Ten years of mission training and another great PMT trip! Thanks to Minister Isaac Santiago Jimenez, overseer for Mexican District 6; Dr. Erick de la Garza; their team of leaders; and the members in Guadalajara for a superb job! The team from the U.S. represented Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Washington, North Carolina, and Minnesota. The entire group of leaders, cooks, worship bands, including those from the U.S., numbered nearly 60. The team included several student missionaries from the state of Aguascalientes, also part of District 6 of the Iglesia de Dios (Séptimo Día). Following lunch break, we put our classroom training to work through activities like an orphanage visit, clown and mime acts in a convalescent home for the elderly, and a service dinner with a local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the plaza our team reached out to a large crowd already gathered. They distributed gifts, Bibles, and questionnaires. They also presented a skit. (See a video clip of the skit that inspired us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSwCOs-uXzU). The team also visited a local hospital to visit and pray for patients. It was beautiful to see how we impacted so many people for Christ in such a short time. One activity that was especially a blessing to us was the brigade (“brigade”), which is a team of people providing services such as free haircuts, clothes distribution, medical consultations, and the like to the public in a very poor neighborhood. As in other years, we were very blessed to learn how to reach others for Christ and to make lifetime friendships.
Erin Stacy I never would have guessed, stepping off that packed airplane and into the cold Guadalajara morning, that the next ten days would change my life. Last summer I volunteered to work at Sis-Q Meadows Youth Camp because I thought it would be enjoyable and a time to serve. The theme was missions, and every day we heard from a different presenter about the different trips they participated in. One day we learned about an opportunity to go on the next PMT1 trip, and I decided in that moment that I would be going. I did not know how, but I knew God was calling me to go. Now stepping off the plane, going through the long line of customs, and finding my welcoming party was all very new and nerve-wracking for me. Receiving kisses, hugs, and mass amounts of food was also very new to me. My friends from Guadalajara will laugh when they tell you of my arrival; I looked so scared. After a few days and meeting up with the rest of the team, I felt right at home, as if I had always lived there. Throughout the week we studied together, served together, and ate together. For me, it was the closest picture of the early church in Acts that I had ever been part of. We dressed as clowns and did a puppet show for an orphanage; sang, danced, and spent time loving some sweet elderly women at a seniors home; shared dinner and some piñatas with a local A.A. group; participated with small family groups; and worshiped with the local churches all day on Sabbath. We evangelized in a center plaza and fed family members at a local hospital. We cut hair, painted children’s faces, and provided basic medical care to a small neighborhood outside the city. Every day we learned a new way to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We ate some very interesting foods, such as cow tongue, and learned more Spanish. We even learned to sing some songs in Spanish and how to tell people, “Dios te bendiga.” We learned to love the beautiful city, Guadalajara, and the people — especially the people of the church. They are very warm and welcoming. I liked it all so much, I will return soon for another visit. I made amazing friendships that I plan keeping forever. The relationships I formed are what I will remember the most and cherish for a long time or — maybe eating the cow tongue!
