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AND
MORELOS.
EVA
IN MEXICO
ARRIAGA
MISSIONARIES
ADDRESS
FORWARDING
TRANSLATOR
APDO,
POSTAL
MEXICO
227
RIVERTON
MARIA RT. I
E.
BEACH 26
CUAUTLA,
MORELOS
BOX
find
Carmen
age 14, Eduardo Jr. age 11, and Efien age 6. Unless you would o"bserve the lifestyle of this
family, it would be impossible to tell the Arriaga family from other families in the city, since they are Mexicans. In fact, Eduardo and Eva were bom-in the State of Morelos.
Since the major religion in Mexico is Catholicism, it is no surprise to realize that
uardo 's life took on new meaning and he began going in a different direction. It was close to Christmas and Eduardo was working for the Ford Motor Company in a town near Guatemala, Mexico, He had a two week vacation coming, therefore he decided to visit his sister, Maria, and his hometown girlfriend, Eva. Maria and Eva had become Christians and were attending Colegio Biblico in Eagle Pass, Texas. While Eduardo was there, he had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. He not only accepted Christ as his personal Saviour, but he surrendered to Him as the Lord of his life. He quit his job and enrolled in Colegio Biblico for the
January term.
Eduardo not only kept busy with his studies, but he also began helping Agustin Ortega, who was then teaching on the college staff and serving with a new work at Altamira. When Mr. Ortega left the faculty of the college, Eduardo took over the work at Altamira.
In May, 1965 Eva graduated from Colegio Biblico. She and Eduardo were married in Aug ust of that same year. Eduardo graduated from Colegio in 196? and continued working with
the church in Altamira until 1970His next work was in the State of Jalisco. At Christ
mas 1971 they went to Baya, California, and Eduardo worked as a director with an orphanage until he felt God was leading them to Cuautla in 1978. Cuautla has many small towns and villa^s close by. have three congregations they are ministering to.
At the present time, the Arriagas
It was in September of 1978 when they beg^-n the work in Yecapixtla,about 12 miles from Cuautla. It was a very meager beginning with the congregation consisting of one woman and the Arriaga family. Prom the beginning, the congregation met in the back room of the wom an's house, a room which measures 12' by 12*. Today, there are approximately 50 members plus other attenders in this congregation gathered in the crowded room each Sunday for wor
ship. The adults use this same room for their Bible school while the children have their
classes in two other homes plus on a patio. There is a piece of property they would like to
purchase for a church building, but the cost is $2,211.00-in American money. The building itself would cost around-T$2.500.00 and this would be with the men doing all the work them selves. These people have managed to save $120.00 in a building fund. This money will be
used to extend this 12' by 12* room by about 6 feet. A small building fund of $100.00 has also been started here in America for a future church building.
continued on page 2
page 2
Eduardo Arriaga
In the early summer of 1979, the Arriagas received an invitation from a group in Jumiltepec, which is approximately 12 miles from Yecapixtla and around 25 miles from Cuautla,
to come and teach them. This is the second congregation they work with.
Just last year, I98O, a group of people from Zahuatlan, a suburb of Yecapixtla, be^n
meeting with the congregation in Jumiltepec.
la. A Christian brother from Mexico City bou^t a house in Telelcingo and are letting these
At the end of I98O, a third work was started in Tetelcingo, around ip miles from Gi^utpeople use it for church services. The main attendance is children plus one family.
month. In 1979, two of his main supporting congregations, and some individual supporters,
In 1979, it became evident,with the expansion of the work that Eduardo needed some tjpe of transportation. They had been taking the bus and the fares alone were averaging $40.00 a
It has been necessary for the Arriagas to combine their work of evangelism with socia^ un-rTr. The areas where they are working are remote not uncommon. They do not have sewers nor a public water supply. The proBlerTTe^eclally bad during the hot season. Eduardo*s sister-in-law has helped them a great deal in the area of hygiene since she is a specialist in that area, and is also a nurse. She has held classes that are open
not only to the members of the congregation but anyone who woiJld like to attend.
tanks.
works with the women to teach them better nutrition. Eduardo has used some of the knowledp
Eva also
he gained while in the United States to help the people construct sewers and some septic
However, it is very difficult work since the ground is very hard and rocky.
