Who is our Mediator?

"For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can recive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under the first covenant." (Heb 9:14b-15)"For God did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf."(Heb 9:25)

Just a few days ago I was able to visit the basilica, La Villa, which is dedicated to the virgin saint Guadalupe - or as she is now called Maria Guadalupe, the mother of Jesus. This basilica was constructed because a man "encountered" or had a vision of her on this particular hill, and she told him to construct a temple in her honor. So, in order to make a long story short, he did. This happened in the 16th century, approximately. Currently, at this location there are three temples built in honor of this saint. Masses are held daily, where people pray to her for her to intercede on their behalf. They also bring pictures of this saint, and have them blessed so that they can bring them home, and therefore recieve a blessing on their homes. Once a year, a great pilgrimage takes place where people crawl up to the basilica whipping themselves, and hoping to gain favor and forgiveness for their sins.

As I admired the architecture of the different buildings, I couldn't help but feel sad for the people who believe that this is the way to heaven. Later I came across the verse quoted above. It speaks the old covenant, which for the Jews meant salvation by works and sacrifices, and where a priest mediated and interceded on the people's behalf for the forgiveness of sins; was being replaced by the new covenant in Jesus Christ. He is our mediator before God. We don't need priests, or Mary or any of the other saints to take our prayers to God and convince Him to help us. We have direct access to God through Jesus. Jesus died so that this is possible. I often forget and take for granted the magnitude of what Jesus has done for me and for everyone. This trip and this verse reminded me, and I am so thankful. But more is necessary. People need to know. It isn't enough that I realize and accept this gift, I need to tell others - because people are seeking, they are just looking in the wrong places.

Caring Hearts Medical Brigade

On October 2nd, I had the opportunity to travel up to San Luis del Rio Colorado for a medical brigade. This brigade is organized by Caring Hearts and has been held annually for 15 years or so. The group was made up of about 70 people, 50 of which came from various places in the States, mainly Pennsylvania. The people who came were mainly medical people who took there vacation time to come down to Mexico to serve. It really was an amazing experience. Everyone was divided up into groups of approximately 12 people, and then we went to different sites to hold the clinics.

All in all, with all the different clinics for the whole week, we saw almost 5,000 people. Each clinic had a ministry aspect which distributed beans and rice and a Bible to each person who came through. We distributed 8 tons of beans and rice, and according to the records approximately 1,000 people came to a saving knowledge of Christ.

I was a part of group that went out and did two three-day clinics. Our first clinic was about an hour away from the orphanage where we were staying in a little town of Riito. We were assisted by the leader in the town. We held the clinic in a government owned building, and all he really needed to do was open it for us, but instead he stayed all day with us all three days. It was not one of the busier clinics but this gave us an opportunity to build a relationship with this leader. He was a very nice and helpful guy, and because of his leadership position, not someone that we would have expected to reach for Christ. On the last day of that clinic, in the morning during group devotional time, we were given a chance to pray for our various clinics. All of us felt a specific need to pray, for God to work, and to give our ministry leader, Ricardo, boldness, and for the people who were helping us out to be open to the gospel. That day was slower than the other two, and Miguel (the leader) started talking to Ricardo about the Bible and God. He was a catholic, which here means he was involved in the worship of a saint, or idolatry. He had some relatives who were evangelical Christians and others who were Jehova Witnesses, and he was really confused about what was right. Ricardo was given the boldness that we prayed for, and he showed Miguel in the Bible what was right and shared with him the gospel. And after all that, Miguel prayed and accepted Jesus as his personal savior. We were all so excited. Here was a man we really had not thought would come to know Christ, but he was searching and God allowed us to be a part of His work in this man's life. This is especially exciting because Miguel is a respected leader in this town. We can only hope and pray for what God is going to do in this town as a result of Miguel. And because the orphanage is a known and established ministry in San Luis, and because Miguel met some of the full time workers there, he will have the support he needs as he grows in his relationship with God.

It was a very exciting time. It was great to meet people in the medical profession who have a heart for missions and come every year to serve in San Luis and the surrounding areas. The trip did not meet my expectations at all, it exceeded them. Although I was exhausted afterwards, I am still so thankful for the opportunity that I had to go - not because of the medical experience I gained but because of how I got see God work.

Jesus is the Way!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go with my new friend, Veronica, to visit her cousin overnight. Her cousin has just moved to Mexico City and was lonely because her husband was away all day while she was stuck in the apartment all by herself with two kids under the age of 2.

