could slowly make her way across the room. More and more she wondered if those people at the tent were truly from God.
One afternoon she called out, "God, if this is of you, help me get to the tent." She painstakingly made her way out to the parked car at the curb were Victor was. It was difficult to sit on the plywood tent bench. Sometimes sitting, sometimes standing, she made it through the service and eagerly inched her way forward for the time of prayer. It was with simple faith she repeated the words, reaching out to God. And God heard and healed.
As Gloria has continued at the tent, she has come to put her faith and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faithfully she reminds her friends and family of what the Lord has done for her. Traditional lifestyles can be very resistant to faith that produces changes and truth that transforms.
And so her cousin, Zeinaida, had resisted the invitation offering hope.
Then for a month and a half, Zeinaida had to continually change the gauze around the ruptured tumor. All medical tests indicated the need for immediate surgery and plans were made to send her to Guadalajara. At this point, January, 1994, she finally accepted the invitation to come with her cousin to the tent. She had never before heard God's word preached in this way. She eagerly went forward for prayer. As hands wee laid on her, she internally felt as though something was pulling on the growth in her neck. The peace that followed prayer was divinely unique.
The doctors decided to do the seven-hour surgery in La Paz. She knew it was a very delicate operation and was fully aware that she would lose her voice and never again be able to speak normally. Her family feared and resisted the operation, but when the day came that a bed was available for her in the local hospital, she entered with confident assurance. The sister-in-law who accompanied her was amazed at her calmness. Zeinaida just said, "blessed be the Lord, He has given me such tranquility!" Telling the doctor that she submitted herself to his hands and the hands of God in whom she had placed her faith, the ordeal began.
The doctors were reluctant to give any information to the family immediately following surgery. Both mentioned feeling strange and not being sure what had happened. Nothing had resulted as the doctors had expected. Contrary to the results of previous tests, the cancer they had foretold her children of, was not there. As Zeinaida regained consciousness, she began to talk. The delicate stitches held and internal healing is taking place. This problem which had begun as a small growth twenty years ago and had become major was under the control of Almighty God! The doctors acknowledged Zeinaida's tremendous faith and with the voice the doctors said she would no longer have, she declares,"God works miracles!"
Gloria's and Zeinaida's stories may have had different endings if it had not been for a yellow and white tent pitched on a prominent corner property in the capital city of Baja California Sur, Mexico, from which God's power was declared. Your giving and your prayers made the story complete. We want to again thank you and in eternity I am sure both Gloria and Zeinaida will have an opportunity to personally express their gratitude to you for your part. Your faithfulness to ray for and support us means so much as we serve here in Baja. Thank you.
With the efforts and contributions of MAPS teams, continual building has gone on this first half of 1994. Mt. Hope church, Lansing, MI. , and First Assembly of God, Rochester MI., contributed additional work on the sanctuary and classroom units in La Paz. Bakersfield, CA., First Assembly of God and Albany, OR., First Assembly of God have just completed a now functioning sanctuary in Cabo San Lucas. Construction is in progress in GuerreroNegro for the church facility there, being sponsored by Santa Maria, CA., First Assembly of God.
Truly we are laborers together with God. Lord bless you for your participation on the team.
Our Love, Ed & Jeanette McCallie
Apdo Postal 28B Suc B
23081 La Paz
Baja Calif. Sur, Mexico
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