This trip took place in February 2007. The goal was to survey the area that we had targeted for future ministry trips. We needed to have a better grasp on the needs of the people in that area, the logistics of getting in, out and around, and the current condition of the local church.

Josue, Jacobo and Luciano all accompanied us. We are hoping that these brothers will continue working in this area after we are gone.

We spent 4 nights and 5 days in collecting survey information, GPS mapping, showing Jesus films, distributing the gospel of John, praying for the sick, and getting to know the people in the 17 villages of the San Jose Maspac area.

You will find a link to download a PDF file with our survey results at the end of this page or to go the now click here.

The end result of the trip was that; we were able to establish good friendly contact with many families in the area, we found 2 men that we will be investing more time in, (Amin and Jacobo) with the hope of seeing them become the future leaders for the local church, and we now have a complete mapping of the area that will allow us to plan future work. NJT
Truck packed and leaving before dawn. Pastor Jacobo came with us
Pastor Jacobo's church and youngest daughter in Tecpatan
Josue Bonifaz accompanied us as well
Also along for the ride was Luciano: a brother Christian and Zoque speaker. (center)
Steve Haag, a wild hichiker who, somehow, ended up driving.
Bad roads, a lot of mud slides often cutting the road down to one lane.
Major bummer if you miss this one on a dark night.
One of our river crossings. You can see the need for 4x4.
Muddy roads Bridge to San Antonio Maspac and Arroyo Caracol.
New bridge being built in San Jose Maspac. Our host's house in San Jose Maspac.
Basketball court in San Jose Maspac (durring rainy season it becomes a market place.)
Looking down over San Jose Maspac.
95 students, 3 classrooms, two toilets, 4 teachers, you do the math... Jose Maspac Prepa (highschool)
Catholic church in San Jose Maspac.
Looking down over Candelaria.
Heavy cattle country.
Looking accross at El Paraiso.
Nuevo Carmen (foreground) and El Paraiso (on the other side of the river to the right.)
Abandoned school house in Nuevo Carmen
Town center at Sardina.
Looking down at Sardina Sardina Valley (town at far right edge of photo)
Steve and Jacobo, playing with the GPS. County seat in Viejo Carmen.
Nathan asking survey questions and visiting.
Dog in the kitchen
A Zoque kitchen complete with Turkey on the floor.
Cooking area, notice heavy smoke. Kids everywhere.
Amin and some friends Cute Baby
Watching Christian cartoons with the kids.
Enjoying the Jesus film in Zoque. Watching from outside in the rain
The guys walking (our truck was not able to make it to this area.)
Steve's new bed buddy
Don't forget to smell the flowers And watch out for the trees
Hi! Welcome to the jungle. White Hybiscus
At the falls.
El Sumidero canyon, this river produces 25% of the total electricity used by Mexico.
A large island in the middle of Chioasen.
The church ruins in Tecpatan
Inside the ruins
The jail in Rio Negro 4x4 feet by about 5 foot high.
Final mud job, this one needs the $7 wash plus wax.
Steve Haag at the Maspac "gas station".
Our sleeping area, Nathan's white hammock and David Gutierez.
David Gutierez witnessing in Sardina and in the rain.
Download the PDF of our survey database.

(warning! this is a 17 page PDF document weighing 964 KB)

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