Fellowship in the Gospel International 2011 (Mexico City) Day 4

We got going early Friday. Sam took us to the tallest aqueduct in Latin America. I know it doesn't sound that impressive. We joked that it was probably the only aqueduct in Latin America. It turned out to be a very valuable day of fellowship with our new Chelango friends. We spent lots of time fellowshipping with the brothers. We walked atop the aqueduct over a deep canyon stream. At two points there is a small arch we had to duck underneath. There's a pretty good picture of Mike going through it. Afterwards we hiked around the other side, walking across two different rope bridges that reminded me of a Indiana Jones adventure. At the end of the hike there was a little playground with some equipment/rides we had never seen before. One in particular was a big hit. Two different people ride it standing up. It twists around and seesaws. We really connected with each other as we laughed and talked and messed around.

Afterwards, we drove to Tepozotlan which was a really quaint little city that the local government has placed a lot of building restrictions on to keep it that way. We ate in an open-air restaurant facing the plaza and a spectacular view of the local cathedral. Some had steak, some had ram, all were well-satisfied. We then all walked around the plaza together, getting to know each other even better. The gospel truly has its own culture. Middle-American & North American cultures are no match. The friendships being formed were palpable. We shared candy and treats from the street vendors, walked through an old cemetery and then loaded up the two mini-vans.

Next stop: Alberto's (Nickname: Beto) condominium complex which has a portico that the residence can use. It was a perfect setting. We were excited to see that virtually all the same men were in attendance as the night before. The night began with all of us sitting on the ground in a circle (the chairs had not yet arrived) with Mike giving an explanation of and challenge about accountability groups. The Lord seems to be working among the Chelango brothers. Three of them have already expressed a desire to be involved in accountability. Praise God for allowing us to see some quick fruit.

We sang some more praise songs in Spanish. We knew most of them, but I'm facing the fact that the only reason I know the words to these songs that I love is because the words are on the wall in front of me or my wife is telling me what they are (just one of the million little ways in which my Courtney helps me). We heard some wonderful testimonies which included one Gringo (Scott) and two Chelangos: one testified that 17 years of Alcoholics Anonymous wasn't filling his heart but Jesus Christ now does; the other gave the most incredible testimony of how he tried to cross illegally into the U.S. and got lost in the desert without food or water for nearly a week,, and God saved Him from death in the desert and then saved His soul.

I taught the second session from Genesis 38 with the theme: "God's Uses Tamar's Deception of Disobedient Judah to Continue Judah's Family Line" (or "God Uses Even the Disobedience of His People to Fulfill His Covenant Promises" or "God Uses Even the Sins of His People to Save His People"). I really felt the Spirit's empowerment and the focused attention of the brothers. May God use His Word to change Gringos and Chelangos alike.

Afterwards, we had some refreshments and all the brothers fellowshipped...and fellowshipped...and fellowshipped. Somewhere in the middle of all that God spurred me to grab a young man who has been coming to church for several months but has not yet trusted Christ as Savior. We sat on the edge of the porch hanging our feet over and talked about his soul. I asked him what prevented him from trusting Jesus Christ for salvation. He responded that he didn't want to say a prayer and tell people he believed when he didn't feel like he knew enough. I told him that the only thing he needed to know was the good news of Jesus Christ. I explained the gospel again to him, shared how God saved me, and urged him to repent and believe. He listened intently and has shared our conversation with two of his friends. Pray for this young man to take Christ's burden which is light.