Sunday, December 23, 2012

Mira Los Cielos y Cuenta Las Estrellas! (Look at the heavens and count the stars!)

We joined Cindy and Jose today and worshiped at their church Redes Vida Cristiana in La Paz.  The service was held outdoors today being the weather was about 75 degrees!  It was held in the covered athletic area of the school that the church operates.  About three years ago a group of young people I had brought from Western Mennonite School in Salem, Oregon played some of their students in soccer in that facility.

There was a great time of worship in music and then the overseeing pastor from Cabo, Valdir Corte lead the congregation in communion.  

Much of the growth of this church comes from "cell group" interaction with friends and neighbors.  A pastor trains 12 people to be cell leaders. These cell leaders are each responsible for discipling 12 others in a cell group, usually with a minimum number coming from the community and not from within the church they attend. After a specified time, and after certain strict requirements are met, these cell members then become leaders themselves, and start their own cells. Thus, the membership of the church is multiplied, and the message of the Gospel is taken into the community.

Currently in this church there are 300 cell groups reaching out and touching lives of friends and neighbors.  


Church today at Redes Vida Cristiana.

Genesis 15:5
He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 


This scripture is printed on the flyer that is being circulated in La Paz about the service next Sunday.  

It reminds me of our last journey driving down the Baja.  About midway down away from everything, away from any lights is an old ranch in the desert called Santa Inés.  They have made a place for RV's to stay the night.  It was a moonless night when we stepped out of the motor home.  The stars were so bright.  The ones on the horizon were as bright as the ones directly above us.  

It must have been a night like this when God spoke to Abraham and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Spiritual offspring is clearly evidenced here in the Baja and in Nayarit.  So many churches and leaders are the offspring of the many years of work by families that came here in the 1950's.  As Maranatha Ministries in Mexico 
continues to serve this area providing a place for retreat and renewal here at Campestre Maranatha
many, many more lives are served.  Cindy and Jose Nuñez work countless hours serving those that come here whether RVer's or those using the camp.  Groups of youth are attracted to their home as love and acceptance are manifested there.

Next time you look up at the sky and count the stars - if indeed you can count them, will it cause you to think......what am I doing that counts, counts for ever?


 Tortas!

Carne asada is only offered on Saturday and Sundays.  So tonight I had to have a torta with carne asada!

 

Ready to eat!

Tonight Cindy, Jose, Linda and I went back to Antojito's. It is the third time for Linda and me since we are here!  We had great food and great visit while we were there.  This family serves food from a building on their own place.  It is two blocks off of the highway and in the community of Centenario.  We are so glad that Cindy and Jose introduced us to this place a few years ago!

We gave them warning that all 16 of our family are coming to eat there once this week!

  
  
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