The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve
(Matthew 20:28)
Go into all the world and preach the gospel
(Mark 15:15)
MissionsJune 2015
Vera Cruz
Dear Prayer Friends,
How can I thank you enough for your prayers? The trip to Perote, Mexico (a very small town near Vera Cruz) was wonderful! As always, God came through in glorious ways and allowed us to be there and in our presence there, participate in His reaching out to a people that He loves. I always marvel at how perfectly He puts together and uses a team so thoroughly to accomplish His purposes.
God allowed me to do what my heart loves best — teach Bible stories to children in Spanish. Their little eyes sparkled with such intrigue as they wondered how the stories would end and as they listened to how they could apply them to their own little lives. We were a bit surprised at how little these children knew about Jesus, but it is understandable since the closest church we know of is an hour and half away (by bus). Also, in this area, only elementary school is free — tuition is charged for middle and high school. But this week, they heard of the Life of Jesus and how He loves children and adults, sick and healthy people, good and bad people and that He is a God who lives right with us to help us — not way up in Heaven. When it came time for the invitation on the last day, they were all — every one — eager to pray a prayer to ask this wonderful Jesus to be their Savior and to begin to learn more about him. Even the moms that had brought their children also came forward! How pleased the Father must have been to present 117 precious little children and about nine mothers to His Son and the angels to rejoice over!
Our VBS was a success. Each day more children came because of the fun and delightful activities the team did with them. Along with the Bible stories, our team taught English classes and craft activities, song times and recreation. These sweet children were able to hear about hope and the love of Jesus and experience that very love through the mission team. Hands on lessons for sure! Jesus is so practical.
On the final day of our visit there, the pastor from that “nearby” church brought a team of about 10 musicians with instruments, microphones, amplifiers, etc. for a block party. About 200 were treated to a special meal and invited to stay for a brief message, praise and a bonfire. The time of praise and worship in that location was as though the heavens were opened up for that people. For the first time ever perhaps, praise to the Father rang out in this neighborhood. How many centuries ago this land had been created and eventually settled by man, yet not even one church anywhere nearby! Those of us who live here in America can’t imagine a time when praise didn’t go up at least once or twice a week across our neighborhoods. This time of praise under the stars in a place where over a hundred children had just declared their desire to know more about a loving Father, seemed miraculous and truly Awe–some.
Please continue to pray for this community. The pastor, who previously sold all his possessions to build his church, has committed to try to drive his rickety car to this location weekly for Bible study, and our church hopes to be able to send teams in the future to water and care for the precious seeds that were planted. Pray for the young man, Hugo, who shut down his business giving up income for the week we were there to allow us to use his location for the VBS and block party. As always, when God reaches out to a people, the devil desires to steal, kill and destroy — pray that the enemy’s hands will be bound in this area as these young believers begin to grow in Christ.
Much love - Janice