I agreed to go with Veronica, because I saw it as an opportunity to see more of the city as well as have some time hanging out with and getting to know my new friend. I didn't realize that I would be thanking God for being who He is, and allowing us the opportunity to be in a personal relationship with Him.

Veronica did not tell me before we left that her cousin and family were mormon. When she told me, I did not think much of it. I have friends who are mormon, and I like them, and what they believe does not really ever come up, so it really has never been much of an issue with me. We had a good time, but after yesterday and today, I am so thankful for what a wonderful God we serve.

God allows us to have a relationship with Him, our salvation is not based on works. There is nothing secretive or demanding about our faith. As we grow in our relationship with God, our love for Him grows and He shows us what to do and how to follow Him. We have leaders who help guide us and support us, but they do not tell us what to do based on some secret message or inspiration they recieved. Anything that is told to us is Biblically based, and we can read it and have God tell us Himself if it is right and we should do it. God is our authority, and He is who we follow.

I thank and praise God that He has allowed us this freedom to search and know Him, personally. That we are saved through faith, not by works. We are forgiven through Christ. He is the only way - but He is also the best way.

On a Mission

This summer, at my home church, I participated in the VBS program, "Sonforce Kids". The theme was we are agents for God and we are on a mission. I agreed with the idea, and thought it was cool but it did not really strike home until this evening. I have been reading through C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity", and several things he said are so amazingly true. One thing in particular has to do with this agent idea. Here is his quote because there is no way I can say it better than he does.

"Enemy occupied territory - that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disquise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. When you go to church you are really listening in to the secret wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious to prevent us from going."

How neat is that?! Scary, yes! Any war is, but that is what we are in, a spiritual war. Satan is trying to keep hold of this world and its people. God is trying to win it back. We are His agents and when needed, His soldiers. We meet together and are strengthened by fellowship with other believers, and are taught how to live, and then we go out.

The Free Methodist theme is One more soul. We are going out, reaching one more soul for Christ as we spread the good news, and as we do we gain more ground. We are winning! Satan may try to discourage us convince us that it is a losing battle, and that we should give up - but the war is already won! Isn't it great to be on the winning side?

God Answers Prayer!

God is amazing! He is so good to us, and it is wonderful to know that He listens and answers us when we pray. Last Friday I was praying that during my time here God would show Himself and how He was working in people's lives here in Mexico City. I was praying generally for the whole year, and I did not expect Him to show me so quickly. The following day, I had an opportunity to talk with a young lady who goes to the church, and she told me her testimony.

Two years ago she was hospitalized, she thinks that it started out as depression but it resulted in her being physically ill. She was in considerable pain all the time. The doctors prescribed many different medications and she became very dependant on them. Finally, the doctors perscribed morphine for the pain. It reacted with the other medications she was taking and she was unconscious for a few days, and when she woke up she had lost some of her memory. It also apparently led to some other mental imbalances. One day a lady from the church came to her and her family and said that they were depending on doctors and medicines to help her, but God was the one who was going to cure her. They prayed over her, and she was healed. She was able to get off the medications, her pain was gone, and she was mentally stable. She is still recovering her memory, but she praises God for healing her, and has learned to depend on Him in a way she never has before.

Isn't God amazing? Not only in answering my prayer the very next day, but also in how He works. I praise God for this young lady and for the work He is doing in many other people's lives around the world.

I have arrived!

I have arrived safely to Mexico city. All my luggage arrived, and I made it through customs and immigration without any trouble. I am living with the missionary family, the Millers. They are giving time for me to settle in before putting me to work. Although I look forward for something to do, I am also very thankful to have these few days to get acclimated. Mexico City (at least where I am) is at a high altitude, so it is about 75 degrees here today, and at night it cools down considerably. The Millers live across the street from the Free Methodist church, up the street from the grocery store, and in between there is a bread store, fruit stand, and a chicken slaughter house - where you can buy very fresh chicken everyday. There is also a park nearby, which is primarily a soccer field, with a little basketball court and some slides and swings off on the side. Apparently this is a very safe neighborhood during the day. At night it is not as safe - but you just avoid walking around alone and you are fine. Other than that, this is a nice area with mountains practically in the backyard - and a pyramid at the top. I am looking forward to visiting it.

Thats all for now.

Welcome

Hello everyone!! Welcome to my very first blog, designed to inform you, my family and friends, about what is going on during my VISA trip to Mexico City. I plan on trying to keep this as up to date as possible so that you will be able to keep me in prayer during this exciting adventure. Currently, I am at home, working and raising money for my trip. I have a training and orientation to go to before I leave in August. Thank you so much for your prayers and interest!