I have almost made it three weeks! It’s so hard to think it has been that long! This last week has been great, but has been a struggle. I have not been able to communicate, and I miss all of you so much. I was sure before I came that it would be very easy to establish communication, but I had to remind myself that I am in a third world country. Since the last update so much has happened. Last Thursday I started going to the park in La Mercidad where a church feeds the homeless, prostitutes, and drug addicts. I met a guy named Soel; he was walking up to get food and fell and scratched his face pretty bad. He was high on a type of glue that they sniff here, homeless, and hating life. I picked him up sat him down, and began to love on him. He was so scared when I put my arm around him; I’m sure because he gets beat up a lot. I got him some food and we began to talk. He is 22 years old and his parents kicked him out of his house when he was 15. They live a block away and will not have anything to do with him. The park is full of people just like Soel, but my heart really broke for him. I shared the gospel with him and we will begin a bible study in the park this Thursday! In praying about coming the Lord laid upon my heart to start a bible study with six guys, and I had no idea how that would work. It’s so amazing that the Lord has already begun that process. In praying for our time together I have asked the Lord to prevent him from getting high this week so that he will be able to focus on what the Lord will show him. I truly believe Romans 1:16, which tells us that the gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it is my eager hope that that process would begin in Soel’s life this week. I also found out that there is a church of the santa muerte two blocks from our house. I will post pictures soon. I went in and had a brief conversation with the priest of the church, which has lead to another conversation this week, and I am going to go there to visit with him every Wednesday. When I walked into his office I was quite stunned at what I saw…On the top shelve of his bookshelf he had a statue of; Mary, Jesus, santa muerte, and Buddha. I felt like Paul walking into Athens in Acts 17. I also have had the opportunity to share the gospel with several of my classmates during our break time. There is still a huge language barrier but I am learning quickly. No one in the house I live speaks Spanish, and I have not been able to communicate with you back in the states, which in some way has been so good and the Lord has shown me great things in that.
After spending much time in prayer this last week Paco and I have decided to go to the Day of The Dead festival on Saturday to pass out gospels of John. This is a Catholic holiday, but the santa muerte have taken it a step farther. Whereas the Catholic Church honors the dead and spends the time remembering those who have passed, the santa muerte worship death itself. In Tepito they have blocked off four blocks to have a huge party that will be to honor the saint of death. It is literally worship of satan. Paco and I will go around ten in the morning on Saturday and stay there all day until it gets dark. We will spend the day sharing the love of Christ, and handing out Gospels of John with the hope of starting conversations. It says in John 1 that Jesus is the light of the world, and in 1 John 1:5 that in Him there is no darkness at all. Even the dark is light to God! Before I came the Lord showed me that these people don’t need me they need my God. It has been my prayer that I would be the display of God’s rightness, and a light to the nations.
Food for thought:
Yesterday here in Mexico was a huge day for the Catholic Church. It was a day that they honor a saint, and spend the whole day remembering him. There were so many people carrying statues of this saint all over the city. Parents dressed their babies to look like him, and there were so many teenagers as well as adults with statues. Last night when I was laying in bed I had a thought…”Who is this God that not only can be formed by human hands, but that needs a human to carry him around?!” Then it hit me! Here in Mexico they worship created things just was we do in the states, they just don’t try to hide it, or try to justify it by calling it something else. As stupid as I thought it was for these people to waste their time and money on a non-responsive piece of stone, how often do I do the same with idols in my life? Acts 17:24-25 says “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” And yet so often we even take godly things and make them idols. Lenard Raven Hill told a story one time of a girl in his church who wanted to be a missionary her whole life, and when she graduated college set out to do so. He didn’t have a peace about her being a missionary, or even that she was regenerate. They spent so long talking and trying to work through the issue, but she was afraid if she was saved God would not let her be a missionary. She was willing to sacrifice fellowship with the Father for missions! How often do we do the same? We all need to examine our heart and clear out the idols we have made.
Prayer Requests:
-English Bible study on Tuesday nights. We had twelve yesterday, and I shared the gospel. I feel like the Lord is working in the hearts of a couple people there.
-My fellow classmates at UNAM where I attend school. I have begun the process of sharing the love of Christ and believe He is also working there.
-The church. We meet in our house, and there is no more room. We had 25 last Friday in a very small living room. There is a house for sell across the street that is for sell and we are praying that the Lords will be done with it.
-I am starting this week to teach Paco how to prepare a sermon so that he can start preaching at the church as I disciple him.
-The bible study with Soel, and that the Lord will work in the park on Thursdays as we feed the needy.
