Muy Especial.
Jul/29/2007 10:20 PM
Every week with Mission Discovery is unique and full
of blessing...but there are some weeks that stay with
you and this was one of them...
As I think I've mentioned before, Mission Discovery is a non-denominational Christian ministry tha facilitates churches in serving the poor. Each week brings a groups together of different Christian backgrounds to worship together. This past week we had one private Chrisitan school from Tennessee (mainly white), Antioch church from Sacramento, California and Mt. Olivet church from Portland, Oregon...the last two being primarily black churches.
Getting to spend time with these groups together was a reminder of how amazing the body of Christ is when they work together...each with their different preferences of music, clothing, and communication communication style...but one common purpose...honoring the name of Christ and reminding the poor that God has not forgotten them. They had so much to share and even came up with the idea of having a ribbon cutting ceremony for the family on dedication day. Antioch and Mt. Olivet were awesome. They hung with Caleb in worship, singing songs they didn't know...by the end they knew them all and two of the girls helped Caleb sing a song on stage.
We were also blessed to meet a lady named Ana...she was born without legs. We had the privilege of building a house for her. She has amazing courage and strength and actually got recommended for a house when she came into the DIF office (Mexican social service) looking for work. She said that she never imagined that she could have all of this when she received her home. I shared with her 1 Corinthians 2:9 ..."That God is able to do and give more than we ask or imagine." The mayor of Tecate attended the dedication of her house. It was very powerful.
Adding to the greatness, was money that my parents had sent to donate to a family in need...and sure enough I met Ana and knew exactly where the money was going. A group is coming in next week to a pour cement ramp and driveway so Ana can drive and come right up to her home and wheel herself inside. That task is impossible right now with the dirt road. So the money will go to build the driveway.
So, what I learned is...there is so much growth and joy that comes from spending time with people that are so different than I am...in race, education, SES, and language...I love it. I must admit...it saddens me to be heading back to my white suburban town...but I am going to make a conscious effort to get to know people do not look like me, talk like me, or dress like me...it keeps life interesting and it's good for the soul. Check out my Tecate album for more pics.
As I think I've mentioned before, Mission Discovery is a non-denominational Christian ministry tha facilitates churches in serving the poor. Each week brings a groups together of different Christian backgrounds to worship together. This past week we had one private Chrisitan school from Tennessee (mainly white), Antioch church from Sacramento, California and Mt. Olivet church from Portland, Oregon...the last two being primarily black churches.
Getting to spend time with these groups together was a reminder of how amazing the body of Christ is when they work together...each with their different preferences of music, clothing, and communication communication style...but one common purpose...honoring the name of Christ and reminding the poor that God has not forgotten them. They had so much to share and even came up with the idea of having a ribbon cutting ceremony for the family on dedication day. Antioch and Mt. Olivet were awesome. They hung with Caleb in worship, singing songs they didn't know...by the end they knew them all and two of the girls helped Caleb sing a song on stage.
We were also blessed to meet a lady named Ana...she was born without legs. We had the privilege of building a house for her. She has amazing courage and strength and actually got recommended for a house when she came into the DIF office (Mexican social service) looking for work. She said that she never imagined that she could have all of this when she received her home. I shared with her 1 Corinthians 2:9 ..."That God is able to do and give more than we ask or imagine." The mayor of Tecate attended the dedication of her house. It was very powerful.
Adding to the greatness, was money that my parents had sent to donate to a family in need...and sure enough I met Ana and knew exactly where the money was going. A group is coming in next week to a pour cement ramp and driveway so Ana can drive and come right up to her home and wheel herself inside. That task is impossible right now with the dirt road. So the money will go to build the driveway.
So, what I learned is...there is so much growth and joy that comes from spending time with people that are so different than I am...in race, education, SES, and language...I love it. I must admit...it saddens me to be heading back to my white suburban town...but I am going to make a conscious effort to get to know people do not look like me, talk like me, or dress like me...it keeps life interesting and it's good for the soul. Check out my Tecate album for more pics.
|
