We
are well aware we are living in a complicated time for many. Our friends in San
Quintin are willing and able to help provide basic and immediate needs to the
communities in this area. They are being hit hard and many are not only
struggling, but severely vulnerable. One Life One Chance is putting hands and feet to the
heart represented by the financial aid we have given. Here are some of our
stories!
Click here for our previous stories
August 11, 2020
We never really know the impact that had by efforts
made, or finances given towards work being done for God’s Kingdom. To date, the
Mexico staff of OLOC has completed 2 rounds (24 meals) of community meals with
pastors and their congregations. Some of these communities were repeats, but
some were new areas pastors wanted to serve. The following is a note from Rob
Wall, president and founder of OLOC Ministries:
“Thousands have been reached and
more is to come from the funds CAC has provided for in San Quintin. What is
really cool? The indigenous churches we’re working with are multiplying the CAC
funds into extra care, clothing and shelter (using the little they have). Lives
are being changed and CAC has a real footprint in the San Quintin Valley. It’s
so exciting and beyond anything these times say shouldn’t happen. Glory be to
God!”
I believe a good word to use is contagious. In the
grand scheme of things, the money we received for them is (not understating or
devaluing the generosity in which it was given) a drop in a very large bucket.
But, what is springing out of the aid we could send is incredible. I believe it
helped local pastors to see that they are not alone and that there are people
coming alongside them, even from far away. I am sure they would have been able
to find ways to contribute aid to their communities, but what can be done
together is overwhelming. I would also like to note that the area pastors have
also received some care from the donation as well. With churches not meeting, they
aren’t receiving tithes, often their only or main source of income. Pray for
them as they seek to meet needs in the community while struggling themselves.
One pastor (Pastor Isais) wanted to reach out to a
community not yet served by OLOC. It is considered to be the “red light
district” of San Quintin; run down, riddled with violence, drugs and
prostitution. The pastor and team set up and could feel the heaviness of the area
but were also very aware and convinced of the need for a meal and understood
the reason for that area being identified as it is. They prepared for 200 and
gave away all the food. Some refused to come close, but many did, and one
actually asked if they were doing this because they were Christians. It made
for a great opportunity to share and brought a smile and maybe a little bit of
hope to the lady who asked.
Pastor Isais knows lovely, God-fearing Christians who
live in this community who knew many who came for a meal. They greeted them by
name and made them feel completely accepted and welcome. Providing a platform
to help these people minister is a gift we could give.
Moving forward, OLOC is now able to start building
homes. The pastors in the area are uniting with the OLOC staff in Mexico and
have raised money for building materials to supply families awaiting a home to
have been built from the now-canceled teams. These funds “have been multiplied
by the momentum CAC started with community care,” says Rob Wall. As these homes
are built, the communities around them will continue to be blessed with
essential needs from the CAC donation. In time I am sure we will hear more on
this. This is what Kingdom partnership looks like.