It’s Tuesday evening, and once again Team Nessa hops into the back of the white truck. We head over to a new home cell group that was estalished during one of our first nights of ministry here in Palenque. We hang on tightly to the bars over head in order to keep from falling over as the driver attempts to soften our ride by manuvering his way around the gigantic potholes and stray dogs and chickens. Five minutes later we arrive at the tiny community that is situated on the outskirts of Palenque. Looking in one direction, you see more houses, stores and roads; looking the opposite way, all you see is wilderness – open land, mountains and trees.
As we hop out of the truck, we are greeted by our faithful friends: the dogs! Scott gets down on one knee and puts his face into the face of one of the dogs and starts to howl. The dog cries right back, eager for attention. He is starved for love and affection. The people here are the same. They are hungry for the truth. Hungry for hope. Hungry for a life that transcends their daily existance.
About a week ago, two couples accepted the Lord into thier lives and a few other were reawakened to their identity in Christ. Since then, we have returned a few times with the pastor of Iglesia Olivo to encourage them through teaching, conversing and leading by example.
Around 15 of us crowd into the house. Some sit on chairs, others on the floor and some stand back against the wall. The toddlers walk around from person to person looking for attention and an open lap. Selena, the pastor’s wife, opens in prayer. Shawna grabs her guitar and we worship through song – both in spanish and english. The Holy Spirit falls on the room as both languages ring throughout the land and glorify His name. Both are a fragrant offering to the Lord.
Linnea pulls out her english bible and I grab my spanish one. There’s a first time for everything right? We look at each other, smile and take a deep breath. I look into the eyes of each individual in the room. They are hungry to know more about their personal Savior, Jesus Christ. This isn’t about me. This isn’t about my fears of interpreting and trying to relay Linnea’s teaching to the “audience”. This is about God speaking directly into the hearts of those who are seeking him and are eager to receive more of him. This is about the Holy Spirit flowing through Linnea’s teaching and through my interpretation directly into the hearts of the new believers.
I lean back into my chair, close my eyes for a few seconds and open my mind and heart to receive the Holy Spirit. These people need you Lord, not me. Use me and speak through me. My tongue is your tongue. By God’s grace, his truth was revealed one again tonight – inspite of and through our weakness. The night finished up with prayer, more songs and fellowship.
What a blessing each of these individuals are to the Kingdom. God is cultivating them and pruning them as they embark on this exciting faith journey. As they get more plugged into the body of believers, they will continue to grow in their walk with Chirst. Left alone, many of us wither up and die. The church body plays a crutial role in discipling, teaching and encouraging new believers. And that church body might just be a group of committed individuals that meets in a humble home, in a tiny community on the edge of town…
