This week has been an amazing first week of ministry. In all honesty it has been a hard week for me. I have been out of my comfort zone for most of the ministry we have been doing. However on Tuesday I was totally in my element and loving the ministry I was doing. We got to go back and visit Eleazar and Marta. They have a compound where they train local pastors. They were gracious enough to open up their land to us last week for both Team A and Team B. On Tuesday it was our turn to serve them. My first task of the day was picking up fruit from the grounds. It sounds like a thankless task, but I was loving it. I felt so productive and like I was finally giving back. After that I did some touch up painting in the main room. We then cleared out some rooms that are now under construction. They were full of lumber, dust and trash and unwanted visitors such as roaches and spiders. What an amazing day that was. There is just something about getting your hands dirty that I love. I am so glad I got that experience to serve Eleazar and Marta in such a tangible way.
Yesterday we got the chance to go back to the rehab center. This time we played volleyball with some of the men. We then had a time of worship and then one of the residents gave his testimony. We then were able to pray for the men. It is hard for me to relate to these men, but volleyball was a perfect way just to bond and get to know some of them. We will continue to visit the rehab center while we are here in Mexico. Hopefully each time we go I will feel more and more comfortable with the men and be able to talk to them more freely.
Our main ministry this week consists of helping out a brand new church plant. They meet out of the home of the pastor. They have meetings every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday night. Last night was our first service with this church. We watched a movie, then had a discussion time about it, then had an alter call where around five people accepted Christ. I had the awesome pportunity of praying with one of the women who accepted Christ. That service was the first time I really felt comfortable in Mexico. I am excited about what God has in store for the service on Sunday night.
Please be in prayer for me that I would find my place and ministry here in Mexico. My desire is to work with children, but I know God can work through me in any ministry. Please also pray that my team would continue to bond and work well together. I am so blessed by my team and so thankful that God put us together. Be sure to be checking out their blogs as well which can be accessed at http://www.theworldrace.org.
