In the eyes of
just four of us who went, this 10-day trip was a small, shiny diamond
fashioned by God's provision, testimonies, and encouragement.
Aaron drove like a
hoss for the whole trip a van with working AC (most of the time), as
Savannah, Gennie and I rode along. The joyful, peaceful time with my
brother and sisters in Christ on the way down made the 15.5 hr trip
from Springfield to South TX go by fast--maybe not to Aaron, who
respectively had to be awake this whole time.
This small team
watched intently at how God displayed His endeavors being
accomplished in His church in the three areas we visited through joy,
hurt, discipline, repentance, labor, trust, patience, perseverance,
prayer, wisdom, generosity, and grace.
As we met with
familiar, friendly Hispanic believers, some conversations involved
laughing and relaxing. Some were in awe and reverence at His amazing
work of redemption through His Son. Sometimes we had to knuckle down
and get to work in moving and documenting supplies or preparing
resources for a VBS. Other times involved goofing off, playing soccer
on a basketball court, singing Feliz Navidad in August, and cooling
off with popsicles and ice cream. All of these times were together
just a sliver of God's smiling face, a mere ten days of joy that felt
like a minute.
The kindness and
generosity seen in the both the Hispanic/Caucasian congregation of
Trinity Baptist Church near South TX and Hispanic co-laborers in the
Rio Grande Valley area was alone worth the trip.
We studied some
encouraging key truths in Daniel with the brothers and sisters at
Trinity, and enjoyed their openness and immediate friendship as we
shared a couple Sunday meals.
In the Valley, we
met with brothers and sisters from a past church that Psalm 67 worked
closely with. Lotta testimonies, lotta joy, lotta food. The
Francisco's, namely, lavished us with stories of God's faithfulness
and redemptive power in their family, as well as a barbecue feast. I
have boasted to her and others for her grilled chicken, saying I
would pay $20 for just one piece at a restaurant if I knew it was
that good. (I'm not exaggerating, she knows how to do it!)
While in Mexico, I
was envious of the time Psalm 67 has previously spent with the
congregation in Mexico. Seeing Pastor Candido, Sara, Damaris, Ely,
Gil, Abdiel and others in different means of servitude and fellowship
was both refreshing and made me want to be with them more.
They helped
Savannah and Gennie conduct and prepare a last-minute VBS inviting
spirited, lively kids to take part in learning about Christ's reign
over the earth.
My role in the VBS
was to provide guitar background as beautiful, rambunctious kids
learned different worship songs. I'm grateful that I can't feel my
left fingers as I'm typing since we played so many pretty Spanish
praise songs.
I also have much
gratitude for Sara's patience as we struggled to communicate in alien
languages which songs to sing! It was encouraging to witness these
"teologitos" (Aaron's term for little theologians) answer
tough, but elemental questions about what they had learned in God's
Word, as well as key verses they memorized.
A portion of our
p.m. time in Mexico, we visited a couple rehab centers inhabiting
men, young and old, who have literally been plucked out of their
wretched addictions, yet more proof of God's redemptive power. Though
these places seem dismal at first glance, the simplicity of their
eager welcome and intentional listening has made these groups of men
a dear favorite of Psalm 67 and Pastor Candido's church to minister
to. One center takes their liberty in Christ very seriously as they
dance, sing, jump, and shout in joyful response to their Lord's work
in their lives. Not trying to step on anyone's toes here (no pun
intended), but we would do the same if we truly knew our redeemed
state from distant rebellion to God's loving arms, no?
It was painful to
come back, especially since I spent such a concentrated amount of
time with my brothers and sisters in Christ, something my soul hasn't
been quite used to, unfortunately. But it seemed like God planted a
fitly longing for fellowship with Him, as if these ten days were just
pictures of the extravagant feast to those who have believed in the
ransoming Lamb will be invited.
Praise God for His
mercy and grace and may we compel others to partake in His sacrifice!
Romans 5:6-8
Jeremy
