Stars stand out at night against the black sky. We observe them because they shine so brilliantly in contrast with everything else in the heavens. Like the stars, God’s people stand out in a dark world. Their words, actions, and lives drastically contrast with those of people living in a dark world of sin. If you follow Jesus, don’t expect to fit into the world. Your life will stand out like a star in the heavens. (NLT)
Many more stars are shining in Mexico. Over 400 Mexican people asked Jesus into their hearts during the Easter and Spring outreaches in Mexicali, Mexico through YUGO Ministries.
We have just recently returned back to Canada after a one month stay in Mexico. This time was filled with many life changing events.
Our first week in Mexico we joined other missionaries on staff doing background preperation work so others could experience front line, hands on evangelism in the local villages.
One responsibility Rod, Rebekah and I took very seriously was preparing picnic lunches for 521 youth and adults who daily went out and shared the love of Jesus with the Mexican people. Do you have any idea how many sandwiches 521 people require. Well over 700 hundred per day! We are grateful for the many hands that pitched in and helped.
One day I stopped to ponder this task of making sandwiches for so many. I looked around and stopped to listen to the many stories. These youth were excited about their experiences with bringing the Mexican peoplChrist.
One group shared about the village they were ministering in. This village hadn’t had a missionary visit them in over eighteen years. These Mexican people were thrilled to have the gospel shared with them. Many of these villagers were touched with the eternal truth of God’s word. They heard the words, “Christo te ama” meaning “Christ loves you” in English.
This brought back many memories of how Rod and I felt on our first missions trip with YUGO Ministries five years earlier. I then knew being a part of having others experience front line missions was a great calling in our lives.
Did you know that many of the people at the first week of outreach were Canadians. We had groups from Centre Street Church and Calgary First Baptist Church from Calgary, Bal Moral Bible Chapel from Red Deer and Airdire Kionania Christian School from Airdrie. Yeah Canada!
Rod and I as the representatives from YUGO Canada were ecstatic to see so many Canadians “En fuego para Cristo” or in English “On fire for Christ”.
Rebekah continues to have a great love for the Mexican children. Daily she would join YUGO’s missionary Sharon Nelson in the Ejido of Sinaloa. Rebekah joined Sharon in feeding the children, teaching them Bible stories in the park and of course, just plain having too much fun. I went to visit Sharon one afternoon. We heard much giggling and laughter. When we went to investigate, I stopped short in my tracks. There, right before my eyes, were all the kids covered in mud. Rebekah had this sheepish look on her face, not sure what my reaction would be. In Canada we have snowball fights. In Mexicali they have mud fights. We thank God for running water, especially in Mexico.
Our second week of outreach was equally as exciting. With only 120 at the outreach Rod, Rebekah and I joined other staff taking part in a children’s ministry in a nearby village. As the week progressed we drew closer to the children. It didn’t take long to realize the hugh barrier ahead of us not knowing much of the language or the culture. We have much to learn.
We were able to sneak in some family time with Rod’s sister and family in Los Angeles as well as help participate in celebrating my dad’s 70th birthday in Arizona.
The remainder of our trip was spent in Tijuana with other missionaries. We had the opportunity to see where we will live and work. What an honor to be able to serve the Mexican people.
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