-For our time in Tepito at the day of the dead festival on Saturday. That He would open the hearts of the people that the Lord will protect us as He sees fit.
Thank you all for your prayers and support as God works through Sing For Joy Missions to make His name known among the nations!
By Grace,
Jonathan
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Hola!
Hola!
Well, it has almost been a week since my arrival here in Mexico City, and what an amazing time it has been! After a very short plane ride, and a not so shot bus ride, which was really cool because the seats are soooo big and I was able to sleep some, I arrived in Mexico City Sunday morning around 8:30. I got picked up by a guy named David, he is an IMB missionary, and we came to Paco’s house. After we visited for a while and ate I took a nap, then Paco and Ely (Elizabeth) took me down to the center of Mexico City. There was a big fiesta going on down there for something. That evening we sat around the table and visited for almost three hours, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but I don’t speak Spanish and they don’t speak English! It is so cool how God allows us to communicate even passed the barriers of language. The next day we got on the metro and went to the University to check on language classes for me. They said I had to come back the next day and take an exam to see what class I would go to, and then the struggle to get me a cell phone began! We spent the whole day trying to figure it out, but to no avail. That evening Ely’s mom Juanita made enchiladas (not fake ones) and they were amazing! The next day I went to take my test and they told me I would be in Basico 1 (it’s the class for people who don’t know espanol). Then we met up with the IMB missionary that is over the whole region, his name is William, and spent the rest of the day with him. There is a school here for missionary kids to go to from several denominations, and William’s daughter goes to this school, so we visited it while picking her up. Her name is Deidra. There may be an opportunity for me to teach History and Logic there in the future. After that we went to an English class that William and his wife teach every Tuesday, it is a really cool ministry! They are teaching them English through the Bible. The next morning I met up with a man who works in the area of Tepito and he took me to Tepito for my first time. Please pray for the region of Tepito! I do not even know how to describe how it is. We went to an area near Tepito first and helped serve food and drinks to the homeless drug attics, and prostitutes. It was such a sad sight. I began to share the gospel with a young kid probably around 13 or 14, and his sister a prostitute not much older than I. As I was sharing Christ with them the young boy started smoking pot while right in front of me. I have been all over the world, and I have never seen a scene like that one. I was pretty sure that was the worst thing I would ever see, and then we took a bus to Tepito. Like I said, I don’t even know how to describe it other than it is dark. Finally today I started school! I really like it! I have made a few friends there already, and may have a chance to teach a bible study during our break once a week. We start at 8:00 and it ends at 12:00 Monday through Friday. During that time we have a break, and I think the Lord may open a door for me to have the Bible study during that time. God is so cool! I saw a couple people standing outside the classroom who looked like they were probably from Africa, so I asked them where they were from, and they said two of them were from Haiti, and one from Africa. I got so excited, so I asked the guy where in Africa and he said Zambia! Yeah! Crazy! I have been to both of those countries! But even more amazing, there are 72 dialects in Zambia so most people speak English. This guy speaks the same dialect that they spoke where we worked! Out of 72 what are the chances?!?! I got to use some words that I still remembered! Then I find out that there is a guy from the Congo in my class! So amazing this sovereign God we serve! This afternoon we finally got all the paper work turned in for my phone, so I should have it by Monday. Thank you all for your prayers and support. The Lord has a huge plan for the area of Tepito, and I am glad we get to share in that work!
A word of encouragement:
This is a verse I read this morning…
1 Thessalonians 2:8, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us”
I read a quote a long time ago that said; “People are one of three things to you: scenery, machinery, or ministry.” It means people are either like a tree we just pass by and look at, someone who serves us as a machine, or a person that is in need of the grace of God. It has been my prayer all day that I would not only share the gospel here, but that I would also pour my life into the people around me. Just as Paul said, that I would be willing to invest my life in the people that God has placed in front of me even if it cost me my life. I believe that is what it means to be a Christ follower. We should all strive to get to the place in our lives where we will pour out our life so that others would know the love of Christ.
Prayer Requests:
-That God would continue to mold me and shape me to look more like Him.
-For the area of Tepito. We will be going to visit the homeless/drug attics/prostitutes every Thursday afternoon and early evening.
-Please pray that I would learn the language quickly!
-For the school I go to, and the possibility of a bible study there.
-I know this may be a selfish one, but I miss home a little, because I can say that I was truly loved there, and it nature to miss those that love you.
-I am teaching at the church that meets here at our house Friday at seven, then preaching Sunday, then teaching again next Tuesday at the English bible study.
