Today was the day for me. I mentioned Tuesday that I felt like I had become somewhat task oriented, and I needed to find a way to soak it all up. I did that today for sure. It felt a little odd disconnecting from the work load, but I feel great about the experience today. Nona and I were able to walk around two of the build sites and talk to everyone for awhile. Seeing Nona here, operating fully in her gifting, has been a blessing to me. It was so good to hear the stories of how our kids are falling in love with their families here and especially their bond the ninos.
I want to be able to honestly say that Mexico was more then a trip for me. That some how I am different from being here. I want to be able to feel the tangible hand of God move like I have so many other times in my life. That said, the day went by, pictures were taken and memories were made. We even got to experience a local vendor, Pablanos, coming in to the camp for dinner to prepare a meal for us. After that we attended an evening service at the neighborhood church where each of our families attend. The church that SMOV (student ministries of VA) partners with in this area. And that is where it all came together for me.
I have freely been able to worship here in our corporate times of worship. I always feel God in worship, but this church service was so special. Listening to them lead worship was a great cultural experience. Having the honor of leading worship for them was amazing. But ultimately where God really put it all together for me was during the story of Fernando and his family. Both bands had led some time in worship then Pastor Carlos began to share how God does miracles. He said that Fernando had recently been kicked out of his parents house where he had been stating. That despite him having a wife and 2 kids and even just recently loosing his job that his family had decided that he had to go and they completely turned there back on him and asked him to leave. He went on to say that they had heard of his story and had to move very quickly to get him on the list for this house. He said that they call his "the miracle house" not only because it had come together in only a matter of weeks, but because it is literally built into the side of a mountain. It is very difficult to get to, let alone build on. As Pastor Carlos told the story, Fernando put his head into his hands and being humbled by the retelling began to openly sob. It was hard for me to hold back my own tears, relating to his story somewhat myself. It has been less then 2 years ago that I lost my job and as faced with a lot of adversity, doubt and worry over providing for my own family. But this is where God stepped in. He went on to say that Fernando's prayer of need lined up with our prayers to serve. Add in God's ability to do exceedingly abundant things and you got yourself a miracle. Prayers get and answered! For Fernando, it was a bus load of gringos driving up his mountain to build him a much needed home for his family. For me it was a chance to lay down my guitar, leave the comfort of my American home and get a little dirty for someone who desperately needs a hand. Two prayers line up perfectly in the will of God to make a miracle happen. Simple formula for God, He has been doing this since creation, hard for us to sometimes grasp. Wow! Isn't God good!!
So for me, the build was what I thought it would be, the area was what I read it to be, the climate was what I was told it would be. But seeing the one true God, moving in the hearts of people the way HE does always completely blows my mind. The God of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, David and Soloman is the same God who today moves and inspires Fernando Gonzales and is the same God who brought us thousands of miles here to be moved.
I start my Thursday morning ready to finish our build and hand over the keys to a deserving family. The Gonzales family is not the family that I am building for. Larry King and Sherry Maurice's team have had to endure the mountain. But our family is equally loving and deserving of a new home. I am eager to see the what wonders the Lord has for us today!
be blessed, soon we head home! dave
Published on: Jul 21, 2011
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