A visible change

One day missionary Alisha Holt was visiting an Argentine primary-school classroom where some of the students are Criollo children. The response of the teacher to one Criollo student broke Alisha’s heart.

“The little boy raised his hand to ask a question, and the teacher wouldn’t even let him ask it,” remembers Alisha, who serves in northern Argentina through the International Mission Board.

Instead, the teacher said, “No, you wouldn’t understand anyway. Just put your hand down and be quiet.”

Sadly, this kind of discrimination is everyday life for the Criollo people, and it influences the Criollo culture.

“All the myths and legends here tie into telling the Criollo they’re not worth anything,” Alisha says. “I have to work extra hard to prove that I’m really interested and I really care.”

But in the midst of stories like this, God is using Alisha and her husband, David, to show the love of God to the Criollo. One of Alisha’s favorite things is the look on a Criollo person’s face when they realize the God of the universe cares about them.

“You can see it in their eyes. There’s a change,” Alisha says. “And when you see that change, all of a sudden their life has meaning. Their life has value. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

*Name changed

Tristan Taylor is an IMB writer living in the Americas.

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Comments: Please share your thoughts and prayers

11 Responses to “‘Rednecks are my people group…’”

1. Posted by Ronne, March 12th, 2011

The Criollo are beautiful people, and the work the Holts are doing in northern Argentina is awe-inspiring. They don’t stand at a distance and preach – rather, they live life with the families, helping them understand their worth in Christ, and training them to stand firm in the grace He offers. I’m so thankful for them and others like them, who are willing to be “all in” for the sake of the Cross.

2. Posted by Mike, March 14th, 2011

Wonderful use of a hobby to reach people for the Lord.

3. Posted by George Dubose, March 14th, 2011

Thanks to David and Alisha Holt’s vision for this innovative approach to reaching the Criollo people.

4. Posted by Gail, March 14th, 2011

Loved this trip…ptl for the impact.

5. Posted by doris champion, March 16th, 2011

the video has blessed me so much. i am very proud to be a member of a church that supports southern baptist convention and the cooperative program. to see the gospel being spread in places i could not go myself, but my dollars can. thanks mission teams!

6. Posted by Sharmen Oswald, March 30th, 2011

Chuck is my brother, and I know his passion for bringing Christ to the remotest of areas. I love to hear him speak about encounters with Christ that he has been allowed by our Father God to be a part of. We will continue to pray for the Criollo people as they encounter our Savior in their world.

7. Posted by Pastor Kerry Mackey, March 30th, 2011

Chuck, we are proud of you at Chaplain to the Outdoorsmen. Way to go Bro!

Pastor Kerry

8. Posted by Michelle, April 4th, 2011

God can use us in so many ways if we are open to His ways. How wonderful and amazing is the God we serve.

9. Posted by Jason Ansley, April 5th, 2011

This is very important to me. While “rednecks” are Mr. McAlister’s people group, “geeks” and business people are mine. This opened my eyes to the fact that God has each of us where He has us, to reach “our” people group.

10. Posted by T M Stafford, April 5th, 2011

This is the new face of missions! The internet has proven that people bind together over common passions and themes and this can revolutionize the missions world if we embrace it. Congratulations on showing us a peek into the future – how exciting!

11. Posted by Mike J., April 6th, 2011

Relational evangelism rocks! Trust grows from doing together more than words. Congrats on reaching people where they are with what they know with Jesus!

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