Sorry for the long delay getting a post out about the mission trip to Weslaco, Texas and Progreso, Mexico. It’s been a very fast-paced few days back. We arrived back about 2 am on Sunday morning and then started Vacation Bible School on Sunday evening (running from 6-9 pm) through tomorrow night. Needless to say, I’ve not been around much to do anything on the blog. I’m taking a few minutes this morning before our Iron Men (men’s meeting) to”get the word out.”
We had 36 strong make the trip!
We worked hard for 8 days. We ate together, sweated together (boy was it hot) and laughed (oh did we laugh)…what joy! There is nothing in the world like doing mission work. It’s hard to describe unless you have done it! The beauty of a team coming together by the direction and inspiration of God is an amazing thing and then to watch that team in action and knowing that each and every person on that team HAD to be there to fulfill a certain function and role is surreal.
We built a church in Progreso, Mexico for this wonderful couple (Oscar and Miriam Martinez):
This is the church we are building. Pastor Oscar and his handful of men built what you see below and we came in and finish pouring the concrete floor, building the roof trusses and put on the metal (tin) roofing and stuccoing.
This is where the church had been meeting and where Oscar and Miriam live…
Here’s the finished product…
Oscar and Miriam are the sweetest couple you have ever met. They left all to serve in Progesso. Oscar left his job in Rio Bravo (about 45 minutes away) and came on faith to start this little church. They have about 45-50 people meeting each week. They had a baby that died at 5-months old about 1 1/2 years ago of a rare disease. Miriam is pregnant again and the doctor tells them the same disease may inflict this child. It’s a boy and is due 9/12/11. They asked us if we would pray for the baby and for its health. We did and I’m telling you it was one of the most powerful experiences of the presence of the Lord that I’ve ever been a part of in my life. I believe the baby will be healthy and we are trusting God in His sovereignty. We know that we have not because we ask not.
We also saw souls saved. I had the privilege of building a relationship with this man and his wife at our backyard Bible club in a housing project in Weslaco, Texas. This is Adrian and Kat Cantu. A week ago today I had the opportunity to lead Adrian to Christ!
Here’s another soul for the harvest. Her name is Karly. Cynthia Brame impacted this decision greatly. She is shown on the left.
That’s Donna McNeil to their right! Great ladies!!
One of the things I love best about how we do mission work is that we do it as a family. We don’t take just youth or just men. We go as families. Cynthia’s daughter Allison went with her and here’s Allison doing crafts at the backyard Bible club in Mexico with Geoff Farmer, who came with his two children Grayson and Emily.
This is what I will remember…
Can you hear the laughs? That’s Oscar and Miriam’s laughs of joy. They will be moving from that old house I showed you in the earlier picture this week. They will be living on the second floor of the church.
We are so excited to partner with our sister church in Mexico. I’m so excited to partner with our sister church in Alaba, Ethiopia later this November. It’s exciting living out the book of Acts in the 21st century. Praise the Lord for his goodness! See below the “Church” in action…brothers and sisters helping brothers and sisters as we “make disciples of all nations…”
