Mexico 2006

Day 2: The Ministry begins...

A brief re-cap on our amazing day yesterday:

We all rolled out of bed and met in the hotel lobby at 8 am where Hilario greeted us. He and a few men took all of us to the orphanage in 4 run-down vans (We´re talking cracked windshields and check engine lights- but hey it´s transportation and we were thankful for it!). As we rolled up the dusty, pot-hole filled dirt road, we saw the old barbed wire framed building that was the Orphanage. Our hearts were full of nervous anticipation. We unloaded our supplies and gifts, and hesitantly walked into the building. We saw about 50 children seated in the room, awaiting our arrival. It was overwhelming to see the precious little faces so full of joy. We greeted them briefly, but then it was time to eat. Let me just tell you, everything (and i mean EVERYTHING) we have eaten here in Mexico has been MUY bueno... that´s "VERY good" for those non-Spanish speaking people :o) We then divided the children into groups by age, and started the vacation Bible school program. The older children seemed very receptive, and then there was Sharon Montogomery´s 3 and 4 year old class that was more like crowd control! Lauren, myself, Annie, Joanne, Melissa, and Kelly all came in for "back-up" haha We had kids basically climbing the walls, but you couldn´t help but chuckle. They were so adorable! Believe it or not, we actually settled them down and were able to teach them something! All-in-all it was so neat to see the impact we had on the children. You can´t help but fall in love with each and every one of them. It breaks your heart to know they either dont have parents or their parent(s) are in prison.

At the same time while we were putting on our vacation Bible school, Dr.Naus was in the building next door treating patient after patient. He came with $19,000 worth of donated supplies and medicines! It is incredible how the Lord provides! Hilario had passed out fliers around the neighborhood telling them that Dr. Naus would be there. There was a line waiting outside to see him. He saw 27 patients in 4 hours (which when you do the math is an INCREDIBLE amount). It is so neat to see everyone using the unique gifts that God gave them to serve!

The last part of the day was the most impactful. We loaded up the buses once again, this time including about 12 children and headed to the women´s prison. We were taking the children to see their mothers and also to share the gospel to the other prisoners. My bus was stopped on the way in and a "lovely lady" with a scar gashed across her cheek bone and a big gun (i´m not familiar with guns... but is was a BIG one) stopped us and questioned us. She opened the van door and started looking around. I won´t lie... I was a little scared. haha Anyways after some Spanish dialogue between her and the driver (none of which I understood), we were allowed to drive in. We all arrived to find out we needed identification to enter the prison, however none of us knew that prior to going. The majority of the group didn´t have i.d. with them. We were all ready to turn around and leave, when Pastor Luis said, "No, let´s pray!" So that´s what we did. We stood outside of the women´s prison with 3 other prisons in sight and stopped to pray. We asked the Lord for his will to be done and to open doors if we were to minister to the women. After Hilario made a phone call, within 5 minutes or less, the prison Warden arrived, and somehow we ended up being allowed to enter the women´s facility- all of us! We all went through their security procedures and eventually made it into the main "court-yard" area where we arrived to 560 women waiting for us! We all walked in, in a single file line wearing all black to be identified in the "sea of kacky and white clothing" (according to Daniel Naus). We opened in prayer, sang praise and worship songs (in English, Spanish and Portuguese), did a few dramas, and finally Alma preached an incredible message. It was amazing to see the faces and hearts of the women break. Tears filled there eyes and when the alter call was given, about 150 women came up to recieve Christ! It was moving to see the Lord work in such a unique situation. We knew at that moment that God´s hand was in everything and he had allowed us to enter the prison for a reason yesterday! These women who had no hope, now have hope and security in Christ! Praise the Lord!

We all headed back to the hotel absolutely exausted- physically and emotionally. We showered and went to get a quick bite to eat, which again was AMAZING! Thank you all so much for your prayers! We ask you to continue to pray for us, that we may be a blessing to Hilario, the children, and this ministry here in Guadalajara. Also, Pastor Luis, Mark, and Steve will be heading to the maximum security men´s prison this afternoon. We ask you to pray for their safety and also that God word put on their hearts the words He would have them speak. We love you all! God bless you!

-Tina

posted by BRCC Missions @ 7:33 AM