Their efforts have begun to bear ftuit. Eduardo reported that the people are slowly learning their responsibilities as Christians, including giving tithes and offerings. He
doesn't mind their slowness as long as they continue to learn. Some of the fruit includes the conduct of the men. In Mexico, the men are often very cruel to their women. He has
meager beginning to the point that they now have three Sunday school departments. Eva is presently translating Bible school material they received this past summer from En^ish to Spanish. The members are also starting to take a more active role in the work. One man.
and preaching, who desire to multiply his efforts for the cause of Christ.
treated with love and consideration. He has witnessed the men treating not only their wives but their children better. He has also watched the congregation in Yecapixtla grow from its
Brother Flavio, preached while Eduardo and Eva were sick for a period of several weeks. They also have two young people at Golegio, the fruit produced by God throu^ Eduardo *s teaching
As we see this fruit from Eduardo*s labor, he can say as Paul, "I know I have not worked
in vain".
// be tau^t by Mexican preachers like Eduardo Airriaga. A couple of years ago, he was called I in by the government for questioning. They wanted to know why he was receiving money from / the United States. They had a pile of his mail they had confiscated. He showed them his cre
dentials and e:q>lained he was a minister of the Gospel.
is sure if he receives all his mail.
that country.
^^he traditions of Catholicism run deep. The government has also hindered the spread of the )/ Gospel by placing restrictions on missionaries from entering Mexico. However, the Gospel can
A^nt, Riverton Christian Church, 7th and Allen Drive, Riverton, Illinois 6256I
information about their work can be obtained by writing to Mr. & Mrs. Joe Turner, Forwarding
(Ehe
Howt
for S2,211,00 and the building would cost around $2,500.00 with the
men doing all of the work thamselves*
Mexico.
January term.
1967*
He was graduated in
preaching in 1963*
He continued till
Texas and Paul and Mrs. Beverly Black, Springfield, 111, recoauaend this couple.
rirs. Eva Inchaurregui de Arriaga
ctf
Z0 mi
studies and S.S* classes, she leads singing, translates Bible lessons
Church - Morelos Christian Mission, Joe and Mrs. Linda Turner, 820 E.
SEP
^miiSTTiSR - May 30, 1981
AND
MORELOS.
8
^
EDUARDO
I AG A EVA (Krr ,
IN
MEXICO
MISSIONARIES
MORELOS
7th
ALLEN
BOX
26
MEXICO
RIVERTON.
ILLINOtS 62561
First of all, I want to mention that I have already sent thank you letters of appreci ation to everyone who sent boxes and things to the border* (Hopefully these letters have been received by you.) I understand that liy April newsletter did not reach the Unite<t States.
I was told that you have not heard from me in a long while.
($2.00) to register a letter, perhaps not much but I wish we had better service. Please be
In March, we went to the border to the Bilingual Christian Convention in Sa^e Pass, Texas. It was a great time with good messages, visiting old friends including my sister,
Maria, and her husband.
We were able to pass through Mexican customs with everything that was sent to us with no problems. Thanks to all of you for thinking of us and for your interest in this mission.
Everything sent to us is veiy much appreciated. Items frwn a school supply store were do nated and some congregations sent teaching material that has been very useful with Sunday
School activities. Thank you to Mrs. King from Shades Mountain Christian Church, Binaingham, Al, for the guitar. Carmin, our daughter, is just era ay about it. She wants to learn to play the guitar since a piano is too expensive. She will then help with the music in church.
When we came back from the border, the church in Yecapixtla greeted us like we had
It
is nice to be missed and much nicer to know these people love us as much as we love them.
In one of my letters, I mentioned that we had a construction fund that we wanted to use to purchase land and build a church. It has been necessary to have a dbber building right now, so we used that money to enlarge the place we are now using* V/e asked our land
lady to let us enlarge the room and she gave us 2,40 meters more. Construction work was
begun in March, stopped in April for a little while because the money ran out, but now it is finally finished. Now we have a little more room and it makes a big difference. Right now our greatest need for this congregation in Yecapixtla is to purchase land and build a
church.
It
is still small but I remember how it was in Yecapixtla when it first began.
times I asked the Lord, "do you want us here? Am I wasting our time?"
HAVE OUTGROWN THS PLACiS WHEliE WE STARTJilD.
In April, the Yecapixtla congregation went to Jumiltepac every week to help support this new congregation spiritually and to help strengthen their faith, also to let them know
that they are not alone - that we are family.
Also, in April we had 4 additions to the church with all 4 of them being baptized.
