{About the photos: From the U.S. we were able to help with financial care, and in Mexico our leaders provided the human touch. Clockwise from top: Pastor Sabini and family, Luis Alegria and family, and Pastor Polo and family; he and his son were both hospitalized with the coronavirus.}
Dear friends of Mexico Ministries:
Greetings in the Lord during these difficult times. In the last 45 years we have built literally hundreds of church buildings in Mexico, but that is not the only, or even the most important, work that missionaries do. Sharing the Good News of Jesus includes telling others about Jesus, but also doing what Jesus did. Jesus, the Bible tells us, was “a friend to sinners.” Sometimes being a friend in a time of need is the most important ministry a missionary can do - a comforting embrace, a word of encouragement, a companion in sorrow, a helper in time of trouble.
The man who fell among thieves needed help. That help came from a Samaritan stranger who bandaged him and paid for his care. The Prodigal Son desperately needed help after wasting his inheritance on riotous living. That help came from his waiting Father: physical care, a path toward recovery, a healing embrace, celebration, acceptance, restoration.When Jacob and Esau parted ways Esau vowed to kill his brother; when they finally met again Jacob had no idea what to expect, but Esau met him by embracing and kissing him, and they wept together. When Paul left Ephesus, bound by the Spirit to go to Rome where he would die, he and the believers knelt and prayed. They embraced and wept together.
People in Mexico need an embrace right now. Luis Alegria and his family just lost a newborn baby who lived only two hours. We sent finances to help with the funeral, and Pastor Carlos was there to embrace them, pray for them, and comfort and encourage them. Pastor Sabini and his family needed that same embrace as they waited for surgeons to remove a tumor from their 11 year old daughter. Again, Pastor Carlos and Pastor Cesar were there for them.
There is a story about a little boy who was frightened by a late night thunderstorm. His father came into his room to check on him and encouraged him that God was in the room with him. The little boy replied, “Right now I need someone with skin on.” Think about it - that is exactly who Jesus is: “God with us,” God with skin on.
Buildings are made of stone, block, and cement. They have no feelings, they suffer no pain. It is the people who live and gather in them who concern us the most. If you know someone who is hurting, who needs an embrace or a word of encouragement, please take the time to reach out to them. Be that extension of “God with skin on.”
God bless you,
Larry