By Ted Draper, November 2008

Ministering in Mexico

 The phone interrupted her sleep. Waking in the early morning to answer, Faye P., a missionary to Mexico with Avant Ministries, was still groggy. Faye's friend Socorro needed help driving her husband, Juan Carlos, to the hospital. Juan Carlos suffered from severe health issues and alcohol abuse. Socorro and Faye first met while visiting a mutual friend, Chayito, at her store.

 Chayito, a local store owner and active member at the church Faye attended, had been hit by a bus, and Socorro had accompanied her on the ambulance to the hospital. Faye met Socorro again at the funeral for Chayito. During this service, Juan Carlos and Socorro requested a CD of worship music and Chayito's testimony that was produced by a local church. Faye delivered the disc and in the process became friends with Socorro.

 Before Juan Carlos met Faye, he read his Bible, but not to strengthen his relationship with Jesus. His reading was more as a critique of the book and he questioned the existence of Jesus.

 After his release from the hospital, Juan Carlos felt as if God was pursuing him. "God met with Juan Carlos in a special way," said John C., another missionary in Mexico with Avant. Juan Carlos believes God saved his life that night and that God saved him for a special purpose. Through a renewed perspective of the Bible, Juan Carlos began recognizing God's involvement in his life-God changed Juan Carlos' life.

 Juan Carlos' wife, Socorro, appreciated the changes in him. At a gathering at Faye's, John C. and his wife Darleen approached Juan Carlos and Socorro about studying the Bible together; they accepted. John had a plan for studying the Bible-eight lessons. But God had a plan for Juan Carlos and Socorro-after the second week, Juan Carlos and Socorro were ready to place their faith in Christ. "From the moment they understood the gospel, they have been aware it is their responsibility to share," John said.

 Juan Carlos now volunteers at a rehab center where he conquered his alcohol addiction. At the same center where he once was a patient, Juan Carlos shares what he has learned not only about overcoming addictions, but about eternal life.