Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Mission Journal 2
Wednesday
Lord, the burden you have given me is greater than the Mexican people. I know you want me to feel this way about all people. Paul said he daily had burden for the churches. I'm slowly understanding this - please increase that burden for the people of Eldo, a burden for true transformation - a burden for bringing Jesus to the people and the people to Jesus!
Today we went to Rio Bravo. Again there were 3 services. The colonias that we went to were Los Angeles and San Francisco.
One of the things that struck me was the pastors there - Pastor Jorge and Pastor Daniel. Jorge especially struck me as a truly humble individual. Spending time with them, talking with them (through the translators) made me realize that my work is not as hard in some ways. Thank you again Lord, for all the blessings you give.
Our first service was moved from a soccer field to the school grounds where there was more shade. After it was over we went to where we thought the second service was to be held, but it was the place for the third service. Pastor Jorge told of an area that he was just starting to reach into and we drove there, and invited people to come. Many did and lives were touched with the love of Jesus. We didn't know what would happen that day, but God did!
We then went back to the location for the third service. To make more room under a big shade tree an older Mexican gentleman was clearing out the grass and weeds. Brandon started to help him, then I took a turn. The older man had to make sure I was doing it the best and easiest way, so I got a lesson in using a hoe!
The third service was wonderful. Travis invited anyone who wanted prayer to step up and we prayed with several individuals. God really touched many hearts and lives!
One amusing thing that happened to me was that Celso, one of the translators, was shaking hands with some of the teenagers from the area - I wanted to learn the handshake which involves bumping knuckles at the end. The first time I tried it, a bigger teen hit my knuckles a little harder. It didn't really hurt, but he was grinning, just being silly, so I decided to try again! This time another teen showed me his other hand with a really big ring. I laughed and indicated that I didn't think I would try that! We all laughed and left in a good mood!
God, you are so good! Even when the way is not clear to us - it is to you, because you have prepared it. Thank you!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Mission Journal
Over the next few days I hope to write some of what happened in Mexico. These are thoughts taken from my journal and I sincerely hope you will derive some benefit from them!
Monday, May 28, 2007
A long trip today, lots of driving - but blessed. We drove from Bokchito, Oklahoma where we stayed with my good friend, Steve Summers, all the way to Harlingen, Texas. Way of the Cross Ministries is based here.
After dinner during our devotional time, one thought kept coming to me - "It is more blessed to give than to receive." My prayer is: "Lord, help me to give all of myself to this mission trip - don't leave it for another day!"
Tuesday, May 29th
MEXICO! I actually left the country for the first time. The world is a bigger place for me now.
We stopped at 3 places to sing, testify and preach. The first was a school with several hundred kids. They all sat with their grades and listened. Travis preached after testimonies by Brandon and Tessie. I made a big goof when it came to handing out the big goody bags given by the mission. I thought the group leader (Rusty) had said to begin handing them out, but he just wanted us in place. As we began to hand them out, the kids began to mob us - but order was restored :)
The second place was a public park in a colonia named control. It was just a small square of ground in the middle of town with swings and a teeter-totter. We went down the streets inviting people to "servicio". When we started there were just a few, but then the crowd grew. People came and went, but still there was a good crowd. I preached this time.
The final service was in a village, where again we walked and invited people. We would stand outside the courtyards hollering, "Buenos, tardes!" The people would respond and we would enter their courtyard to tell them of services.
Soccer balls and basketballs were given away to all the schools.
Monday, May 28, 2007
A long trip today, lots of driving - but blessed. We drove from Bokchito, Oklahoma where we stayed with my good friend, Steve Summers, all the way to Harlingen, Texas. Way of the Cross Ministries is based here.
After dinner during our devotional time, one thought kept coming to me - "It is more blessed to give than to receive." My prayer is: "Lord, help me to give all of myself to this mission trip - don't leave it for another day!"
Tuesday, May 29th
MEXICO! I actually left the country for the first time. The world is a bigger place for me now.
We stopped at 3 places to sing, testify and preach. The first was a school with several hundred kids. They all sat with their grades and listened. Travis preached after testimonies by Brandon and Tessie. I made a big goof when it came to handing out the big goody bags given by the mission. I thought the group leader (Rusty) had said to begin handing them out, but he just wanted us in place. As we began to hand them out, the kids began to mob us - but order was restored :)
The second place was a public park in a colonia named control. It was just a small square of ground in the middle of town with swings and a teeter-totter. We went down the streets inviting people to "servicio". When we started there were just a few, but then the crowd grew. People came and went, but still there was a good crowd. I preached this time.
The final service was in a village, where again we walked and invited people. We would stand outside the courtyards hollering, "Buenos, tardes!" The people would respond and we would enter their courtyard to tell them of services.
