Hello,
It’s week 3 here at CSOM, another week of learning and outreach that keeps chipping away at my heart and showing me where I’ve been holding myself back from living completely for God. Absolute surrender. These are the words that keep echoing in our heads and challenging us to count the cost. We’ve all been dealing with a little spiritual warfare and wrestling with God in our hearts this week, as the more we learn, the more serious it becomes. A big theme for me as well in coming here is God opening my eyes to the misconceptions I’ve had about missions my whole life. I don’t even think that when I dreamed about being a missionary for these 10 years or so, I even wanted to be sharing the gospel, I thought just serving and doing humanitarian ministries was enough.
Last Monday, we went on an outreach to an area that used to be owned by El Chapo, now a small town. There, we visited a tiny Calvary Chapel run by a wonderful man who is an ex-con. He has devoted his life so much to God that he is willing to live by and minister to a community that has had such a bad break in life, they have made homes in the city dump. Whether that be by choice or not, there was no question that it was incredibly sad to see people living their lives in those conditions.
We set up a tent and went out inviting people to come listen to worship, hear a small service, and receive fellowship and prayer. Only 5 were willing to come, but they listened, and they worshipped, and the 3 women who came said they knew Christ, and had a beautiful light in their eyes that proved it true. Pastor Eddie has a growing number that come to his church, CC Homex, one of the church plants from CC Rosarito. He has plans to build a larger building, so casual about the amount needed, confident that the Lord will provide. At the end, we shared food and supplies, and invited them to come to his church on Sunday. I was beginning to see in action here what I was learning about how important it was not only to be sharing Christ with the world, but also to have a place of discipleship to send them to.
Our outreach Saturday was a little different, partnering with Calvary Chapel Playas and doing street evangelizing at a market, but it was with the same end goal of inviting people to a church. I confess I’ve been struggling with the evangelizing part on our outreaches, finding that despite my best intentions, I’m tongue-tied and fearing what people think of us. There were some learning moments for me as I watched my team members be so bold to share the gospel, and face rejection without care. God forgive me every time I was shocked someone actually wanted to hear about Jesus.
Studying God’s word and taking seriously what Jesus commanded his disciples before he ascended (Acts 1:8), I’m realizing that this is the call. This is the Great Commission. Sharing the gospel is the most important thing that should be on my heart. I feel so much conviction over my carelessness for the lost, worrying more about what the world thought of me than of sharing the truth of Christ. There is so much wrestling in my heart with God this past week. Pray for me for the courage of absolute surrender, and letting Him keep changing my mind.
Prayer Requests:
Pastor Eddie and his ministry at the dump, and his plans to build a bigger church.
The people we shared the gospel with at the street market, that their eyes would be opened and they would have willing hearts to understand.
Blessings,
Heather
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