Our morning started at 0700 with devotions by Steve. He noted that he was blessed to spend some quality time with God last night and felt led to share some thoughts on the simplicity of the Gospel. He started with all of Gal 1, but I'll just highlight some scriptures. Paul declares his apostleship as not through man, but directly through Jesus Christ v.4 "...who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age..." It seems the early church started complicating things and Paul had to set things straight by saying, v.6,7 "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ." He later states that he didn't receive his teaching from man, but from direct revelation from Jesus Christ. And that God separated him and called him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Steve then went to 1 Cor 15:1-6 where Paul states that the Gospel that he preached (and that which he received) was V.3,4 "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures," And that He was later seen by many. Pretty simple. Thank you Lord.
We met our prison contact at breakfast and were explained the rules and what to expect. It is a maximum security prison about an hour from our hotel with plenty of restrictions for visitors regarding clothing, jewelry, electronics, etc. Basically, we couldn't bring in anything. When we got there, it looked like a typical prison; lots of fences with barbed-wire, open space between concrete structures, towers, and guards. As we were going through the security check in, we found out that even with all the restrictions, they still allowed literature to be brought in. Well, that was nice, because we had about 200 Gospel of Johns in Spanish with us. Apparently, the prison is very open to outside church influence. There's a Catholic church inside, and a Christian church under construction. As we finally made it inside the prison, it wasn't anything like what I'd expected. Sure, the buildings were concrete and steel, and a bit grimy, but inside a couple of dinning halls there were various vendors lining the walls, selling food, drinks, and other nick-knacks. In the center of the prison was a large open area with dirt/mowed weeds, and picnic like tables scattered out in the distance. It was family day and there were lots of visitors intermixed with prisoners. A canopy tent had been set up for a prior event and a church service had been planned for today; John was the guest speaker.
The stage had a band and as the music played, some started to gather. There was such a mix of people, some with multiple facial tattoos, others looked like your next door neighbor. All were in for serious charges and serving long sentences. Worship was very good and as the service was starting, one prisoner with his family were walking by, when I felt that "still small voice" to go give them a Gospel of John. Well, I don't speak Spanish, and sort of just ignored the tug, at first. Then I thought, "That's the voice you're supposed to listen to." So I chased them down and was obedient in giving them a Gospel of John. Soon, all the firefighters were canvassing the area passing out these Gospel booklets inviting them to the service. They all got passed out and not only prisoners came to the service, but families also.
I've heard John speak many times, but I think this was one of his strongest messages. I'll have to condense his message a bit for this email, but he immediately connected with the prisoners, using scripture and some life experiences. They knew he cared for them and were glued to his every word. He spoke in terms they truly understood or desired to know; prisoners, bondage, sin, penalty, forgiveness, and freedom. He started by stating we are prisoners to our sin, and that the penalty of sin is death - but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. He stressed that a gift must be received using John 1:12, "but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." He used many other examples and scriptures, but wrapped it up with the confidence we can have in our salvation quoting 1 John 5:11-13 " And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life..." In the end, he challenged them to make a public statement of their faith and stand. About 40 prisoners or visiting family members stood and prayed. There was more prayer and worship time following.
This trip to the prison was a great experience. We were able to reach out to some, and encourage others. We met and prayed with some very sincere Christians who happen to be prisoners. They continue to pay the penalty of their former life, but are living for Christ inside.
We made one last stop at the Central Guadalupe fire station for final good-byes to Vicente and those on duty. Now, back at the hotel, we're packing for our return trip home tomorrow. Thanks again for all your prayerful support. God has done another wonderful work here in the Monterrey area. Continue to pray for our hosts, Jody and Agustin, their ministry here, and for future outreach opportunities. Pray also that the new believers here would be encouraged in their faith and nurtured in His word.
Dan
Victor led our mornings devotion starting with Eph 2:10, which states, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." I could bold out the entire scripture, or you could just read it several times to try to absorb some of it. We are His workmanship: Heb 3:4, "...He who built all things is God." In Christ Jesus: 2 Cor 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." We are created with a purpose and design; good works, which God has prepared for us and in which we should walk. 2 Pet 2:5, We, also, "... as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house..." We're a work in progress, but with design and purpose, and complete in Him!
This morning was another early morning for us since we needed to get to the training site in advance of the mayor and other city officials. Vicente had given us Guadalupe dress uniform shirts the night prior for this event. The mayor and several other staff down through the fire chief presented us with medals, a framed certificate of appreciation, and a trophy-like plaque. Lizard had put together a DVD video/slide show for this event covering our weeks activities. It was a nice re-cap of the week and was well received. After the formal accolades ended, the city officials left and we began to lay out our instructions for the 'final exam'. We had the different agencies form 12-person teams and we set up some scenarios down by the Swift Water training site. They performed in front of their peers; Brush Operations, Swift Water rescues, and an Auto Extrication. Some of the demonstrations were exceptional, with great team camaraderie and hustle, and all were entertaining. One of our students, obviously a Christian, was passing out bookmarks that he had made with the FFC Logo on it. Underneath the logo was Matt 10:32, which says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." It's not the scripture usually associated with the FFC Logo, but happens to be the scripture that brought me to Christ. We wrapped up the demonstrations and went back to the auditorium for certificates.
Prior to passing out certificates, John explained again, our two-fold purpose of this trip: to train firefighters to save lives, and to provide an opportunity to receive eternal life. He introduced Cheyane, who shared about his near-death experience in falling through a roof of a burning building. It was a very powerful testimony and clearly had the attention of all present. John followed up with a Gospel message. He mentioned that several Guadalupe firefighters asked Jesus into their life last year and asked them to make public statement of their faith, and stand. I didn't count heads, but many (probably 30+) stood. They sat down and he finished his message. At the end, he offered others the opportunity to receive Jesus. When we were done praying and looked up, probably a third of the audience was already standing. No shame, no fear; in front of their peers...it was good. We passed out about 150 certificates (to six different agencies) and everyone got a Gospel of John in Spanish.
After all the certificates were passed out, and many group pictures were being taken, the celebration was dampened with tears and anxiety seen in several of our Green Cross attendees. The Green Cross is the ambulance service here and one of their ambulances had just been abducted by some drug cartel thugs. This really hit home because the people who were supposed to be on that ambulance today, were students of ours and had traded shifts with those who had just been abducted. Jody and some of our instructors formed a circle and spent some time praying with the Green Cross people. One of the guys that traded off today, spent time with Jorge with some pretty heavy questions on his heart. Pray for all involved!
We had a late lunch/early dinner with Vicente and his wife, came back to the hotel, and said good-bye to Lili, one of our translators. Tomorrow, we'll be going to a prison for ministry. We don't know any details, but will keep you posted.
Prayer: for abducted Green Cross workers and their peers.
ministry in the prison tomorrow.
Thanks again and God Bless,
Dan
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