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"My boyfriend is really getting interested in the Lord. Can you give me some Bible study materials, so that I can teach him?"
Fran tried to think fast. For some years she had been discipling a woman named Teri, who now had become the key teacher of their women's Bible study.
"You can get the Abundant Life course from Teri." Another idea then struck her. Ben had just recently gone through a simple, four-lesson course on basic Christianity with an unchurched neighbour named Hector, who now had the study guide. As Fran was telling Esperanza about that resource, Hector walked in to say his goodbyes to the retiring missionaries.
Fran asked Hector to run home and get his materials. In about 15 minutes he was back and Fran quickly ran off two copies of each page. "The work is never done," she told Ben, "but the time has come for us to stop."
Hector has not yet become a believer, but he told the Wedels, "Although I've only known you a few months, it seems like we've been friends for many years." Many others have known the Wedels for years. Their chief gift, they believe, is making friends. Ben's relaxed manner puts people at ease and inspires trust. Fran's vivacious personality attracts. Both genuinely care about people.
For the past 10 years they have served as Mexico team leaders, pastoral mentors to Guadalajara churches, and, during their last term, resource missionaries to the national church executive council. Most recently they've worked with the El Vigia Church, which has grown significantly in the last two years.
In May 1995, Ben was conducting a Bible study in the home of a man named Raphy, when Lucio, with his wife and two children, dropped in to visit, carrying a huge Bible like those sometimes displayed on communion tables. Raphy had previously witnessed to Lucio, who was an alcoholic and severely depressed. Lucio had come to talk about spiritual matters, not knowing a Bible study was going on.
Raphy soon zeroed in on Lucio's situation: "Do you want to receive Jesus now or do you want to suffer for a while more?" Lucio said he wanted to give his life to Jesus then and there, as did his wife. After the Bible study, Raphy invited Lucio to the El Vigia Church's Wednesday night meeting. Both Lucio and his wife came. Lucio also came out to the men's prayer group on Friday night. He and his family began attending Sunday services regularly.
Lucio's life was changed, and from the day he came to know the Lord he witnessed to his family and friends. At his baptism, 25 family members came to see him publicly identify with Jesus Christ and His people.
On one occasion, Lucio and Ben were chatting in the newly-built church auditorium, when Lucio said, "Someday this one side of the church will be filled with my relatives." Ben says, "Lucio has just about accomplished his goal." At least 10 people have come to Christ through Lucio's influence.
One day Lucio was playing pool with his friend Juan. Juan noticed how happy Lucio was, in contrast to how he used to be troubled. "What's happened to you, Lucio?" Juan asked. "Have you gotten hold of a lot of money or a new car or something?" Lucio answered, "I asked Jesus to come into my life, and He has taken all my sins away." Juan immediately said, "Tell me more!" Soon Juan became a Christian. For five months he, Lucio, Ben and others studied the Bible together, and Juan grew in the Lord. He reached out to his family as well, until nine of them were studying the Bible with him.
One Friday night Juan came to the men's prayer meeting asking prayer for his wife. "She's very strong in her religion. Pray she'll come with me to church." That Sunday morning, in she walked with Juan. Rejoicing to realize that God had so suddenly answered their prayers, the men became more fervent in their prayer ministry.
Fran's ministry with Teri, a housekeeper in the neighbourhood, began about five years ago. A single mother with a difficult work schedule, Teri has not been able to attend church, but she has faithfully studied the Word with Fran and has brought others to the study. She has now grown into the role of a gifted, knowledgeable teacher. For Fran, the hardest part of leaving was having to say goodbye to Teri, who is her spiritual daughter.
With conference leadership in place and functioning effectively, the Wedels feel that part of their mission has been accomplished. Similarly, the Guadalajara churches are now all led by Mexican pastors and soon will be self-supporting. In 1995, the El Vigia Church dedicated its new enlarged, two-story building, with a capacity of 100.
One unfulfilled dream remains. The Wedels had been praying that the El Vigia Church would reach an attendance of 100 before they left. It didn't happen. At present the church has only 60 chairs which are usually almost all filled. Ben and Fran didn't tell the church about their prayer until the last few days before leaving. The congregation has promised to take a photo and send it to the Wedels when the attendance goal is reached.
As people like Lucio and Juan continue to bring in family and friends, those 60 chairs aren't going to be enough.
Gary Hardaway
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