Fellowship in the Gospel International 2011 (Mexico City) Day 6

Sunday finally arrived so that we could meet and worship with the entire church family. This would prove to be a river of worship and sweet fellowship. The church grounds are quite an oasis. The property originally was a recreational park open to the public. Apparently this was the case for some 15 years. Thereafter, it was used (by the current owner) as a family get-a-way. It is a perfect setting for the church. It is a 1.75 acre piece of land, approximately 100 feet wide and 700 feet deep, and is stepped down on various platforms to negate the continuous slope from the front to the back. There is a playground, an eating area, an in-ground pool, a volleyball court, a frontenis court, an out building with bathrooms, a large building that serves as the sanctuary which has three different levels: one large meeting area, one step-up to a wet bar, and one more step-up to the "kiosko" which is a octagonal room with lots of window surrounding an eating area and with a look-through to the sanctuary.

So many new friends are now ours. One of my favorite introductions was to an older woman, Eladia (Alejandro's abuela or grandmother). She was the Eva Wesman of Iglesia de Nueva Vida (New Life Church). Such a kind and joyful lady. Her grandson, Alejandro, had this impressive "spinner" belt buckle that was like a spinning tire rims. I remarked on how cool it was. Later that day he came up to me (translating through Sam) and handed it to me as a gift. I was flabbergasted. Even though it is potentially offensive in Mexico to refuse a gift, the bond of Christ I believe trumped the potential offense. I put my arm around him and told him that though I was so moved by his kindness, I was too old for such a cool gift, and that I merely wanted the gift of his friendship. What a special blessing from God.

Another wonderful experience was seeing all of the children running around and kicking soccer balls, simply enjoying their surroundings. I so hope that God's good pleasure will include the church being able to purchase the land. I understand that they have about 50% of the purchase price in hand. The men prayed together for many things, including God doing something unexpected and spectacular to obtain it for them.

The church service was a blessed gathering. Gary preached a powerful message out of Genesis 50 with these opening words: "We have seen in the Joseph Story that God is actively at work in the major events of history, but have you ever considered that God is at work in the events of your life?" In addition to Genesis 50, he led us to various other Scriptures to support his three main points:

(1) God's servant humbly submits to God's plan,

(2) God's servant rests in His covenant promises, and

(3) God's servant lives expectantly.

It was, I believe, used powerfully on a number of levels, including capping the men's conference with the culmination of Joseph's story as well as challenging the church on so many issues that are prominent in the church. I was given the opportunity to pronounce a benediction from 1 Samuel 8:56-58 which pretty much summed up the conference and Gary's sermon:

"Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us,as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers."

Following the worship service, the Chelangos and the Gringos played volleyball and frontenis into the late afternoon. Mike & I held the court for a good while. Mike with one good leg played the back court while I played up. We had a blast and probably played 20 games.

We said goodbye to many of our new friends and then made the trek back to our temporary residences: Don, Chris, Von, Jeff C. & me to the Hornbrooks...Gary & Scott to Shangri-La formerly "the Cold House" (Rene, Ofelia & Michelle's home)...Justyn & Tom to Shangri-La 2 (Carlos' house across the street)...and Mike & Chuck to Shangri-La 3 (Alberto's house).