“Praise the Lord.” -Psalm 150
“Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” -Unknown
Today was a day of worship and the word. On this sabbath, the men of POWER halt all construction and focus on worshipping with the people of Mexico. We also use this day to evangelize. On this, our penultimate day, we worshipped and bore witness to the greatness of God’s works.
It began at Senda de Vida. Senda de Vida is a mission and immigration camp in Reynosa, Mexico, which lies right on the border with the US. For years, its chief pastor Hector and his wife Rosa have been taking in those seeking asylum in the US. They provide a safe place for these people and help them process their paperwork to enter the US, all the while introducing them to Jesus at every turn. This process can take up to one year, but this man’s unique grin and heart from God make it seem fast. They have helped thousands of people from a multitude of countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Columbia, Venezuela, Ukraine, Haiti, Russia, and the Central African Republic to achieve legal status in the US. However, prior to having their visas, they hear the gospel. Hector and Rosa’s story is one of God’s magnificence turning the impossible to the improbable, then again from the possible to the completed. They are a modern day Moses as they have given up their chance to go to the US so that others may go instead. All the while, the US is within eyesight of their mission. The day was only getting started.
Following a rousing sermon by David Burket, in which we were challenged to move from failure, to survival, to thriving in Christ by calibrating our hearts to God, we left for a fantastic time at Allianza Church. It began with an authentic Mexican lunch where we were fed like kings. The hospitality of the folks of Allianza church was as magnificent as it was humble. Then, we participated in a rousing service where we greeted guests and prayed for them after Doug Husen delivered a sermon asking us if we have a Jonah group. That is, is there anyone we would not like to receive God’s grace? After confessing his Jonah group, he admonished us to rid ourselves of such thinking.
To finish the day, we joined with our brothers and sisters of Allianza church to do street evangelism. As a group, we met at Reynosa main city center and prayed for the city. Then, in small teams and matched with translators, the men of POWER walked down a busy market street passing out tracts, candy, and offering up prayers to anyone who was willing to let us pray for them. It was amazing to see how receptive people were to our requests. When we stopped people, they were willing to open their hearts to us and allow us to pray for their personal needs. This writer, being a new father, prayed for many children and a new mother still pregnant with her daughter to be. It was later remarked by many from Allianza that the Americans were fearless in their efforts to reach out. The power of God can do that for even the most shy and meek.
Tomorrow will be the last day. Doug Wible told us that it was the end of this group. Never again will this group meet under these unique circumstances again. Instead of making this sad, we must let it encourage us to carry on this passion to our lives back home.
Pray that the seeds planted today during evangelism will grow and that those touched will find their way to Allianza church.
Week 2, Final Day
“And the king will reply, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
Today is the last day of POWER. All that is left is to debrief and return home. Debrief is a special time where the group shares their personal feelings and takeaways from the trip. This is meant to be shared only between the group, so therefore no more will be written. However, here are a few takeaways from just a handful of the 50 men who attended this trip.
Cody Gibbs- He enjoyed speaking at Allianza church, which made him reflect on his 20 years of service in this ministry. As project lead to the Chavez home, he is most proud that this is the first time, in his whole tenure at POWER, that a home was completed and move-in ready by the end of the trip.
Josh Lips- He was amazed at the willingness people had to receive the gospel during the joy tour he attended.
Robbie Renteria- He was most proud of the willingness of the men to go boldly forward in the streets of Reynosa to pray for others without any hesitance.
Shane Prewitt- Marveled at the camaraderie felt on the trip and how welcoming they were to a new person. He, of course, strives to have this be the heart of the people of Cross of Hope church, where he is senior pastor.
Bing Cheng- He too enjoyed the fellowship, especially with his new friend Sheldon. He also enjoyed cementing those friendships with the late night taco Bible study.
As for myself, I learned that despite my broken hand, I was still able to do work for POWER which will carry eternal results.
What will your work be with eternal results?
Pray that we will take this passion back home and carry on with it no matter where we are.