April - June, 2026

 Dear Fellow Laborers in the Lord,

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2)

We count it all joy to serve the Lord in Mexico. As I reflect on these past three months, the Lord has been so good in so many different ways that sometimes it is hard to describe everything while it is happening. We are simply grateful that the Lord allows us to have a small part in His work.

Over these past few months, we have continued working on the building we are renting for the church plant. The owners have been such a blessing and have been very gracious in allowing us to make various changes to use the space better. We have completed some construction and continue to make the building more functional for the church.

The Lord has also continued to bring people through the doors. Since March, except for a few Sundays, we have had at least one visitor almost every week. Some have returned, and others have even asked if we would ever consider starting a church closer to where they live. We are so grateful for the doors the Lord continues to open, and we are humbled that He allows us to be used by Him. On Resurrection Sunday, we had an amazing turnout, where I preached on a Savior risen to raise (us from the dead). 

On April 26th, our family experienced one of the most frightening moments we have faced when our youngest daughter, Alya, fell roughly nine feet and fractured her skull from the crown of her head to behind her ear. Everything happened so quickly, and in that moment, many questions came to mind.

As a missionary, one of the things that can quickly enter your mind in a situation like this is what kind of medical attention your family will receive. We praise the Lord that our mission board requires us to carry global health insurance, which allowed Alya to receive the best medical care she needed. She spent roughly five days in the hospital, and praise the Lord, through it, she remained in good spirits.

One of the things that humbled us the most was seeing the response from God’s people. We received hundreds of emails, text messages, and phone calls from people asking for updates and letting us know they were praying. Several pastors even sent me links to their services where they had stopped to pray specifically for Alya. We praise the Lord because Alya has had her follow-up appointments, and her head is healing properly, and there is no effect from her injury.  

William Carey spoke of going down into the mine if others would hold the ropes. During this time, we truly felt that our partners were holding the ropes for our family and lifting our daughter before the throne of grace. We count it a joy to serve the Lord, but moments like this remind us how grateful we are not to serve alone. In other words, when we needed God’s people to pray, you were there praying. We thank you for praying for our daughter and for loving our family.

This quarter also marked our first anniversary of being on the mission field. It is hard to believe that a full year has already passed. When we look back at everything the Lord has done in just one year, we are so grateful, knowing that it is only through His power that we are even here.

Through the ups and downs of this past year, the Lord has supplied, shown His hand, protected our family, and proven Himself faithful time and time again. The Lord seems sweeter every day. Ministry is not always easy, but we truly count it a joy to serve Him. What a privilege it is that our small part in His work is simply to tell others about our lovely Savior.

At the beginning of June, I also had the opportunity to preach at a missions conference for a Spanish church in the States. We went hoping to be a blessing to them, but the Lord used that conference to encourage and refocus us as well. There are still doors He has not opened, people we have not reached, and places He still wants to guide us to. Seeing the vision of that Hispanic ministry encouraged us to return ready to hit the ground even harder.

In May, we had the opportunity to recognize the mothers for Mother’s Day, give out gifts, and present the Gospel. Then, for Father’s Day in June, we had several visiting men and fathers who heard the Gospel as we spoke about our good Heavenly Father and the example He sets for us.

I was personally grateful that my father-in-law came and heard the Gospel that day. He left encouraged and even began talking about ways he could help with the church. We made it clear to him that before he can help the church, the greatest need is his own; he needs to know Christ as his Savior. Please pray that the Gospel he heard would continue to work in his heart.

We are also excited about what is coming in the next few months. We currently have baptisms scheduled, and we are grateful to see people taking this next step of obedience.

We have also begun going through our church constitution as part of a six-week membership class. This class will be used for those coming into the church to understand our doctrine, our Declaration of Faith, our church constitution, and where we stand before joining the church. Lord willing, on August 16th, we will officially sign our church constitution. We are excited to see another major step forward as this Bible study continues to become an established local church.

When I look at everything the Lord has allowed us to be part of in just one year, I still ask myself why He would allow us to have an impact on others' lives. It is something I cannot get over. Yet, by His grace, He allows us to be a light for Him and to tell others about our wonderful Savior.

We are so thankful for your prayers and your partnership. Thank you for continuing to hold the ropes as we serve the Lord. I pray that this letter encourages you to remain faithful wherever the Lord has placed you. May we all remain faithful until He comes.

Your Partner in the Lord,
Gavino Hernandez
Isa. 6:8