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Following God’s Will in Mexico

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So last month a relative (we’re still not sure which one, but that’s another story!) asked us a question for a school assignment:

How are you following God’s will in Mexico?

That’s a good question. Of course, we still have a long way to go – we often fail. But what exactly are we aiming for?

So this is how I answered:

The Lord Jesus left us with these instructions:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

The Lord asks His Church to reach out to other nations, sharing the good news of “repentance and forgiveness of sins . . . in His name” (Luke 24:47) from the Bible (Luke 24:44-48). So we invite everyone to come to Jesus for forgiveness, baptizing those who put their trust in Him (Acts 2:41) (we just saw nine people baptized earlier this month!) and going on to teach them Jesus’ commands – that is, helping them learn to be His disciples/followers/imitators.

We do this in many different ways, but that’s basically how we’re following God’s will in Mexico.

How would you answer? How are you following God’s will in _________________?

63 Weeks Later …

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So, this Sunday, after 1 year, 2 months, and 16 days, we’ll be finishing our study of the Gospel of John!

En la Biblia (2024)

Of course, there wasn’t a sermon on John every Sunday. I wonder how many Sundays we actually preached on John? Why wonder? I’ll check. Ok, 46 sermons! Only a few of them mine.

Oscar started the series, and he’ll be finishing it.

I always like to reuse materials when I can on my Spanish blog, En la Biblia (In the Bible). So in 2024 I’ve been doing a series on every chapter in John, and dispersing throughout some sermons. I’ve been able to be more consistent with using Bible cards (and I have my Dad’s cards as well), which means that I have a lot of material to draw from.

The other nice thing is, the website has now been around for almost eleven and a half years (yikes!), so I can link together past information about themes, places, people, and so on. You can see an example here – John chapter 3.

This year I’ve been going through Zechariah, the next book we’ll be going through on Sunday mornings. And to get me even more into the theme, this Sunday (Lord willing) I’ll be teaching on the return of Christ during Sunday school, as we continue our series on doctrine.

Anyway, if you have a Spanish-speaking friend, maybe they’ll find En la Biblia useful!

Lots of Planning!

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We’re very happy to have our co-workers, Rod and Mayra Fry, back in Mexico! That being said, Rod in particular is planning a lot of travel this month, so how much we’ll actually see them I’m not sure.

But while they’re around we’re doing what we can to plan and organize for the weeks ahead. We recently had one of our famous meetings, in which we can’t possibly cover everything we need to…

Tired out from all the planning.

We’re also noticing one of the blessings/challenges of a growing church. There are a lot of different people planning things! There are Sunday services to plan, adult and children’s Sunday school, institute classes, music practices, and Bible studies. Those alone involve several planners (half of whom are not pictured!). Plus there are upcoming visits from short-term teams, summer activities, a mission trip to southern Mexico, and circuit events (events with other churches in the Mexico City area). So the circle of planners gets even larger.

Let’s just say that the word communication is coming up a lot these days!

But anyway, there are meetings, and then a flurry of messages sent back and forth, and then we forget about something important. I’m sure ministry in your area runs much smoother! Or maybe we’re not alone. 🙂

We are enjoying a whole month focusing on the resurrection, due to the fact that we’re finishing up the last two chapters of John on Sunday mornings. Today I was reminded of one of Paul’s applications of the great truth of the resurrection, from 1 Corinthians 15:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Praise the Lord!

The Brave Ones

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So a storm passed through on Saturday. It was one of those times when the weather prediction a week and a half earlier had been right on! The temperature dropped and the rain started.

The brave ones at hospital evangelism
(click on the image for a larger version)

It’s still dry season, so we’re not used to rain. And while it didn’t look like much, and walked out into it and quickly got soaked.

Anyway, it was one of the mornings of our hospital evangelism, and we’re normally outside under the sky (and a few sparse trees) serving tortas and sweet bread. That wasn’t going to happen.

There is an indoor courtyard, with a porch all around with a roof. This is essentially the “waiting room”. So this time we were allowed to go right inside there where everyone was waiting, serve hot coffee, tea, and the above-mentioned snacks, and share the gospel.

Above you can see some of the people who braved the weather on Saturday. I’m especially impressed at those who could carry a box with both hands and still hold an umbrella!

I have been reminded again what a variety of people you are apt to meet. You would think there would be a certain demographic at the hospital, and Mexico is indeed more homogenous a culture than we’re used to in Canada (though there is a lot of variety here too – dozens of major languages and cultures that are indigenous – up to hundreds!). But everywhere you go, the world is full of individuals!

And, of course, we’re not only talking with patients, but also with their caregivers, family members, even neighbours.

One neighbour of a patient had serious spiritual trouble of his own – possibly some demonic activity in his life. Another was buying into myths about the origins of the Bible. Yet another brought his own anointing oil on a keychain! There are people with all sorts of beliefs and ideas. Some suffer a lot of physical pain. So we share the gospel, pray with them, and share their prayer requests with the church so others can pray too.

We’re thankful for this opportunity to serve others in a place with so much need.

Women Praying for Women

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One of the ministries that Shari led when we were in Canada last year was having women pray for specific women in Mexico. She asked women from our church to share their requests for that purpose, and she had pictures of the women themselves. It was really neat for people to learn more about the personal challenges and struggles in another culture – in most ways, not all that different from the challenges that Christians have in Canadian culture.

Mexicans praying for Canadians
Mexicans praying for Candians

Last Saturday was the other half of the story, as women from our church prayed for the women in Canada. 20 women including Shari gathered in our home. Shari shared the prayer requests from our Canadian friends, pictures included, and they were prayed for!

A few snacks for Valentine's Day
Some baking for the occassion!

Being close to Valentine’s Day, it was a good chance to bake up some special snacks and spend time together as well – chatting and praying for some requests here in Mexico as well.

Chatting after the prayer meeting
Just a chat…

Our friend Amanda, who is here from the United States for a few months as an intern, also came and led a craft time at the very end. Card making!

Card making
Amanda at craft time

It was an encouragement all around to have time to fellowship and pray together! And what an encouragement to see both sides – women praying for women across borders and cultures. And the Lord heard the prayer of hearts in both languages!

You can join in, and pray for these women too! They’re looking forward to a women’s Bible study which will start up in March. Pray that many will be able to attend regularly, to learn from God’s Word together.

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