Jesus was persecuted by the priests because he chose to eat with the tax collectors, talk with prostitutes, lepers and bum around with fishermen. He provided hope for the hopeless. He was loved and hated. He was a rebel. HE chose to do what was good and right and just. He died on the cross for me and for you. He set the example of the life we are to live.
WE were NOT meant to Just Sit in church services Sunday and Wednesday. You may say, I'm not supposed to be a missionary, I can't reach people, I'm not made for that. But YOU ARE! Every Day you live and breathe is for the Lord! The one who created the universe, and came to earth to DIE for YOU.
What I'm saying is just let each day be for the Lord. Let him guide you. When he is tugging at you to go visit your neighbor or speak to the person in line at the grocery store, don't ignore him! You just might be that persons saving grace. "That couldn't happen to me," you say? Well, I hate to break it to you - but it can and more than likely will!
"I'm not called to....." If you have ever read the bible, you have been called - you've just missed it! It may not be to "go" somewhere, we're not all called to do that. But we are called to live like Christ whose image we were created in!
Okay, Okay, Enough preaching! I say all this because God has opened my eyes. He has opened them to his love, power and mercies. He forgives us all, for everything we have done. And when he grabs ahold of your heart there is no way to run, unless you don't want what he has to offer.
I've seen it! I am seeing God changing the life of a thief/drug-addict/seller/gang-member > Hector. God is using the people in the church to reach out to those "types" of people. We had a girl come to bible study tonight who is known as one of the "shadier" women here. Hector is bringing people to church....Hector is telling people about his Lord and Savior and this man that died on the cross for him. Hector has gotten the opportunity to talk to Julito, the number one in the gang. My friend Alyssa who just left got to talk to him!
{this is really cool!}
The morning Alyssa was leaving we all went to the mural she had been working on (and is almost finished) to take pictures. Let me give a piece of background - the water tower that the mural on is gang "territory" and through the grapevine Alyssa initially had to get permission from Julito to use the water tower to paint. The one thing they all have worried about most is that he would graffiti it.
Well, when we were leaving the water tower to go get in the vans a dark sketchy lanky mid-twenties Mexican in a white wife-beater and dirty shorts walked up to us.
JULITO.
Alyssa immediately introduced herself. She told him the story of how she was afraid he was going to do something to the mural and thanked him for letting them paint there. He said it was okay and that the mural was pretty. Alyssa asked what he thought of it and he said it was kind of like good on one side and bad on the other. This opened up the opportunity for Alyssa to share the mural and share some of the gospel with Julito. Alyssa told us later that when they were talking he had some tears well up in his eyes. She told him she knew his friend Hector had come to know the Lord and had changed and wanted to live the Christian life. Julito acknowledged that was correct and that Hector had shared everything with him and that he could see it.
WOW!
What is God up to! Can you see just a hint of what I'm experiencing here! Its mind boggling even.
Sunday I got to experience the baptism of 20+ people. The process here is somewhat different than what we do. They have to go through a class for so many weeks before the baptism. Then before they are baptized they have to share with the whole church why, and the way they came to their salvation. Many of them shared verses and none used the same! It was such a beautiful testimony time that brought glory to the Lord! Then there was a small service explaining the reason for baptism. Then we all gathered to the pool (at a waterpark fully in motion). Probably 30 or more people crowded around the pool. The church leaders got in along with the ones to be baptized. And one by one each and every one publically professed their faith being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. En el nombre del Padre, el Hijo y el Espiritu Santo. The time was ended with prayer and song....with people still in the pool. How beautiful! If you're friends with me on facebook I have pictures of the baptisms posted!
God is alive. He is moving in a people group that is open. And I am so thankful to be a part of this. To witness this first hand. And to be able to share!
These people are so eager to leave their lives of fear, rezos and sin - to live a life for Christ. And guess what, they share it with everyone!
The one who has probably showed me the transparent child like faith is Iris, 28 year old wife and mother of four. She and her husband were both baptized on Sunday, any person she (they) meet she will tell them about her changed life, and about a life in Christ. She has been such an open witness to the people in the community!
I hope that when I return, that I can have a faith like Iris. Eager to share what my savior has done for me in my life, and can do for others!
I'm half way done with my internship, or I could say I've only half started. But either way - I know that this is where God wanted me to be this summer.
He wanted me to see this.
He wanted me to see Him.
Humbled by how BIG my God is.....
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