​Juanita and Francisco Machado Levia offer prayers of blessing to members in their congregation.

By Francisco Machado Levia
Thursday, October 12, 2017

​Juanita, my wife, and I met our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 1982. It was then that, in our home country of Honduras, Mennonite brothers and sisters began to disciple us. Through their encouragement, as a family, we answered the call of God and planted a church in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras, and later, three other small churches nearby. After working with these communities for 20 years, we were forced to flee Honduras due to threats on our lives.

Once in the United States, we worked to prepare ourselves to better serve God and our new community. We decided to go back to school. Juanita studied at the Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (Mennonite Anabaptist Institute), a biblical and theological program that offers an Anabaptist perspective. I pursued a master of arts in church leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We also found ways to utilize our current gifts, and began serving at Manantial de Vida Mennonite Church, also in Harrisonburg, by teaching, preaching, and discipling new believers.

After we began participating at Manantial de Vida, Prophet Wendy Malvaez, who is the lead pastor’s wife, shared a dream with us. “In my dream, I was in a large church with disengaged people. I stood up and went to the pulpit. I began proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ,” Wendy said. “When it was over, I asked the Holy Spirit where I was, and I was told Guadalajara, Spain.”

It was clear to us that the Holy Spirit was moving, but we were uncertain just how we were to respond.

Around this same time, I was reminded again that God preserved our lives to serve. Through my seminary studies, I attended a workshop sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network with the title, “Have you been called to serve … across the street or around the world?” The invitation sounded familiar to me.

Not long after attending that meeting, we were invited to apply for an international assignment through Mission Network. I received an e-mail from them that said there were openings for international work in Latin America and Spain. When I read “Spain,” my heart skipped a beat and I was reminded of Wendy’s dream. I prayed that I could know if this was just a desire of my heart or if it was truly God’s calling. I told Juanita and our children what I was feeling, and they replied, “We support you wherever God sends you.”

To explore this more, Juanita and I traveled to Spain in February last year, and we met with several pastors, mission workers, and church leaders. They shared with us that they are praying for a revival in their communities, and they invited us to be a part of it. Wendy’s dream was becoming our reality.

While there, we learned that discipling in Spain, a post-Christian society, is not an easy job. Many people have little to no interest in the church because they feel they have been deceived or betrayed in the past. Nevertheless, we felt that God was calling us to Spain as church planters. After the strong confirmation from our family, church community, and Spanish brothers and sisters, we now wait for the doors to open and God’s provision for the journey to which we have been called.


*Update*

Juanita and Francisco are jointly appointed workers through Mennonite Mission Network and Virginia Mennonite Missions, currently living and serving in Madrid, Spain. For more information and an opportunity to support their ministry, click here.

 

 

 Related

 

 

