After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…”
Tonight we experienced a taste of what that moment will be like when we worshipped together with a local church here in Mexico, The House of Prayer. Though we spoke a different language there was no mistaking the presence of our Lord. There was a joyous spirit of worship and this was indeed a house of prayer. I had the privilege of bringing greetings on behalf of Valley, with a young man from the congregation translating.
At the end of the service the Team assisted in the distribution of food to some of the women in the congregation. The bag consisted of a kilo of rice, beans and corn flour and a litre of oil. One by one the women would receive a bag from one our Team members who blessed each of the families receiving
a bag. For me the part of my joy was watching our Team. We shared in a wonderful experience together.
Tuesday was a long day; the Team worked hard on the build site. I need to mention the tremendous work the girls have done for two days – painting the outside of the house, the outhouse and shower and all
the trim, as well as lending hand whenever asked! The guys worked on the middle wall of the home and then began to build the rafters for the roof. Wayne was busy cutting, John, Len and Albert put the rafters together and laid the sheeting for the roof. My job? When I wasn’t talking with the Team members, encouraging and thanking each one, I did get put to work, carrying, lifting and lending a hand where I
could.
As I watched our Team in action, there was a sense of being well-pleased, as each one served selfishly, with a ‘wherever I can help spirit’. There was much laughter and joy as we served together. At one point I thought the roofing had John and Albert stumped, but in the spirit of Valley, ‘we made it work’. Nicolasas worked in the yard, cleaning and sorting and the children once again helped with the painting. As part of our gift to the family, they received a new concrete sink and wash tub.
I fully expected in this part of the world, to see a measure of poverty; what I did not expect was the ‘filth’ (I use this word, not to be unkind, but because it’s the only word that describes the conditions we see around us.) The living conditons of this family is beyond imagination. I’m not sure my mind will ever be able to grasp what my eyes have seen. I wonder, what impact house might have on this family? How might God change their lives, especially the children, whose faces and occasional smiles betray what appears to be a joyless life?
I saw sign on the bus ride down, ‘Pray for Mexico’; prayer will change things! And so will the generosity
of churches like Valley; your gift is a blessing beyond words to this family and the families who received the food bags!
Thank you Valley!