09/08/07
“Comunidad Cristiana” (Christian Community in Riobamba):
I arrived last Wednesday to Riobamba and the same night I was invited by Rene Fiallos, pastor of “Comunidad Cristiana” of Riobamba, to share in his mid-week service about my mission trip to India. I have known Rene for some years since the Lord has used us to share some blessings between Houston and Ecuador. Many people seemed to recognize me and I was very surprised when I was introduced not just as a missionary but as one of the missionaries the congregation has been praying for since my first trip to India. The group of youth has even made a short video with some pictures I sent Pastor Rene years ago; I was about to give a report of the mission to India before a congregation that had been supporting me in prayer!
After the report the congregation welcomed me as part of them; as a missionary who will be serving with them for the next few weeks… it was like being welcomed in a new job. God has a way to show us His faithfulness; in changes when we are still worried about our purpose and our time; about the place to serve and about what to do… He shows up and we realize that everything has been taken care of; God took care of everything before you can even ask for it. My heart is grateful.
A later conversation with Pastor Rene helped us to coordinate my schedule for the next weeks. I was invited to preach in specific dates; to help in one new “celula” or small group with several families; to help developing the plan for an evangelistic concert focused for young people the last week of October; and to support the pastor with some visits and counseling… not bad! I was put in charge of creating a plan to train and teach the youth of the Church, ministering to them and preparing them for the evangelistic concert. This plan will include a small retreat and classes on Saturdays, Sundays and couple Mondays training members of the Church to share the Gospel.
Pastor Rene also introduced me an American Missionary named Christopher who has a vision to serve the pastors in the city… the vision is very similar to the vision of Mission Houston; so I’ll also give one day per week to help Christopher in his purpose. Finally, I can see the need of learning more about Christ in my father and various friends and people I’m related to… I’m just praying God will allow another small group to start under the covering of Pastor Rene. God will help me to be a good steward of the time He has established for me to be here… I can’t complain about being bored but I need to be careful and wise about what I commit to. There are many good things to do and the need of Christ is great but I know God wants me to focus my strength in one or two things He is doing and He wants me to join in. I have seen – and experienced – occasions when ministry and ‘doing things for God’ become idols; we serve them and, even having the right motivation, we loose perspective, we fail forgetting the bigger picture… as a good friend of mine says; ‘we love the work of the Lord instead of loving the Lord of the work’… Jesus is the right and everlasting model; He did just what the Father showed Him. I hope to keep the right heart; the one that loves the Lord and listens for His guidance in every step of the road.
Another great testimony is about His provision for transportation and communications. During the first week in Riobamba, a good friend of mine gave me his second car (a Volkswagen Beatle 1975) allowing me to use it during my time of permanence in Riobamba; (it’s a missionary on a classic!). In the same way a cell phone has been provided to me to be used during these weeks. God is great; He is faithful in all our needs; He is wise and a trustful confidence in all our desires!
There is a spiritual principle I’m learning; it’s like fresh water being poured in inside of my heart; it’s soft and refreshing. It’s like the known whisper of God making real something I have read, prayed and believed… but now is becoming experience; the Word being made flesh; the Word saying: 'Trust me Marcos, trust me. Let me lead… when you let me lead I fulfill my purpose, I provide for your needs, and I satisfy your soul'.
“Comunidad Cristiana” (Christian Community in Riobamba):
I arrived last Wednesday to Riobamba and the same night I was invited by Rene Fiallos, pastor of “Comunidad Cristiana” of Riobamba, to share in his mid-week service about my mission trip to India. I have known Rene for some years since the Lord has used us to share some blessings between Houston and Ecuador. Many people seemed to recognize me and I was very surprised when I was introduced not just as a missionary but as one of the missionaries the congregation has been praying for since my first trip to India. The group of youth has even made a short video with some pictures I sent Pastor Rene years ago; I was about to give a report of the mission to India before a congregation that had been supporting me in prayer!
After the report the congregation welcomed me as part of them; as a missionary who will be serving with them for the next few weeks… it was like being welcomed in a new job. God has a way to show us His faithfulness; in changes when we are still worried about our purpose and our time; about the place to serve and about what to do… He shows up and we realize that everything has been taken care of; God took care of everything before you can even ask for it. My heart is grateful.
A later conversation with Pastor Rene helped us to coordinate my schedule for the next weeks. I was invited to preach in specific dates; to help in one new “celula” or small group with several families; to help developing the plan for an evangelistic concert focused for young people the last week of October; and to support the pastor with some visits and counseling… not bad! I was put in charge of creating a plan to train and teach the youth of the Church, ministering to them and preparing them for the evangelistic concert. This plan will include a small retreat and classes on Saturdays, Sundays and couple Mondays training members of the Church to share the Gospel.
Pastor Rene also introduced me an American Missionary named Christopher who has a vision to serve the pastors in the city… the vision is very similar to the vision of Mission Houston; so I’ll also give one day per week to help Christopher in his purpose. Finally, I can see the need of learning more about Christ in my father and various friends and people I’m related to… I’m just praying God will allow another small group to start under the covering of Pastor Rene. God will help me to be a good steward of the time He has established for me to be here… I can’t complain about being bored but I need to be careful and wise about what I commit to. There are many good things to do and the need of Christ is great but I know God wants me to focus my strength in one or two things He is doing and He wants me to join in. I have seen – and experienced – occasions when ministry and ‘doing things for God’ become idols; we serve them and, even having the right motivation, we loose perspective, we fail forgetting the bigger picture… as a good friend of mine says; ‘we love the work of the Lord instead of loving the Lord of the work’… Jesus is the right and everlasting model; He did just what the Father showed Him. I hope to keep the right heart; the one that loves the Lord and listens for His guidance in every step of the road.
Another great testimony is about His provision for transportation and communications. During the first week in Riobamba, a good friend of mine gave me his second car (a Volkswagen Beatle 1975) allowing me to use it during my time of permanence in Riobamba; (it’s a missionary on a classic!). In the same way a cell phone has been provided to me to be used during these weeks. God is great; He is faithful in all our needs; He is wise and a trustful confidence in all our desires!
There is a spiritual principle I’m learning; it’s like fresh water being poured in inside of my heart; it’s soft and refreshing. It’s like the known whisper of God making real something I have read, prayed and believed… but now is becoming experience; the Word being made flesh; the Word saying: 'Trust me Marcos, trust me. Let me lead… when you let me lead I fulfill my purpose, I provide for your needs, and I satisfy your soul'.
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