400 Mayans join the Body of Christ

Mexico (JFP/MNN) — In Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, people are coming to Christ in droves. The JESUS Film Project and their partners, The Message for Mayans, recently showed “The Story of Jesus for Children” and “Magdalena” in three villages on three consecutive nights. After watching the films, more than 400 people began a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Teams were also able to distribute shoes to Mayan villagers with the help of Feet That Move, another group that works with The JESUS Film Project in the region.

The following report was taken from the blog of Erick Schenkel, Executive Director of The JESUS Film Project:

Each evening, as the light faded, we settled onto the warm concrete or crusty dust in the center of a Mayan village of 250-500 residents. Sprawled around us were the children of the village. Behind them are the adults, sitting on rows and rows of simple wooden benches or plastic chairs. The screen in front of us flickered to life and soon we are all engrossed in the film, presented in the Mayan language.

The children of the village had already enjoyed games led by the team of Mayan followers of Jesus who spend every weekend evening bringing the good news to people in these remote villages. The young people entertained the children with games, skits, and a puppet show. So by the time the projector was turned on, most of the village had been drawn into the square.

We were especially touched on the third night by two tiny, wrinkled, old Mayan ladies sitting on chairs in the very front row just behind the children. They both leaned forward, captivated from the first moment by this film, shown on the big screen and featuring actors speaking their own language. When Jesus was arrested, the two ladies leaned forward, their eyes glued to the screen, hands covering their mouths. Even the children hush, mouths gaping, eyebrows knit in concern. Jesus is nailed to the cross and the entire community gasps at once. And when the invitation is given, these two ladies joined well over one half of the village as they stepped forward to pray and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Each night, after prayers were said, tears shed, and friendships in Christ begun, our team of Americans, along with the team of Mayan young people, climbed back onto our bus, reluctantly leaving our new brothers and sisters–tired, but full of joy.

We won’t be around for the follow-up that will take place over the following few days by the leaders of small churches in each village. We won’t accompany these precious people, young and old, into their new walks with Christ and through the inevitable challenges and crises that lie before them. But we leave knowing that their lives, and ours, have been changed forever by an encounter with Jesus.

Here are some ways you can come alongside The JESUS Film Project.