By Grace,
Jonathan
Well, it has almost been a week since my arrival here in Mexico City, and what an amazing time it has been! After a very short plane ride, and a not so shot bus ride, which was really cool because the seats are soooo big and I was able to sleep some, I arrived in Mexico City Sunday morning around 8:30. I got picked up by a guy named David, he is an IMB missionary, and we came to Paco’s house. After we visited for a while and ate I took a nap, then Paco and Ely (Elizabeth) took me down to the center of Mexico City. There was a big fiesta going on down there for something. That evening we sat around the table and visited for almost three hours, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but I don’t speak Spanish and they don’t speak English! It is so cool how God allows us to communicate even passed the barriers of language. The next day we got on the metro and went to the University to check on language classes for me. They said I had to come back the next day and take an exam to see what class I would go to, and then the struggle to get me a cell phone began! We spent the whole day trying to figure it out, but to no avail. That evening Ely’s mom Juanita made enchiladas (not fake ones) and they were amazing! The next day I went to take my test and they told me I would be in Basico 1 (it’s the class for people who don’t know espanol). Then we met up with the IMB missionary that is over the whole region, his name is William, and spent the rest of the day with him. There is a school here for missionary kids to go to from several denominations, and William’s daughter goes to this school, so we visited it while picking her up. Her name is Deidra. There may be an opportunity for me to teach History and Logic there in the future. After that we went to an English class that William and his wife teach every Tuesday, it is a really cool ministry! They are teaching them English through the Bible. The next morning I met up with a man who works in the area of Tepito and he took me to Tepito for my first time. Please pray for the region of Tepito! I do not even know how to describe how it is. We went to an area near Tepito first and helped serve food and drinks to the homeless drug attics, and prostitutes. It was such a sad sight. I began to share the gospel with a young kid probably around 13 or 14, and his sister a prostitute not much older than I. As I was sharing Christ with them the young boy started smoking pot while right in front of me. I have been all over the world, and I have never seen a scene like that one. I was pretty sure that was the worst thing I would ever see, and then we took a bus to Tepito. Like I said, I don’t even know how to describe it other than it is dark. Finally today I started school! I really like it! I have made a few friends there already, and may have a chance to teach a bible study during our break once a week. We start at 8:00 and it ends at 12:00 Monday through Friday. During that time we have a break, and I think the Lord may open a door for me to have the Bible study during that time. God is so cool! I saw a couple people standing outside the classroom who looked like they were probably from Africa, so I asked them where they were from, and they said two of them were from Haiti, and one from Africa. I got so excited, so I asked the guy where in Africa and he said Zambia! Yeah! Crazy! I have been to both of those countries! But even more amazing, there are 72 dialects in Zambia so most people speak English. This guy speaks the same dialect that they spoke where we worked! Out of 72 what are the chances?!?! I got to use some words that I still remembered! Then I find out that there is a guy from the Congo in my class! So amazing this sovereign God we serve! This afternoon we finally got all the paper work turned in for my phone, so I should have it by Monday. Thank you all for your prayers and support. The Lord has a huge plan for the area of Tepito, and I am glad we get to share in that work!
A word of encouragement:
This is a verse I read this morning…
1 Thessalonians 2:8, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us”
I read a quote a long time ago that said; “People are one of three things to you: scenery, machinery, or ministry.” It means people are either like a tree we just pass by and look at, someone who serves us as a machine, or a person that is in need of the grace of God. It has been my prayer all day that I would not only share the gospel here, but that I would also pour my life into the people around me. Just as Paul said, that I would be willing to invest my life in the people that God has placed in front of me even if it cost me my life. I believe that is what it means to be a Christ follower. We should all strive to get to the place in our lives where we will pour out our life so that others would know the love of Christ.
Prayer Requests:
-That God would continue to mold me and shape me to look more like Him.
-For the area of Tepito. We will be going to visit the homeless/drug attics/prostitutes every Thursday afternoon and early evening.
-Please pray that I would learn the language quickly!
-For the school I go to, and the possibility of a bible study there.
-I know this may be a selfish one, but I miss home a little, because I can say that I was truly loved there, and it nature to miss those that love you.
-I am teaching at the church that meets here at our house Friday at seven, then preaching Sunday, then teaching again next Tuesday at the English bible study.
