UIM field missionaries Richard and Carolyn Johnson have a unique ministry in the small village of Huauclilla (pronounced Wow-cli-ya), a Mixteco Indian pueblo. Originally, they were positioned there to develop a camp for UIM, coming alongside an existing Christian camp that was not being used and needed a lot of work. Since then, UIM has had the opportunity to continue with its original plans of building a regional camp near San Miguel to serve the local Zapotec people. The Johnsons have remained in the Huauclilla area to continue working with the camp and to develop a ministry of discipleship within the local community. 

Presently, the Johnsons are English teachers in the public junior high school. They instruct fifteen students and three teachers from the three grades, which is the entire student body. The primary school would like to have classes for their students as well to prepare them for the more advanced classes that they will encounter when they reach the junior high level. The adults have also requested evening classes. A program is being developed and will be implemented this coming January. Most of the students are practicing Catholics. The Johnsons, striving to live in a way that reflects their beliefs and influences others to seek the reason for the difference they may see, have many opportunities to share their faith in Jesus Christ.   

Two agricultural programs have been initiated, sparking some intrigue within the agricultural community. Rabbits are being raised, but the Johnsons raise them differently than it has been done in the past. Use of proper equipment and specific procedures for care and breeding contributes to a good return on the investment. Another program uses red wiggler worms to convert any and all organic material into rich compost to use on plants. Raising worms can be a small business for any household. Worms sell for $100 USD per pound and the worm casting (excrement) sells for $3.00 USD per pound. Richard and Carolyn have given away thousands of worms and instructed classes in the proper care and maintenance of their wiggly friends. Both of the programs have been started to help the poor improve their standard of living while staying within their cultural boundaries.    

 

The compost can also be used for the local garden to produce better vegetables for the table. The Johnsons use raised beds, composting, and fruit tree grafting as a means to build relationships with their neighbors.  

They offer basic mechanic classes (oil changes, brakes, tune-ups, u-joints, etc.) for the young men, teaching through participation. They have also constructed a solar water heater at their house, demonstrating a fuel-saving method of heating water.   

Richard and Carolyn see their mission as developing relationships with the people of the community so they can earn the right to talk to them about Christ and the changed lives they can experience both presently and eternally. Their intention is to make disciples, and they are willing to use any tool available to them.  

Richard and Carolyn Johnson

Ken and Pat Grimes

Ken and Pat Grimes left their business careers and joined UIM in 1996. For several years they worked in California with several Hispanic Bible studies and participated in Hispanic churches, teaching Sunday School and AWANA, leading music and playing the accordion. In 2004 they moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX, attended language school, and for almost three years taught a 10-week evangelism course to various small churches in poor villages in surrounding areas of Jalisco. They trained teams and went with them to present the Gospel to people in their neighborhoods. They also were invited to teach a condensed three-day evangelism course in Queretero in the state of Queretero and in San Miguel de Alllende in the state of Guanajuato. Feeling that the Lord was leading them to plant a Hispanic church, Ken and Pat returned to California in 2008. After much prayer and demographic research, they determined that the area of Beaumont and Banning in California was an area with many Hispanics and a need for an evangelical church. They put their Westminster, CA, house on the market and purchased a home in Beaumont in 2009.

Ken and Pat immediately became involved with an English church that had a very small Hispanic work and needed help. After about six months, it was determined that this ministry was not productive and God-honoring. That group was disbanded and a new work was begun. A church-planting team was formed with a couple, Guillermo and Lilian Hurtado from Guatemala, and a man from Mexico, Arnuldo Vazquez, all strong believers and able to teach. This ministry began with Bible studies; it now has a Sunday evening service with an attendance of 35 to 45 people and children's Sunday Schools for two different age groups. There is a Wednesday night Bible study, and Ken and Pat are teaching new believers a discipleship course in their homes.

The Lord has been working in the hearts of the people. Many have received Christ as their Savior and Lord and they are growing in their faith. Several are participating in the services, leading prayer, reading the Scripture passage, leading worship music, etc. May the Lord be praised for what He has done and is continuing to do as He builds His church!