Aitana didn’t know much about Jesus.
Although she lived in an area of Mexico that was strong in religious traditions, her understanding of spiritual things was vague.
Even after she grew up, got married and became a mother, Aitana had questions.
She couldn’t understand the emphasis in her culture on worshiping saints. It seemed like there was a major focus on bringing lots of offerings, too. Was she doing enough good deeds to get into heaven? Would the sins she struggled with, like pride, be her undoing?
Little did Aitana know that an English class would help her find the answers to her questions.
ESL Ministry Leads to Trusted Friendship
When Aitana first noticed the English as a Second Language center near the local park, it caught her attention.
She and her husband worked in an importing business, so she knew how helpful it was to know other languages. The center offered classes for kids, so she enrolled her two school-age children.
And that’s how she met Jann and Paul, TEAM missionaries who served at the center.
Aitana knew that knowing English as a second language would be beneficial for her kids later in life. So she signed them up for a class led by TEAM missionaries.
Over the next few years, as her kids attended English class, Aitana got to know the couple better. When Aitana needed help translating a few letters, Jann was happy to help her.
What began as more of a professional transaction soon grew into a trusted friendship. Aitana could see that Paul and Jann were sincere about helping her community through these English classes.
When Aitana decided that she too could benefit from an ESL class, she became Jann’s student.
Missionary Friend Answers Questions
Paul invited Aitana to their house church a few months later, and she and her two children came the very next week.
It became obvious that while Aitana was indeed interested in improving her English, she was even more hungry to learn about Jesus. It wasn’t long before she and Jann were regularly meeting together to study the Bible.
As she and Jann spent more time together, Aitana’s trust in her friend grew.
Aitana confided that she had felt God’s presence since she was a small child. She’d known some Christians and seen how committed they were to understand the Bible. She was curious how Christians worshiped God. That’s why she accepted Paul’s invitation — and why she had so many questions about her own culture’s religious traditions.
Aitana began to understand that her relationship with God didn’t depend on her good behavior. She learned what Jesus had done for her and how much He loved her. And so she decided to put her trust in Him.
New Christian Shares Her Faith
Since coming to Christ, Aitana has continued to grow in her faith. She’s learning to depend on God when difficult times come. She has more peace. And the pride that used to be so prevalent has lost its grip on her.
Her new life in Jesus has impacted others, too.
Aitana’s children continue to attend church with her, and her husband regularly comes for the fellowship time afterward. She enjoys inviting friends to the house church, too, and her one-on-one Bible study with Jann has grown to include five more women.
“We praise God for bringing her family into our circle,” Jann says.
When Aitana decided to take an ESL class, she hoped it would improve her life. Thanks to caring friends like you, her decision has led to a completely changed life!
You can reach more people like Aitana through ESL classes and other ministries today! Your gift to TEAM will help start new ministries, recruit missionaries and so much more. Please give today to share Christ’s love with those who need to know Him!
