Today was THE big day of the trip, the day of the evangelism seminar. Just to give you a little background, through the recommendation of one of his mentors, Armando got certified with EvanTell, an organization founded by Dr. Larry Moyer, who has been teaching and training people a clear and simple and biblical way (a method) of sharing the gospel for 35 years. Giving an evangelism seminar was not Armando's original plan, but I believe it was God's all along. Through help from friends and lots of last-minute scrambling around, they were able to get the Spanish version ready in time for the trip.
The seminar was a success! Over 60 people from surrounding cities/churches came. Armando had some reservations at first because there were parts of the seminar that were different/contrary to what they have always known, but the material presented is thoroughly backed up by scripture. Well, everyone was very receptive and were thankful for having their eyes opened. Many of them even want to get certified themselves!
Armando wishes to thank you for your prayers! He is encouraged and very humbled by the experience of being used by God. Just imagine the possibilities, if those 60 people each presented the gospel to one person, then those people presented it to others...and from these little towns to surrounding towns and cities in a country that desperately needs hope. Please continue to pray that the people who attended will continue to share what they learned so the gospel will continue to spread in Mexico.
Armando is now in Acambaro and the pastor there has asked him to give the first 2 sessions of the seminar to the congregation. He will then be back in Mexico City Monday to continue the business portion of the trip. Again, please continue to pray...I may have more to report soon...
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Irapuato Church
Armando went to Mexico City on a business trip and was able to extend the trip to go back and visit the church in Acambaro as well as Irapuato. He flew to Mexico City, bringing with him some computer equipment for a business associate. Normally, they would have paid much attention to that, scrutinizing everything to see if they can collect taxes on something. However, what they made a big deal and thoroughly questioned him about were the evangelism booklets, pamphlets, and especially the Bible...apparently, the X-ray machine could not recognize the Bible, but then again we all know it's not just any ordinary book! They also leafed through the gospel booklets (which were in Spanish) and Armando offered to give them one, but they declined. Well, maybe next time...
He arrived by bus in Irapuato Friday and on Saturday he will be giving an evangelism seminar there from an organization based in Dallas called EvanTell. He was informed a few days ago that there will be over 50 people there, WAY more people than Armando expected. Please pray for open and receptive hearts and minds. Check back to see how the conference went...
He arrived by bus in Irapuato Friday and on Saturday he will be giving an evangelism seminar there from an organization based in Dallas called EvanTell. He was informed a few days ago that there will be over 50 people there, WAY more people than Armando expected. Please pray for open and receptive hearts and minds. Check back to see how the conference went...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Just The Beginning
Armando and Guillermo got home Sunday afternoon around 1:00 PM. The trip back was incredibly smooth and they even got unusually friendly immigration officers! He has SO many stories that I hope all of you will get a chance to hear sometime.
Armando just had a conversation with his cousin who attends the church and it was a very eye-opening...the kind of moment when you see in retrospect God's plan, and it wasn't necessarily what you had in mind. This trip for Armando was exploratory in nature in terms of how can we partner with them and how can we help in tangible ways. He brought leadership development messages for those in leadership already, which was received with much gratitude and excitement. What Armando didn't anticipate was perhaps THE biggest, most basic need the Acambaro church needed to learn and be shown was LOVE and COMPASSION. The reason Armando and Guillermo were received so graciously was because they actually showed love--they gave people hugs, they listened, prayed with individuals. Yes, other great things happened from the trip, but perhaps God sent them to Acambaro to show the church, "THIS is what you need for unity to happen, for you to flourish as a church! If the members are not even showing love and compassion for each other, why would anyone else want to step inside the church?"
They were all loving people individually, but left and right, Armando and Guillermo kept noticing the lack of love with each other. Armando even had to have a heart-to-heart talk with the pastor to confront him about the lack of the action of love in his congregation. From tonight's conversation, Armando was very encouraged to learn that certain people had their arm around their spouse, people were giving hugs to each other, playing/having fun with the gloves and baseballs Armando brought them (courtesy of a Sports training facility here in McKinney). He even learned that certain people who had stopped coming to church that he personally talked to, listened to, prayed with, were there at church on Sunday, happy and glad to be there! Imagine that!??! Something as simple as a hug, a listening ear, a prayer can change the course of someone's life!!
