Today was the first day the YWAM group went out to do street evangelism. We split off into groups in the city plaza. I went off with one of the staff members and the one classmate I have from England. We talked to a Mexican guy named Ricardo who was trying to sell us something. We told him that we are from a missionary school nearby. I had the opportunity to pray for him. Luckily, he could speak English pretty well, so he understood what I said, haha! Laura, the staff member, told me that a lot of people actually do believe in God, but they just don't know which one. That is pretty much how Ricardo put it.
Afterwards, we continued down the street and encountered a woman sitting on the sidewalk with her two children. Laura introduced Becky and I and then we went and bought them a family meal from Burger King. I wasn't able to do as much as I desired....it would have been cool if I could actually speak Spanish. I will be working on that-I now have a free membership online that will teach me Spanish. My plan is to be able to at least have a descent conversation in the next few months...
There are a few really awesome ministries my school offers. One is called Remnant, an evangelistic ministry that reaches out to skater youth. Basically, one of the staff members here hangs out with a group of skater kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our base offers mobile ramps because there is no skate park here in Mazatlan.
Another ministry here is called Homes of Hope, which builds homes for families in need. There are so many families who literally live out of homes built from scraps of material that were just laying around. Many haven't even owned a key before because they never had a door on their homes to unlock. This ministry partners with local pastors and then disciples people who have been reached through Homes of Hope. I will have the opportunity to build a home with my team at the end of my outreach. Can't wait!!!
A third ministry that I am particularly excited about is called The Red Zone. Basically, there is a section of Mazatlan that is full of darkness and in need of radical transformations. This zone is saturated with drug trafficking, violence and prostitution. It has become particularly dangerous in the last few years, due to the drug violence that has exploded in Mexico. People get shot there on a regular basis. There is no stopping the violence by law enforcement either. It is not an uncommon thing for a mother to tell about how her own son was shot just last week and point out the man walking down the street who did it. These people live in so much oppression. I will be praying about going out into this area, as the staff here feel strongly that I would need a very firm word from God that it is okay to go. It is not a safe ministry, so whenever the staff go out with some students, there is a group of people who stay behind, covering them in prayer. Still, someone needs to be willing to step out and reach these people. If missionary work was only done in safe areas, the people who are the most oppressed and in need of light would never experience the love of God: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Isaiah 52:7
Well, that's it for now! More will follow....be praying I have direction on where to do my outreach. We should be finding out next week what the options are. Blessings friends!
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