Solar energy brings healing to land and communitiesSolar energyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4901/Solar-energy-brings-healingSolar energy brings healing to land and communitiesGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Civil rights learning tour recap: days one and twoJust Peace Pilgrimagehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4904/Civil-rights-learning-tour-recap-days-one-and-twoCivil rights learning tour recap: days one and twoGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Georgia
Pass Along Peace with Service!Pass along peace!Videohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4894/Pass-Along-Peace-with-ServicePass Along Peace with Service!GP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Elkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid centerChurch plantinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4893/legal-aid-centerElkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid centerGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Indiana
Congolese Mennonites preserve church historyChurch Historyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4891/Congolese-Mennonites-preserve-church-historyCongolese Mennonites preserve church historyGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
South African peace leaders determined to be nation’s lightPeacebuildinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4889/South-African-peace-leaders-determinedSouth African peace leaders determined to be nation’s lightGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Johannesburg
Meserete Kristos pastor denied prompt burial due to faithFaithhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4887/Meserete-Kristos-pastor-denied-prompt-burial-due-to-faithMeserete Kristos pastor denied prompt burial due to faithGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Eritrea
Cloth diapers for refugees make economic and environmental impactEarth Dayhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4884/Cloth-diapers-for-refugees-make-economic-and-environmental-impact-Cloth diapers for refugees make economic and environmental impactGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Quito
From Mission-wary to Missionary: The Complexity of a South African ChristianityPODCASThttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4886/From-Mission-wary-to-Missionary-The-Complexity-of-a-South-African-ChristianityFrom Mission-wary to Missionary: The Complexity of a South African ChristianityGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Rough handball hands bring healing and hope when joined in prayerHandball and prayerhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4881/Rough-handball-hands-bring-healing-and-hope-when-joined-in-prayerRough handball hands bring healing and hope when joined in prayerGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Mannheim
Celebrating Holy Week in multiple cultures can deepen faithHoly Weekhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4879/Celebrating-Holy-Week-in-multiple-culturesCelebrating Holy Week in multiple cultures can deepen faithGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
From Mission-wary to Missionary: You Must Remember ThisPODCASThttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4880/From-Mission-wary-to-Missionary-You-Must-Remember-ThisFrom Mission-wary to Missionary: You Must Remember ThisGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
I found these women celebratingBloghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4876/I-found-these-women-celebratingI found these women celebratingGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Mississippi
Anabaptists from four Andean nations worship and explore themes of reconciliation: a photo essayLatin Americahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4874/Anabaptists-from-four-Andean-nations-worship-and-explore-themes-of-reconciliationAnabaptists from four Andean nations worship and explore themes of reconciliation: a photo essayGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Quito
Ramadan shaped our response to the COVID-19 pandemicRamadan https://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4871/Ramadan-shaped-our-response-to-the-COVID-19-pandemicRamadan shaped our response to the COVID-19 pandemicGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

Francisco Machado Levia and his spouse, Juanita, have been invited to serve as church planters in Spain alongside Anabautistas, Menonitas y Hermanos en Cristo—España (Anabaptists, Mennonites, and Brethren in Christ—Spain).

 

 

Solar energy brings healing to land and communitieshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4901/Solar-energy-brings-healingSolar energy brings healing to land and communities
Civil rights learning tour recap: days one and twohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4904/Civil-rights-learning-tour-recap-days-one-and-twoCivil rights learning tour recap: days one and two
Pass Along Peace with Service!https://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4894/Pass-Along-Peace-with-ServicePass Along Peace with Service!
Elkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid centerhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4893/legal-aid-centerElkhart County Mennonites unite to open faith-based immigrant legal aid center
Congolese Mennonites preserve church historyhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4891/Congolese-Mennonites-preserve-church-historyCongolese Mennonites preserve church history
South African peace leaders determined to be nation’s lighthttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4889/South-African-peace-leaders-determinedSouth African peace leaders determined to be nation’s light



 

 

Mennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace Pilgrimageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4902/autumn-Just-Peace-PilgrimagesMennonite Mission Network now scheduling autumn Just Peace PilgrimagesJust Peace Pilgrimage
Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all ageshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4890/seminars-at-MennoCon23Mission Network seminars at MennoCon23 for all agesMennoCon23
Solar energy brings healing to land and communitieshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4901/Solar-energy-brings-healingSolar energy brings healing to land and communitiesSolar energy
Medical mission worker in Taiwan leaves legacy of teaching and compassionate carehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4903/Medical-mission-worker-in-Taiwan-leaves-legacy-of-teaching-and-compassionate-careMedical mission worker in Taiwan leaves legacy of teaching and compassionate careObituary
Civil rights learning tour recap: days one and twohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/4904/Civil-rights-learning-tour-recap-days-one-and-twoCivil rights learning tour recap: days one and twoJust Peace Pilgrimage
Peace pins serve as a reminder for congregationshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4898/Peace-pins-serve-as-a-reminder-for-congregationsPeace pins serve as a reminder for congregationsPeace pins