Mary Dell Wallace I can truly say that I saw the hand of our heavenly Father in many aspects of this trip: in making the travel arrangements, in my traveling companions, in the host home where we slept at night and had many of our meals, in the bonding and friendships we made. Even though eight of us from the West Coast changed planes three times on Monday, December 21, before arriving in Guadalajara, all flights were on time and we arrived safely. We were met by Pastor Monico and a number of the Mexican brethren and pastors. There were 19 members of the team from the United States. We were joined by five youth from Aguas Calientes and one from Guadalajara. A number of others from Guadalajara translated for us, taught classes, and/or drove us to various places, giving of their time away from their work and families. They gave us their best and were so happy to have us there. We carried a lot of money to Mexico to purchase Spanish Bibles. We passed some of them out during various activities while we were in Guadalajara. They have many more to pass out as they evangelize their city and district. Each morning started out with singing and devotions. Most days we had classes in the morning that dealt with a topic related to the activities of the afternoon or evening. Classes were held in the sanctuary of Templo Monte de los Olivos. Our lunches were provided by various ladies, who prepared them upstairs in the same church building. Tuesday we had a class about the Biblical Rights of Children. Later in the day we visited an orphanage where some put on a clown show; others did a puppet show. Some gave food and gifts. We also sang and prayed with the children. n Wednesday we had a class about the elderly. In the afternoon we went to a home for the elderly, where we interacted with the people there. Thursday, December 24, we had the morning free, so we got up a little later than usual and rode a city bus to the city center. Later, we had a class about alcoholics and addictions. In the evening we went to a meeting where people seek help in overcoming their addictions with the help of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Muffley preached a sermon, and we did our skit. Afterward we shared meal together. We talked and prayed with a number of these people and passed out a few Bibles. Friday, December 25, the topic of the day was Family Groups. We were divided into small groups and taken to various places where we took part in those groups. On Sabbath a number of us attended the Jalisco church, where our host families attend. The Sabbath school lesson was on the Integrated Mission of the Church, with specifics about choosing ministers of the Church. The afternoon service was held in a larger church building, and it included lots of singing, a sermon, and a skit by members of the PMT team. All the youth from Aguas Calientes stayed in the same house where Toni Kayner and I were staying. Saturday night the families of the Aguas Calientes youth joined us. Our host, Rubén Corona, really likes company. I think there were 25 or 30 of us there that night. We had a great time visiting and laughing. On Sunday Moises Medrano spoke about evangelism, and we had a brainstorming session. In the late afternoon we went to the plaza where a band from Aguas Calientes played. Some of our team put on a skit, and we walked in small groups to witness to those in the audience. If people showed interest, we offered them a Spanish Bible. We also prayed with and for them. We were invited to the home of Ivan Garcia, a recent convert, where we had popcorn, drinks, and pizza and a lot of fellowship. On Monday we were taken to Tonalá, a suburb of Guadalajara. An ancient stone church building sits on top of a hill and offers a great view of the city. From there we went to a park-like place adjacent to a warehouse. Quite a party had been prepared for us in a beautiful setting. We enjoyed snacks, a meal, Mexican music and dances, games, and prizes. After lunch on Tuesday, we went to a hospital. There was no indoor waiting room. Only one family member was allowed inside to visit the sick person, so there were a lot of family members sitting outdoors in a covered area. We gave them lunches, talked, and prayed with them, giving Bibles to those who showed an interest. Wednesday, December 30, was our last full day. We were taken to a very poor section, where we took part in various activities. A medical clinic was set up. Some cut hair. Some gave out invitations to come to the clinic or tracts about the Church of God. Others interacted with the children. Later a skit was performed in the street. All of this was done near the home of a relative of a Church member. We went back to Templo Monte de los Olivos for lunch and then gathered in the sanctuary for our last time together. They called each of us up to the front, one by one, and gave us each a gift. That evening we went to the plaza where we visited, bought souvenirs, and said our goodbyes again. Because of the failed attack in the U.S. while we were gone, security at the airport was to take longer when we left, so our hosts made sure we got to the airport very early. There were nine of us traveling together from Guadalajara to Salt Lake City. We had plenty of time to investigate the Guadalajara airport. Our flights home were on time and uneventful. Praise be to Yahweh for a great trip!
