WOL Garza Mexico Missions

Newsletter

February 14, 2011 at 6:05 pm (Uncategorized)

May-August 2011 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Front row L-R
Rafael,Zayra,Petra, Enrique, Marlene, Mabel & Ofelia (see news about Rafael & Mabel)

We greet you in the mighty Name of Jesus and thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. Travel into Mexico can no longer be considered safe and we do exercise extra precaution in our travels. We believe God is in control ultimately and we commit our lives daily to Him as He directs our steps. We have some wonderful news to share in this update, as 12 more prayed to receive Jesus in their hearts and 6 other believers were water baptized.

Lobatos, Zacatecas

It had been over 2 years since I had been back to Lobatos for even a visit. Miguel and Adela have been the pastors at La Viña Lobatos since we left to plant La Viña Zacatecas. The Confraternidad of La Viña Churches was held on May 29^th at Salon de Fiestas Castañon in Lobatos and I was the guest speaker. It was good to see and visit with the church folks that we had ministered to for 5 yrs. It was kind of a home coming for me. During ministry time many were healed and 2 ladies, Martha and Esmeralda from Rancho de Jamaica prayed to receive Jesus. Praise God!

Zacatecas, Zacatecas

    January – April, 2011

Grace to you, dear ministry friends and family.  We have been very encouraged by all those that came to Christ in 2010 at the Zacatecas Vineyard.  During the Vineyard Conference held in Mexicali November, 2010 the conference speaker spoke about a revival taking place in Mexico and that the Zacatecas Vineyard would play a key role in Central Mexico.

We have had 16 more people receive Jesus in their heart and several healings in this update.

Zacatecas, Zacatecas

At our 1^st Sunday service for January, 2011, Ruben & Javier prayed to receive the Lord.  February 9^th, Brenda, our church secretary received a phone call from Zobeyda asking prayer for her dad that was sent home from the hospital to say his last farewell.  February 10^th, Zobeyda messaged the church cell phone asking for consoling scriptures.  Brenda forwarded the message to Juan.  1^st thing that Juan concluded was that Zobeyda´s dad had died.  So Juan called Zobeyda right away.  Zobeyda confirmed that her dad was still alive and Juan felt that a home visit was in order after learning that her dad, Jose was only 65 years old.  February 11^th, long story short, Juan and Mario prayed over Jose for healing.  A few moments later Jose Isabel Samaniego is led in a prayer for salvation.  Juan sensed from the Lord to tell Jose that the doctors themselves would confirm to Jose what God was doing in his life.  Jose battled over the next months in and out of the hospital.  Juan visited him again in the hospital and prayed over him after learning that Jose had to be resuscitated in the emergency room.  April 6^th, Jose tells Juan that the doctor specialists told him, ¨Jose, God has to be the one who healed.  We find nothing wrong in your body¨.  Praise God!

February 20^th two ladies, Sugheig & Lucia receive salvation at Sunday Service.

Teresa, Lucia, and Lilia Ana

March 20^th 4 more receive Jesus as Lord.  It was their 1^st visit to La Viña Zacatecas and they have faithfully attended every Sunday since.  They are Josefina, her son, Hector Adolfo, her daughter, Rosa Yely and son-in-law, Jose Alberto.

                                                                                                    Rosa Yely & Josefina

                                                                                       Hector Adolfo         Jose Alberto

Mondays are usually the day we take as our day of rest.  But March 28^th, Lilia Ana, the associate pastor got a phone call asking for prayer and or a home visit.  Lilia Ana who is also a public school teacher messaged Juan to ask if Juan would be willing to go in her place.  We had just prayed for Alicia Marentes Villa on March 27^th at the request of her brother Jose and Luz Maria, his wife.  Juan visited Alicia and their family on Monday and Alicia received Jesus as Lord.  Alicia has since been completely healed by the Lord.

April 3^rd, 4 more people prayed to receive Jesus in their heart.  They are Carolina, Mario Ivan, German, and Lizeth Anahi.