One was our dau^ter, Carmen. continued on page 2
PS-Se 2
The first Sunday in May was the third anniversary of the church in Yecapixtla. A minister from Mexico City came to bring the message. It was a time of joy and great fel
May 8th some students from Golegio Biblico and a teacher held a three day revival for
us. The purpose wad to interest the young people to go to Golegio Biblico to prepare them
selves as missionaries or leaders for our congregations, we need both. I always emphasize
that to these people* Also, leaders are needed to open new missionary fields. Several of these young people have expressed a desire to attend Golegio Biblico. I mi^t lose the
youth group, I hope so if they will serve the Lord.
I would like to take a little comer of this letter to tell you a little bit about our
dau^ter. Carmen. She is a shy and quiet girl who helps us a lot in the church. She is very re^onsible and we can depend on her for many things# She is going to be 13 years old on November 5th. To be 15 years old here in Mexico is a BIG in a girl's life. It is more important than the "sweet sixteen" in the United States, as I understand it. In Mex ico, to be 15 is a jump from childhood to womanhood. At age 15, girls can get married if they want to and many of them get married very young. (I don't think I have to woacry about that yet) Most of the girls at 15 have a big fiesta on their birthdays. I know she is not
Lord's will and may the Lord make those dreams come true.
The following shows the amount of money Riverton has received for likluardot
- 1^5*00 (includes $50.00 designated for a bed) - $585.00 (includes $55*00 designated for a bed)
AUGUST, 1981
S9a3t93HltaBI
Following is part
was
of a letter that
^om-ilduaz^o.
MEN
Greetings from Alabama r wduL"^ to thank you for everything, and I wish I could see you all. I have baptized 73 people in Yecapixtla since I started the work in Sept
of 1978.Three families have moved that took 12 of these 73. Three decided not
(A r
to follow the Lord any more. Now there are 59 baptized people in the church, one was a transfer. There tween 12 and 23 years old.
of Christ that are being taught about baptism by immersion. The attendance to Sunday School has an average of 75 people. In The Worship Services we have more adults and the same number of children, with the average of 90 people. These people are very un-predictable.
There have been times when we have had 200 people in our services, and
there have been times when only 35 showed up. This does not happen very often, but it happens. The x>oom we used to have, because we don*t have it any more, was 19x12 feet. Now we meet under a mango tree. The reason why we can no longer use this room is that the elderly lady who owns the property got veiy sick. The children divided the property among themselves and will not allow us the use of it any longer. We noW go to the house of another member whose house is too small inside,so we gather outside on the patio
and under a tree.
We
are
paying
$80.00
a month
now.
The
we
have found is an
feel so. I believe everything will work out for the better. Please pray
for both of these situations.
Perhaps
do not
/f/-/
3c/a.
MISSION NEWS
he harvfest is^oo4
Bm 1tie har\/gst m?fsr
15 send out laborers,
butwG(tvsathSQnrc&.
My dear Friends;
We pray that all of you are well, and that the Lord is blessing your lives. My family and I are fine, always grateful for your spiritual and economical help.
gatt^r ^ ^
We are very
excited
about
the growth
to share
and I want
this
excitement
with you.
We (You & I)
Best of
are like
all, it is not only us working alone any more, but the new congregation, too. This gives me a wonderful feeling that we are doing something right, something the Lord is blessing that will last for a long time. Because love and hope last forever, and this is what these people now have: love and hope. Praise the LordI These wonderful people are doing a won derful job in spreading the Good News. June 7th, 3 people confessed Christ
and 2 were baptized. In 6 months, the Lord added 8 people to His Church in Yecapixtla. God knows how difficult this field is. I think this is a good
number.
Yecapixtla is growing tremendously.Last month a Methodist family of seven placed their fellowship with us. They live in Cuautla. The father teaches high school,the mother is a good helper to ny wife,and two of the daughters also teach. They opened their home to hold services and we meet on Tuesday
We have met three times with good results,even tho all the people that have
shown up are relatives on this family. Thank you for the confidence we have praying for us.
However, having a lot of help does not mean we have less things to do. We are trying to start a new mission in Zactepec, a town about 74 miles from Cuautla. A family from Mexico City moved to Zacatepec and there is no
Christian Church there. I heard about them and we went to visit. They were very glad to see us and invited us to return. They also offered their home in which to hold regular services. I accepted. It is a little far
from Cuautla.
Lately it
is not working well. Something is wrong with the motor and it uses a lot of oil. I have to clean the spark-plugs every week. We have a lot of ac tivities in July with Vacation Bible Schools. July 6-15 in Yecapixtla, July 20-25 in Jumiltepec, July 27-Aug 2 in Zacatepec. Also, on Aug. 14th
I have to take
to the border.
