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| Ministry group from Santa Clara |
First,
they sent out two young ladies who went around the town and past out gospel tracts
with scripture verses from the Book of Romans and one from Revelation* and they
told the people about a meeting at the entrance of town by a restaurant just
two houses from Juan’s house. Then about a half an hour later they started
playing music and sang songs through a good sound system. There were
testimonies between songs and a short gospel message and invitation at the end.
I did my best to seem interested as I stood or sat with others, even thought I
didn’t understand most of what was being said. (I even took picture of the
group before and after.)
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| People listing from back of truck |
At
the end of the preacher message and invitation, I wanted to see if there was
any response. So I told Juan I was going closer, because it was dark and the
lighting was poor, and he wanted to come with me. As we walked closer, the
preacher started to get excited. Then I realized that the he though we were
coming forward for salvation. So I turn to the side to meet with one of Juan’s
friend who was from the ministry group. Then Juan explained to them, who I was
and introduced me to the young people. Then I met the minister who came over to
us. We shook hands and then I explain that I was called by God to come to the
poor in the Kingdom of Mexico, even though I didn’t speak much Spanish. He was
very kind, friendly and then left.
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| Young people from the ministry group being silly |
However,
the young people where more excited and friendly and they gave me their names
and talked to us. I shook their hands and gave each of my sisters in Christ a
big hug; they all laughed and liked it and so did I. Then I took their picture
and they loved that too. (I have really missed the warmth of Christian fellowship
and worship, but that will change in time.)
Now
the Gospel message has been presented in Spanish at La Manga, but the results
only confirmed my belief. It will take more than words, even in Spanish, to
change the hearts of people. It will take the power and presence of the Heavenly
Father demonstrated through His sons and daughters, and that is why I believe
I’m here.
The
next day was restful and nothing exciting had happen yet, until that even when
Juan asked me to go night fishing with him and his helper. He said it would
only be a few hours, because he didn’t like to fish when there was too much
moonlight; it seems to limited the success of fishing, but he would try it anyway.
We when out in his boat to a cove a few miles away and put down a long net and
then we went a couple more miles away near some cliffs and rocks. Then Juan
went down in his diving suit with an air hose attached to a makeshift air compressor.
After over an hour he had only caught three fish, but he was still in good
spirits as he sang and whistled on our way back to where the nets were. Juan then
caught a few more fish by diving, and said there were about 20 other fish in
his net, but he would leave it there to catch more. While I was out in the boat
under the half moon, I though of how the disciple must have felt when Jesus was
with them on their boat. He was also there with me and we enjoyed that night
being together.
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| Walking in the moonlight with God |
Two
days later I met Russell, a middle age American and a very good friend of Juan.
He lived in the next city, San Carlos and was a master scuba instructor. He
also spoke Spanish very well and he had brought with him some boxes of new schoolbooks
that were bi-lingual for Manuel’s school. He was able to convey for me some of
my feeling to Juan, including that I believe Juan would be a great spiritual
leader like the Apostle Peter. And that God was going to really bless the
community of La Manga. Russell for some reason loved the book of Ecclesiastes
and it was his favorite book in the Bible.
Russell
was able to give me some history on La Manga and the people. The church was
built by the community in 2006, and it was not own by the Catholics. The
community’s efforts were written up in a number of Mexican newspapers. In 2002
there was a big hurricane that came through this area and the storm surge of
water put sand on the second floor of some resorts; you can imagine what is did
to La Manga. The city was cut-off and people had to be rescued; some men stayed
behind to protect what were left of their homes. That is why so many homes are
made of scrap wood and metal, because that was what they had left to work with.
La Manga II was abandon after the storm. Then after the church was built there
was years of droughts until this past year. These people are survivor and know
how to help one another. He also told me, how good and friendly they are and
being invited to eat with them was considered an honor that one should not refuse.
Russell said he would eat whatever was put before him, and then related one of
his first experiences when he ate with some of them. There was octopus and sea
cucumbers for meat along with some vegetables and it was all cooked in a big
rusty barrel.
I told
Russell that I too would try to eat whatever was put before me. Then I shared an
experience that I had that past week when I was offered some barbequed meat in
a tortilla. It smelled good so I took a few bites. At first it tasted okay,
because of the seasonings and sauce, but then the aftertaste hit me, and my
stomach said no more. So I gave the rest to a dog nearby when no one was
looking. Later that day I saw where it was cooked and tried it again when they
offered me more. Maybe I just had a bad piece of meat the first time. However,
my reaction was the same and so was my option, though I told no one. So Russell
asked Juan, who was listen to us, what it was that we all ate the other day.
Then Russell explained to me, that during the night someone hit a wild pig
(boar), with his or her car. Then someone else found it the next morning and to
them it still looked okay to eat, so they butchered it and then cooked it in a
very large saucepan over an open fire and everyone else ate and enjoyed it. (That
right, I ate road kill.) Russell explains that even pork in Mexico doesn’t
taste the same as pork in the United States, and I for one can agree to that
one. I thanked Russell for helping La Manga and sharing what he did. Maybe God
will use this man to help me communicate to the people later on, but whatever
happens, I asked God to bless and use him.
A
couple days later, I met Megan and Jack, at the beach not far from where I park
at night. They were in a mini-home so I ventured over to meet them that morning.
They are a lovely couple from Vancouver, British Columbia and they keep a 35-foot
sailboat dry docked in San Carlos. I got to witness to them, for about three
hours, of the love of God and what He has done in my life over the years,
including many miracles, the changing of my name and my calling to Mexico. I blessed
them and even prayed with them and told them their lives would change, because
of God’s divine appointment and that God honors my words. I also gave them one
of Sheldon’s cards with my blog site on the back and then gave each a hug
from God.
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| Mac's little house |
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| Juan with Mac |
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| More beautiful children |
Everyday
God keeps bring more and more people into my path and life to touch, that are
meant to have an encounter someday with the Heavenly Father and that give me
great joy and pleasure to be a part of that process.
*
Most of the verses references from Romans and the one from Revelation dwelt
with sin and judgment. Only one Romans 5:8 spoke of God’s love and that’s what I
believe more people need to see and hear.
