Missionary Update from The Vargas Family

3 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” Santiago 4:13-15

It is so comforting to know that God has everything under control! Our lives are so very fragile. Five weeks ago, I (Kim) donated my kidney to my brother Tony. Well, let me tell you, our bodies are so very fragile and the night after surgery I didn’t know how I was going to make it through alive. I am happy to say that both my brother and I are doing good. Our church family in New Mexico is going through some very tough times, death, illnesses and covid. Within a couple of weeks many sad things have happened. That is why Santiago 4:4:13-15 makes so much sense. It is always Gods will, and He is in control of everything. Even though this present life can be very painful we have the assurance of eternal life, where there will be no more tears, death, sorrows, crying or pain. 

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

On the 2nd of September Pastor Nieves got back from Washington after 2 1⁄2 months of doing contract work for a construction company. Nieves has been going every year in the summer to help support his family. He is now back on board 100% at the church. It is so good to have him back. He and Karen are leading youth group every Friday night. Once a month youth group is held at a different church, they rotate between Calvary Chapel Porvenir, Calvary Chapel Rubio and Calvary Chapel Bachiniva. It is a great time for the youth to get to know each other and participate in other churches activities.

Last week 2 mini splits were installed at the church. A mini split is a heating/air conditioning unit that is mounted on the wall. They were installed in the main sanctuary. We are so thankful for those who donated to make this purchase possible.

Last weekend, our church, helped organize a women’s retreat that was held at Casa de Bendicion. Five different churches attended. It was such a good time. Around 50 lovely women were encouraged in the Word of God Friday evening and all day Saturday.

Sunday morning Pastor Luis is taking the church through the book of 1st Corinthians. Wednesday evening Pastor Nieves is teaching on the doctrine of Expiation.

We are very blessed to be able to serve here in Bachiniva. It has been 17 1⁄2 years since we first came. We’ve seen the youth grow up and serve the Lord in all different areas, adults and couples as well. It is through the Word of God people are transformed, that is why God gave us this command in Mathew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

We are truly thankful for all of you who have invested your time, prayers, and financial support to the church and our family.

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

We love you! Luis and Kim

Mailing Address:

Mexico:
Domicilio Conocido Bachiniva, Chihuahua 31660 Mexico

USA:
Luis and Kimberly Vargas 7101 N. Mesa, No. 618 El Paso, TX 79912

E-mail:

bachinivamission@outlook.com

A Conversation with Luis and Kim Vargas

Meet Pastor Luis & Kim Vargas!

We are really excited to introduce you to Pastor Luis and Kim Vargas, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Bachiniva, Mexico. You may already be familiar with the House of Blessing Orphanage because we have been actively supporting Jason and Jackie since they started the orphanage in Bachiniva in 2012. What you may NOT know is the reason Jason was familiar with the tiny mountain town of Bachiniva in the first place!

Jason Sanchez (missionary and orphanage director) is originally from Washington State. Jason served on staff as youth and worship pastor under his dad, Pastor Ron, for many years. Pastor Ron’s sister is Kim Vargas! Jason’s Aunt Kim and Uncle Luis were the first ones to venture down to Bachiniva and follow God’s call to minister to the people there. It was this connection to Bachiniva that allowed Jason and Jackie to become familiar with the area of Bachiniva and see the need for a Christian orphanage there!

Pastor Luis and Kim moved from New Mexico to Bachiniva with their 5 children in 2004 to start a church for the people there. The church began as Pastor Luis began to teach through the book of John to a group of adults and their children outside in the patio of Luis’ sister, Armida’s, house.  After a few services outside, the church moved inside a comercio (a small grocery store) that was in Armida’s house. They met there for about two years. During that time the Lord stirred on many people’s hearts to come alongside the work. Since 2006 they have been worshiping in a beautiful church that was built with the help of many churches. 

