why we go
People throughout the world have many needs - emotionally, physically and most of all, spiritually. All of us just want to be loved! We want to feel good about ourselves and be surrounded by a loving family and great friends. We want to know what our purpose in this life is, and we hope there is something better ahead when our life on earth is over. The people of Mérida, Yucátan, Mexico, are no exception and, whatever His reason, the Lord has planted our hearts in their part of the world.
We go because... The Lord said to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
We go because... most of the 150,000 who die each day enter into eternity in Hell. The reason their end is eternity in Hell is not because they have not heard about Jesus, they end up in Hell because of their sin.
We go because... we desire to teach the whole counsel of God in that mankind's biggest problem is not poverty, sickness, the environment, etc but it our sin has separated us from God and He "is angry with the wicked everyday."
We go because... most people do not see themselves as wicked. In fact, while they will admit to be a "sinner", all will declare themselves "right in their own eyes." They do not see the how sinfull they really are before a just and perfect God. The tendency is justify themselves and their sin.
We go because... through the use of the Ten Commandments (The Law of God) we can show the lost their the exceeding sinfulness of their condition and how they deserve to go to Hell when they die. It personalizes their lost condition and removes their own justification and rationalizing of their actions.
We go because... at this point we can tell the the "Good News" of what God did so they would not have to go to Hell. This makes the news of the cross make sense and explains that Jesus's death was payment to God for breaking His laws. God's wrath and hatred for sin was placed on Jesus so the justice of God was satisfied.
We go because... we can them tell them they through repentance "toward God and Faith in Christ" they can go to Heaven, not because they are a good person but are a bad person that has been saved by a gracious and kind God.
We go because... modern evangelism (in the United States) is primarily a message of "God loves you and wants to to have a wonderful life." This message is being spread around the world by many well-meaning but very mis-guilded people. They leave out the first part about the justice of God demanding payment for our sin against Him.
We go because... there are many physical needs in the local ministry as well that should not be ignored, even in a big "modern" city like Mérida. Working with Pastor Sam at Calvary Chapel Mérida, we try each trip to provide much needed things for the church in support of their mission in reaching out to the people of the Yucátan.
Over the years the mission teams have provided, thanks to the gifts of faithful people at Harvest Church and throughout the States, thousands of tracts, hundreds of Bibles, school supplies, innumerable toys, candy and food for children and their families, church furniture, ceiling fans, and ministry supplies.
We've taken puppets and stages, clown make-up, balloons and balloon pumps. In 2005, we were able to buy Calvary Chapel Mérida and her mission churches in the villages a total of 87 chairs and 12 children's tables, among other things. Always God provides for just what is needed at the time.
d and t