Soccer balls and basketballs were given away to all the schools.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Something Old, Something New
With the title above, a person might think I'm talking about weddings. I've officiated at one just recently, but that is not what is on my mind today. The something old that I'm referring to is something that I've done in many ways for many years. Something that is comfortable while at the same time always making me realize I'm dependant on someone else. It is telling others about the love of Jesus. On Sunday, May 27th, a group from our church is planning to travel to Matamoras, Mexico for a mission trip to tell others that Jesus loves them and minister in various ways to them.
That brings me to the something new part. I have never been out of this great country of ours. I have never seen the level of poverty that is supposed to exist in Matamoras. Confessing freely, I am just a little bit nervous. But then I keep returning to the words of comfort from the pen of the Apostle Paul (and the Holy Spirit) "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
As we go to Mexico, there will be something old, something new. I wonder if that is what it will be like when we gain the eternal perspective? All of the glory of heaven and the full glory of God will be new, but won't there be some of the familiar as we bask in the great love of Jesus, the one who made our blind eyes see? I think so.
That brings me to the something new part. I have never been out of this great country of ours. I have never seen the level of poverty that is supposed to exist in Matamoras. Confessing freely, I am just a little bit nervous. But then I keep returning to the words of comfort from the pen of the Apostle Paul (and the Holy Spirit) "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
As we go to Mexico, there will be something old, something new. I wonder if that is what it will be like when we gain the eternal perspective? All of the glory of heaven and the full glory of God will be new, but won't there be some of the familiar as we bask in the great love of Jesus, the one who made our blind eyes see? I think so.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!
Tomorrow is a great day! I know it hasn't even arrived yet, even though it is 11:18 as I am writing this. But I know it will be a great day, because it's the day set aside specifically to honor mothers.
I have been blessed through the years to have had many older, wiser women to give me advice and to look after me, and for those I am very thankful. But the one who I always think about first whenever the term "Mother" is mentioned is my own dear Mom.
She is 66 now, (sorry, Mom!) and slowing down some due to some health issues, but she is as vibrant and alive to me as she was 30 or 40 years ago when I was young and still becoming the adult I am today. Without her influence, her love, her wisdom, her discipline (ouch!) I don't believe that I would even know half of the blessings I enjoy at this time. She taught me how to:
- treat others
- laugh at myself
- sing
- enjoy living one day at a time
- be thankful for all I have,
and most importantly, how to follow and serve my God, and that He is the most important part of this life.
Mom, I love you. God, I thank you for my Mom and all mothers. All of you mothers, may God bless your day and the rest of your lives!
I have been blessed through the years to have had many older, wiser women to give me advice and to look after me, and for those I am very thankful. But the one who I always think about first whenever the term "Mother" is mentioned is my own dear Mom.
She is 66 now, (sorry, Mom!) and slowing down some due to some health issues, but she is as vibrant and alive to me as she was 30 or 40 years ago when I was young and still becoming the adult I am today. Without her influence, her love, her wisdom, her discipline (ouch!) I don't believe that I would even know half of the blessings I enjoy at this time. She taught me how to:
- treat others
- laugh at myself
- sing
- enjoy living one day at a time
- be thankful for all I have,
and most importantly, how to follow and serve my God, and that He is the most important part of this life.
Mom, I love you. God, I thank you for my Mom and all mothers. All of you mothers, may God bless your day and the rest of your lives!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Standing Up Against the Devil
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13
When Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God, he is telling us that without that armor in its entirety, we will fall to the evil schemes of Satan. Without God’s protection we have no power of ourselves.
There is another thought presented in this verse. If we have put on the full armor of God, we are protected by God’s power, and then, we are called to stand. Standing firm against the devils’ schemes, standing firm against temptation, standing firm against all of the evil in the world is something that we are called to do. Stand!
This understanding avoids two extremes and restores balance in our thinking. We must understand that God provides all the protection and all of the power. We cannot stand without God. Therefore, the extreme of doing it all our self doesn’t work. However, we must also avoid the extreme that says, “Well, God is the protection and the power, so there is nothing for me to do, but to receive it. These two views are both wrong and extreme.
Remember to put God’s armor on and then … STAND!
Ephesians 6:13
When Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God, he is telling us that without that armor in its entirety, we will fall to the evil schemes of Satan. Without God’s protection we have no power of ourselves.
There is another thought presented in this verse. If we have put on the full armor of God, we are protected by God’s power, and then, we are called to stand. Standing firm against the devils’ schemes, standing firm against temptation, standing firm against all of the evil in the world is something that we are called to do. Stand!
This understanding avoids two extremes and restores balance in our thinking. We must understand that God provides all the protection and all of the power. We cannot stand without God. Therefore, the extreme of doing it all our self doesn’t work. However, we must also avoid the extreme that says, “Well, God is the protection and the power, so there is nothing for me to do, but to receive it. These two views are both wrong and extreme.
Remember to put God’s armor on and then … STAND!
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