Working with Noe (pastor we are working with) is such a joy; he is living out faith day by day. Feeding and providing for his family of 6 is something he relies on the Lord for every single day. His income is from selling homemade ice cream that his wife makes, so we will be able to definitely be a big source of income for him while we are here!
J
Mision Evangelica Salim, the church he is pastoring, is held in his humble home. Right now it consists of only about 5 believers, and 20 who are seeking for God and truth. I’ve never gotten to be a part of a church plant before, but what a perfect place to start. People who are curious and hungry, who know and see that there is more to this life that they have yet to experience, and who are seeking that out. Our vision, teamed up with team Agappetos, is to really build relationships with people and to usher them into this home church community. We’ll be holding 3 services each week (Tues, Thurs and Sunday).
Three of us were able to really connect with some teens through sports ministry. We had talked with Nester, Carlos + Miguel before, but after spending an afternoon with them and going to the local stadium to get sweaty and dirty in some great games of basketball, I could see how they looked at us differently. We shared with them about Christ and the church, and they are planning on coming. It was funny, we teamed up with our friends, and then other teams rotated in to play the foreigners in some street ball, with no fouls. Sports ministry is something I really enjoy, and such a great way to connect with some teens. There was even one mom out playing against us on the first team!
I really struggle with not seeing something that has been visibly accomplished, but God is working with me on this. Emphasis here is not placed on possessions or accomplishments as so much as it is placed on relationships. Walking through town each day has been really neat, as I now feel like we really have some friends! We always walk in small groups (at least 2) for safety and also so one can be praying as the other is talking. We are seeing some of the same people and able to keep building with them.
During one of our services, I was able to hold one of these precious children and just keep telling her how much God loves her. She just looked up at me with wonder in her eyes and nodded yes when asked if she understood.
We have beautiful children who love to come by to play and for us to just love on whenever we are back our home base. Alex is a hammock-maker who we’ve consistently made an effort to see and who is now planning on bringing his kids and coming to church with us. Aquilas is a dear elderly man who sits in his billiard hall each day with a cowboy hat on. My heart was tugged towards him and when we walked in to talk with him I could see his face light up. He seemed to be excited by the invite to join us, invitations and hospitality are huge in this culture.
Roy is a 20 yr old who speaks pretty good English and walked with us all over town to help us with our Spanish skills (which, by the way, mine are starting to come along – I really enjoy trying them out and my vocab is increasing every day). Miguel is a man who just came over as we were walking and asked where we were going. I saw the hesitancy in one of my teammates, but he seemed very sincere and so we talked with him more. He saw something in us that drew him and he wants to hear more!! We are always praying that God will direct our footsteps and bring people directly across our paths, it’s so cool
to see how He does that!
