The first part of this trip was to attend a Christian Expo in Mexico City from Thurs, Oct 22 through Sunday, Oct 25 as an exhibitor with EvanTell. This is the first time we have even heard of it so Armando and crew did not know what to expect. It's been an interesting few days! There are MANY rules they have to follow as exhibitors and they have to be there at their booth from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, which was a bit shocking to hear, but I guess many people come even that late!
Many ministries are represented, including some pretty weird ones--one particular one was giving out evangelism tracts as well with some pretty scary pictures on them.
Their booth is fairly hidden; however, God has brought many people their way. In fact, by Friday night, they were down to the bare minimum as far as evangelism tracts and other material. Many are very interested in bringing the evangelism seminar to their churches! One church leader that Armando talked to wants him to come in January. Armando told him that if he can get about 40 people together, he can fly there on a weekend...the guy said, "How about 200 people?"
Please pray for Armando's health. He has had a sore throat, but it may also be a combination of having to talk so much. This morning (Saturday), he was supposed to be at a church in Mexico to give the You Can Tell It evangelism seminar, so hopefully, his voice held up. I'll find out the next time he calls me.
Till next time, thanks for all your prayers for Armando and the whole EvanTell team!!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A Certain Man's Reality
Tuesday night, they traveled 2 hours to a church Salamanca, where other surrounding churches were invited. Armando gave a message on the 7 Principles of Relationships, by Josh McDowell. Besides reaching people with the love of Jesus Christ, this message comes second as something he is very passionate about because too often, especially in the small towns, kids become adults having NEVER heard their parents say a simple, "I love you" or "I'm proud of you." Then the cycle starts over because it's what they know.
Well, let me share with you a certain man's reality. Before Armando speaks, he normally talks or at least shakes people's hands. A man comes up to him and with sarcasm says, "I KNOW who you are! We'll see what you have to say!" almost challenging him. Well, apparently he got something out of the message because he came up to Armando again at the end and shared his heart...
This man's father used to beat him up, sometimes until he was bleeding! Even more tragic was the fact that his father was a minister! I believe he still is and was actually there as well for the message. How sad that a child would grow up in this contradiction!
Now an adult, this man is still very much emotionally scarred. He was very emotional as he shared with Armando. He has been looking for a job, but has been unsuccessful. He is very discouraged (to say the least) and said he is tired of waiting for God to provide.
This man's reality is not unique to him, but join us in praying for him...that he would have peace of mind, for doors to open for him as far as employment, and most importantly, that he would truly know the greatest love from his heavenly father!
Again, thank you to all who have been praying for this trip. It is truly a blessing and such an encouragement to us! They arrive Friday morning. Till next time, praise God for what He is doing in Mexico and for what He will continue to do!!
Well, let me share with you a certain man's reality. Before Armando speaks, he normally talks or at least shakes people's hands. A man comes up to him and with sarcasm says, "I KNOW who you are! We'll see what you have to say!" almost challenging him. Well, apparently he got something out of the message because he came up to Armando again at the end and shared his heart...
This man's father used to beat him up, sometimes until he was bleeding! Even more tragic was the fact that his father was a minister! I believe he still is and was actually there as well for the message. How sad that a child would grow up in this contradiction!
Now an adult, this man is still very much emotionally scarred. He was very emotional as he shared with Armando. He has been looking for a job, but has been unsuccessful. He is very discouraged (to say the least) and said he is tired of waiting for God to provide.
This man's reality is not unique to him, but join us in praying for him...that he would have peace of mind, for doors to open for him as far as employment, and most importantly, that he would truly know the greatest love from his heavenly father!
Again, thank you to all who have been praying for this trip. It is truly a blessing and such an encouragement to us! They arrive Friday morning. Till next time, praise God for what He is doing in Mexico and for what He will continue to do!!
Monday, July 13, 2009
An Exciting Testimony!
This story was too exciting and required its own special post, although, I apologize as I did not get specific names...
During the EvanTell certification class, there was a guy who ended up having to leave before the class was over because his wife's grandma was very ill and was in the hospital. But, before he left, they prayed over him, specifically for things that pertained to boldness in sharing the gospel as the grandma was a non-believer.
Now, before the guy got to the hospital, the grandma had been in such pain and anguish (probably making sounds of misery). However, as soon as he got there, the grandma stopped and said to him, "I've been waiting for you." He was extremely nervous about sharing the gospel with her, but gathered up courage and did it--other relatives were present in the room. With the method he had just learned, he was supposed to ask if she had any objections to trusting Christ at that moment, but before he could even finish, the grandma declared her trust in Jesus Christ!!! She then said, "Tonight, I'm finally going to be able to sleep in peace."
That's not the end of the story...As he was leaving, one of the grandma's sons came up to him wanting to talk and one thing led to another and the gospel was also presented to him. He didn't vocally declare his trust in Christ, but did confess he was an alcoholic and said he was tired of living the way he had been living.
The guy then returns to the certification class and shares what had just happened and enthusiastically affirms that the method (what they had just learned) really works!!
