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Daily Mission Trip Journal
Day 1 - May 23, 2009
The beep sounded at 4:00 am. Who in the world could be texting me so early in the morning. At 5:00 I finally rolled out of bed and opened the text message from a friend that said, I am already praying for you and the mission ahead.
13 of us loaded a bus to drive to Atlanta, but we had and will have a host of prayer partners joining us on this journey. Over the next 7 days, 168 people will take an hour to lift us up in prayer. We will be prayed for around the clock until our return. When God shows up as He has today, it will be because God is hearing the prayers and answering each one.
The best answer to prayer today it was eventless. It was the smoothest trip that I have experience. Everything and everyone was on time. Les said it was because we have so many quiet people with us. I laughed!
Doug and Darla Miller are doing well and greeted us with warm hospitality. He mapped out our week and gave us an update on the church here. The church is growing but the believers are suffering. Between the reports of violence and swine flu, tourism has dropped drastically. Neither violence nor swine flu have hit this area, but with no jobs people are desperate to provide for their families. Doug said just our coming has encouraged him and will encouraged the church family.
Tomorrow we will worship with the English speaking church at 9:30 am followed by the Spanish speaking church. In the afternoon we will help host the movie, “Facing the Giants” as a special feature for both church families. Tomorrow evening Les will preach at the other campus in Pamuul. Please pray for anointing and many will find comfort and peace as they faced their own giants. Thanks for praying.
Day 2 - May 24, 2009
Diane is a thirty something mother of a five year old girl. She attends the English speaking church in Playa. She has lived in Playa a few years teaching 4th grade English. In two weeks she will return to New York where her father resides. He will soon be facing open-heart surgery and needs her help. Diane said that since moving to Playa God has given her a new spiritual heart. She is returning to New York praying that God will do the same for her father as well as bring him physical healing. Diane was one of the many we worshipped with today. Each has a story of how God brought them from around the world and right here in Mexico to the church family that meets in Playa.
For those of you who enjoy eating you would have loved church today. We began the morning serving donuts and sweet rolls to the English speaking church. When their service ended, we served coconut macaroons and other sweets to the crowd coming for the Spanish speaking service. At the end of it, we served sandwiches and chips to the crowd that stayed to watch the movie “Facing the Giants.” The theatre was almost full as this community of faith watched a movie that reminded them that nothing is impossible with God. To a church that is experiencing 70% unemployment and struggling to keep homes and food on the table that is a great word of encouragement.
A middle-aged woman with soft dark skin remarked, “These are difficult days, we have lost much but not all. God remains and He is helping us.” She continued, “Our church family is helping one another and that helps me to stay strong.” Over and over we have heard this message of hope in the midst of desperation.
Tomorrow some from the church family will join us to pass out flyers inviting people in the community to come to church for a series of sermons on “Breaking Free.” We will also do a block party tomorrow night and expect about 150 children. The greatest challenge is the heat. It is about 95 degrees and that presents a test to us all. So please pray for physical health and stamina.
We have come to be a blessing but we are certainly being blesses. Keep praying!
Day 3 - May 25, 2009
The Mayan Riviera is a melting pot of many nations and cultures. Since our arrival we have worshiped and serve with people from Cuba, Argentina, Norway, Brazil and England. It reminds each of us that the family of faith extends across every border. Our command is to reach to the lost and to build up one another in the faith.
This morning a beautiful young church member joined us as we walked the streets of Playa inviting people to the church and the new sermon series entitled “Breaking Free.” We discovered our new friend was struggling with marital issues and loneliness one of our team members shared his story of living in an abuse home and how his family coped with the challenges. We shared what the Bible said about many of the struggles this family faced. We walked, talked and passed out invitations for two hours. At the end of our trek we prayed as brother and sisters and knew our Heavenly Father heard. Please pray for this young woman to break free from the bondages that are holding her and for her children as they walked this difficult paths.
