Cultivating Lives

On April 25 we concluded our Bible devotionals with a group of farmers in a community called San Marcos. We call these lessons "Cultivando Vidas" (cultivating lives). The themes are: 

Attitude

Goals

Faithfulness

Friendship

Family

Compassion

Liberty

Creation

Poverty

This group of farmers was very firm and direct in telling us they will not "convert to our religion" as they are traditional catholic. One of the oldest farmers said he will not open his house for these lessons, but he participated in two lessons in his neighbor's house. Our response to their concern is not that they leave their churches, but allow God into their daily lives, and work in adoration to Jesus Christ our Lord. The farmers opened the doors of their houses to receive us, and we thank God for this! 

Thursday afternoons was an anxious time as we prepared for the lessons, particularly for our agronomist Darwin. The farmers are older than him, and he walked a line of respecting his elders and sharing the Bible lessons. God gave him boldness for the Bible lessons! After six lessons, they were warming up and the Holy Spirit is with us! Please continue to pray for these men, to have open hearts, and may the Holy Spirit work within their hearts to His glory! 

Below is a translated account of Darwin's first meeting with the farmers:

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, I held a meeting with the producers of the San Marcos community. My purpose for this meeting was to invite and motivate the farmers to coordinate our Bible centered Cultivating Life devotionals. We work in three areas of their lives: agriculture, spiritual, and family.

At the meeting eight farmers were present, all of whom have planted our certified bean seed and worked through our agricultural programs. I explained to them the themes of our Cultivating Life devotionals. The farmers were attentive, but then we sat through about ten minutes of silence, why? Well, I asked the question: “Who would open their house to carry out the first lesson?” Then a producer, initials JP, commented that he would not change his religion, and said he would not lend his house for our meetings.

I explained again the purpose of our lessons, and repeated the question, “Who would host?” Another ten minutes of silence passed, and farmer JL said he would lend his house. He also added he would not change his religion. Later another farmer, DP, commented that he was lending his house, and added that he does not need to change his religion in order to give up vices (drinking, smoking, gambling, etc.)

Afterwards I clarified to them that my objective and my job was not for them to change their religion. Rather my objective is to teach the Cultivating Life devotionals, because they are lessons that we carry out in our daily lives. I want to talk to them about our Lord Jesus, and what He says to us. We will learn through the Bible each lesson that we are going to teach. Then famers GL and ZL said they would lend their houses for us to carry out the lessons. Shortly after, farmer J.Ch. said he would lend his house, but without changing his religion.

After hearing such comments, I felt a very strange feeling. I had never experienced such a feeling in my life until that day. I felt my heart was beating very fast, and it was shrinking. I started to think they were despising our Lord Jesus. However, I thank God that He gave me the correct words and responses! The eight producers began to understand the purpose for sharing the Cultivating Life devotionals. At the end of the meeting, I asked our host, farmer J.Ch. to say closing prayer, but he did not want to participate. His wife decided to perform the closing prayer. She told me she was going to pray in her traditional manner, raised catholic, as she is used to doing. I made it clear to everyone present the prayer was not for me, but for our Lord Jesus Christ! I also emphasized to them, that our Lord Jesus does not refuse to listen to prayers, no matter how we do it. She then signed the cross before starting and finishing the prayer.

We reached an agreement for the Thursday’s devotions to be held at the house of a different farmer for his families benefit. I reminded them the invitation is open! Children, women, and the elderly are invited, because we are going to share about our Lord Jesus through the Holy Bible.