Different Cultures, Different Lands - One Family

The vision was of snow and the voice of God telling Ana and Jahaziel to come to Canada to pray for families  who needed healing. In obedience to God, they planned the trip using funds they had set aside for recording of a music CD.

Ana and Jahaziel are a young sister and brother team pastoring a church in Mexico, "Columnas de Fuego" (Columns of Fire). They contacted Clory Puerto and Juan Carolos who had immigrated from Mexico to Montreal, QC. The apartment of Clory and Juan is the location of one of the three Mennonite house churches of Refugio de Paz (Refuge of Peace), under the pastoral leadership of Lucy Roca.

Their warm welcome upon their arrival in Montreal was a sharp contrast to the cold January day. Ana, Jahaziel, and Lucy immediately began visiting and praying with numerous families in Montreal and Sherbrooke. Worship services were held offering spiritual care to all who desired it. God worked in their midst and there were wonderful testimonies of restored families.

Ana and Jahaziel were also blessed as God confirmed their ministry in Mexico through several people. They were reassured that God would take care of them and of the church while they were in Canada. For Lucy, the visit was an incredible blessing and encouragement.

The experience with this new Mennonite church deeply touched Ana and Jahaziel. Impressed by core values of the faith, they began to wonder if Columnas de Fuego could become a Mennonite Church. A long wintery road trip brought them to Kitchener where they met with Brian Bauman (MCEC) and Rebecca Yoder Neufeld (Mennonite Church Canada). Stories were shared and excitement grew as they talked about how the church could connect with other Mennonite churches in Mexico.

Ana and Jahaziel left Canada refreshed and restored with a renewed vision of their work in Mexico. Reflecting on their time together, Lucy says "It is beautiful that our church is inviting others to be part of her. These young Mexican missionaries felt the warm welcome from all the people who were touched by them in Quebec and by brothers and sisters in Kitchener."