My name is María del Rayo, and I am a lawyer and missionary to the Sierra Tarahumara in Chihuahua, Mexico. I was born in Durango, state of Durango, Mexico, the fifth of six brothers and sisters to parents who lived a life dedicated to their family. From them I received the best advice, great teachings and I have many beautiful memories that fill my life. I was still a student when I married Manolo Guerrero, whom I have always known. He was my neighbor and my first boyfriend. We are the same age and have been married 35 years.
I was successful in my profession as a lawyer in my hometown, then I went to live in Juárez. I lived there for 12 years, during which time I was teaching at the secondary level, and had the opportunity to deeply study the Bible. My conversion to Christianity was 30 years ago.
Manolo and I were fellow students, it was a beautiful time. Here began my preparation for service to God. I was an active member of my church, and part of a group from our church that visited the home for the homeless children in Juárez once a week. We worked with a Christian program for children there. I also participated in mission trips to the Sierra Tarahumara. These experiences definitely changed the vision and mission of my life. I have been living in the mountains among the Tarahumara Indians since 2007 where together with my husband we head the mission called Santa Elena that aims to support the Tarahumara children and motivate them to study. We live as a family with those children. We send them to school, we teach them Christian values and principles and we encourage them to continue studying so they can have a better life.
I am happy with the progress we have made, because we have children at the basic level of school, secondary level and the third level that we call Preparatory. I hope to see at least one of them as a professional and in the service of God or his tribe.
God is good all the time and takes care of us. I know that God prepared me to be in this place so close and so far from civilization. My life has a purpose, and that purpose is to serve. (Romans 11:36).
Blessings, Rayito
Juan Manuel Guerrero (Manolo)
My name is Juan Manuel Guerrero (Manolo). I was born in Durango City in the state of Durango, Mexico. I am the firstborn of four (I have a brother and two sisters). I had a normal childhood and I have known Rayito since childhood because she was my neighbor. My home was Catholic only by title because my parents were never strict about religion which was useful to me later in making the transition to Protestantism. My father was an accountant who later followed his favorite hobby, carpentry, which he inherited from my grandfather into his own carpentry business and moved to Juarez, while I stayed in Durango to study.
From my father I learned the value of hard and honest work, and never to be thrown by adverse circumstances, from my mother I learned the value of good manners and education. The value of a smile and kindness. That women and men have the same value and deserve respect.
On a nice sunny day in 1985, Rayito and I decided that we would get married. We decided that I would leave the school to work, but that Rayito should continue her education as a lawyer. After she finished her schooling, I would go back and finish my own law studies.
In 1989 we were first invited to the church where I accepted Christ in my heart. I had already attended church several times, my family was converting to Christianity, but… I kept thinking that Christians were quite boring, so I spoke to God very sincerely and I said: “Ok, Lord, I walk with you and I give my life to your service, but please … don’t make my life boring.”
And the Lord has faithfully kept his word to this day. My life has had ups and downs, but it has never been boring. Thank God…!! After Rayito finished her studies, we moved to Juárez in 1994. I worked with my father for a few years and later I had my own business washing carpets, furniture and cars at home. It was a small business, but it gave us time to study at the institute of biblical studies called Seed Mexico.
These were very good years of study and learning about missions since the pastor of the church we attended in Juarez always pushed members to study the Bible and participate in mission trips to the Sierra Tarahumara. On one of the mission trips to the Sierra Tarahumara we met Hershel and Elaine Anderson and after a while Rayito and I signed up to serve God in the Santa Elena mission.
We have been here since 2007 and I do not know how long the Lord has designated in his agenda for us here in Santa Elena, but I can safely say that if it is minutes, days, months or years, they will not be boring.
Blessings, Manolo