                                                                                                                   German

Wednesday Prayer Meetings

La Viña Zacatecas gathers on Wednesdays for prayer at 6:30 pm.  These meetings have proven fruitful as a mom and one of her daughters prayed to receive Jesus.  April 20^th, Ofelia was visiting her daughter Blanca Lorena Torres.  Ofelia is from Villa de Cos which is about 40 miles from Zacatecas.  Ofelia prayed to receive Jesus in her heart.  April 24^th, Ofelia attended Sunday service and she asked for prayer for her daughter Yesenia.  Wednesday April 27^th, Yesenia attends the prayer meeting.  Juan was not planning to be at the prayer meeting, but the Lord arranged his schedule to where he happened to be there for the last part.  Juan was supposed to meet Ruben Carlos at 7:30 pm and Ruben messaged Juan at 7:20 pm that he could not make it.  During ministry time, Mari and Juan talked with Yesenia and she shared with them about the horror dreams she had been experiencing.  Long story short, Yesenia had gone to a curandera and had made a pact with ¨La Santa Muerte¨ on behalf of her father-in-law to alleviate his loneliness.  Her mother-in-law had died about two years earlier.  Juan asked her if she was willing to repent for looking in the wrong places for help and she agreed.  Juan asked her if she was prepared to receive Jesus Christ in her heart.  She hesitated and said does that mean I am obligated to come here from now on.  Juan told her no, but you can if you want.  Then Juan prayed for Yesenia and in the name of Jesus broke the power of the enemy over her.  Juan led Yesenia in a prayer to receive Jesus.  Yesenia said, ¨Wow, even my headache disappeared¨!   God is just awesome!

Your faithful monthly giving makes it possible for us to continue doing what we believe God has called us to do.  We invite you to sow financially into this ministry.  Until next time be blessed and be a blessing!

In His Service,

Juan & Debbie Garza

Nov-Dec 2010

Grace to you, dear ministry friends and family.  Debbie and I took our 2^nd annual furlough to raise personal as well as ministry support.  We continue to see more people receive God’s gift of salvation.  Juan spoke at two churches in Houston, TX and a couple prayed to receive the Lord during ministry time.  Juan also spoke at Word of Life Church in Beeville, TX and 2 women prayed to receive the Lord.  At La Viña Zacatecas, The Zacatecas Vineyard, 3 more people accepted the Lord in their hearts.  We praise God and give Him the glory!

Zacatecas, Zacatecas

Our furlough this year was broken up into 2 weeks at a time rather than the full six weeks.  We even took time for some R & R with our 6 grandchildren in Branson, MO.

November 21^st, university student, Ana Laura prayed to accept Jesus in her heart during ministry time at our Sunday service.  The university students are at the heart of The Zacatecas Vineyard’s vision.

Lina, Ana Karen & Elda

Absa, our drummer on the worship team, meets on Thursdays with the university students as they are studying, Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, Una Vida con Propósito.

December 12^th, Ruben de la Torre and a young teen named Lucero prayed to receive Jesus in the hearts.

Ruben                      Juan

Ruben is a business man that owns and operates a print shop.

Lucero & Juan

Lucero is a Jr. High student from the Colonia CTM.  She was in our Bible Club children’s class for several years.

It is so comforting to see that the children’s classes held at CTM on Saturdays at 11:30 am are bearing fruit.

Springfield, MO

After our R & R in Branson, MO, Debbie and I and our 2 youngest grandchildren, Moriah and Ashley had the opportunity to visit Karen & Jake Wood at the Kids Against Hunger facility in Springfield, MO.  Kids Against Hunger provides this ministry with meals to feed the hungry in Zacatecas, Mexico.  It was a wonderful experience for Moriah to be able to see the beginning process and she would later appreciate it more when she handed out the meal packages to the moms at Colonia CTM, Veta Grande, Enrique Estrada, Hacienda Nueva, La Zacatecana & Lomas de Bracho, in Zacatecas, Mexico about 1,800 miles from Springfield, MO.

Moriah                               Ashley

Moriah handing out meal package at CTM

We want to thank all of you who contributed to the Annual Christmas Smiles Program with toys and funds.  This year our young adults did two dramas at each of the locations that we went to such as La Zacatecana, Hacienda Nueva, Enrique Estrada, Veta Grande, Lomas de Bracho, Colonia CTM, Plazuela Venustiano Carranza & at La Viña Zacatecas on Thursday and Sunday.  Prayer ministry took place at each location.  One place in particular, CTM, a young mother brought her baby for prayer for healing.  Susana is her name and about a year ago her mother-in-law was healed.  We were passing out the torta sandwiches at CTM one Saturday and Susana asked us if we could come to her house to pray for her mother-in-law who was bedridden.  Two weeks later at the next feeding at CTM, Maria stood next to us healed.  So that is why Susana knows that God heals!!!

Melissa         Susana    Debbie & Juan

L-R back row, Pris, Mario, Absa, Brenda, Carlos & Abraham; L-R front row, Cristina,

Valeria, Lesly, Kassandra & Jose Alfredo

Your faithful monthly giving makes it possible for us to continue doing what we believe God has called us to do.  We invite you to sow financially into this ministry.  Until next time be blessed and be a blessing!

