Uno Mas, One More

By Danielle Dare

Extreme poverty, domestic violence, witchcraft. These are not descriptions of a lifestyle most of us care to intermingle with. Graciela, an SLM missionary serving in Argentina and Mexico, is no stranger to these challenges facing those in her community, nor does she allow what may make most people uncomfortable to stop her from sharing the love of Christ.

For years, Graciela has ministered to women and families, building trust through initiating and cultivating caring relationships that meet physical needs, while also continuously speaking the truth of the Gospel. Through door-to-door deliveries of nutritious fruits and vegetables, providing medical care, hosting community events full of fun and friendship, as well as Bible studies, prayer meetings, and literacy classes, the church in Argentina is preparing the soil for spiritual truth to take root in hearts.

Change is happening as Christ brings new life to hearts that were once barren. There are stories of marriages being restored, hurts from the past being forgiven, evil forsaken, and even joy in the midst of grief. When asked if the people are usually responsive to the truth when it contradicts their sinful choices, Graciela told of a young woman involved in witchcraft who admitted to not liking what Graciela had to say but listened because she knew that she truly loved her.

There are times when God calls us to difficult places of obedience where it is not easy to speak the truth or to show love unconditionally. At these moments, we should recall it is our love for Christ that compels us, and it is to Him we are offering our lives. He is worthy of that gift. Recently, a partner in ministry telephoned Graciela, asking her to meet with a group of men recovering from drug addiction whom he had been discipling. Feeling unsettled after she hung up the phone, she had a flash of memory from her past working for a newspaper as a young woman in Mexico. She knew how the drug cartels would terrorize innocent people. She saw in her mind’s eye the graphic wounds of the young mother and her child who were caught in the crossfire as they entered a bank; she saw the uncovered heap of drugs and stashed money, the love of which blazed only a trail of death and destruction.

Graciela had shown Christ’s love without fear or hesitation to so many others. Surely, He would not call her to people who had collectively caused so much pain and violence for no other reason than their love of selfish pursuits. But here she was, with an invitation to meet a group of young men who had been bound by drug addiction and were seeking the One who could set them free.

After a conversation and prayer with her son, she made the decision to obey God’s call to love those who seemed to her unlovable. As she met with the men and listened to their stories, she began to see them with new eyes, and her heart was filled with compassion for them. The men have had very little education, a fact that, coupled with their criminal history, would make it extremely difficult for them to lead honest and sustainable vocations or assimilate into their communities. Something had to be done.

Graciela became their advocate. The men could not attend a government school, so a school would need to come to them. Together with the church member who leads the men’s group, a school room was built out of an outdoor pavilion. The concrete slab and open-air structure were transformed into a beautiful classroom complete with bookshelves, tables, and chairs. Two government-appointed teachers volunteer their time to teach the men.

While this is a good start, the ministry, named “Uno +Mas” (which means “one more” in English) is praying for recognition and accreditation from the government so the men can receive official certificates of a completed education, enabling them to find secure jobs. God is moving in miraculous ways through this ministry of compassion and truth. As Graciela continues to say yes to God’s call, crushing boundaries of fear, she is blessed to be included in His plan for reaching the lost. She wants others to know that God will use them as well when they are willing to surrender fear and step out in faith for the sake of His work.

In every corner of the world, there are people hungry for the truth of the Gospel. When we dwell on the love of Christ for humanity and equip ourselves with the tools to reach the lost, we can go forth in boldness, knowing it is He who does the work through us. The Word of God is powerful, even written in a simple lesson that can be distributed along with a cup of kindness to those who are willing to receive it. As Graciela so beautifully sums up her calling, “Our mission is to reach out, bringing the light of the unfathomed love of God to all who seek it, for His people to be set free, to walk in His truth, His will, and His blessings.”