I am
sitting in a plastic chair in a concrete building with a tin roof. My hands are
lifted is worship as we
sing, “Santo, santo, santo; mi corazon te adora…”
(Holy, holy, holy; my heart adores You). It is in this moment that I realize
that I am falling in love. I am falling in love with the face of the Lord
displayed through Iglesia Salim.
We
have been privileged with the opportunity to work alongside Pastor Noe and his
wife who are leading Iglesia Salim here in Palenque. Pastor Noe is a jubilant
and fiery leader who is passionately in love with the Lord and faithfully
seeking Him.
This
church is doing so much together as a body and reaching out to the community.
They hold worship services on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and a youth service on
Saturday. On Monday nights they meet for prayer. On Wednesday they visit people
in the community bringing the hope and love of Christ. A couple Fridays a month
they go to the hospital and pray for people. They are a people who are
passionate about worship, prayer, and the fellowship of believers. I feel like
I could spend a year here just learning about ferverent prayer.
Also,
Iglesia Salim is one of the most hospitable group of people I have ever met.
They have welcomed us with open arms! Every member of the congregation greets
us warmly each day. Each night after service we share a meal together
(delicious food usually cooked by Darwin’s wife). On Krystle’s birthday, the
church came together to get a cake for her and throw her a little birthday
party.
The
Lord is moving through this church. He is drawing people in the community to
Himself. I see new faces at the church each night. One young man, Mario, has
really found a place in my heart. To just look at Mario’s face, you can see
that he is so broken and that he is hurting so much. Mario attended church has
a child, but since then he struggled with drug/alcohol addiction. Mario is a
part of a local gang in Palenque. He has been showing up at the church each
night, but he is still resisting the Lord. Please pray for Mario that as we and
the church reach out to him that he will see the face of God. Pray that God
will release him from his bondage bringing him freedom.
Things I’ve
learned about Mexican churches
- Many pastors lack Biblical
training, but they love the Lord intimately and have dynamic prayer lives.
- Hospitality is of the utmost
importance. Guests and women are given seats first. The leading men of the
church will give up their seats if a guest or woman arrives to service
late. - Worship services last for
hours. The believers enjoy gathering together for worship and fellowship.
They are in no hurry to leave this time of fellowship. - Food is often served after
services and enjoyed together. - Birthday traditions include:
receiving hugs from every member of the church, eating cake with your
face, and having the cake splattered in your face as you take your first
bite. - It is perfectly acceptable to
ride in the back of U-haul type trucks while sitting in plastic chairs or
to stand in the back of pick-up trucks.
This place and these people have stolen my heart. Take a
look at the video of our first week working alongside the church.
