Former Mayan Priest accepts gospel

Tomas is one of HTI's health promoters who works with Dr. Lisa and Kemmel.  He lives in Mactzul V and attends one of the fastest growing Churches of Christ in the area. It has doubled in size over the last few years. This church is involved in many ministries and the members spend much time visiting families and praying with them. They have started a youth program, children's program and a tutoring program for kids who are not doing well in school.  

Tomas told this story that began a while back.  Juana Yacon, a young lady from the community, came to the clinic at the Mactzul V church because she was having some problem with her eyes.  After the clinic visit, where she experienced both medical treatment and prayers for her by church members, this young lady was healed.  She later began attending church and was baptized into Christ.  Her daughter, Josefina Silvia Leon Yacon, is now in the ABC program. She is pictured with her grandparents above.   

It turns out that Juana's father is a leader in the community and, as Tomas pointedly described him, "is kind of like a king." People respect him, and he drives many of the activities in his village, as well as the traditional Mayan religion. When his daughter, Juana, started going to church, he became interested and asked that men from the congregation come and speak with him about it. They did, but his attitude was to always mock the gospel and continue his traditional practices.

On a recent Saturday the man asked the church men to come back once more to talk with him about the gospel...so they did. This time, however, he accepted the gospel of Christ and said he was ready to change his life.  He stated that he had been in the world and had been a Mayan priest his entire adult life, but had come to realize that it had not given him the answers he wanted.  He said he now realized that the one answer is Jesus Christ. He came to church the next day with his family and after yet another meeting, stated that he wanted to be baptized for the remission of his sins.  He then said that he had not been able to sleep well for some time and would wake up constantly feeling anxious, but the night before (after having made the decision to accept Christ) he "had gone to sleep and did not wake up until morning!" 

What a powerful testimony!  The church had shown him an example of hope and peace than can only come from our Father in heaven.  Please continue to pray for this man and his family as they start a new life in Christ.  Also, rejoice with the church in the example they have shown in their community and to all of us. 

The "rest of the story" is yet to come. When people started to hear that he was going to the church, it left everyone speechless! We expect that through his example...many others may follow.