My name is Lidia and I am a 53
year old retired teacher. I am
also married and have two daughters and five granddaughters (three of which I
help care for).
I first gave my life to Christ
at the age of six and then was baptized in water at the age of eight. Even though all of my family members
attended church, I felt a need to do more for Christ. So after I retired, I began to buy Bibles for people from my
church and people I knew. I saw
how some people were willing to accept the Bibles, so I started to buy more.
In the beginning, I set apart
about $500 pesos per month for Bibles.
At first, I bought two Bibles per month at $250 pesos each [approx.
$19.50 U.S.]. Later, I found some
Bibles for $80 pesos each and bought what I could at this price. Although the price was lower, I still
thought I could find a better price so that I could buy more Bibles. I would distribute these Bibles on the
street, but I felt bad because some people would reject them. So I also posted a sign outside of my
house stating “If you want I Bible, I will give it to you as a gift.”
As time passed by, I ran into a
sister in Christ who was going through some challenges due to a death in the family. I tried to help her out as best as I
could and in turn, I began to work with some people who would share God's Word
and give Bibles to people in prison.
I continued with this work for a while and then I learned of a minister
who needed Bibles. Hence, I began to
buy Bibles for this minister and he would in turn take them into the prison and
give them to people as they were accepting Christ. It was not long before the group grew so large that I had to
look else where for more Bibles.
When my Visa was approved to visit
the U.S., I began to travel into Laredo, TX and look for more Bibles. I tried looking at Wal-Mart, but they
never had a consistent amount or none at all of the type I needed; even at
their different locations. Through
the process of searching for Bibles, I asked people everywhere for tips on
where I could find some but no one could supply the quantity I needed. Additionally, on my travels to Laredo,
TX, both my car and truck were stolen.
I continued to travel to Laredo,
TX and prayed that God would guide me to the place where I could find the
Bibles I needed. One day, as I
listened to Radio Manantial
[Spanish Christian radio station], I learned about BRIDGE Ministries of
Laredo. I called them up and got
directions on how to get there; I found the Bibles I needed at the right
price and I now purchase a box of 24.
These days, I buy Bibles once a
month at BRIDGE Ministries of Laredo.
Along with my collapsible cart, I take a bus from Monterey to Nuevo Laredo. Then I enter the United States and take
a series of buses to BRIDGE Ministries.
Once there, I load up my cart with Bibles and make my way back home to
Monterey.
I am grateful to God that I have
found something to do so that people can get to know Christ. The devil has put stumbling blocks in
my way through illnesses as well as through timidity while walking on the
streets. I am very timid, but if
God sends me and goes with me, I go!
