December 2024 Update
The word “Posada” in Spanish refers to an inn or place of lodging, but it also happens to be the word used in Luke 2:7 where the Bible says, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the INN.” The Mexican culture has adapted this word to refer to any and all Christmas parties, the implication being that we make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives during the Christmas season.
In spite of everything going on here in our war-torn city, Calvary Culiacán was the site of many “posadas” this year. In all of them, the Gospel was preached, and many people surrendered their lives to Christ. I like to think that they received the greatest Christmas gift ever given – the gift of salvation which began with the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And what better way to celebrate Christmas than with a brand new relationship with Christ!
POSADA #1 – Calvary North Ladies’ Group
Our first “posada” was held on December 14 for our women’s ministry. It was a very well-attended event with many first-time visitors. We shared some amazing food, great worship, and fellowship in addition to sharing the Word of God. After an encouraging message about how Jesus is the solution to all of our problems, 9 ladies made the life-changing decision to surrender their lives and will to Jesus and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. What a great start to the Christmas season!
POSADA #2 – Calvary North Servants
The following day, we held our second “posada” for all of the people who serve in our church – not just the pastors and leaders, but everyone that serves actively in one or more ministries within the church. Rather than hosting the event in the evening as we have always done in the past, we held the party right after our Sunday morning church service so that everyone would be able to attend without fear. The sermon was entitled “Case Closed with Dr. Pilate,” and we learned about 3 things that took place during the judgement of Jesus: 1) Jesus chose to save our lives instead of His own, 2) the people still chose the wrong man, and 3) Barrabas (translated “son of the Father”) was saved. The message was so stirring that another 9 people gave their lives to Jesus that day. While it didn’t happen during our party, it certainly gave us more reasons to celebrate, and we had a very merry time.
Check out all of the photos and videos from the event here! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10164584161064325&type=3
POSADA #3 – Calvary North General
Our third “posada” was after the following Sunday’s service and was for everyone at our church. While there were no professions of faith made that day, many people heard the Gospel story for the first time through the Christmas story, and we know that God says His Word never returns to Him void, “But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11). We shared food, fellowship, and lots and lots of fun with special presentations from our children’s and youth ministries, Christmas music, and of course, a piñata!
Check out all of the fun photos and videos here! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10164584257624325&type=3
POSADA #4 – Transformadas (Rehab Center)
But my favorite of all of our Christmas parties was the “posada” we held for the ladies at the rehab center. What an enormous blessing and privilege it was to be part of that event!
As we entered the living area of the center, the first thing that greeted us was a wall decorated with a fireplace scene, a small wire Christmas tree, and stockings – 60 stockings to be exact – one for every woman living at the center.
The ladies were excited for our visit, because they knew we were going to do something special for them, and as a result, every woman that wasn’t doing chores was in attendance – nearly 50 in all!
We started off by singing a couple worship songs, something we don’t usually have time for, but since it was a special occasion, we spoiled them with two great songs.
Next, we had a short teaching about the Christmas story, or to be more precise, about the first “posada” where Jesus was NOT received. We taught them to learn from the mistakes of the people of Bethlehem and be sure to make room for Jesus in their hearts and lives, giving Him the place He deserves as our Lord and Savior and recognizing Him as the best Christmas gift ever. What a perfect message for a Christmas party!
As a result, another 9 ladies made first-time professions of faith after hearing the message. And led by the Spirit, I gave a second invitation with a more specific explanation, and even more women prayed to give their lives to Christ!
After those prayers, we taught them the story of the candy cane and how it teaches the Gospel story. The ladies were pleasantly surprised to discover the Gospel message in the popular candy.
Then, we continued with a memory verse Christmas bow challenge. To win a prize, the ladies had to recite a memory verse they had learned during our ministry, then select a bow to see which prize they won. We laughed as two women tried to pass off common sayings as Bible verses… But were shocked and amazed when Katherin recited half a chapter for us!
After that challenge, the women had the opportunity to stay in the meeting room and make a manger ornament with a Bible verse in it. Seeing many of the ladies hang their finished ornaments on the patio Christmas tree made me smile.
Others chose to head over to the kitchen area to get some great homemade cupcakes and cookies and Christmas snacks, a real treat after not being able to enjoy those things during their internment. Mandarin oranges and peanuts are a must at all Mexican “posadas” … though no one seems to know why. Lol!
And at some point, almost all of the ladies made their way to the main patio area to play some fun games.
We started with a hilarious straw game. Without no hands, they had to carry a straw across the patio between their nose and upper lip and insert it into a Coke bottle, then run back and tag their next teammate. We played round after round until I finally ran out of straws. Even the older women played, including 81-year-old Lidia!
The second game was just as entertaining. We played a Christmas relay race version of tic-tac-toe where the ladies had to run to the large tic-tac-toe board on the floor and place their cup or plate, then hurry back to tag their next teammate until one team managed to arrange three in a row. Their excited cheers and squeals of laughter filled the patio as they hilariously ran, slipped, and blundered their way through the game, leaping with joy as they won. Seeing them play like happy children, temporarily forgetting about their addictions, loneliness, and troubles, made everything we did that day worth it.
And, of course, the presents! We were able to collect enough presents to ensure that nobody left empty-handed! From make-up to hair accessories, hygiene products to undergarments, candies to coffee mugs, and much more, everyone either won or received at least one gift, and many went away with very full pockets. My heart was warmed as one after another told me that they had gotten exactly what they wanted for Christmas. Isn’t God amazing?
Playing with the girls was such fun, for us and for them! Giving out presents was a great privilege and joy.
But maybe the greatest joy for me was serving alongside my children. After helping with the craft project, Sammy helped referee the games while Ruby took pictures – quite a feat when you consider that she was able to capture every detail of the experience without invading the women’s privacy.
JESUS, THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
So, this past Christmas season, in spite of living in a war zone, we were able to enjoy ourselves to the fullest while watching the family of Christ grow by leaps and bounds. Just counting the people I personally witnessed surrender their lives to Christ this month, we now have more than 60 new brothers and sisters in Christ!!! Now, that’s the way to celebrate Christmas!
PRAYERS, PLEASE!
Continue to pray for us as we head into the New Year. On January 9, we will be heading down to Nayarit again to train the 7 untrained pastors in and around Los Gavilanes along with their wives and other men and women that want to teach the Word using our very own church-planting materials. Cramming a 16-week course (32 hours) into 2 days is going to be beyond challenging, but with God, all things are possible. You can pray for:
- The church-planting class teachers (me included)
- The children’s ministry team (including Sammy)
- The medical team who will be doing a medical brigade
- The construction/maintenance crew that will be repairing/renewing the church
- Our health with 90-degree days and 40-degree nights in tents, and the grueling 16 hour trip (half of it off-roading in the back of pickup trucks)… twice!
Continue to pray for my prioritization of ministries and the complete healing of my neck and herniated discs, for Ruby’s job and her desire to join the women’s rehab ministry team, and Sammy’s schooling and calling as he also wants to get involved in ministry again.
And as always, don’t forget to sign up to receive my newsletters if you haven’t already done so. Click the link below or scan the QR code at the bottom.
And if the Lord lays it on your heart to support us financially, we are only about 30% support-funded at this time, and I would love to be able to dedicate less time to secular work, so I can dedicate more time to the ministry. Click the link below or scan the QR code to send a one-time gift or become a monthly donor.
God bless you as you continue to support this ministry in your prayers and with your finances.
