We all gathered around the fire one night and listened as Jaco told us the story of his life. If you’ve ever seen Apocolypto, it reminded me of the beginning where the chief was telling a story…the sky was dark with stars glistening everywhere, the fire crackled softly, everyone listened intently so as to not miss a word as the deep etchings of Jaco’s words hung in the air. It’s not the story you would expect coming from this man that we now know. His is the story of rejection, betrayal, anger, loss of wives, suicide attempts, the death of a child, racism, hatred, injuries, accidents, the loss of a dear friend, etc…But it doesn’t end there because it is also the life of redemption and surrender, that’s the power of God! This warrior of God would not want one thing in his life to change, if it did how could he minister to those who need comfort, encouragement, and love. He has felt the things he has felt and lived through the horrors that he has lived through so that he can minister as one who has experienced the complete transformation of the blood of Jesus Christ. He now lives his life in faith that God will provide and with generosity and a servants heart. Jaco, Maria and their two children live in a place most people would not choose to live. They have an outreach to so many unreached people who long to hear the message of hope that He brings. He has seen miracles of healing, restoration, freedom from demon possession and most importantly the fruit of transformed lives who have repented and turned from trusting in themselves to trusting in Jesus Christ.
