Proclaiming Freedom || Caleb - July 14
Hello from Mexico! This is Caleb writing. Caleb Bale, not Caleb Mouser, the son of the missionary with whom we are staying. Talk about confusing. "No no, Caleb! Stop doing that!" Aw ma-Oh wait, not talking to me. Cool.
Today is day 3 of programs at a small town about 30 minutes from where we're staying. This morning we went to see some Mayan ruins, that was quite an experience. I am in engineering school so I see the temples as pretty cool in terms of architecture and how they were physically built. However, the stories and history behind the temples is honestly horrifying. The people of the Mayan culture were so utterly deceived. They worshiped death and saw killings and sacrifices as the most honorable way to die, and the methods they used were disturbing to the core.
The ruins were very interesting to see but it is important to realize that the devil is alive and well and truly prowls around like a roaring lion ready to deceive his next victim (1 Peter 5:8). But Christ offers us freedom from the devil and sin which is what we have come to proclaim. "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." - Romans 6:6-7
Later in the afternoon, we did our last program of the week before we head out tomorrow. It was a good program as we could tell that the kids were getting the point of the lessons, crafts, games and skits. Plus many of their parents came and were very involved towards the end of the program. One father prayed over everyone in Spanish. I didn't understand it as we have already established but it was awesome just listening. That is part of the reason we do these trips. Christ's body isn't just in the United States, it is among all nations and languages. We go so that we can share Christ but also so we can encourage fellow Christians! Many times, we go to minister but we are ministered to. We got to be encouraged by this father's prayer. The Spirit was there and was working.
Please pray for the town we ministered to this week. Pray that the kids have absorbed the Gospel and praise God for those that heard it for the first time. Pray that we are constantly aware of the devil's schemes and the ways in which he may try to deceive us. Team unity is important and though the devil may not attempt to deceive in ways like he did the Mayans, he may work against the team to make it difficult to minister. Also pray for health. Two people weren't feeling well today and another is incredibly tired. We need health as we continue into the next field. Last of all, pray that we keep Christ at the center of our ministry and our team. Mission trips aren't fun and games and I pray that isn't how any of us view this. Thank you for prayers and support. We need it.
We travel tomorrow to the coast. Over and out.
