Greetings from Refuge Ranch here in Central Mexico….my home
and the center of Fishers of Men Ministries!
I never imagined that I would one day sit down to write a
blog/letter/post such as this, but the Lord knew and is in our midst; never-changing, always redeeming, never
leaving and always loving.
We are only a few days away from the one year anniversary of
my husband, Victor Zaragoza’s, agreeing to go to the United States at the
request of a group of five godly men in order to spend, at that point, an undetermined
amount of time in the United States for counseling and restoration for habitual
sins that were affecting our marriage, family and ministry and had not found
healing through less extreme means.
After six months of therapy and discipleship, Victor
returned to Mexico this past April, yet not to our family nor to the ministry,
as time was needed to give him the opportunity to live out in tangible ways
what we hoped had been accomplished in his heart and mind during his stay in
the U.S.
Sadly, now, six months later, a lack of fruit of repentance,
sufficiently changed attitudes and transformed behaviors has revealed Victor’s
continuing choice to not submit to the Lord’s leadership in his life.
Therefore, I have made the decision to get a divorce, with
the understanding of my Pastors and family that this is a necessary step, and with
the permission granted by God’s Word, thereby ending our 18-year marriage, much
of which was marked by abusive behaviors that placed both myself, our children
and the ministry in spiritual, emotional and physical danger.
Those who know me, know that such a decision was only
reached after gut-wrenching prayer, fasting, consideration, godly counsel from
my pastors, leaders and family, and after years of marriage counseling,
waiting, and forgiving time and again while hoping for a transformation.
I would ask for your fervent prayers for myself, my children
and grandchildren as we seek the Lord’s comfort, healing and restoration. And, of course, continue to pray for Victor.
I am fully committed to continue to carry out the Lord’s
good will and work through Fishers of Men Ministries, both the Evangelistic
Medical Mission Crusades and Refuge Ranch.
I felt the Lord’s call on my life at age 13 and specifically to Mexico
at the age of 16, much before meeting Victor and becoming husband and
wife. Therefore, my call and commitment
to the Lord and, specifically, to His work in Mexico through Fishers of Men
remains steady, firm and lifelong. The
Lord has provided an incredible staff at Refuge Ranch, excellent leadership for
the crusades, a Board of Directors and passionate volunteers, as well as each
of you, to continue to grow and minister His love and hope to Mexico!
In order to clarify, a daughter organization grew out of
Fishers of Men several years ago here in Mexico. A body of believers began Fishers of Men
Pacific (Pescadores de Hombres Pacifico) following the pattern of our
Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusades.
While we share a common love for Christ and for spreading the Gospel, as
well as a very similar style of ministry and nearly identical logos, we are
independent organizations and do not share leadership nor finances. Victor has recently been involved with their
organization, so I find it necessary to explain that any communication from him
or photos that appear to be related to Fishers of Men MEXICO is not so. He is no longer associated with Fishers of
Men Ministries, commonly known here as Fishers of Men Mexico.
Thank you for your continued prayers for the ministry and,
especially, for your continued and generous financial support during this difficult
and tumultuous time. Such support allows
me to concentrate on loving my children through these days, as well as leading
the ministry and its volunteers.
Following Christ in a sinful world where He lovingly allows
each of us to decide whether we want to live in accordance with His will and
way or not, does not always pan out the way we had expected. My heart is grieving, the tears are many and
frequent, the hurt is oh so real, but I choose to trust daily that the reality
of Christ’s love and Word is even more real!
May you find, in the midst of your own challenges and
turmoil, the same hope, security and love that I have found through God’s Word
expressed through the prophet Isaiah when he wrote:
“But now, this is
what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
… Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you.” Isaiah 43:1-4
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
… Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you.” Isaiah 43:1-4
Lastly, I would
request that any contact with my children be limited to expressions of support
and care and that any questions regarding what I have shared here be directed
to me. Thank you!
In Christ,
Julie