By Grace,
Jonathan
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Departure
Dear friends, family and blessed saints in Christ Jesus,
As many of you know the Lord is closing one chapter of my journey and beginning to scribe the next, or finish the story all together. For the past four years I have had the great privilege of serving as the associate pastor/ youth pastor of Grace Baptist Church here in Salado, TX., and what a sweet time it has been in my life. I have never felt more loved than I have in the last four years. Thank you church. Philippians 1:6 says "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." I truly believe that Jesus is the "Author and Finisher" of my faith, and He will surely do it. On Saturday October 11th I will get on a plane and fly to Monterey, Mexico where I will take a bus to Mexico City, Mexico. There is an area there called Tepito that I will be serving in. It is a rough area of around two million people. There is a cult there called the Santa Muerte, which means St. of death or holy death. The streets of this dark place are lined with statues of the Santa Muerte where people of all ages and backgrounds seek happiness in these idols made by the hands of sinful man. I will arrive in Mexico City on Sunday the 12th, and will start language school on the 14th. The Lord has opened a door for me to live with a family near the area that I will be working in. Their names are Paco and Elizabeth. They have started a church in their home, and have agreed to assist me in any way they can. I will be traveling into the area of Tepito in the mornings walking the streets prayer walking and meeting people, then in the afternoons I will attend school. It is my hope that within the first year I will meet a few guys and start a Bible study with them, and as the gospel changes their lives, and start a church in Tepito. This area of Mexico is called the "Heart of Darkness", and I believe that even the dark is light to God, and that Jesus is the light of the world. I want to be the mirror that will reflect that light that the world may see the glory of the Father. Psalm 92:4 says "For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy." It is my deep passion that the people of Tepito would see the works of the Lord and sing for joy! That people would see the gospel radically transform peoples lives as they are regenerated and this would erupted in endless praise of the King, and transform the country of Mexico, and spread to the ends of the earth.In closing I want to thank each one of you who that God has used to shape and mold me. In life there are many ups and downs, trials and tribulations, good seasons and bad ones, but through them all I can truly say I am loved by the King. The puritans used to say the valley is the place of vision, Oh! so true that is. "as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20
See you in Glory!
By Grace,
jonathan
Prayer Request:-I do not speak Spanish well. Pray that i would learn quickly.-I have never met anyone in Mexico City. Pray that God would allow me to make friends.-Tepito is a dangerous place, so pray that I would have discernment about when to be out and when not to be.
As many of you know the Lord is closing one chapter of my journey and beginning to scribe the next, or finish the story all together. For the past four years I have had the great privilege of serving as the associate pastor/ youth pastor of Grace Baptist Church here in Salado, TX., and what a sweet time it has been in my life. I have never felt more loved than I have in the last four years. Thank you church. Philippians 1:6 says "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." I truly believe that Jesus is the "Author and Finisher" of my faith, and He will surely do it. On Saturday October 11th I will get on a plane and fly to Monterey, Mexico where I will take a bus to Mexico City, Mexico. There is an area there called Tepito that I will be serving in. It is a rough area of around two million people. There is a cult there called the Santa Muerte, which means St. of death or holy death. The streets of this dark place are lined with statues of the Santa Muerte where people of all ages and backgrounds seek happiness in these idols made by the hands of sinful man. I will arrive in Mexico City on Sunday the 12th, and will start language school on the 14th. The Lord has opened a door for me to live with a family near the area that I will be working in. Their names are Paco and Elizabeth. They have started a church in their home, and have agreed to assist me in any way they can. I will be traveling into the area of Tepito in the mornings walking the streets prayer walking and meeting people, then in the afternoons I will attend school. It is my hope that within the first year I will meet a few guys and start a Bible study with them, and as the gospel changes their lives, and start a church in Tepito. This area of Mexico is called the "Heart of Darkness", and I believe that even the dark is light to God, and that Jesus is the light of the world. I want to be the mirror that will reflect that light that the world may see the glory of the Father. Psalm 92:4 says "For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy." It is my deep passion that the people of Tepito would see the works of the Lord and sing for joy! That people would see the gospel radically transform peoples lives as they are regenerated and this would erupted in endless praise of the King, and transform the country of Mexico, and spread to the ends of the earth.In closing I want to thank each one of you who that God has used to shape and mold me. In life there are many ups and downs, trials and tribulations, good seasons and bad ones, but through them all I can truly say I am loved by the King. The puritans used to say the valley is the place of vision, Oh! so true that is. "as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20
See you in Glory!
By Grace,
jonathan
Prayer Request:-I do not speak Spanish well. Pray that i would learn quickly.-I have never met anyone in Mexico City. Pray that God would allow me to make friends.-Tepito is a dangerous place, so pray that I would have discernment about when to be out and when not to be.
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