What do 130 children, candy, sticks, puppets and balloons have in common? If you said they were all a part of the block party this evening you would be correct. As the children played the adults received information about a new small group meeting in their neighborhood and an invitation to the church. The children were treated to a puppet show telling them about God’s love. After playing lots of games, busting two piñatas and receiving bags filled with prizes., each child went home smiling. We went home exhausted but thankful that God had blessed once again. Thanks for praying.
Day 4 - May 26, 2009
The great thing about being part of a mission ministry over several years is that you invest in praying for the needs of the ministry, even when you're not on the mission field. Today we witnessed God's answer to many of our prayers.
On the way to Chan Chen this morning we were talking to Alphonso and Ricardo, two of the young men who attend the church and lead worship. Ricardo speaks some English. Alphonso speaks about as well as any teenager in the United States. I asked him whether he'd been to the U.S., and he said, "Yes, I spent the summer there last year assisting a Student Pastor in South Carolina." It was as if a light bulb lit up for a couple of us. We realized Alphonso is the young man we prayed for last Summer. He smiled ear to ear as we told him we'd prayed for him. We were so excited to finally meet him.
On the ride to Chan Chen we showed the two young men an Evangelism Cube we use to share the gospel. The guys immediately picked up how to use it as a tool to share the gospel story. When we arrived at the Mayan village we spent an hour walking the dirt and rock streets of the town and praying for the residents. As we passed each door, people stuck their heads out of their homes to see what the Gringos were doing. Last summer five American young people lived in the village, teaching the children simple English. Their month of labor reaped relationships with several people, but especially a handful of very intelligent young boys. Many of us had prayed that the young missionaries would make a difference spiritually in the lives of these people. No one came to know the Lord last summer, but this spring one man committed his life to Christ. Today we saw God bring one more person to Himself. We invited the children to come to a fiesta at Rudolpho's (the Christian) house. About 60 showed up. They colored pictures, made salvation necklaces, and had their faces painted. Ricardo shared the gospel message with the Evangelism Cube he'd received earlier. God blessed, and William, one of the boys the summer missionaries had invested in, committed his life to Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.
We were all so excited. God used our prayers for the missionaries the year before to prepare the way. He used the two young men who learned to use the Evangecube, as well as the English of the young man we'd prayed for last Summer to accomplish the salvation of this child. God allowed us to be heard and have the fiesta so the children would come. God is so awesome. Please keep praying.
If you would like to see a video of what is going on this mission trip you can see it at http://dougmillar.blogspot.com.
Day 5 - May 27, 2009
James 1:2 says, “Count it a joy my brothers when you encounter various trials.” Our hosts this week, Doug and Darla Millar have endured many trials over the last few months. They have been robbed when traveling through Mexico, their hot water heater stopped working, their computer crashed, and this week Doug’s wallet has disappeared. It either fell from his pocket while we were passing out invitations to the church or someone lifted it from his pocket. For many of us enduring all of these trials would be enough for us to throw up our hands and quit. Our missionary friends have done the best they can to put one foot in front of the other and walk on in faith that God is in charge. That is the message of the cross as well. Life may be difficult, but our hope isn’t in money, things, or even our security here on earth. Our hope is in Christ.
Today our team walked the neighborhoods of Playa passing out invitations to the church and praying for those we came in contact with. We are praying that those who receive the invitation will attend and find the hope Jesus offers. There were two major trials for us as we passed out the invitations. First was the scorching heat. It is in the upper 90’s today and the humidity is exceedingly high. One team member recommended advertising our next trip here as a weight loss experience because we have certainly sweated off a few pounds. Our second challenge has been that many of the homes in the neighborhoods have watchdogs. I am pleased to report no one has been bitten, but Stacy had to pray the mouth of a pit bull shut to keep it from taking a bite out of Mrs. Wanda just like Daniel prayed the mouths of the lions would be closed. Relieved and wringing wet we returned to the hotel.
