An Incredible Father, A Daughters Memories

Reflecting again on the fact that I have an incredible father, and I am blessed beyond measure that he was the man the Lord saw fit to place in my life.
Granted, he admits, to many failures and unwise choices in his 92 years of life but he was a man who loved God's Word.  Many times, I have observed him reading God's Word and remember being called for prayer and the reading of God's Word before bedtime in my very early years when he was home.  I remember how uncomfortable I was and in my immature wild heart wanting to be under the covers with a flashlight reading some other book instead of sitting on a hard chair listening to words I did not understand.
Because of my father, many in Mexico, would have perished in their sins.  My father and mothers choice to forsake all the comforts of home to minister to the Aztec and Totonac Indians in very rural Mexico in the State of Puebla in 1948 doing pioneer work.

Dad in pith helmet, Uncle Larry Puckett next to Joaquin

Those early days were not easy by any standards.  I was a part of those early days, as I was born shortly after they arrived, not knowing the language or anybody there.  At Tamazunchale, they began Spanish classes, 7 hrs. a day, every day during the week and eventually mastering the language.  It was hot and rainy and very   little electricity at night.  They cooked on a two-burner kerosene stove and washed the clothes by hand in cold water and then had to sit by them as they dried otherwise the clothes would get stolen right outside your door especially the underwear.
Dad's strong point learning Spanish was speaking and my mother's was hearing and understanding so together they learned to work as a team until they both got across what they wanted. 
They both learned to eat many new things and to this day Dad enjoys a variety of foods and is game to try new things.
Well here, I am rambling on about other things but what I had really set out to write about was how much time Dad spent hiking into remote villages, to present the gospel and encourage the believers.  I was recently reminded of this as I read a letter he had written to my grandparents, recalling a recent trip he had made in October of 1954.
"I came back from my trip Tuesday.  Perhaps you will be interested to know about it.  I left on a Sunday after the morning service, here in Cuautempan and arrived in Zapotitlan at dusk for the evening service.  The building was packed to the doors and there isn't room any more for the crowds that attend.  The church building isn't finished yet.  When completed will hold 350…Don Lucas of Zapotitlan went with me to carry my baggage.  We arrived their in good time (Monday) for a service.  The chicken was put on to boil while we had a time of Bible Study.  Oh, how these people need instruction in the word.  In this important town there are only about 20 converted Indians, but the Lord is opening others hearts…
Next morning we didn't get a very early start.  Pedro Tirso invited us to his house for coffee.  Arriving we found no less than 10 people waiting for us.  One young mother, brought her sick child for prayer and a young fellow, a recent convert wanted advice as to how long he should wait before marrying his sweetheart.  His mother wanted him to marry immediately so she would have a maid to help her in the kitchen.
The girl's folks wanted him to wait until the girl was of age as she was only 14.  They marry at a very young age.  After prayer, I advised them to wait at least a year.  The boy took the advice but his mother went away angry.
     It was ten o'clock before we left.  Antonio decided to come along with us.  To complicate matters, one of the horses shoes fell off.  The cobbler in Chapahutlan didn't have nails to put it back on.  We finally found someone who had a few nails so we could continue along that rocky trail.
     To make things more interesting, we met the Roman Catholic priest of Alintla, on his way from Dimas Lopez where we were headed.  He merely greeted us and went on but he must have been greatly displeased because he was the priest that vainly tried to stop the work in Dimas Lopez.  In spite of the rain that night, a number gathered for a service.
     The next morning I sent Lucas back to Zapotitlan with the horse as the river was too high for him to cross.  Antonio stayed with me and we crossed the river by cable, a chair like affair attached to a cable and someone pulls you across with a rope and pulley.  Antonio had never crossed this way before and was somewhat frightened.
     Across the river we began that long climb of 4 hours up Mecatlan Mountain.  The river is the State Line and except for Mecatlan is extremely hot country.
     We arrived in Mecatlan at 5 o'clock and were greeted at our Gospel Center by our two lady evangelists Celia and Delfina.  After a time of fellowship with the brethren we retired for the night.  Next day was Thursday and market day…We were so thrilled at the enthusiasm these believers showed.  The work is new and the first baptisms took place recently.  The girls in charge of the work until Manuel graduates from Bible School.IN THE HOLLOW OF HIS HANDS: PUCKETT WEB SITE CLICK HERE
     Friday morning Antonio left for his home and Mattheo served as carrier.  Celia & Delfina accompanied us to Reyes (Kings), a little village alongside the river about 3 hours walk.  We arrived at brother Raphael Cano's house.  Although they weren't expecting us we were greeted with turkey and mole for dinner.  It was his youngest daughter's birthday. Raphael is a rich merchant, but wholly consecrated to the Lord's service, has been faithful.  The presence of the Lord was felt in a real way.  Present were a family who had never been to the services before.  The Lord touched their hearts and we pray for their salvation.
     …….We had to cross the river again, this time, in a canoe.  Again it was uphill against the afternoon sun."

The above accounts spanned about a week.  And I am sure my mother counted the days until he would be back.  There were only three of us children at the time.  I was only five at the time.
      There were many, many, many other trips similar to these.
My Father has had a very colorful life and continues his prayer ministry and encouragement to others when the occasion  arises.