Team

The Richardson’s have served as missionaries to Mexico since 1993. Their family is committed not only to sharing the truth of salvation revealed in God’s Word but also to helping families grow in their faith as well as their love for the Lord.

At a conference in Tennessee, the Richardson’s met a man from Mexico and shared a meal with him and some of their friends. After the meal, the brother from Mexico told their friends, “I like that family. I wish they’d come and work with our church in Mexico.” The Richardsons’ friend replied, “Ask them.” And he did. The Richardson’s returned to their home in Atlanta, promising to pray and respond.

Soon after, the Richardson’s visited this man’s church in Monterrey, believing God might be calling them to this work. The elders of that church confirmed that leading, and asked the Richardson’s to come. In that sense, the Richardson’s were not “sent” to Mexico; they were “called.”

Having passed the CPA exam in the 1980’s, Mike left corporate life as the CFO of a boat anchor and boat trailer manufacturer and moved to Mexico a mere fifteen days after making a decision to go to Mexico. They have been serving the Lord there, as missionaries, since then and continue living and working in Mexico to this day.

After a couple years of working in Monterrey, Mike took to heart a message given by a pastor there that the Gospel needs to be preached to those who have not heard. The Richardson’s now live and work near the village of Baratillo, Coahuila, Mexico. At seven thousand five hundred feet above sea level, Baratillo is nestled near the top of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Since the village is sparsely populated, it will never be a large church but its members love the Lord and serve him with a whole heart. Mike is the pastor of La Iglesia de Baratillo—a small rural church that the Richardson’s founded in 1998.

There is no electricity or running water in large parts of this valley. In order to spend more time in the valley, the Richardson’s rebuilt an old log cabin and moved into the village. After living in the cabin for seven years, they were able to buy their own land and build their own house. The Richardsons’ electricity is generated by solar panels, and they use satellite for internet access.

The Richardsons’ work is multifaceted. In addition to their traditional missionary work in evangelism, preaching, teaching, and church planting, they have also helped Christian parents train their children through the publication of printed and recorded materials about home education. They began national home education conferences throughout Mexico. With the growth of the home education movement in Latin America, Mike has now shifted his focus to helping others organize conferences while he focuses on speaking, teaching and writing.

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Several years ago, Mike was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Ankyloses Spondylitis. Throughout the years he has had times of significant struggle as well as times of stability. Despite these issues, perhaps because of them, he continues to share the gospel with those around him. At a particularly vulnerable point in his struggles when he felt defenseless, frail, and weak Mike wrote:

On one hand, this is very easy to share because it shows the strength and grace of the Lord and how he has chosen to be strength in my weakness. On the other hand, it is hard for me to openly share some of these struggles.

I trust you will accept this writing as it was intended. First, to show what a good God we serve—a God whose mercies are new every morning—a God who gives grace for whatever situation we find ourselves in—a God who is involved in every detail of our lives. Second, I share this information so that those who pray for us will be able to do so more effectively.

I have been losing balance, coordination, and muscle strength. While these are not always present, they are becoming more consistent. Many times as I am walking, I will bump a wall or stagger and wobble a little. I am no longer able to do the level of physical labor that I once was able to do. Working in the heat or sun saps my strength quicker than anything else; after just a little while my energy and stamina are gone. I used to say that most of my symptoms were inside and that someone looking at me would think that I was healthy and normal. With the loss of balance and coordination, that is no longer the case.

My arms and especially my legs, just don’t work quite the way that they should. Many times, right after I stand up, my legs will buckle and I will stumble—sometimes falling. After a few minutes, they will work more or less normally.

I have lost some high-tone hearing. Pam has noticed that our kids all talk very loud. Perhaps the reason is that they want their Daddy to hear them!

My vision has begun to dim. Over the last few years my peripheral vision has been reduced. It is a constant reminder that I must look straight ahead toward that high calling in Christ.

Fatigue has become a consistent and constant symptom. It is now my constant companion. It has become my friend; my friend that reminds me to slow down and enjoy my children as they grow ever so fast; my friend that reminds me to make sure that I use my time and energy wisely, making them count for eternity; my friend that reminds me that I serve a God that giveth and giveth grace. James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore, he says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Despite these things, God is continuing to work in mighty ways here in Mexico. He has proven to me time and again that his grace is sufficient and that he is strength in my weakness.

