MEXICO 2007
Saturday, August 04, 2007 – from Keith Franz
It is Saturday morning and our trip is almost over. What an incredible week God has given to each one of us who went on this trip. Let me just bring you up to speed since my last writing.
On Wednesday we continued rotating through various ministry opportunities. One of our ministry teams led a VBS for about 50 students and did a prayer walk around the colonia (i.e. neighborhood), while the other team did construction work and an ATL session (ATL stands for “Ask The Lord” and is simply a time spent in prayer waiting on the Lord for guidance and direction. Then if he guides to something specific, you get up and do it.)
I spent time with the VBS and the prayer walk. It was neat for me to see so many Mexican children excited to come to church and learn about God. Our students did a fantastic job teaching about how God is powerful. They used puppets, music, drama and crafts to teach and reinforce the truth that God is powerful and in control so we don’t have to worry or be afraid. Our theme verse was Matthew 8:27 – “…even the winds and the waves obey him”. All of the children memorized the verse together (in Spanish, of course).
On the prayer walk we simply went out into the colonia to pray for God to work among the people who lived there. Many times we stopped as different people were prompted to pray for different needs that we saw. We also walked two by two and just prayer aloud for everyone we saw. Near the end of the prayer walk we had the opportunity to talk with an electrician who was working on a house (he spoke English, which made it easy). We invited him to church and he gave us his phone number so that pastor could follow up. Then we prayed for him and the family who lived in the house he was working on.
Thursday was our last day of ministry. Our team had the privilege of leading the final day of VBS. Over 80 kids showed up. Our theme for the day was “Jesus Heals.” We taught the students that Jesus has the power to heal, not only physically, but spiritually as well. Through puppets, drama, illusions and object lesson we taught them of their need for spiritual healing because of the problem of sin. We explained Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life. At the end, when the invitation was given, nearly 20 students raised their hands to pray and receive Christ!
While the VBS was going on, our other team was ministering at the orphanage. They helped to tear down a wall to expand the kitchen and to paint murals on walls of the girls’ bedrooms. They also had a chance to communicate love to the girls by simply playing with them and doing crafts.
Each morning and evening of the trip we would gather with the other church (Hershey Free and West Shore Free) for a time of prayer, worship and teaching. These were always great times of praise to God as students and leaders would share of how God has been working throughout the week. Thursday night was especially meaningful as we sang praises with our hands lifted high in honor of the One who made this week of ministry possible and in celebration of all He chose to do in us and through us. Praise be to God for the incredible work he has done!
And thanks to each of you who have supported us with your prayers and finances. You truly have been “partners in the gospel” with us. God’s word went out to the people of Reynosa this week, and it did not return void. And I believe that the churches that we worked with will continue to reap a harvest in the days, weeks and months to come because of the seeds of His truth that were planted in people’s lives this week. What a privilege to be partners together in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
I am sorry that I have not been able to update before now. Internet access is very limited. Below is a summary that I have typed up over the last few days...
God is at work in Reynosa, Mexico. We are thankful for safe travel and a quick border crossing. On Saturday we got settled into our rooms, had a fabulous Mexican meals of beans and tamales and got oriented to our week.
On Sunday we truly enjoyed worshiping with at Templo Casa de Dios (Bethlehem House of God Church). The music was fantastic and we had the chance to worship God in English and Spanish. We also had the privilege of leading or Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ in four worship songs – two in Spanish and two in English. Joseph Longenecker and Jill Max each gave a fantastic testimony to God’s work in their lives. At least one women commented on how much Jill’s testimony blessed her.
On Monday we went back to the church to begin working and serving. Our team divided into two groups and we did some outdoor cleaning and heaving lifting for the church. We also did street evangelism and sports evangelism (through soccer, of course). Amy Stoddard shared her testimony her testimony with the kids who came to play with us. We also had the chance to pray with them and bless them with a free soccer ball. But the highlight of the day had to be the privilege that Joseph L. had to lead a Mexican gentleman to the Lord while doing door-to-door evangelism. He initiated the conversation with his limited Spanish, then continued to share the gospel with the help of a translator. At the end of the conversation the man prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior. Praise God!
Not surprisingly, God continued to work on Tuesday. Half our group traveled to Casa Mami, and orphanage for abused and abandoned girls. We did puppets, sang and shared testimonies with the girls. We also played and loved on them. While we were there we also helped paint some of the unpainted concrete walls. The colors were bright yellow, lime green and mango orange. It really did brighten the place up. We also help with some mural painting. While half our team was at Casa Mami, the other half was out doing door-to-door evangelism and sports evangelism. During sports evangelism they played with the same boys that the other half of our team had played with the day before. This time, however, they were able to reap a tremendous harvest as 7 boys prayed to receive Christ!
We also praise God that he has continued to keep us safe and healthy. We have had no accidents, injuries or illnesses. Everyone on the team is having a great time and growing tremendously in their faith. On Monday night we had a sharing time and almost every student shared about how God had taught them and showed them so much on our trip already. We are so grateful for all the prayers of our parents, family, friends and church family. Please keep it up! God is at work and I believe that he is not finished with us yet!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Please pray:
- for safe travel and smooth border crossings. Some of our students still have not received their passports. Pray that they would arrive so we have all the necessary documents.
- for God to be preparing the hearts of the Mexican children and people that we will be serving and teaching. We want to communicate his love and truth to open ears and receptive hearts. would
- that God would open our eyes to see Him at work in Reynosa. Also, that God would open our ears to hear from Him as we desire to be led by him
Mostly I want to ask you to pray for transformation. My desire is that God will use this week to bring about true life change in each of us who are going and in each person that we minister too.
Check out the pics below to see a little of what we have been doing...
Click on the picture below to download pictures...
