A youth team of Airdrie Alliance Church in Alberta recently came to Pan de Vida through Samaritan's Purse Canada. Anytime we have youth, there is a lot of energy but this group brought more than that and left a mark on each heart here. In preparation, the team had many obstacles thrown their way in where they would be serving. In the end, it worked out for them to come here and God showed us how He had it all planned from the beginning.
We had 2 teams prior to them and the way the work projects and skills of team members fell into place could have only been orchestrated by God himself. Team Airdrie was able to do all of the sealing, priming and painting of Justo and Elia's apartment and the new storage room to the kitchen. They also blessed a volunteer by freshly painting her apartment before she moved in.
The biggest part of their ministry happened with the kids. They played hours of soccer, basketball and card games in their free time from the work site. Despite the difference in language, there was not a communication gap. Some of our kids exercised their English while the team made every effort to learn practical phrases in Spanish. Just the exercise in doing this was meaningful time with the kids. I was constantly approached by the kids of Pan de Vida asking if the team could play. They couldn't get enough of the fellowship. The older boys came every spare moment to play basketball. I was blessed to see the kids experience such joy.
The team time was also meaningful. Daily devotions were focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan and I think we each experienced the scripture in a new and revealing way. To say they dug deep into the Word would be an understatement.
The last couple of days of the trip, we went to Mexico City to visit with a Church Planting Ministry called La Conexión (The Connection) from their home church. The team was able to visit The Vicitica, which is a huge community of indigenous Roman Catholic Churches. Many felt the real presence of a dark spirit and were surprised at the depth of worship to Virgins and Saints and the minimizing of Jesus. It challenged each and everyone of us to search ourselves and any idols we may worship. They don't have to be false Gods like the Catholic here worship, but can be anything from our own comfort, to modern day technology and gadgets.
The evening ended with a debriefing unlike any we had ever experienced. The Samaritan Purse leader gave us an opportunity to do some spiritual footwashing to any or all members that "Wowed" us. Each person was impacted by another in a certain way and it was very inspiring. It really opens a person's heart to be more aware of how a person touches another. Even those who went through times of sickness were able to pray for the rest of the team and encourage them in that. It was also a time of healing for many that may have been offended by some of the discipline or rules that had been implemented or by the tension that can build when you have 20 people living in very close quarters.
All I can say is that the whole team Wowed us as host and we are forever grateful to their ministry and fellowship that brought revival to us in our service here.
Luke 10:25-28 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered; "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
Post a Comment