In His Service,

Juan & Debbie Garza

For tax-deductible contributions make support checks payable to:

WOL-Garza MX Missions
& mail to:

Juan & Debbie Garza
P.O. Box 4246
Beeville, TX 78104

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April/June 2010 Newsletter

March 30, 2010 at 2:41 pm (Uncategorized)

April – June, 2010

Grace to you, dear ministry friends and family.  We have lots of exciting news to share, 13 salvations and 11 more water baptisms in this update.  We praise God and give Him the glory!

Zacatecas, Zacatecas

April 4^th, Resurrection Sunday, Marlene prayed to receive Jesus in her heart during ministry time.  She is Enrique’s daughter and her sister Zayra is on the worship team.  La Vina Zacatecas has become fellowship focused and people just hang out after Sunday service.  This same Sunday, Javier was talking with me in the foyer and he asked me if it was too late to respond to the invitation that was made for salvation.  I said no of course not and we prayed with him right there in the foyer.  Afterwards, I gave him a big hug and I said welcome into the family of God.  It was evident to me that the Holy Spirit had ministered to him in a special way.  He said, “Pastor, may I share something interesting with you?”  I said, “Sure what is it.”  He said, “I recently lost my dad a few months ago and I so longed for the type of hug that he would usually give me.  I just want you to know that I felt that hug from you and I want to thank you for it.”   Wow, talk about feeling goose bumps.  God is just awesome.

April 18^th, Javier’s daughter, Natalye a university student prayed to receive Jesus in her heart.  She started attending La Vina about one month before her dad did.  In fact she was not sure her dad would accept her invitation to go with her to church and when he said yes, she started trying to explain that it was not your typical church service.  Natalye was just a seeker herself, but somehow she knew where to turn to in her time of need.  Natalye had lost her grandpa recently and her parents were going through a marriage separation.  Natalye was looking for hope and she met up with Jesus, the Hope of Glory.

May 1^st, during one of the children’s feedings at CTM, I met Edgar and gave him a hug.  It had been a couple of years since Edgar attended our children’s Bible club.   I knew that Edgar felt acceptance that Saturday afternoon.  So it was no surprise to see him at Sunday service, May 2^nd.  He walked up right away during the altar call and prayed to receive Jesus.  The following Sunday, May 9^th, we honored the moms for Mother’s Day.  Estela, one of the moms got to witness another one of her sons pray to receive Jesus in his heart.  His name is Luis Miguel.  Estela also got to see her granddaughter, Karina’s boyfriend, Carlos come to saving faith.  Carlos is a “cholo” or member of a gang.  He came back the following Sunday and an obvious change had taken place in this young man.

Ruben attended one of our Wednesday prayer group meetings and gave his heart to Jesus.  Ruben is one of Estela’s nephews.  Sunday June 13^th, Fabiola and Vanessa prayed to receive Jesus.

Lomas de Bracho

During the medical clinics done during October, 2009, the people received Bibles in their giveaway despensa sacks.

One Thursday during the dump feeding ministry, one of the ladies asked if we would be willing to guide them in how to read their Bibles that they had received.   And so began the Lomas de Bracho Bible study group.  June 8^th, all 4 women at the study group prayed to receive Jesus in their heart.

Water Baptisms

Eleven more people took the next step of faith and were water baptized.  They are Saul, Ignacio, Jorge, Lorena, Luz Maria, Maria Guadalupe, Abdi, Alfredo and his wife, Mari, Omar and his wife, Sobeida.

Come and See!

We invite you to come and see what the Lord is doing in Zacatecas.  You will be glad you did.  We need new partners to come alongside.  This ministry is fruitful and the Lord gets all the glory.

Your faithful monthly giving makes it possible for us to continue doing what we believe God has called us to do.  Until next time be blessed and be a blessing!

In His Service,

Juan & Debbie

January- March, 2010

Grace to you, dear ministry friends and family.  We extend a big thank you to all who continue to partner with us in your prayers and financial support.  We have lots of exciting news to share such as more salvations and 4 water baptisms in this update.  Praise the Lord for His goodness that brings men to repentance.

