The Christian Expo ended on Sunday night. Apparently, it was a huge event, with over 40,000 people between Thursday-Sunday night!!
The evangelism seminar (called "You Can Tell It") that Armando conducted on Saturday went very well. Thanks for your prayers...his throat held up!
Tonight, he is in Acambaro, doing two seminars on relationships (The 7 Principles by Josh McDowell). He is very tired and his throat is still sore, so hopefully he can rest well tonight.
Now, for the exciting part! Armando has some relatives in Mexico City and he stayed at one cousin's house after the expo on Sunday night. Long story short, they stay up talking till the wee hours of the morning and his cousin ends up trusting Christ!! Praise God...one more saved!
I was thinking after hearing the exciting news, "What if the whole point of this entire 9-day trip was simply to gain one more soul?" Out of 40,000 people, one became a believer. Depending on whether you see the glass half empty or half full determines whether you will see this as something really great or really daunting. I choose to see this as something really great! You see, this particular cousin had a similar (horrific) childhood background as Armando. With enough follow up and development of her relationship with Jesus Christ, she can truly become a passionate Christ follower. SO, even IF there was only one believer out of 40,000 people, I believe that one passionate Christ follower can exert more positive influence and effect more change than numerous believers without passion.
Again, thanks to all who have been praying for Armando and for me. He will be back Thursday morning so I'm counting down! We would appreciate your continued prayers for continued safety and rest for him...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Mexico City Christian Expo
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!!
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!!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)