Confession: Up until yesterday I felt like our ministry time in Palenque had been no where near as effective as it could have been.
My view: For two weeks we’ve done 4 church services and a handful of house visits. At two of the church services we merely played with the children while their parents listened to an extremely charismatic preacher from Guatemala whose entire purpose for being there was physical healing, and who I don’t think, though I could be wrong, even presented the Gospel. The house visits have been equally as frustrating. We travel with the same pack of 12-15 church members to each house. Once we get there, the service is up to “the American missionaries.” We give a testimony and a short message about Jesus, then they sing some worship songs in Spanish and we leave. So far we’ve gone to about four or five different houses, speaking to the one or two adults that might be present. Sure, three people came to know Christ this week, but we’ve spent most of our time talking to the same people, the ones that travel with us everywhere. There has to be a more effective way of reaching the community than this…
God’s view: Three people confessed their sins and put their trust in me this week! Do not downplay that! It’s not up to you to say what this ministry will look like. Each individual is important. Even if you spent this entire time with a single soul who was lost, but came to know me, then it would be a success. “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off” (Matthew 18:12-13). Do not put me in a box! Continue to put your trust in me, willing to go where I say and do what I ask. “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5).
Palenque is a wonderful city and has been a great place to begin the Race. Adapting to this lifestyle has taken some getting used to, along with lots of patience and grace. God has been at work during our time here and I’m thankful for the privilege of celebrating with the three who accepted Christ.
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your parths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)