Zacatecas, Zacatecas

Annually, we hold a new year’s eve service as we receive the new year.  We celebrate the Lord’s supper together as a congregation.  Megan, one of our granddaughters, had some questions regarding people partaking of the communion elements.  I basically told her that once a person opens their heart to Jesus in faith, then they are saved and are able to join the celebration that was taking place right then.  So I asked her if she would like to receive Jesus in her heart.  She said not just now grampy.  The next day Megan wanted her grampy to tuck her in bed.  I told her I was too tired and for her grammie to do it.  She was very persistent that it had to be me.  As I was tucking her in bed, Megan asked, “Grampy, Can I do that now?”   I answered her question with a question, “Can you do what now?”  She replied, “Receive Jesus in my heart.”  Suddenly my tiredness vanished and I asked the Lord to forgive me.  I told her absolutely yes!  Now that is the way to start the year 2010.

The next story is about Heidi.  She is Felix’s wife.  I remember him sharing with me that she did not like for him to go to church.  He and I prayed for her on December 14^th that God would soften her heart.  On Christmas Eve, as Debbie and I were coming out of a restaurant, I saw Felix and Heidi walking across the street and I waved them over.   The Lord had already answered our prayer for I was able to see that Heidi felt accepted.  January 3^rd, Heidi attended her 1^st Sunday service & responds to altar call. Felix is amazed at his wife’s decision.  Below Sandra and Monica lead Heidi in a prayer as she opens her heart to Jesus.

Monica Heidi Sandra

The following Sunday two men prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Hector prayed to receive Jesus after praise and worship concluded and the announcements were about to be made.  This just confirms that it is the Holy Spirit that does the saving work.  Hector was the guest of Jorge who received Jesus in December.  The other individual that prayed for salvation is Ruben from La Zacatecana.

Hector  and  son

Mari and Ruben

Water Baptisms

February 28^th four individuals took the next step of faith to publically declare what had already taken place in their heart.  They were water baptized at The Zacatecas Vineyard.  They are Mario, Brenda, Felix and Gabriela.

Mario being baptized

March 7^th, Selene brought her husband, Sergio to church.  Sergio gave his heart to Jesus after the ministry of the Word.

Sergio Juan Selene

This update began with a child asking about communion and so we will end it with another child’s question regarding water baptism.  Cristina is Mario and Brenda’s 7 year old daughter.  She asked me what was required for water baptism.  I told her once a person receives Jesus in their heart then they give outward testimony by getting water baptized.  I asked her, “Cristina, have you received Jesus in your heart yet?”  She said no.  I asked, “Would you like to do that?”  She said yes.  So right there in the presence of her mom (Brenda) and my wife, Debbie, I led Cristina in a prayer to receive salvation.  Cristina is all ready for water baptism.  She is awaiting her mom and dad to give the go ahead.

Your faithful monthly giving makes it possible for us continue doing what we believe God has called us to do.  Until next time be blessed and be a blessing!

Debbie and Juan

In His Service,

Juan & Debbie

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Newsletter 12-09

January 3, 2010 at 12:49 am (Uncategorized)

We begin with Efrain, a 10 year old boy who was brought to the church office by his mom because the school teachers were ready to give up on him and suspend him the rest of the year because he would not communicate with them, not even a yes or no answer.  Many times children are the innocent ones that suffer due to decisions made in ignorance.  In this particular situation, the boy’s mom, Patti had taken him to a “curandero”, a witch doctor for help when Efrain was much younger.  Now a few years later, the manifestation of that decision was showing up.  Immediately, I discerned that Efrain was under demonic oppression, almost as though he had stopped living beyond a certain age in his life.  June 20^th of last year, Patti’s 10 year old brother, Alex was tragically killed as he was crossing the highway after school.  After 30-45 minutes of trying to make conversation with Efrain, we got him to tell me his name and also to agree and believe that God wanted to help and set him free.  I asked him if he would be willing to open his heart to Jesus once he realized that a change was taking place and he said yes.   I then took authority over the demonic spirits and commanded them to go.  Immediately we could see a change of expression on the face of Efrain.  We led him in a prayer to receive the Lord.  I told him that he now had the authority to tell the demons to leave him alone and he did just that.  Efrain now had a sound mind and I gave him a hug.  He then strolled down the sanctuary steps and walked into the internet café room and began using one of the computers.  Only God can bring about such a change and we praise Him for it.

The next story is about Fernando.  He happens to be one of Efrain’s uncles.  When Fernando heard that his nephew was no longer shy as a result of coming by the church to talk with us, he became curious and wanted to know how we had helped him.  Long story short, Fernando ended up praying to also receive Jesus in his heart.

