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with a very large start-up inventory of new and used Christian books, DVDs, etc. So we’ve been praying about what to do. We know it would not be difficult to find committed Christians to manage the store; but we do not have the funds needed for the rent. So we are looking for someone who might be willing to help us with a gift of about $10,000 — that would cover about one years rent, and most of the other start-up costs.... So we are asking if you will pray with us about this opportunity... Thank you.
Let me also take this opportunity to share with you a concern we have…, and how we have set out to deal with the issue. We have been always desirous of complying with all of the government of Mexico’s laws; and this past year it has been impressed upon us that we need to not only be under an A.R. (that is a legal Church), in Mexico with regard’s to our ministry activities, but we also need to be under a Non-Profit Corporation with regards to our Health Fairs, and our other ministries of compassion. In other words, to be legal in Mexico to share the Gospel with people we must have a special FM3 Immigration Permit — this applies to pastoring, preaching, and to simply one-on-one sharing from the Bible, and all religious activities in between… Well we have this FM3 document — praise the Lord, because it is not easy to get. But the question has been raised, what about our Health Fairs, and our other ministries of compassion — helping people in various ways with their physical, emotional, and social needs — such as helping people after the last hurricane. But you ask, “Who would object to such help?” But in Mexico, to be helping in these ways, one can do so as a citizen (that is a Mexican helping another Mexican), or anyone can provide help through a Mexican Non-Profit Corporation called an “A.C.”. This is what is necessary to do the kinds of ministry we are involved in, in a completely legal manner in Mexico.
So if someone were to have an objection to anything one does, they will look at every way possible to make it difficult for that person. Let’s play out a couple of scenarios: Say someone doesn’t like our Health Fairs the way we do them — because we are not under an A.C., we could loose our Mobile Dental Trailer (and other things), and be deported... What if someone in the Immigration office wanted to strike out in vengeance against Canadians or Americans, and they choose to use us as an example — because we’re not completely legal in that we’re not under an A.C., we could be deported... What if someone didn’t like us doing religious activities — even though we have our FM3, they could still deport us because we are not under an A.C. for some of our other activities... Now I know we’ve been helping people in the ways mentioned, and we’ve never had a problem. But this doesn’t really give us license to continue as we have... Recently there was a shake-up in the Loreto Immigration office and even though we had nothing to do with it, someone might want to lash out at Americans; and we could get caught in the crossfire, so-to-speak… We already know that Loreto Immigration is upset that we go to La Paz to do our Immigration papers — and we do this because the local office would not process our papers… There is someone in that office who does not like foreigners trying to convert people to become evangelical Christians… So we’ve been living in what some would call ‘a delicate situation’…
Mexico is also becoming more careful and tighter in almost everything, as are other countries; and now that questions have been raised about why aren’t we under an A.C., we believe we should form an A.C. with bylaws that will allow us to do everything we have been doing and more… So this year we have formed our own Non-Profit Mexican Corporation called, “El Curativo y Esperanza, A.C.” — translated means, “Healing and Hope”. It’s been a 6 month process, and we’re still not finished with all the legal paperwork, etc.; and it’s also been very costly to set everything up; to go to La Paz to see lawyers and accountants, etc. - about $5,000.00 so far; and it’ll cost about $2,500.00 per year to maintain this new entity as well; but it’s really worth it! - to know that we are completely legal; to have a clear conscience; and to have peace of mind - knowing all of our equipment, etc. (including our home and ministry center), are not in jeopardy, and we’re not in danger of possibly being deported.
Being a missionary is not easy! It’s hard, but rewarding… However we share all of this with you so |
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Healing & Hope International |
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