Dear Friend,
I was born in Tecuala, behind an ice factory that my grandfather started. Today, my family still owns and operates La Polar Ice Factory. Tecuala was my home until I was four years old, though it seemed like we never left because we constantly returned to visit. My immediate and extended family easily numbered over 70 people who owned their homes on the same street. These included my parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Growing up in Tecuala and the simplicity of the lifestyle gave me a great sense of community providing beautiful memories and very strong-family foundations. This quaint, interesting, and safe town along with excellent family morals established the importance of community and essential support.
The population was about 20,000 people which offered low traffic, low crime, and peaceful living. The roads were either cobblestone or dirt, with too many potholes to count. The environment is lush, full of vegetation, steaming with bugs and tropical weather. The towns people enjoy and are proud of its beautiful beach, Playa Novillero, which stretches about 400 kilometers long. This is one of the longest beaches in the world. The sandy beach enjoys a gradual slope towards the deep, giving a safer swimming experience for families and children. The ocean water continues to be unforgettable, always warm, inviting, refreshing, and offering many types of seafood to eat for the locals and visitors.
The tropical weather always gave massive rains, thunderstorms, and lightning. I remember playing in the rain and enjoying streams of cool water coming from the rooftops through the drain holes. The torrential rains watered the entire area and gave life to incredible vegetation, fruit, and vegetables—plenty of food for people and animals. After the rains, the smell of fresh air and wet dirt would permeate and give a fresh clean atmosphere. The insect community would readily come out of hiding during the day, and those with the ability to fly would swarm around the light posts through the night, making loud buzzing sounds that helped me slumber peacefully. I remember playing with my cousins on the streets daily. It was a time of perfect freedom with no fear of being harmed or kidnapped. My family, my birth town, and its people had a significant positive impact in my life.
Due to significant life situations and eventually my grandfather’s death, my immediate family decided to move to the United States. I began my new life learning English & adjusting to this new culture. Adjusting to school and this new lifestyle was not easy. After some difficult years in High School, I felt sad, depressed and distraught with life. By the age of 18, my soul felt empty and void. I would ask myself “Why does life have so much suffering?” My family was Catholic by tradition but soon changed to Mormonism several years after our move to San Diego, California. After two years of Mormonism my sister, Liz and her boyfriend Ron, introduced our family to Christianity. I began to seek God and challenged Him regarding his existence. Shortly after, on a Saturday evening, my friend Miriam was having a bible study and God showed up supernaturally. A beautiful presence entered my body from the top of my head down to my feet and surrounded me. This presence was so overwhelming I could hardly stand it. It caused me to take a deep breath and burst into tears. The presence was so astounding that God’s pure love permeated every pore of my body and soul. This presence removed every inch of sadness, hopelessness, depression, gunk, and emptiness. It lasted for three days and it changed me forever.
At the age of 19, Mike Jordan – my boyfriend at the time – and I began to explore and participate in missionary trips. We participated in several trips to Mexicali, Mexico and I took a long missionary trip to Amsterdam in Holland. These early trips began to grow an interest and love for missionary work. Mike and I got married and the journey into missionary work throughout Mexico began. Mike and I, along with my father and mother, went back to Tecuala and began supporting the only pastor in Tecuala, German Zatarain. Pastor German faced many difficulties. People would throw rocks at him, mistreat him, and closed doors on his face because they did not like him preaching the gospel. In Tecuala, most were practicing Catholics in which other religious perspectives were not welcomed. However, the Bible tells us not to despise small beginnings (Zech 4:10). We came alongside him for several years supporting his work and efforts.
Through the years, many missionary trips to Mexico were taken. Mike and Laura saw an abundance of blessings as well as hardships. They saw firsthand the difficulties and challenges of pastors, churches, and the negative effects of poverty in families and their communities. Many dedicated Christ-loving pastors and their families labored endlessly with lack of all kinds. It was difficult to see the level of their hardship. Throughout the years of helping churches in different regions like Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, Erendira, Tecuala, Maneadero, and several other towns and cities, Mike and Laura learned many lessons. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” and James 1:2-5 says that whenever you face trials of many kinds, they strengthen your faith and produces perseverance. Our journey of blessings and hardships is where God began to birth the vision for Majestic 4 Missions.
I give all the glory to God for this wonderful journey. I am thankful and extend my gratitude to my husband Mike for his unwavering support of over 35 years and our two wonderful children, Michael and Justin, who have made a difference in this dedicated missionary work. I would not have been able to do it without their love and support. In addition, I want to thank my mom, my extended family, and friends who have supported me and believed in me to do this work for so many years. This final journey has just begun!
Majestic Laura
