What's Our Part Here?

We were there to help a visiting group better understand Catholicism in Mexico. They seemed to be there to weave into the fabric of their family the beliefs handed down from generation to generation. I imagined them to be grandparents tenderly and lovingly leading their young granddaughter toward a sacred site at the Basilica in Mexico City. This generational ministry, the passing of the torch makes one stop and ponder – How will the cycle be broken and what's our part here? Good question. So, what is our part here?

Loving God: Our primary opportunity, our primary focus, our primary concern is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. By keeping first things first there is a platform for His work to be done in His way, in His time, for the glory His Son. (Matthew 22:37; 1Corinthians 2:1-5)

Family: In the context of missions our high calling remains to impress God’s Word on the hearts of our children and manage them well. We continue to nurture, train and disciple them through shared life experience and homeschooling. His plan for our lives includes His plan for their lives and for future family generations. (Deuteronomy 6:4-8; 1Timothy 3:12)

Prayer: Our heart remains not only to emphasize prayer in our personal lives but as a ministry focus as well. That means not only praying for others but praying with others both individually and in groups. We turn our attention to prayer believing that all the things that we accomplish He does for us. (Acts 6:4; Isaiah 26:12)

Sowing Seeds: Whether it’s “the verse of the day”, a tract, or an act of kindness in the name of Christ, sowing these seeds provides an opportunity for many to have a personal encounter with God – some for the first time. It’s a work that shows little immediate fruit but gives others a chance to water and to harvest so that God can give the increase. (Matthew 13:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9)

Bible Distribution: God’s Word is living and active...judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Its power surpasses language, culture and religious barriers to bring new birth. It is our desire to get the Bible into the hands of as many people as possible. Whether we give them personally or provide them for fellow believers to give we try to do so out of a relationship and with some salvation verses provided. (Hebrews 4:12; 1Peter 1:23)

Writing: The weekly journal and the Rope-Holders prayer updates are ways that keep others connected to us and God’s working here. Beyond that we have been writing a Bible study in Spanish from the book of Matthew. We confidently expect that after prayer, grammatical, cultural and theological editing this study will be used by the Lord as a compliment to the Bible distribution. (1John 1:3-4; Jude 1:3)

Discipleship: Going into all the world to make disciples is a multifaceted process for us. It includes living our lives before others controlled by the Spirit, showing hospitality, teaching English, loving our neighbors as ourselves, inviting others to study the Bible, or having tea together. The goal is to be able to entrust the deep truths of the faith to those who are reliable to share it with others. (Matthew 28:19; 2Timothy 2:2; 1Timothy 3:9)

Caring for the Poor: While Mexico has an influential upper class and a growing middle class, God has put it into our hearts to also proclaim good news to the poor. We believe that when we spend ourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed our light will rise in the darkness. (Matthew 11:4-5; Isaiah 58:10-11)