As the title says, this is only the beginning! Yes, the trip was very successful and lots of great things happened, BUT, there are also an abundance of needs. This is meant to be a long-term mission. There is much follow-up to be done. Continued prayers are needed. So friends, while this may be the end of these reports for this trip, this will not be the last about the Acambaro mission. God is not done working in that area. Spreading the gospel has become even more critical now that they have witnessed first-hand the need for it. Till next time, a heartfelt thanks for all your prayers for the trip. Let's praise God for the outcome! This is only the beginning...
Armando just had a conversation with his cousin who attends the church and it was a very eye-opening...the kind of moment when you see in retrospect God's plan, and it wasn't necessarily what you had in mind. This trip for Armando was exploratory in nature in terms of how can we partner with them and how can we help in tangible ways. He brought leadership development messages for those in leadership already, which was received with much gratitude and excitement. What Armando didn't anticipate was perhaps THE biggest, most basic need the Acambaro church needed to learn and be shown was LOVE and COMPASSION. The reason Armando and Guillermo were received so graciously was because they actually showed love--they gave people hugs, they listened, prayed with individuals. Yes, other great things happened from the trip, but perhaps God sent them to Acambaro to show the church, "THIS is what you need for unity to happen, for you to flourish as a church! If the members are not even showing love and compassion for each other, why would anyone else want to step inside the church?"
They were all loving people individually, but left and right, Armando and Guillermo kept noticing the lack of love with each other. Armando even had to have a heart-to-heart talk with the pastor to confront him about the lack of the action of love in his congregation. From tonight's conversation, Armando was very encouraged to learn that certain people had their arm around their spouse, people were giving hugs to each other, playing/having fun with the gloves and baseballs Armando brought them (courtesy of a Sports training facility here in McKinney). He even learned that certain people who had stopped coming to church that he personally talked to, listened to, prayed with, were there at church on Sunday, happy and glad to be there! Imagine that!??! Something as simple as a hug, a listening ear, a prayer can change the course of someone's life!!
As the title says, this is only the beginning! Yes, the trip was very successful and lots of great things happened, BUT, there are also an abundance of needs. This is meant to be a long-term mission. There is much follow-up to be done. Continued prayers are needed. So friends, while this may be the end of these reports for this trip, this will not be the last about the Acambaro mission. God is not done working in that area. Spreading the gospel has become even more critical now that they have witnessed first-hand the need for it. Till next time, a heartfelt thanks for all your prayers for the trip. Let's praise God for the outcome! This is only the beginning...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, Nov. 27
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:14-15)
Thursday was a low-key kind of day. Armando spent part of the day with his grandmother, his mom (also visiting) and other relatives and they had a Mexican food Thanksgiving. The Acambaro church has services on Thursdays and Sundays so they attended church in the evening.
They handed out care boxes to the kids and many were almost afraid to take them, but once they opened up the boxes, they all had big smiles on their faces! Kids here (as well as a big part of Mexico) are not used to getting gifts, so I'm sure it was quite exciting for them. Thank you to those who made all the care boxes...they were received with great delight! There are actually many kids in this church who attend without their parents...a couple of the members would sometimes go around town and ask parents they know if they can take their kids to church.
They had great church attendance today and had some non-believers as well, including Armando's mom and to his surprise, she was actually singing along during worship! The message happened to be on salvation...how fitting!! Armando was able to talk to a few people: one guy has never gone to church before and he plans to keep going; another person left church before, but has now come back...so, hopefully the message made a lasting impact!
Friday will be their last day in Acambaro and they plan to leave early Saturday morning and get to the border at night to sleep before heading back to McKinney. There are some important conversations he feels he needs to have with a couple of people before they leave, so if you have a moment, please be in prayer for that...that the holy spirit would guide those conversations. I may or may not have an update tomorrow, but for sure, I will update you on their travel and safe return...
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