Mission trip to Mexico
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)
Yesterday 20 people, including 9 from our youth group, traveled to El Eden Mexico (near Piedras Negras) for a one-day mission trip. The purpose of the trip was to provide food, winter clothing, and toys for the residents of this small community. Approximately 200 people met us at a house and we became part of the community's Christmas celebration.
I imagine that everyone that went on the trip was struck by something different. I was touched by how much they take advantage of what God has given them. As the youth pastor, I was invited to sit with the other pastors (including our pastor and the pastor of the Nazarene church in Piedras Negras) and some of our church elders in the kitchen of our host's house. I entered the room to take my seat only to find out that they had cooked our meal on a fireplace built into one corner of the kitchen. I was amazed to find that a meal had been prepared for somewhere between 150 and 200 people using a fireplace. I was also humbled to think that I wouldn't dare attempt to cook for that many people in my kitchen. Clearly our host was taking every advantage of what God had provided to her. I doubt I'll ever forget that moment - even as other parts of the trip fade into my memory.
There is one other event from yesterday's trip that I would like to describe. Until yesterday I had never heard someone sing a Psalm directly from the Bible. Yesterday, near the end of the program, a man stepped forward with a Bible in his hand and began to sing a Psalm. Toward the end his wife accompanied him. Since they were singing in Spanish I didn't understand a word, but the beauty of the music touched my heart.
Let your light shine before men - support the missions work of your local church!