Danielle Selleck At 4 a.m. on December 21, I woke up and began my journey to Guadalajara, Mexico, as did 18 other team members from across the U.S. We didn’t all know each other prior to the trip, so the first day was full of introductions and meeting the new faces of the Mexican congregations, both from Jalisco and Aguascalientes. On the first day, we visited an orphanage. We were blessed by the kids right from the start and were interacted with them using clowns, mimes, and puppets. We also were touched by the lesson that went with visiting the orphanage about the rights of children and how Jesus treasured them. On the second day, we studied the biblical treatment of the elderly and practiced this by going to a nursing home. We showed love to the people through hugs and talking with them. Even if many of us couldn’t communicate with them verbally, they still understood our love and the reminder that they are valued, which they needed desperately. On the third day, we went to an Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous group, where Pastor Monico gave his testimony, We performed a skit for them, and after the service we gave hugs to all the people. Before we arrived, I felt that these people would not be receptive — perhaps even unwelcoming toward us. My concerns were proven completely wrong through the hugs and fellowship there as we spent the rest of the evening with them eating and breaking piñatas. Here we all saw how God’s love surpasses all barriers, such as language, addictions, and the ones we put up from our own doubts and anxieties. On Friday we learned about family groups, something the churches in Mexico take very seriously. Family groups are formed with the intention of bringing new members into the group until it gets large enough to split and make more family groups. We were able to attend a family group meeting and see firsthand how this form of evangelism works. On Saturday we all separately attended one of the four CoG7 congregations in Guadalajara, with a joint service in the afternoon. I loved seeing the passion and adoration the entire church gave God during the worship time. It was a very uplifting and inspiring experience, and makes me wish every worship service I attend back in the states could be just as zealous and passionate for Jesus. Sunday was our big day of street evangelism in the plaza. We started the program with our version of the “Everything” skit by Lifehouse.Then we broke into groups and talked to people in the plaza who were watching our program. We handed out Bibles and pamphlets, inviting people to attend the church. I was amazed at how receptive the people were to listening to us. Here we realized just how possible and doable evangelism is. We try to make it so much more complicated, but when you view it as the main mission God wants you to carry out, all of our excuses seem petty and unimportant. We ended Sunday with a party, playing games and eating after a long, fulfilling day. Monday was our free day, and in the morning we were taken to a hill that overlooked the city. After a few stops and a blown tire, we finally made it to the location of another fiesta, where we spent the rest of the evening playing games and fellowshipping. Tuesday we went to the hospital and handed out lunches to the waiting families. A great number of people came to get food, and we served over 200 lunches. Some of our team members talked to the people, gave out Bibles, and prayed with them. The people here were again very open and appreciative of our presence and of the information we were presenting. We completed our day with shopping at a popular market in Tlaquepaque. We spent our last day in Mexico at one of the poorest neighborhoods in Guadalajara. We gave the people haircuts, free clothing, basic medical treatments, and face painting. We also performed a skit for them. Seeing the tent houses and the quality of life in this area was very shocking, and gave us only a glimpse of that level of poverty. I think when we left, we all wished we could do more for those people and somehow help them more. We ended our last day with a final “goodbye” service. Many hugs and tears were shared as we realized that this trip was ending and that this group of people would probably never be together again. After our service, we split up and did some more shopping and then rejoined once more in the plaza for a last picture and our final goodbyes. On Thursday as our planes flew out of Guadalajara, there were many things each of us took home with us. Besides many new friends, cherished memories, and souvenirs, we all returned home with a renewed and inspired heart to do mission work and expand on all the ministries we practiced in Mexico. We broke down personal boundaries and limits we had set for ourselves and realized the endless possibilities and opportunities we have to evangelize, meet needs, and serve others at home. As the Mexican brethren taught us, we realized that our purpose upon return is to complete the “integral mission” in our own churches and lives: worship, building, service, evangelism, and fellowship. Now that we have the tools to make an impact in our communities, doing so is the task. I was listening to Britt Nicole’s song “The Lost Get Found” yesterday, and the last line of the song seemed to describe perfectly the issue we all face in our walk with God: that we have a chance to change the world. I’ll end this by challenging myself, my fellow PMT team members, and everyone reading this to step up and complete the purpose God has given us all: to change our world by spreading His Word and serving the needs of the people around us. Thank you so much to the church in Guadalajara for loving us and teaching us so much. We will always treasure this trip and the people we became close to in Mexico. We will never forget this amazing experience.
Arlene Candy Owens After a long day of travel, I was welcomed warmly at the Guadalajara airport by Minister Erick, Isaac Santiago, and more Mexican brethren. They made me feel at home, even though I spoke almost no Spanish. It was good to finally meet Monico Muffley and others from the U.S. in person. We then went to the home of Pastor Abib; they were our host family. Each day we started with a devotion, followed by a lesson on where we were going to minister that day and what we were expected to do. Each time we went out to minister to the basic needs (food, clothes, toys, personal items) and spiritual needs (bibles, the spoken Word, plays, clown acts, etc.) of the people. One thing I learned was that there are many different ways to minister and spread the good news. While in Guadalajara, we ministered at an orphanage, nursing home, group family, AA group, street ministry, and hospital. On our final day we went to an area where we provided medical care, counseling, haircuts, clothes, toys etc. I really enjoyed this mission trip. I made life friends and learned much about ministering. It was a life-changing experience, and I would do it again.
