Chris and Kathy Gouzoules
A short story of LIFE TRANSFORMATION in Tenancingo
We thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support
You are planting churches with us
Gerardo, 13, called to church planing
ckgouzoules@yahoo.com
Financial support address:
World Team
(Chris and Kathy Gouzoules -Mexico)
With our best intentions, we wanted to get more news to you this year.
We just kept putting off writing more news letters.
While tecnical problems with Constant Contact, sicknesses, and a very intense fall and winter of ministry, made it harder to write, we honestly kept procrastinating.
We are sorry. We know how important it is to keep you updated.
We thank you for your faithfull prayers and financial support.
We have regrouped and are hoping that a shorter letter, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, will keep us in touch.
If you have any thoughts that can help us, please let us know.
Geraldo's Story
A 13 year old church planter
A passionate voice sounded in the church prayer meeting pleading with God to save the youth of Tenancingo. Opening my eyes I saw Gerardo, then 10 years old, pouring out his heart to God for the lost. This year Gerardo, now 13, was invited to join one of our city of refuge-church planting teams. Every Saturday evening Gerardo preaches to children, youth and adults in the abandoned town of Blessed Water (Agua Bendita.)
Gerardo was walking with his mom by our church on a Sunday, about 6 years ago, when he heard the worship music. After passing the church a number of Sundays, Lucia, Gerardo's mom, agreed to go in. At an encounter weekend retreat, which they later attended, Lucia gave up a hidden bondage.
For years Lucia, as many in Tenancing, went to a local witch to help her with her family. Gerardo's father often beat Lucia and Gerardo. Even after his father left, when Gerardo was 6, his violent return visits caused panic in the home.
Hearing of the power of Christ over witchcraft at the encounter weekend, Lucia decided to receive Jesus as her only Savior and Lord of her life. After the retreat, she gathered three garbage bags of idolic witchcraft charms, and threw them out. She told Kathy and I, "After so many years of bondage to Satan, I now feel freed by Christ"
Last year I (Chris) began to meet with Gerardo for prayer and a discipleship once a week. It delighted me to see his love for God, prayer, and His word. He would light up when I told him how proud I was of him.
Last year he was the top student in his class and spoke at the graduation. Despite his deep feelings of rejection from his dad, the years of spiritual oppression in their home, Gerardo has decided that God is calling him into ministry.
We believe that God will raise up an army of youth, like Gerardo, who will plant churches in the 70 forgotten towns of this region. Please pray with us as we are trust God to transform this region through the Gospel of His Kingdom.
(As needed, we are changing names in the stories to protect confidenciality)