As oxxr activities grow, our expenses grow too. It is impossible for us to save enough money for doctor, dentist, truck repair,etc.If we have money to do one thing, we usually don't have money to do the other. I just took Efren to the dentist to have some teeth pulled because they were crowded. Another thing I want you to pray about is the church building in Yecapixtla. We have outgrown it. We added 2 meters to the room we were using and we are crowded again. We can't find a larger place. Financial means of the congregation are too limited to purchase a lot and build. In my next letter I will give you some round numbers of how much money it will take to build a church down here. It is a little frustrating to bring people to worship with us and not have a place to put them. I am not complaining. The Lord knows how happy we are with this crowd of people. Four years ago this was just a dream, like oiir church building now is. I know the Lord has answered your prayers and mine, and He will answer again. I would like to take a minute to talk about one of the three young men that is going to Colegio Biblico. His name is Saul Lagunez and he is a fine young man full of faith. He is a Idstecnition with excellent grades
in school. He has decided to serve the Lord and seems to have his mind well
made up. If there is a ladies group, a Sunday School Class, or somebody to help him financially on a monthly basis, it would benefit him greatly. If you would like more information, please write to Riverton Christian Church.
Thank you.
We have had a lot of rain recently. The rivers have flooded and it vei^ hard for the farmers to plant. Besides that, the fields and the mountains are just beautiful. Have a wonderful siammer season, my friends.
provide
-bread
it,
for our table, but also the Bread of Life for the ones who do"not kave God bless you all.
Eduardo and his family live approximately 900 miles from Eagle Pass,Texas where Colegio Biblico is located. Yecapixtla is twelve miles from Cuautla, Jumiltepec is aro\ind 25 miles from Cuautla, and Zacatepec is 74 miles from Cuautla. These roads are not like our highways, but many are gravel, rough bumpy and winding mountainous roads, Eduardo and his family have no accident nor health insurance; also they
do not have auto insurance. Mexico does not have government agencies that give aid to their people like we have in the United States.
"I
3C- 1^
J : 1981
Missionaries in
Morelos, Mexico
7th and Allen Drive, Riverton, II. 62561 NEWSLETTER #12, November 12, 1981
My Dear Friends;
from me since August.My sister was unable to translate my last two letters
Please, be patient with her. She comprehends my exact Spanish and can put it in the correct English meaning. I appreciate and realize that it takes
time to do this translating.
God is so good!11
We had a
There were
and 15 children-in
people from Cuautla that went every day to Yecapixtla for V.B.S.
them up and returned them every day.
Zacatepec. As you know, Zacatepec is our newest mission and we thank God for this good start. Besides this, there was a group of children and young
I picked
The youth group from Yecapixtla helped a lot this year. They divided
the towns in four sections and the week before V.B.S,, they went calling and visiting in the three places. I am very proud of these young people. The Church in Yecapixtla paid for the refreshemnts served in all thrc3 places. Our V.B.S. activities finished the 2nd of August in Zacatepec
We pray that
and that
to come, I
what we taught them may remain in their hearts since we might not see some of them again. I would like to share some sad news with you.
In my last letter,
told you that three young people from the Yecapixtla congregation would be going to Colegio Biblico. Two are brother and sister. In their home,
there was a tragedy and the parents are getting a divorce. These two
Biblico. The third person, a girl, did not want to go alone, therefore, no one went. Only the Lord knows v/hy these things happen. Please, pray From August 14th to September 13th,
sister and brother-in-law
My took
orado.
in Birmingham, Al. I had to rush back to Mexico.because the person I left in charge of the preaching had problems in his job and he was unable to preach on Sundays. Except for that, everything was fine. Everybody seemed happy to see me return, and they were happier when I gave them the things you sent: clothes, toys, shoes,etc. Everything you sent found a home and a person to use it. Thank you, it means a lot to these Christians, knowing
that their brothers 6 sisters in the Lord them and share their blessings. from the United States remember
I personally want to thank you for making Carmen's birthday unforgetable. I know it is going to be a nice birthday for her. I will let her tell you everything about it in my next letter. Special thanks to those of you that gave money for our bed. With the money you sent, I was able
to make one and also some chairs. God bless you.
