Millar Missions Mod

What an incredible couple of weeks. Yesterday (Saturday) I dropped the group off at the Phoenix Airport, 11 Millar College of the Bible Students and 3 "old guys." We had spent the past 13 days in San Carlos in a Missions modular course where we spent some time in the classroom and also time out on the field learning from other missions, churches and missionaries. We trust and pray (and I believe we can confidently say) that God used this time to shape them in their understanding of what missions is, whether it be in a short-term setting or a long term commitment, but maybe even more importantly we saw how God used them and worked in them as they served so willingly alongside our Mexican brothers and sisters. There's a couple of things that stick out in my mind.

Guaymas Norte

The first took place last Saturday as we had arranged from the group to work alongside Jorge & Angelica, teachers at CEC who have spent the last year in an outreach in a small part of Guaymas, working particularly with kids. In the morning we visited some people in particular need, giving them a food hamper and spending some time praying for them. In the afternoon the kids were invited to the local park where Jorge & Angelica have a weekly kids club with them.  The park had become overrun with weeds due to lots of rain recently and the task was to work together with them to clean it up.

Before - the park where they regularly have the kids club.

Though the idea of renting weed eaters was mentioned we decided to work with the same tools as the people there would have - giving up efficiency to engage in the task (quite INEFFICIENTLY!) but much more RELATIONAL. What happened was not only exciting to see but probably one of the greatest testimonies to that community. The group started with about 6 children helping. By the time it was done, there were over 20 children working alongside them.

The crew at work

Getting ready to work.

The swings repaired and playground equipment repainted.

The nearly finished product!

But not only that, as they worked, some adults started coming out of their houses to see what these "gringos" were up to. By the end several of them had come out too and were working together. As we talked with some of them later they were deeply moved by this expression of love towards them and their community. But what was particularly awesome to see was not even so much what was accomplished as HOW it was accomplished, working side by side and building relationship. Sure, the "task" at hand didn't get finished (though they cleaned out a significant part of the park to make it usable again) but perhaps the much more important task of connecting with people was more than accomplished!

El Choyudo

One other opportunity that stands out took place during the overnight trip we took with the students to El Choyudo where Pastor Guillermo (who is part of our teaching staff) lives.  On our second day there God opened up an incredible door for Pastor Guillermo through the local elementary school (grades 1 through 6).  He already had a good relationship with the director of the school and asked him if the students could come and use the outdoor shaded cement pad to have a somewhat informal kids club with the children, right after school was out.  His answer was nothing short of a miracle as he suggested that we come instead and take the two last hours of class, knowing that the group would be sharing a message from the Bible.  To understand the significance of that you need to realize how in Mexico there are strict laws separating church and state - what he was allowing was something that could get him into a lot of trouble in the community and even with the law.  And not only that, as the Catholic church is so strong even here in El Choyudo, to give this opportunity to a Christian, Evangelical pastor was nothing short of amazing.

The students took the opportunity first having some fun with the kids:

And they shared the Gospel message along with one of the students sharing a short testimony of how God had worked in their life - his own prodigal son story.

Sharing the Gospel

The Gospel message was so clearly preached and the director of the school was excited to have it take place.  He took several of us on a tour of the school and at the end invited the group to come back anytime!  Pastor Guillermo was so excited to see how God and opened the doors for these students.  He shared with us how he as a young man in El Choyudo had heard the Gospel message shared by some young people from Canada in a very similar fashion.  He didn't turn to the Lord until he was 19, but he shared how those seeds were planted in his life and we pray that these seeds were planted as the students had a chance to share some love with these kids and the Gospel message.

En Fin...

To say that only the students (hopefully!) were impacted during this time, and also those whom they ministered with and minister too, wouldn't be a complete picture of all that God accomplished.  As refreshing as it was to see what God did through them and in them, it was encouraging and challenging personally to go back to the Word and see what the mission that we have all been given, the Great Commission, is all about.  It was a privilege to be able to share with the students what this responsibility looks like in class and on the field but it was also a renewed personal challenge for me in what our calling is.  The Gospel is so much more than just an idea, or a set of beliefs.  Ultimately the Gospel is a Person, Jesus and our call is not to teach people about the Gospel as much as introduce people to a Person: making disciples is about making people excited to follow Him!  

Thanks for all of the many prayers that have covered these past two weeks!  God worked through them powerfully!  Thanks also to the many hands that were a significant part of this time.  Dios les bendiga!