Joel “Limón” and Kristi wrap up their Missionary service in Mexico
Joel and Kristi Leman and family: Selah, Sierra, Soraya. Missing from photo: Gonzalo
After 13 and 11 years, respectively, Joel, often called Limón, and Kristi Leman will wrap up their missionary service in Mexico. Through their journey as missionaries and involvement with The Fatted Calf as well as Casa Vida y Esperanza and the local church, God has given them many experiences and an abundance of opportunities to use them to make an impact in the community of Magdalena, MX.
CVE Caregivers 2010-2015
In 2007, Joel was called to missionary work at Casa Vida y Esperanza where he took care of boys. In 2009, through faith, God brought he and Kristi (Stoller) from Roanoke, IL, to be married. After a time of “honeymooning” at language school in Morelia, MX, they returned to Magdalena, where Limón worked at the CVE farm and La Cebolla ranch, while Kristi worked at the school at CVE. In early 2010, as the need for house-parents for boys opened up at Casa Vida y Esperanza, they took on that responsibility for the next 5 years.
Mentoring teen boys
Relationships with ranchers
In 2015, shortly before the birth of their third baby girl, Joel & Kristi stepped into new roles and joined the team at The Fatted Calf. With Limón’s experience working with the animals and farm at CVE, he was on course to manage the newly formed Rancho Agua Viva, one of the “business as missions” ventures of Productos Cárnicos La Misión (PCLM), a Mexican for-profit organization of The Fatted Calf. In addition to his ranch responsibilities, he also worked with meat sales at Carnísimo. For the next 5 years, the Lemans made their home at the ranch headquarters where they had daily interaction with the employees. During these years, many teen-age boys that were no longer at the children’s home were mentored by Limón and Kristi and a connection was maintained. With a Gospel focus, ranch work and life skills were taught daily, not only to those boys, but to the other employees as well. Because of Limón’s outreach in the state for bull sales and knowledge of other modern ag practices, Rancho Agua Viva was known throughout the agriculture community of Magdalena.
Of his job, Limón says that “Working in business-as-mission opened up the opportunity to be involved in the daily lives of others. Day in day out interaction promotes more authentic connection and makes space for numerous witnessing possibilities.”
2015 Leman family photo
When asked about special and rewarding experiences while serving in Mexico, Kristi says, “The adoption of our son Gonzalo in April 2015 and the meaningful relationships we have formed in the community holds special places in our hearts”. Raising a family and serving in cross-cultural missions, she adds that “they have witnessed God’s continued work even in the midst of difficult circumstances.”
Expo committee member
Along with his involvement with Rancho Agua Viva and Carnísimo, Limón was instrumental in the formation of Carnísimo Burgers, served on the Expo Esperanza Planning Committee for many years, and was the President of PCLM since 2019. Most recently, he also was on the leadership team for the local Apostolic Christian Church in Magdalena. Kristi, a faithful ranch-wife and home-school mom, contributed to the stability of the family and held her place as a Godly example to those they interacted with. Their connections and relationships in the community were beneficial to the ongoing mission efforts of TFC, CVE, and support to the local missionary family. Their absence will be noticed.
The Lemans praise God for His unfailing love and guidance for their family and request prayer for continued joy and peace throughout their transition and re-entry into life in the U.S. Also, pray for faith to move forward one step at a time.
In mid-December 2020, the Lemans plan to move back to Colorado, Limón's home state and where both sets of parents currently reside. The Fatted Calf is thankful for their investment in missions in Magdalena and for their friendship to many. Even though Limón and Kristi are transitioning back to the U.S., the impact of their work in Magdalena continues, as the ranch and mission live on.
“We praise God for His unfailing love and guidance for our family.”