When Jason and Jackie began to build the orphanage in Bachiniva, Pastor Luis and Kim immediately offered their support and have been actively involved in that ministry as well. Redemption Church has taken several mission trips to visit and serve at the House of Blessing Orphanage, and each visit has also allowed us to connect with the Vargas family and the beautiful church fellowship there. Pastor Daniel has even taught (with the help of a translator!) at their weekly services!

Please join us in praying for Luis and Kim and their family as they continue serving Jesus and the people of Bachinva. It is not an easy place to live or pastor. They are in constant need of encouragement and support. Redemption Church is supporting the Vargas family both in prayer and financial support, and we would love to have you lifting up the needs of their family and community along with us. God is doing great things in Bachiniva!

Spiritual Warfare by Julie Ruse

Movie trivia time! Who can place this quote:

“Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. 

A lot of hope is dangerous.”

Though spoken by the antagonist character, President Snow, in the Hunger Games series, there’s a seed of truth there. I think we all can agree that fear is a powerful thing. It controls and dictates decisions. It cripples, paralyzes even. No wonder intimidation is a primary weapon of our spiritual enemy. He uses fear like a smokescreen in an attempt to cloud our vision and distort reality. But you see, the devil doesn’t have any real power except what God allows. Whoah, that’s a radical statement. But in Job 2:1-7  and Luke 22:31 (both old and new testaments), we see Satan asking for God’s permission before messing with people. God is in control- that changes everything. I once heard it said that the devil is like a toothless bulldog- he can bark, but he can’t bite.

In the book Spiritual Warfare: fighting the good fight of faith, Brian Brodersen states, “Satan will threaten you…But that is all he can do because ‘greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world’ (1 John 4:4).”

This is our reality. God Most High fights for us. (Some of my favorite verses on that topic are Exodus 14:13-14, Jeremiah 20:11, Psalm 144:1-2, Lamentations 3:58, and Proverbs 23:10-11). The Champion King perfects our faith. He wins. He’s already won.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  Romans 16:20a

The reason the intimidation strategy exists is because, sadly, many Christians give in to fear. But we don’t have to. We have something more powerful than fear- hope. And our hope is this, “Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live (Gal 1:4).”

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours

through Christ, who loved us.  Romans 8: 37

ADDENDUM 

I thought I had finished this blog two months ago, but only realized its application (like where it comes alive in my own life) in the last week. Thus, I want to add a few things. I was aware that the devil can spit lies and hurl condemnation, set of smokescreens and act intimidating (like the Wizard of Oz seeming larger than life behind a curtian). And I knew that through Jesus we have the power to stand against that… But how? How do we just not be affected in the midst of a spiritual onslaught? Because as Christians, especially as ‘on mission’ Christians who are pushing back darkness, intimidation will still come and intimidate.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor

so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. 

Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm.  Ephesians 6:13

This passage in Ephesians goes on to describe the ‘Armor of God’, in which the only offensive weapon listed is the Word of God. Did you catch that? The Bible is a weapon. Wield it.

Jesus exemplified this battle strategy when he was under spiritual attack (Luke 4). Each time the devil came at him with something, Jesus responded, “No, the Scriptures say…” And get this, each time that was the end of the story. The devil had to move on to a new temptation because he couldn’t refute the Word of God. (By the way, do you think Jesus was referencing biblegateway.com in the desert? He was able to wield the Word because he knew what it said.) 

So if the enemy drudges up junk from your past, declare that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). If he makes you feel like there’s some habitual sin you can never be free from, remind yourself (even outloud) that “we are no longer slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6). When you fear you don’t have what it takes, repeat God’s promise that “my grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Don’t just ‘stand’, stand on the Word of God. It is powerful. It is life. Go in victory. 

Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. 

Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.  Psalm 27:3

Global Missions | An Interview with Bethany Massey

Pastor Daniel talks to Bethany Massey about her journey to Florida and Redemption Church and back to Australia, where God has led her now. She shares about the spiritual climate in Australia and her current plans for a personal missions trip to Brazil in January 2018. You can catch up with Bethany and read all about it and support her trip on her website at www.bethbrazil.org.