Just imagine, with this guy's new-found passion, even if he is the only one who ends up giving evangelism seminars in his area, that is ONE MORE laborer fully passionate for God's work and it is ONE MORE person in the process of "producing" more Armando's and Guillermo's, for the work is GREAT in Mexico and the laborers are few...Let's pray for MORE, even if it is one person at a time!
During the EvanTell certification class, there was a guy who ended up having to leave before the class was over because his wife's grandma was very ill and was in the hospital. But, before he left, they prayed over him, specifically for things that pertained to boldness in sharing the gospel as the grandma was a non-believer.
Now, before the guy got to the hospital, the grandma had been in such pain and anguish (probably making sounds of misery). However, as soon as he got there, the grandma stopped and said to him, "I've been waiting for you." He was extremely nervous about sharing the gospel with her, but gathered up courage and did it--other relatives were present in the room. With the method he had just learned, he was supposed to ask if she had any objections to trusting Christ at that moment, but before he could even finish, the grandma declared her trust in Jesus Christ!!! She then said, "Tonight, I'm finally going to be able to sleep in peace."
That's not the end of the story...As he was leaving, one of the grandma's sons came up to him wanting to talk and one thing led to another and the gospel was also presented to him. He didn't vocally declare his trust in Christ, but did confess he was an alcoholic and said he was tired of living the way he had been living.
The guy then returns to the certification class and shares what had just happened and enthusiastically affirms that the method (what they had just learned) really works!!
Just imagine, with this guy's new-found passion, even if he is the only one who ends up giving evangelism seminars in his area, that is ONE MORE laborer fully passionate for God's work and it is ONE MORE person in the process of "producing" more Armando's and Guillermo's, for the work is GREAT in Mexico and the laborers are few...Let's pray for MORE, even if it is one person at a time!
Leadership Conference & EvanTell Certification
Saturday was the much awaited leadership conference (the 2nd year in Mexico), where 3 messages from last year's Leadership Summit was shown. Over 50 people attended the conference, with 4 surrounding states/5 cities represented.
A presentation by the CCBT (Center for Church Based Training) Rep was also made, which was a big hit! The other message that was a hit was the Summit message by Craig Groeschel entitled "It." Overall, the conference was a success and hopefully, each church leader who attended got something that God wanted them to hear and act on in their local church!
On Sunday, the team was in Irapuato (NW of Acambaro) for the certification class by EvanTell's director of international ministries, David Souther, with Armando/Guillermo translating for him. 19 people came to the class(including 6 women, 4 of them as last-minute registrants). Basically, to be certified meant they would become trainers (as Armando and Guillermo are) giving evangelism seminars using EvanTell's resources and method of teaching/sharing the gospel clearly and simply. If you have never heard of them, check out their website (evantell.org). Something from their website summarizes what they are all about, "For 35 years EvanTell has existed for one purpose...to declare the Gospel clearly and simply around the world." It's very exciting because this is the first time EvanTell will have certified anyone in Mexico!!
Monday, they are back in Acambaro for a little rest. Armando will be spending a little time with his maternal grandmother, who has Stage 3 cancer, as well as his mother, who has been taking care of the grandmother. Both need our prayers: for peaceful and pain-free last days for the grandmother, and for renewed strength, peace, health for Armando's mom (she also has some painful health issues that she is suffering from).
Tuesday night, Armando will be in Salamanca to present a Josh McDowell seminar, called 7 Principles of Relationships. More on that on the next post. Till next time, thank you for your continued prayers and being a part of this adventure/God's work in Mexico!!!
A presentation by the CCBT (Center for Church Based Training) Rep was also made, which was a big hit! The other message that was a hit was the Summit message by Craig Groeschel entitled "It." Overall, the conference was a success and hopefully, each church leader who attended got something that God wanted them to hear and act on in their local church!
On Sunday, the team was in Irapuato (NW of Acambaro) for the certification class by EvanTell's director of international ministries, David Souther, with Armando/Guillermo translating for him. 19 people came to the class(including 6 women, 4 of them as last-minute registrants). Basically, to be certified meant they would become trainers (as Armando and Guillermo are) giving evangelism seminars using EvanTell's resources and method of teaching/sharing the gospel clearly and simply. If you have never heard of them, check out their website (evantell.org). Something from their website summarizes what they are all about, "For 35 years EvanTell has existed for one purpose...to declare the Gospel clearly and simply around the world." It's very exciting because this is the first time EvanTell will have certified anyone in Mexico!!
Monday, they are back in Acambaro for a little rest. Armando will be spending a little time with his maternal grandmother, who has Stage 3 cancer, as well as his mother, who has been taking care of the grandmother. Both need our prayers: for peaceful and pain-free last days for the grandmother, and for renewed strength, peace, health for Armando's mom (she also has some painful health issues that she is suffering from).
Tuesday night, Armando will be in Salamanca to present a Josh McDowell seminar, called 7 Principles of Relationships. More on that on the next post. Till next time, thank you for your continued prayers and being a part of this adventure/God's work in Mexico!!!
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