Return to the Homepage
A young Mexican girl looks with anticipation toward two special days in her youth. One, of course will be her wedding day. But before that, a special event comes which often even overshadows the second---HER QUINEANERA, when she turns fifteen years old. Her parents and friends celebrate it as a day of thanksgiving for having survived childhood and attained young dault status. Her fifteenth birthday is just that distinctive of a transition. In the music and poetry which accompany the observance are references to the change: "yesterday you were a child, today you are a woman."
The young lady is dressed in formal attire, the church is decorated and often attendants resemble those of a wedding party. The birthday girl is truly in the limelight. This is her big day!
In addition to the church service in which the minister's sermon focuses upon the challenges and admonitions for Christian youth, a festive dinner party is hosted by the family. In our area of Mexico, barbequed goat seems to be the favorite entree for the occassion.
DIANA was rediant the day of her quinceanera at the new La Paz church. Her family were among the first to attend the tent crusade which started this congregation. In the very first tent service, her uncle was healed of a stomach disorder and a nasal passage problem for which surgery had been scheduled. Her cousin, two years older than her, was the first young lady to celebrate her fifteenth birthday in the tent---dirt floor and all. Her paternal grandmother has been a faithful attender since the beginning. Diana's parents bring the family to church and also her maternal grandmogher, in her wheelchair.
During the months of the tent crusade, DIANA was always eager to receive prayer for healing. She lives with cerebral palsy. Dressed as a shepherd for the first tent Christman drama in 1991, she needed assistance as she approached the manger, but you have rarely seen a happier "shepherd." That bursting smile was on her face again one nicht in Missionettes when she declared, "My life has completely changed since I have been coming here." And she beamed throughout the service in honor of her birthday. When the pastor asked, "Diana, are you committed to live for the Lord?" her confirmation was certain.
DIANA has not received the complete answer to her prayer for physical healing, though improvement of her motor skills has been noted. Yet, like those of Hebrews 11:39, "having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise," she lives with tht conviction "that He which hath begun a good work in HER will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Thank you for providing the church where Diana and her family members can grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We trust you will pray for the many young people of Mexico who are still without the faith in Christ that has changed life for Diana.
Mexico is experiencing hard times economically. Since our December newsletter to you until now, the buying power of their "peso" has been cut in half. We thank the Lord that He supplies "according to His riches." Please pray for your fellow Mexican Christians and their churches as they live with these monetary challenges.
Thank you for your faithfulness to pray and give.
We are your workers together with God,
Ed and Jeanette McCallie and family
Return to the Homepage