UIM Aviation in Tepic, Mexico

UIM Aviation can meet a need to provide air support for UIM Mexico, the Mexican church, and displaced Huichol Indians in and around the city of Tepic in Nayarit, Mexico.

UIM Mexico is increasingly involved in a ministry with a Mexican pastor to Huichol Indians in the Tepic area. Together they are implementing several community development projects in various villages, one of which is a refugee settlement where Huichol Christians have fled from persecution for their faith in their home villages. Due to the poverty in which so many of the people live, the community development projects thus far have included gardening, composting, and basic hygiene seminars.

Unhindered by the poverty in which they live, many of the Huichol Indians have demonstrated a desire to know more about Christ. They have been faithfully attending and completing a theological training course administered by missionaries. They are eager to learn about God’s word and are dedicated to maturing as God’s children. They have a great desire to return to their home villages and share their new-found lives with

family and friends. Currently, most have to travel about 20 hours by ground. Many of these trips can be reduced to 20 minutes by air. If UIM Aviation partners with UIM Mexico, the local church, and the Huichol Indians, flights would allow the people to make more frequent visits to villages, spend a larger part of the day in the village, and ultimately aid in reaching more of the Huichol people for Christ.

On a recent survey trip, UIM Aviation staff met with UIM Mexico, the Mexican pastor, and several Huichol leaders. We presented our ideas to them and were received openly and favorably. Most of the surrounding airstrips we would use are registered airstrips, meaning they are officially recognized by the government. The suspicious activity in Mexico is assumed to take place on unregistered strips, which was the primary reason our flight operations in Durango had to be closed. Furthermore, Tepic is centrally located between the states of Durango and Jalisco, both of which have ongoing and developing ministries that could benefit from air support.

In order to immediately begin serving the Huichol people, we would schedule a monthly flight from our base in Chihuahua, Mexico. The trip would last about one week and cost roughly $1200. As we move toward a base in Tepic, we will plan to station two UIM families and one airplane there. All of this needs considerable prayer and we place our trust in the Lord to guide us through the decision-making process as well as provide funding.

- Pray with us as we seek to expand in Tepic, Mexico.
- Pray for UIM Mexico and the pastors who are working in this area already.
- Pray for the growth, protection, and safety of the Huichol believers.