Our first trip to Tijuana in this year
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Our first trip to Tijuana Mexico in this year turned out to be a real blessing for all of us - the congregation and us.
However, this doesn’t mean everything went as we expected. On the contrary, as we arrived there, it was a little bit of disappointment for us. There were a lot of unknown faces, who looked like gangs to me. They were former addicts in Christian rehabilitation program. Since I was informed that most of them in the congregation are genuine in their faith, I had prepared for the message accordingly. But, it was so obvious that I needed to change the sermon to gear for them. (I don't mean to say my disappointment was due to the sermon that I had to change.)
As the worship started, everyone including children are so sold into the praise - loud music and signing, exaggerated motions, clapping. Indeed they were more dedicated, emotional, enthusiastic and excited than I have ever experienced in our own church. Also they memorized all the songs they sang; two musicians, Abraham and Daniel, both played without any notes. With all these, however, I didn't trust their genuiness yet – I thought I have enough experience with them to be not too naive about these.
When my time came along to preach, I explained to them the difference between genuine Christian and artificial Christian comparing them with flowers-artificial and natural. I asked several questions to them to see if they have genuine understanding in terms of the Gospel. Everybody knew the need of and reason for the new birth - spiritual birth - and also knew the way of the new birth - trusting in Jesus rather than a lot of Christian practices.
Even in the middle of preaching, I was so grateful hearing their response and knowing our ministry there years ago wasn't in vain. All the leaders there were the fruits of our ministry there. They came to know the Lord as a result of our ministry. Yet, we haven’t prepared them much. Then here they are, still serving with that little preparation we provided; not only survived but also helping others. I could tell the congregation was more solid in their faith than when we left them years ago. I could tell they did their part with the little resource available to them.
Because of their response, my preaching went smooth, fluent, and convincing; and it seemed, everybody was satisfied as they heard what I had to say.
After the worship service meeting, I invited a local pastor, Pastor Miguel Altamirano, who was the pastor of the mother church of the congregation as they were organized as church. WIth him and his wife, some leaders of the congregation, we all had lunch and time of fellowship until 7:30 P.M. We talked about many things about the future of the congregation. It was a very informative as well as heart sharing time. We still have many issues to deal with. However, I became convinced that God would lead them in His way. (to be continued in another time)
However, this doesn’t mean everything went as we expected. On the contrary, as we arrived there, it was a little bit of disappointment for us. There were a lot of unknown faces, who looked like gangs to me. They were former addicts in Christian rehabilitation program. Since I was informed that most of them in the congregation are genuine in their faith, I had prepared for the message accordingly. But, it was so obvious that I needed to change the sermon to gear for them. (I don't mean to say my disappointment was due to the sermon that I had to change.)
As the worship started, everyone including children are so sold into the praise - loud music and signing, exaggerated motions, clapping. Indeed they were more dedicated, emotional, enthusiastic and excited than I have ever experienced in our own church. Also they memorized all the songs they sang; two musicians, Abraham and Daniel, both played without any notes. With all these, however, I didn't trust their genuiness yet – I thought I have enough experience with them to be not too naive about these.
When my time came along to preach, I explained to them the difference between genuine Christian and artificial Christian comparing them with flowers-artificial and natural. I asked several questions to them to see if they have genuine understanding in terms of the Gospel. Everybody knew the need of and reason for the new birth - spiritual birth - and also knew the way of the new birth - trusting in Jesus rather than a lot of Christian practices.
Even in the middle of preaching, I was so grateful hearing their response and knowing our ministry there years ago wasn't in vain. All the leaders there were the fruits of our ministry there. They came to know the Lord as a result of our ministry. Yet, we haven’t prepared them much. Then here they are, still serving with that little preparation we provided; not only survived but also helping others. I could tell the congregation was more solid in their faith than when we left them years ago. I could tell they did their part with the little resource available to them.
Because of their response, my preaching went smooth, fluent, and convincing; and it seemed, everybody was satisfied as they heard what I had to say.
After the worship service meeting, I invited a local pastor, Pastor Miguel Altamirano, who was the pastor of the mother church of the congregation as they were organized as church. WIth him and his wife, some leaders of the congregation, we all had lunch and time of fellowship until 7:30 P.M. We talked about many things about the future of the congregation. It was a very informative as well as heart sharing time. We still have many issues to deal with. However, I became convinced that God would lead them in His way. (to be continued in another time)
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