The PMT visit to Guadalajara, Mexico, could be described in a few words and yet would not begin to contain the whole of the trip. The words fantastic, spiritual, and learning experience come to mind. Those dear leaders who gave their time and effort to teach us how to witness to others in our own country are beyond measure. They are full of excitement, joy, and zeal to spread the gospel to anyone who will listen. They do not waste an opportunity to witness for God. They have so little compared to us, yet they give their all — and then some. They do it through service to the communities, to the church members, to street ministries, to hospital and orphanages, to old folks homes, helping those in need to obtain medical and legal services, as well as cutting their hair. They are the hands of God in human form. It was a privilege to be there under their leadership. I was delighted and thrilled to see the grace in which they go about living the gospel in real life. They have such a joy and drive to share God's good news, and they find inventive ways to reach out. The neatest thing I have seen in a long time — and so simple — was to put new labels on water bottles and give them out to others. The labels show a heart and say something about receiving a new heart through Christ Jesus, with Bible verses and the CoG7 directions to the churches. They had two different labels. From what I could see, one was that Christ is the Living Water. I loved this simple way to share. We gave out many Bibles on different occasions. The Bibles were printed by the Conference publishing house and had the CoG7 label on the cover, as well as a brief history of the Church and the addresses of churches. A great witness tool. I was impressed at the lengths the families and churches went to in sponsoring us American guests, and the grace they showed in helping us. The classes were so complete in what we should do and what we could do. They were very specific in how they trained each of us and really involved us in the projects. Everything was backed by prayer. Each person in a leadership or service tasks were so dedicated to their jobs. The cooks were incredible and served us their best; it was so delicious. Our drivers spent their time and energy making sure we got to our destinations on time and at great expense to their own lives. We are grateful for their love and support, for their friendships. In our guest homes, we were treated so kindly. They were generous, giving up much to accommodate us. Mary and I felt exceptionally blessed to be in the home of the Ruben Corona family. They are such a spiritual and dedicated unit, always with a house full of young people. We were included in many prayer times with the family while in their home. They are dedicated prayer warriors. I was on a spiritual high and still am over this trip. This was my second PMT trip; both were thrilling, but as this effort progresses, I can see we are learning more. Both trips were so special. This was a bit harder because of personal circumstances: I recently lost my husband, Kurt. I was so blessed in going, and my heart certainly has found a spot. My prayers are with the PMT groups. I feel strongly that we need to encourage others to go and that we need to find ways to generate both money and time to get our youth out on these trips. PTM changes lives and helps us grow, gives us a purpose and guides us to pray with our whole hearts. People are starving for the Lord; we can be there to feed them, to serve them, to show them His love, and to teach His ways. Involve the youth in this, and the world can be changed, one person at a time. Help in any way you can. Monico Muffley did a fantastic job in leading our group through the maze and working to maintain the spiritual aspects. We had great teachers in Bible, acting, teaching, etc. We had such good food, good transportation (even with the little problems, flats and such) and great music. I just cannot say enough for the people involved in this effort in our behalf; I am humbled in comparison. We learned a lot along the way and loved every minute of the trip. I would encourage everyone who is a prayer warrior to get on your knees and pray for those we left behind. Pray that God will work in Guadalajara. We generated some money for Bibles, and the work will continue there and throughout Mexico. But they need our prayers too. Pray that God will destroy the strongholds of Satan and open doors so souls will be saved. This will require many to pray earnestly for God's will in Mexico. As you begin praying for this effort, your heart will be softened and you will grow spiritually as well. The fields are ripe for the harvest; we must support the workers and be a part of the team. If you cannot do anything else, you can pray. Please join me in doing this. Pray for the same zeal to strike us here in America. Let’s be about our Father's business.
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Past Issues ---- Archives 05-09
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January-February 2010 |
March-April 2010 |
May-June 2010 |
July- August 10 |
October-November 09 |
December 09 |
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