Mexico: Purepecha Story, Part 1
Alberto and Julia left their little town of Quinceo, Mexico, in 2012, following the birth of their daughter, Abigail. Julia had been “robbed” by her boyfriend/husband at the age of 14 and promptly taken to the United States to begin a new life.
Julia couldn’t bear to be without her only daughter, even though the customs and traditions of their indigenous people called the Purepecha allowed the husband to do whatever he wanted with his new family.
Alberto and Julia received visas for the United States and settled in West Virginia with their young son. Alberto worked as a roofer, and Julia worked in the kitchen of the local hospital. They continued looking for their daughter, but it was not easy. The husband did not want any interference from the family of his young wife, so he kept changing where they were living.
After another son was born to Alberto and Julia, they learned of the whereabouts of their beloved daughter. Abigail had reached out to her parents asking for help. She, at the age of 16, had two young children and was diagnosed with leukemia.
Alberto immediately drove to southern California, picked up his daughter, and brought her back to seek treatment at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. He would not let Julia care for their grandchildren, but at least Abigail was found and would be able to receive help for her illness.
People from a local church heard about their story and began to minister to this family. They sat with them in the hospital and shared with Alberto and Julia about Jesus. The family soaked up this message of hope and received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. In Mexico, they had never heard this message; their indigenous community put their hope in things, spirit animals, and nature. Never had they heard of salvation by grace, a free gift from God.
The family felt whole, free, and grateful to rest in Jesus and His promises. It is an amazing transformation when someone is truly freed from the shackles of idol worship, animistic beliefs, and non-life-giving rituals. The message of “Jesus only” changed their world—Alberto and Julia and their family were truly free!
In December of 2020, the Circle of Hope made its first trip to the town of Quinceo in the state of Michoacan, four hours south of Guadalajara, as part of an integrated church-planting strategy to reach and train the Purepecha, an indigenous people group. The goal is to plant a new church, Breath of Life, in the nearby town of Paracho and establish the community development ministry of Circle of Hope. Once a suitable office is found in Paracho, the church and Circle of Hope will begin to offer Bible studies, spiritual counselling, legal aid, and job skills training for home micro-businesses.
Alliance Women is committed to prayer and financial support for the Circle of Hope ministry in Mexico. We have set a goal to raise $16,600 for this vital ministry to women. To participate, please visit www.alliancewomen.org/give.