The next story is about an individual named Felix.  His mom, Estela and his two sisters, Lorena and Angelica were saved through this ministry.  Felix would make fun of his mom and sisters and would call them Hallelujahs.  One Sunday service in October, he came with them just to confirm that they were crazy.  God touched him through the ministry of the Word and he asked for prayer for his father-in-law who had suffered a brain hemorrhage and was in a coma at the hospital.  He came back the following Sunday and thanked me for going to visit his father-in-law and praying over him.  When I asked how he was doing, he said well he passed away.  I was at a loss for words, for that was not the response I was anticipating.  Anyway, when the invitation was made for salvation and healing, Felix came forward and we prayed with him to receive Jesus.  Since then, Felix encourages his mom & sisters to get serious with God.  Wow, what a change!

Juan, Alfredo, Felix and Enrique, in this picture we are praying for Felix’s father-in-law.

Sunday, December 13^th, two people accepted Jesus as Lord.  One was Carlos from Tonala, Jalisco.  He is Claudia’s husband.  You might recall from our January-February newsletter, the events that led to Claudia giving her heart to Jesus, after it dawned on her that God had miraculously kept her 2 children from harms way after her car rolled over.
The 2^nd individual is Daniel; he is Claudia’s nephew from Calera, Zacatecas.
Sunday, December 20^th, two more people accepted Jesus as Lord.  This time it was a couple from Colonia CTM.  Jorge is Felix’s brother.  Laura is Jorge’s wife.  Normally, we have been seeing one person come to Christ each Sunday service and the last two Sundays it has been double blessing.  Praise and Glory go to God, always.  Thank you Lord.

As always, we invite you to come visit us here in Zacatecas, Zacatecas.  You will be blessed by what the Lord is doing.

We also invite you to partner with us financially in 2010.

Your Partnership

Your partnership can make a difference in reaching people for Christ.  Would you consider being a partner with us?  If so, please email us with the following information.  If you prefer electronic transfer, contact us for our info.

Name:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Amount pledged monthly:

Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.

In His Service,

Juan & Debbie

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Central Mexico Missions

July 14, 2009 at 2:19 pm (Uncategorized)

Juan and Debbie Garza

Juan & Debbie were raised in Alamo, Texas. They were high school sweethearts and married in 1972. Both were born- again at a marriage encounter weekend in 1981 after the reading of the “Marriage Feast in Cana”. Although not mentioning it to one another at the time, they both felt and saw a hand (God’s hand) enveloping their two hands as they held hands during this reading. Once back at their room, Juan fell to his knees and said to Debbie,”What we need is Christ in our marriage!” Debbie had a friend who was witnessing to her at work. It all came together as she also fell to her knees. They both kneeled in prayer, asked Christ into their life, and asked one another for forgiveness for the wrongs they had done to one another. Their lives have never been the same. They immediately began telling others what had happened with various responses. Some of the marriage encounter team members commented that they “had a glow about them.”

They have a daughter, Melissa, and son-in-law, Tim Meyer and five grandchildren, Melody, Tommy, Makayla, Megan, and Moriah.

Moriah, Melody, Makayla, Melissa, Tommy, Megan, and Tim Meyer

Their son Matthew, 26, is finished his home education, and he is now married to his lovely wife, Raquel, and they have one daughter, Ashley Danielle. Matt is attending Texas A&M in Kingsville, and this summer is doing an internship with the USDA, in preparation for graduation and working in that field.

Matt, Ashley, and Raquel Garza

Missions began for them when Debbie and their, then 11-yr. old daughter, Melissa, went on a missions trip with their church in 1986. The following year Juan and Debbie went on the same missions trip. They were hooked, and began taking family vacations to the same area in Central Mexico. In 1995 Melissa and her husband Tim Meyer accepted the invitation to become full-time missionaries with the same ministry and area in Central Mexico. Juan and Debbie continued by taking short-term mission teams to minister the gospel.

In 1998, Juan and Debbie sold most belongings and Juan took the plunge, leaving behind a successful 20 year career in college & university accounting. Matthew 19:29- “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” The Garza’s are learning that true contentment isn’t found in where you live or in all your trinkets you are collecting, but it is found by walking in obedience to God’s will for your life.

Word of Life Church in Beeville, Texas is their home church, pastored by Doyle Barnett.

They work with La Viña (Vineyard Christian Fellowship). The La Viña ministry in Central Mexico was founded by Fred and Debbie Collom, whom have been missionaries to Mexico for around 30 years. Fred and Debbie are now in Mazatlan where they have founded La Viña-Mazatlan and several more church plants in that area.

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