I didn’t really explain much about the pictures in my last blog, so I will do that this time. I discovered that my multitasking skills leave much to be desired. I was attempting to blog and talk on the phone simultaneously, and it didn’t work!
The Open Air ministry on Friday and Saturday night went amazingly well. We entered into the night with prayer again, and assigned intercessors alongside evangelists for the services. I played the role of the Tormented Girl for the drama on Friday night, with Shawna and Amanda as the Tormenting Demons and Chad as Jesus. The drama depicts a woman who is attacked by demons, as all of us have been through our lives – the struggles and strongholds in life – and then Jesus coming to rescue her, through his death and resurrection. Check out Chad’s blog on this too!
Noé began the service with songs of worship and gathered a significant crowd. We were in a large plaza in town with a covered stage in the centered and surrounded by vendors selling to tourists. It had been threatening to rain for several days, but on Thursday evening, we prayed that the rain would hold off until Saturday night. That it did! It began to sprinkle Friday night, which caused the crowd to move onto the stage. Once the crowd was large and the misting rain had ceased, we directed the crowd to where they would be able to see the drama. We performed this powerful drama for over 100 people, locals and tourists alike. Then Noé preached and shared the gospel, while Jake translated into English for the English speaking tourists. Noé preached with power and authority and the Lord definitely worked through him all night. Many people were touched, seeds of truth were planted and several people accepted Jesus that evening.
The evangelists talked to people after the message, while the intercessors prayed for them and those they spoke with. It’s so incredible to see people’s lives change, even as we speak with them, their countenances change, with life and joy creeping in.
Saturday was much the same, though a smaller crowd of onlookers, and a different drama cast. But even though the crowd was smaller, more people came forward for prayer, to invite Jesus into their lives! It was so wonderful to see it happen, and know that God is working here in Palenque and chose to use us for this short time.
I am so blessed that Noés heart is for discipleship and that these people are not left to face this new journey alone. He is seeking out each one of the individuals in order to follow up and get them connected into community. This moment of salvation is only the beginning of this life in Christ, not the end point, and Noés desire is to walk alongside people and encourage them to learn to be like Christ. Knowing his heart in this makes leaving so soon easier, though it’s not necessarily easy to be leaving.
