Mexico Archives - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

A Hurricane Destroyed Her Neighborhood — and Led Her to Christ

Gaby thought Christians were fanatics. Now, Gaby’s whole life is centered on knowing God and leading others to Him.

Oct 13 2021

“I remember that my mother told me, ‘Now that you know about the word of God, are you ready to wear a straightjacket?’” Those aren’t the words you expect a Christian mother to say to her newly-saved daughter. But Gaby knew her mom’s teasing came from a place of inexpressible joy. Gaby married and had children young, so she spent years trying to recapture her youth. While her husband “worked all the time,” Gaby says, “I really like to be in the streets.” Her mom tried to tell her about God. Gaby thought it was madness to give up freedom…

Cristian felt like he was falling apart. Now, through sports ministry and discipleship, he’s a passionate believer with a vision to spread the Gospel.

Aug 16 2021

When two visitors showed up at Cristian’s middle school, he had no idea that the basketball program they promoted would end three long years of loneliness. It wasn’t easy growing up in La Paz, Mexico, where Cristian regularly navigated offers of drugs, family dysfunction and his own adolescent hormones. And he was doing it pretty much all on his own. He’d had some good friends, neighbors who provided a safe space and a listening ear — and who also pointed him to Jesus. But they moved away. Where Cristian had once found friendship and spiritual guidance, now there was only…

When Steve and Lois Dresselhaus invite you to kayak, be ready for deep conversations about God and worship at sea.

May 13 2021

TEAM missionary Steve Dresselhaus was in his usual place of worship on Sunday morning. Not in a sanctuary, but in nature. Not with a congregation, but with fellow ocean enthusiasts. Not in a pew, but in the seat of a kayak on the Sea of Cortez. One of his friends paddled up. “Steve, I like this church,” the man told him. A Ministry Born out of Burnout On any given week, Steve and Lois Dresselhaus see church happening around their dinner table, in a kayak, in someone’s yard, on a hike or in their living room. It takes place during…

When Imelda’s mom forbade her from going to church, Imelda rebelled. She got baptized — and prayed for her mother’s salvation.

Nov 18 2020

“Are you crazy? What’s wrong with you?” Ten-year-old Imelda had just come home from an evening church service. She’d been growing to love and follow Jesus, and now she was ready to be baptized. But her mom, Vicenta, would have none of it. Their family was supposed to be Catholic, and Imelda’s involvement with a Protestant group raised all kinds of red flags for Vicenta. “She was a minor,” Vicenta says, suspicious that someone was manipulating her daughter. So when Imelda told her mom she wanted to be baptized, that was the deal breaker. Vicenta not only forbade the baptism,…

Kids play basketball at sports ministry Transformados

Drugs are a big lure for kids in La Paz, Mexico — but a sports ministry is getting kids off the streets and teaching them the saving truth of Jesus!

Sep 14 2020

“[If] my brother wouldn’t have invited me to Transformados, then I wouldn’t have known anything about God. … I would probably be on drugs, alcohol and sex,” Chuy says. Chuy’s alternate life isn’t hard to guess at because many of his friends are already living it. In the sprawling city of La Paz, Mexico, drugs are widely available. Some kids start using them as early as 13 years old. But in recent years, more and more children have found an alternative through a program called Transformados. Five days a week, they gather on a basketball court, eager to learn new…

Two teen girls ride horses during equine program. This is one way Rancho el Camino does missions in Mexico

Equine classes at Rancho el Camino are a chance to learn discipline, patience and what it means to follow God.

Jul 17 2020

You don’t find Rancho el Camino without a bit of determination. Driving away from the beautiful beaches of La Paz, Mexico, you take the highway to the outskirts of town and turn sharply onto a dusty, bumpy, gravel road. But as you draw closer, you may just sense what has attracted so many people before you. People say they feel something different at the ranch. Some are moved to tears. Others demand to know what causes the strange sensation. Over the years, TEAM missionaries Pete and Emily Johnson have come to see the ranch as a “thin space.” It’s a…

Enchiladas verdes are delightfully simple — and delicious. You'll love this missionary favorite from Mexico.

Jun 26 2020

A church planter’s work is never done — but enchiladas verdes are the perfect end to a long day of ministry. Today we’re trying out this traditional Mexican favorite, with a recipe sent in by that TEAM missionaries Vicki and Art Reyes! Art was born and raised in Mexico until he was 10 years old. His family moved to the U.S. so Art and his siblings could live out the American dream. But as an adult, Art, along with his wife Vicki, felt God’s leading to serve Him in Mexico. Now, the couple serves a Mexican congregation and encourages other Hispanic…

COVID-19 hasn't stopped God's work! From aid packages to medical evacuations, see how God is using missionaries in Latin America!

May 14 2020

“Leche!” shouts a little boy. He grabs the can of milk out of a bag and starts hugging and kissing it. Missionaries pitch in to buy a coffin so their friend can be buried in the cemetery instead of a mass COVID-19 grave. Churches pool their money and start committees to provide food for the neediest families in their neighborhoods. When the new coronavirus turned into a pandemic, many people wondered, “Will COVID-19 put global missions on hold?” And while missions does look a bit different these days, we’re happy to report that God is still working to transform lives. …

Group picture of the Emmanuel Church congregation, planted by TEAM missionaries

Art Reyes' parents worked hard to give him the American Dream. They were shocked when Art told them he was moving back to Mexico — as a missionary. Photo courtesy of Vicki Reyes.

Aug 29 2019

¡Lea esta publicación en español aquí! “Why? I worked so hard to bring you to the USA so you could have a future! Now, you are taking your family back to Mexico? Why?” The Lord is using Hispanic American missionaries to share the Gospel in Spanish-speaking countries. Already familiar with the language and the collective Hispanic culture, these missionaries can usually jump into ministry without years of language school or cultural faux pas. But for the missionary’s family — especially parents — doing ministry in Latin America can feel like ungratefulness. Almost half of adult Hispanics in the U.S. are first…

Sometimes, everyday tasks can turn out to be ministry opportunities. That's what happened for TEAM missionary Sandy Rios!

May 21 2019

Leticia had a lot on her plate. And on her mind. Her husband was on kidney dialysis twice a week. He was dying — and afraid. And Leticia was his only caretaker. His fear of death was becoming so crippling that Leticia decided to take him to a psychologist. But while Leticia was waiting for the right time to schedule his appointment, she turned 60. That meant she was finally eligible for her Mexican senior citizen discount card. She just needed to swing by the Office of the Aging to pick it up. Leticia had no way of knowing that…

Tag - Mexico

A Hurricane Destroyed Her Neighborhood — and Led Her to Christ

‘More than Just a Basketball Thing’

Building House Churches Through Outdoor Adventures

A Daughter’s Rebellious Prayer

Keeping Kids from Drugs — through Basketball and Jesus

The Ranch Where Heaven Meets Earth

TEAM Eats: Enchiladas Verdes

Hope Amid Death: COVID-19 Ministry in Latin America

Hispanics are Giving Up the American Dream — for Missions

When Jesus Finds You in a Government Office