|
 |
Devoted Lives Giving Up to Gain
The apostle Paul declared to the Philippian church, ". . . to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." What a great example of devotion to the priority of Christ in his life! And later, when headed for an uncertain and potentially life-threatening trip to and ministry in Jerusalem, Paul declared, ". . . neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).
It is not often you hear and know real-life stories that live out the devotion displayed in the life of the apostle Paul, but UIM has been blessed with devoted missionaries who exemplify such devotion.
Three such missionaries were collectively and affectionately known as "the Chatlos sisters," but they were each greatly gifted and devoted to serving the Lord Jesus Christ. We feature one of those dear sisters in this issue of
UIM Connection!You will be blessed in reading a special insight into the life of Marie Chatlos. I count it a high privileged to have known "the Chatlos sisters."
UIM is also blessed with young missionary families, and one such family is that of Joe and Nicole Wisniewski. UIM's purpose is to reach the indigenous people of North America, including the state of New York. Contemporary dynamics are scattering the indigenous people groups of North America, including the phenomena of immigration from Mexico into the United States and Canada. The Lord has placed the Wisniewskis in New York ". . . to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).
Your connection to UIM International now connects you to inspiring history and present-day lives being changed by the Gospel of grace in Christ Jesus.
I encourage you to share this UIM Connection! with others.
In Christ Jesus,
 Dan Fredericks, Executive Director UIM International  |
|
|
Reaching Migrant Workers in New York
In our ever-increasing migrating world, many of the Native cultures that UIM missionaries in Mexico minister to are also being ministered to in the United States. Joe and Nicole Wisniewski who are ministry partners with UIM International and now missionaries with Global Outreach Mission served several years with the UIM church plant Iglesia Biblica de Greeley in Greeley, Colorado. Joe and Nicole moved to Appleton, New York, to help with maintenance at Niagara Bible Conference and also to partner with their sending church, Ridgewood Bible Church, to plant an indigenous church among the Latino worker community.
Every summer many Spanish migrant workers come to the area. They come to plant cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, and corn. They also harvest cherries, peaches, pears and apples, as well as the produce they have planted. The farms rely on their labor and the workers take pride in their knowledge of horticulture and their work ethic. They work long hours in the heat of the summer sun, cold rain, or whatever the weather may be. Last summer and now this summer, the Wisniewskis welcomed Charlin Zuniga to help with reaching the Latino community and migrant workers with the Gospel. He is from Honduras and is studying at Rio Grande Bible College. God has gifted Charlin musically, and his desire is to serve the Lord with his life and to always be ready to share the Gospel. Joe and Charlin spend time with the migrant and year-round workers building relationships, sharing God's Word and music. They have seen God opening doors in this Latino community and ask for prayer that the Holy Spirit would grow the seeds of the Gospel that are being planted this summer. There are also families that stay all year round. Some have even been here for the past twenty-five years. There are now three generations that live and work on the farms that have preserved their language and culture within our own culture. These families come from San Juan Mixtepec in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. When they are working together and while at home, they speak their native dialect of Mixteco. Even though two generations of children have attended school in English, they are still fluent in their native Mixteco. This people group has been especially open to the Gospel, and Joe and Nicole are trusting God for a spiritual breakthrough among them. Joe is even trying to pick up on Mixteco to understand their culture better and, Lord willing, will one day be able to communicate God's truth in their heart language. It is Joe and Nicole's desire to see Christ build His church among this people group. Please pray for open doors and for open hearts.  | |
Wisniewski Family with Charlin
|
|
|
Total Commitment, Total Gain!
"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21) was referenced at the end of a covenant written by Marie Chatlos on July 3, 1944. Marie became a missionary with Navajo Bible School and Mission in Window Rock, Arizona, before joining Navajo Gospel Crusade (NGC) in Cortez, Colorado, which merged with UIM in 1985. She faithfully lived her life for Christ to the moment she gained entrance into His presence in 2006.
Recently Bill Ketcheside of Washington state contacted UIM's communication manager, Renae Hodgin, to say that in the early 1970s Marie left her Bible at their place. She had spoken at First Baptist Church of Redmond, Oregon, and went to their place for dinner. After moving the Bible several times, he asked her if someone might like to have it. Renae immediately thought of Marie's nephew, William Chatlos, but was curious about the message Bill said was written inside the front cover.When it came to the office, Renae read Marie's handwritten covenant:"Lord, I give up all my own plans . . . purposes . . . desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life . . . . Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost . . . ."
God took Marie at her word and sent her and her sisters, Esther and Lydia, to share the Gospel with Navajos in the Four Corners states of the U. S. They taught His Word in numerous homes, churches, Bible clubs, and VBSes-anywhere an opportunity presented itself. All three of them were dedicated to doing God's will regardless of the cost, and all of them experienced the truth that "to die is gain."
Total commitment to Christ during one's life results in total gain in death!
 | |
July 3, 1944 Marie Chatlos wrote in her Bible a covenant to the Lord
|
|
|