We have distributed about 7 thousand invitations to the people of Playa this week. Please join us in praying that God will use our efforts to bring many of the lost to the church. Pray that they will begin a relationship with Christ and grow to be able to bring others to Christ. Please pray for Doug and Darla as well. The loss of the wallet is a difficult thing, but it has been complicated even more by having a mission team here. Pray that all documentation in the wallet will soon be replaced and that Satan would not gain any victory in this.
We may be encountering trials, but God is going to be glorified. Please keep praying.
Day 6 - May 28, 2009
Today we took time to visit the Mayan ruins of the once great ancient city of Tulum. You may have seen pictures of the temple perched on the crest of a high cliff overlooking the Caribbean in the 1500’s this city was the center of commerce for this region. Today it is a field of decaying rock structures being preserve to teach visitors of the great civilization that once lived and worshiped and eventually was overtaken. Scott remarked how sad it was that they worshiped so many gods. All their gods are dead and our God still lives. That is why we are here. We bring good news. Our God is alive and well and desires to be in relationship with the Mayan people. Please pray that the hearts of these people will be open to faith in Christ.
The second half of our day was spent at Xel-Ha a beautiful lagoon filled with tropical fish. One of our team members conquered a lifelong fear of water. Mrs. Lillian said in over 60 years she had never floated down a river in an inner tube. Today, she changed that. At the end of her float, she needed a little help from fellow team members to complete the course. The current and wind had blown her away from the pier but her friends assisted her in getting safely to the pier. She said that is how it is in life. We get pushed away from the right path and then God sends friends along to pull you back to safety. We were all proud of Mrs. Lillian for being brave and respect her wisdom knowing that sometimes we need to accept the help of friends and sometimes we need to help a friend. That is another reason we are here. To help our brothers and sisters in the faith as they pull some to safety. Keep praying. Tomorrow we head back to Playa and canvas another neighborhood. We will attend a Bible study tomorrow night. Thanks for praying.
Day 7 - May 29, 2009
Mission work can be hard and lonely. There are times that missionaries feel a disconnect from those who are praying for them because they cannot see them. Some missionaries invest a lifetime in ministry and may only see one or two come to faith in Jesus Christ. Still they work day after day developing relationships, serving others, and speaking the gospel message when the time is right.
Doug told our team how much he appreciated us coming. He confessed at times he wonders if others are praying or even care.
This week we have seen one young man come to faith in Christ. What a joy! William is the product of many prayers over months and years. He is also a living example of many who have invested time and service from summer missionaries to those who have ministered in the village throughout the last few years. William was the first child to make a profession of faith, but I believe there will be many more. Last year we brought school supplies to the children of Chan Chen. This year we brought personal care kits for each child that included a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and conditioner. We created salvation necklaces and colored pictures with the children with Christ centered themes. Everything was intended to point to the One we come to represent. In the days to come the church in Playa hopes to send a family to live in the Mayan village to be missionaries. It will be exciting to see those who are saved.
Today, like the last few days we handed out invitations. To date we have probably handed out between 8 and 9 thousand invitations inviting people to the church in Playa. From these the church may have 20 to 30 people visit the church and possibly a few be saved and join the church. You can see why the work can be overwhelming and frustrating. The thing we need to remember is that it will be worth it if just one more comes to faith in Christ. It is also worth it because along the way church members from the church in Playa have been encouraged and even a few have been able to share their faith.
Though the life of a full time missionary can be difficult and at times very lonely, it is also very rewarding when you realize that what you are doing really does count for eternity, and God has called you. Please continue to pray for Doug and Darla that they will be encouraged and that they will know there are many of us praying for them.
One of the homes we visited today was the home of a church member. Doug said she is one of the ones who came to the church last year after one of the block parties our group helped to host. Today she hugged us and kissed us as we approached and she said, “Thank you, thank you for coming.” For those of you praying I echo her words, “Thank you, Thank you for praying.” Though we are short-term missionaries, we too are making a difference. Thanks for being a part of the team.