We are still having our services at Yecapixtla under a tree. nights have begun to be cooler, but the attendance has not dropped. I have been inquiring about
The The
idea of having a building sooner than we ever dreamed makes us all excited
and have found out that people down here sell
by lots. A lot 30 x 40 meters would cost approximately $200,000.00 pesos ($8,000.00). This is only an approximation, prices vary according to the people you are dealing with.Sometimes,they are difficult to deal with. If you are not going to buy the land immediately, they don't want to give you
much information. I am also finding out that some people don't want to
talk to us about selling their land because we are "protestants" (if you are not Catholic, you are Protestant). The men in the church advised me
not to make a down payment on any land,because we may loose our money. I am sure we will find some land, if the Lord wants a church building here, he will have one. God knows the right season for everything. We keep
praying and saving and if you help us to do that, we will have a place for
v/orship soon.
our landlady,
who happens to be
I had two problems:
my sister-in-law,
She
because
a commercial building.
apartment
for
3 months of rent
in advance:
$12,000.00 pasos,
Second:
I receive post-dated checks for $350.00 a month every six months.Plus some personal offerings that I receive from individuals which I appreciate
so very much.But it is $350.00 that I count on,and 1 could not pay $180.00 for housing and live on $170.00. So,I didn't rent the apartment. I hoped my income would increase a little, but the checks from August 1981 - March
1982 are for $350.00. Nevertheless, I just got a check for $500.00 from my Forwarding Agents representing the money that has accumulated from July
- September. That was a nice surprise and a tremendous help. (The Lord's way of telling me to trust Him a little bit more next time). It increases my budget to about $435.00 a month. Still, there are some things we need
that we do without, but when those needs become a must, the food budget
gets hurt, or gasoline, or rent, or sometimes even medical care, I am not complaining, I just want you to know how things are down here. I want to live inside my means, and that apartment was out of my means. I talked to my sister-in-law and she said she will wait. So, I'm looking for a house again. Please, keep us in your prayers in this matter. I don't want to tire you out with so many words. I will close this letter telling you that the 1st of August was my 16th wedding anniversary. Sixteen years married to this wonderful woman of mine, always so patient
with me. To whom I have not been able to give much, except all my love and a lot of headaches. Not even a roof that she can call her own. It
kind of hurts my man's pride, even when I know she shares with me the same feelings about working for our Lord. I know deep in her heart she would
like to have a house. Every woman does. And maybe it is time to settle down. I believe the Lord will show us the right place and time, and when
He does.
Thank you for being patient with us. Please, don't forget about us. We don't forget our responsibility toward the Lord and toward you, so,
OPRAY
o GIVE Q GO
({I V]
P^tack
do and so mile time
CfLe.CUtuA.t*"
FORWARDING AGENTS'
NEWS
We praise and thank our Heavenly Father for always providing the needs of
this missionary family through the gifts of our dear Christian friends. Without your dedicated prayers and financial support, this work would not be possible. In the name of Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness.
Here is some exciting and wonderful news that we would like to share
with you. Several weeks ago,World Mission BuildersCa part of White Fields
Ministries)was contacted for consideration of assistance in helping us to build a church building for the congregation in Yecapextla, Mexico. (As you will remember, this group of Christians are now meeting outside under a tree for their services. Their attendance for Sunday School averages
75 with the average of 90 for worship. They have had 200 in attendance with more adults than children.) Our request for help was granted and they will be happy to assist! I Perhaps, you are familiar with the work the Lord is doing throughout the world via Ed and Reggie Thomas. At this point,with Eduardo having difficulty finding property, some
one will be visiting him and help in the securing of property at the best possible price. Next the property must be nationalized. There is so much
to do while we s t i l l have time.
Just last week we received a letter from an American missionary that is working at the border of Mexico.Here are a few words from his letter, "Yes, it is illegal to be a missionary in Mexico. Foriegners are not al
lowed to officiate in the Mexican church services....Christian radio is
in a savings
priority.
They have been living on a meger income thank each and every
Eduardo needs $500.00
a month Living Link support for his personal living expenses.Plus ,$300.00
a month Service Link to cover travel and other expenses related to church work. He has been using approximately 1/3 of his personal income for gas for the truck and related expenses for his church work. Increased support
is needed to enable Eduardo to effectively carry on his work for the Lord We will appreciate any help you can give. Please send your gifts for Ed ~ uardo to us,his forwarding agent.Please designate how you want your money used;personal Living Link expenses,Service Link - church related expenses or Building Fund savings for the church building in Yecapixtla. If you have questions or suggestions that you would like to share, please do not hesitate to contact us. We welcome your letters.
In the name of Jesus, thank you to all and God bless.
In Christian love, Joe S Linda Turner P.O. Box 759, Riverton, 11.62561