With so much to unpack from this past week, our first full week down here in Rosarito, I’m extremely grateful. God is using this School of Missions class, not only getting us equipped in the Word by experienced servant leaders, but also leading us into opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus in these communities. We are getting to partner with multiple church plants, joining in aiding the local outreaches, and God is providing opportunities left and right for the good news to be spread.
The first outreach we did was at the dump in Tijuana. We partnered with Calvary Homex and their pastor, Eddie. The outreach included a sweet time of worship, testimonies, a message, and lunch. I got my first experience of what’s referred to as language frustration, wherein I so desperately wanted to talk freely with these people, but the language block made it difficult; this is the importance behind learning a language for the sake of the gospel! What struck me the most about the outreach however was the heart of Calvary Homex and their pastor. From a conversation with him I learned that they do a dump outreach about once a week, and he knew the handful of residents we spent time with. These are his people, they are his mission field and the objects of his labor of love. This heart couldn’t be better represented than by the painting I got to see while in his office; it’s of Jesus washing the feet of His disciple Peter (John 13:1-17). During the drive back from the dump, our car had an enlightened discussion on this type of leadership; how the Lord can so powerfully use a humble, devoted, and Spirit-filled man.
On Wednesday we had the amazing opportunity to caravan to the different locations where Calvary Rosarito has congregated throughout the past 21 years. The progression was inspiring to witness, and it naturally culminated in the midweek service at their current location. It’s evident from their faithful congregation and their heart for church-planting that Calvary Rosarito has been led and sustained by the Lord from the beginning. I’ve learned firsthand that having no expectations allows for the Spirit to lead me to some special encounters. We got to eat some famous Rosarito tacos and while waiting in line Pastor Tim and I got to pray over a man (Karin) who stood behind us. We invited him to church and Tim shared the gospel. I was honored to pray over him. These kinds of opportunities have come about during so many conversations that we’ve had with local members of the community; all glory to God.
We did two more outreaches on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday we worked with Calvary La Gloria. We ran a children’s ministry in the back parking lot, with worship, games, crafts, a message, and a skit. I had the honor of teaching a message from Daniel 3; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the fourth man in the fire. The whole day was a blessed time where the love of Christ was shared and it ended with a pulled pork dinner and a movie (Jesus Revolution).
In His divine timing the Lord is keeping my hands open in faith as He will’s to give or take away. The week’s reading assignment was a book by David Platt titled “Radical“. Needless to say it’s a scripture-filled expository view on the purpose of the Church, and how it so often differs from the “American” church. I got to read a good chunk of it with a friend, Nathaniel, who visited for the weekend; I couldn’t believe how hard-hitting some of the concepts were as I found myself humbled in my perspective, but ultimately inspired to continue to seek the Lord’s will in being a more eternally-minded man, fully living out the Great Commission. I’m so grateful for the prayers and the partnerships throughout this process, and I’d love to connect with any one of you who may have more questions or would like to partner with me through prayer and/or financially.
Praise Reports
- The successful outreaches and many gospel-fueled conversations and opportunities.
- The clarity and help that the Lord has so graciously and lovingly given me through the spiritual warfare.
- The nuggets that the Lord is providing, in regards to calling and a heart for the nations.
Prayer Requests
- That the individuals we got to witness to and love on will get plugged into the churches and surrender their lives to Jesus.
- That Karin would pursue Christ, sharing Him with His family, and that we’d see them at Calvary Rosarito!
- That I would be able to keep up on my reading for this next week, (“Absolute Surrender” by Andrew Murray, and ‘The Baptism With the HOLY SPIRIT‘ by R.A. Torrey).
‘Til Kingdom come,
