Today’s Reading
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV)
This past October nine men went on a mission trip to San Pedro, Mexico. We partnered with Advancing Native Missions and built a two-story building in place of a 40-year-old structure that needed to be demolished and removed. This new building will house the children’s church and be a center to train missionaries that will spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Central America. Beyond the building of this physical structure, we saw God moving to build us all individually and together in many powerful ways.
Our group was able to share our testimonies daily within a soccer program that is bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to young men. Many of them have been impacted by the drug cartels, which have a large presence throughout this region of Mexico. We have been told that since we left, three of these young men chose to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and were baptized!
We saw so many examples of men reaching out, being vulnerable and receiving love and prayer. One man, Tomas, overheard a testimony and approached us. He shared that he was a recovering alcoholic that lost a brother to the cartels, was struggling with anxiety and needed prayer. God worked with us to build him up with prayer and encouragement.
Another young man David had divisions within his family and the family that his sister married into. He wanted to help us build but told us he was not interested in church. We worked side by side with David and later in the week he attended a church service. We also witnessed firsthand the unification with his new brother-in-law and his family. They went from trying to stop the wedding to preparing food together and serving it to us!
Another man Jonathon and his wife asked for prayer after a youth service. Two other men shared of personal needs after a men’s evening fellowship. God was working to edify this community as we shared His love, His Word and sought Him through prayer. The legacy of this experience is in a building we built but more importantly in the building up of the community and the growth that we each personally experienced as we served.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask that You work in us to will and do of Your good pleasure. Help build us up as we work to build others up around us. May we have a heart of service. Fill us all to overflowing that we may be able to give and grow and love and serve Your people more and more, in the name of Jesus Christ.