God is moving in Mexico.
Today, I had the joy of attending a Pentecostal church near where I live. As I came in, the worship team was singing "Dessert Song," by Brooke Fraser of Hillsong. We sing that song back home in Montana and believe it or not, that song had been running through my mind as I got ready for church this morning. The Holy Spirit began to fill me up as I was able to join in worship with my Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ. There are no words to adequately explain the feeling that comes while worshipping with the body of Christ, even when you don't speak the same language. I am so grateful that I too was able to feel God's precious presence today.
Thank You God that You do not limit Yourself to one language or people group.
Not only was the worship time moving, but the pastor preached about having our thoughts renewed by the Lord and having the mind of Christ. He gave several Scriptures, so I was once again able to follow along and receive Spiritual food. Recently, my thoughts have been more on the negative side. I've been paying attention to the things that are frustrating here, instead of focusing on the good that God is doing. God spoke to me in His loving way today and reminded me that His thoughts are not my thoughts, and neither are His ways, my ways. (Paraphrased from Isaiah 55:8) He encouraged me to renew my mind, so that I can be transformed. (from Romans 12:2)
God, thank You for feeding me from Your Word and for renewing my spirit through worship. You are so faithful and You supply all my needs. Thank You!
Please allow me to close with the words from the song I mentioned in the opening paragraph. They are very powerful and were extremely fitting for me to hear today. Maybe they will speak to you as well.
All of my life, in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing.
I have a reason to worship.
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Ahh...Life in a foreign country!
Here's the summary of my past three days. I moved to a different house on Saturday and learned the quirks that come with living in a house in Mexico. This included climbing on the roof to check the gas and water tanks. Sunday, I unpacked/settled in, tried out the bus route for school and got some more groceries. I finished out the day by winning a fight against a huge cockroach. This morning, I turned the light on and the bulb blew, so I changed it and then promptly shattered another one on my tile floor. After cleaning that up, I got ready for school, walked to the bus stop and took the wrong bus yet again. Now, if that's all you read, you might think that things here are kind of crazy, but let me insert a few wonderful things that have also happened in the last three days.
On Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting the Kerry and Mauri. They are missionaries here who work with the surrounding indigenous peoples. They helped me move, but they did not just transport my belongings. Kerry checked all of the necessary things in the house, which included climbing on the roof and showing me how everything works. He got the water running, checked toilets and pipes, etc. Being a single girl, I cannot even express what a help and relief that was to me. Then, we went to Pizza Hut for lunch (their treat) and to Sam's club for a new mattress and some food supplies. They helped me figure out the ATM machine (everything seems to a challenge for me here) and took me home to help set up the new mattress and get the food inside. All while encouraging me, asking how I was doing and even giving me helpful tips about the area where I now live. And, what I didn't tell you, was that they had just finished working with a team for 2 weeks, were leading a Bible study shortly after they left me, and their daughter was flying in from the States that evening! They showed me Jesus' love in action.
This morning, I met a man working at the shop near my house. I needed to get change for the bus, so I planned to buy something on my way. When I showed him my 100 peso bill (a little less than $10.00), he explained that he didn't have change. I thanked him, but told him that I needed the change for the bus and that I didn't have anything smaller. He pulled out his wallet, asked what I needed for the bus and gave it to me, along with the drink I was going to buy. In my broken Spanish, I thanked him several times and explained that I lived nearby and would pay him back tomorrow. Honestly, I'm not quite sure what he said in response, but he seemed like he wasn't worried about getting the money back. What a kind and caring person.
Unplanned things happen wherever we live. We all have days when we wish things had gone differently, but I hope that through it all, we can see the hand of God at work in our lives. This weekend was busy and I had a couple unnerving moments, but God provided just what I needed in those moments. He brought people, His children and others, to help me. Boy--am I thankful for that! What a great God I serve!
On Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting the Kerry and Mauri. They are missionaries here who work with the surrounding indigenous peoples. They helped me move, but they did not just transport my belongings. Kerry checked all of the necessary things in the house, which included climbing on the roof and showing me how everything works. He got the water running, checked toilets and pipes, etc. Being a single girl, I cannot even express what a help and relief that was to me. Then, we went to Pizza Hut for lunch (their treat) and to Sam's club for a new mattress and some food supplies. They helped me figure out the ATM machine (everything seems to a challenge for me here) and took me home to help set up the new mattress and get the food inside. All while encouraging me, asking how I was doing and even giving me helpful tips about the area where I now live. And, what I didn't tell you, was that they had just finished working with a team for 2 weeks, were leading a Bible study shortly after they left me, and their daughter was flying in from the States that evening! They showed me Jesus' love in action.
This morning, I met a man working at the shop near my house. I needed to get change for the bus, so I planned to buy something on my way. When I showed him my 100 peso bill (a little less than $10.00), he explained that he didn't have change. I thanked him, but told him that I needed the change for the bus and that I didn't have anything smaller. He pulled out his wallet, asked what I needed for the bus and gave it to me, along with the drink I was going to buy. In my broken Spanish, I thanked him several times and explained that I lived nearby and would pay him back tomorrow. Honestly, I'm not quite sure what he said in response, but he seemed like he wasn't worried about getting the money back. What a kind and caring person.
Unplanned things happen wherever we live. We all have days when we wish things had gone differently, but I hope that through it all, we can see the hand of God at work in our lives. This weekend was busy and I had a couple unnerving moments, but God provided just what I needed in those moments. He brought people, His children and others, to help me. Boy--am I thankful for that! What a great God I serve!
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