I believe that God can and does heal today, just as he did during the time that the Bible was written. I have asked the Lord for healing. His answer has consistently brought me back to the passage in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

During their first two years in Mexico, the money they received from renting their house in Georgia, their personal savings, and offerings from the church in Monterrey met their personal needs and the ministry expenses. At the end of the second year, they had less than four hundred dollars left in the bank. Though they had never sought after financial support, the Lord began to bring in the income required to carry on the work. Each year, as the work expanded, the Lord was faithful to meet all the needs, both personal and ministry-related. They have learned that God knows their needs even before they do, and He has been faithful in supplying. For the Richardson’s and Vida Nueva Ministries, it is through the giving or withholding of finances that he gives us final direction.

John Desaulniers, Jr.

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, John works with VNMinistries as Communications Director. John and his wife, Diane, are graduates of Moody Bible Institute. They have four grown children whom they homeschooled, two wonderful in-laws, and one adorable grandchild.

The Desaulniers were part of inner-city churches in Chicago until John was called to a full-time pastorate at a small suburban church. When the finances became challenging for the little congregation, John became bi-vocational and returned to Moody Bible Institute to work in their book and video departments; he continued to work in that industry for over thirty years.

The Desaulniers helped to plant a Spanish-speaking church in north central Iowa in the 1990’s as an outreach from their English-speaking congregation. John served as worship leader for both congregations, and on occasion preached for the Spanish service, with an interpreter. Moving to the Des Moines area in 2002, John began again bi-vocationally pastoring in 2005 and is currently working through JD Market Services, LLC.

John’s friendship with the Richardsons, his passion for mission and ministry, and his love for the Lord are all reasons he has joined the VNMinistries team. His hope is that he can work to expand the knowledge of this ministry and its focus to others in the United States, building a larger base of prayer and financial supporters as God continues to reach families for Christ in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking world. He has not only been instrumental in setting up the new eGiving system but has also brought the Richardsons and VNMinistries out of virtual isolation by keeping friends and supporters informed on the current situations in Mexico and the work of VNMinistries.

Twila Bradford

Twila first read about the Richardson family and VNMinistries through an article in the HSLDA magazine in 2002. After moving to south Texas she hoped she would someday make their acquaintance. She and her husband were very encouraged about God’s work through them in Mexico. God allowed them to meet the Richardsons and to also have them speak in a conference at the church where her husband was the pastor.

In 2012 her husband passed away very unexpectedly. At that time she still had three of her four children at home. She began working part-time at a mission organization where her husband had served as well as working with VNMinistries—handling USA financial responsibilities. She rejoices and praises the Lord and prays for each donor as she sees the various donations arrive for VNMinistries. She also delights in the fellowship with the Richardson and the Moss families. God has used what she calls “a little part in this ministry” in a big way. Twila is currently being treated for cancer. Please pray for her and her recovery process.

Ashley Mason

Ashley Mason grew up in northern Virginia. As a baby her Dad would rock her to sleep every night while telling her about Jesus. At 19 years old God opened her eyes to her need of a Savior. In 2012, a young missionary couple visited her church and told the young people, “You need to get your passports because you never know where God will send you.” Just a few months later, with her passport in hand, she was happy but a little restless wondering what God might do in her life.

In November she felt God was asking her, “If I call you, would you be willing to go?” A few weeks later her Dad told her that the Richardsons were in the USA visiting family. She told him, “I think I can go now.” Although she had never met them, her family has supported VNMinistres since she was ten. She had dreamed of going to Mexico for many years. With that she sent Mike an email.

In his typical style, Mike called and spoke with her for a few minutes and then asked, “Are you ready to leave tomorrow?” After a few seconds of deafening silence, she responded, “Yes.” While she didn’t leave the next day, within a week Pam picked her up in Virginia. Her heart was quickly intertwined with the Mexican people and its culture. Her love for the people whom she serves is obvious to all who meet her. Ashley returned home a few days ago to help her mother while she is recovering from back problems. Her desire is to return as soon as possible.

Winston is such an integral part of the ministry here in Monterrey, Mexico. Winston fully embodies the heart and values of Vida Nueva Ministries, this is a constant reminder of God’s goodness. Winston is a strong and faithful steed. And has been with us through the good times at the Family Camp Activities and through the hard times. He is always there Whenever we are making a big decision, we turn to Winston. To us, he is more than a missionary. He is a friend of Vida Nueva.

Would you join us in prayer for Winston? That God would continue to open his eyes to revelation and wisdom and that God would continue to give him the boldness to speak. It is our desire that new leaders would be raised up within the church like Winston. Thank you for all of your prayer and support!

Vida Nueva Ministries was founded in the early 90’s to bring the hope and light of Jesus Christ to the Mexican people and the Spanish-speaking world. It is our desire to equip and build the Christian family, and advance the Kingdom of God in this culture.