"Life's Emergencies"

I've come to realize that "emergencies" have no concept of "timing". Obviously it's never a good time for an "emergency", but in ministry, they never seem to come at a "decent" hour. They often get put off until a "more opportune" time.

As a missionaries, we have 50,000 ("I've told you a million times not to exaggerate") responsibilities on Sunday morning, most of which are shared between the missionaries and AIMers. All the same, it seems like Sunday morning is the only time "emergencies" come up.

I remember one Sunday morning when I saw the man that was suppose to preach come in to the building dressed in a sweat suit and look liked he hadn't shaved or showered in days. He asked to speak to me in a back room. Once I shut the down behind us, he collapsed sobbing on my shoulder. Needless to say, I preached and taught his class for him. Although it hasn't happened too many times, I was the only missionary in town that Sunday and that was "pre-AIMers" too.

On various occasions, I have had mothers come to me crying on Sunday morning about how their daughter never came home the night before or how their son was out of control. This Sunday I was pulled aside and told by a lady that her husband "walked out on her" Friday and he was leaving to work in the states. He told her he didn't want anything to do with her or their three kids. Another lady crying, before small group, told me her sister tried to commit suicide. She also has a drug addict brother! Another lady ("constant visitor" not a member) often approaches me on Sunday mornings about problems with her son (30 something) and his wife. She recently found out that both her boys are struggling with drugs. Still others arrive off the street drunk and wanting money. We have had a young man show up right at the end of service for a few weeks now often with a new friend each time that's drunk or high and needs some kind of help.

Last night I received a call around 11 p.m. It was a guy that we have ministered to in the past from the children's home "Lluvia Temprana". He use to drive one of their vans around and even took some of the Shawnee group around during some after hours work. His name is Edgar and we talked for a good while on a couple of occasions. He has a boy with a lady that's not his wife. He has been guilted into believing he has to marry her, despite the fact this was a one time event years ago. He wanted to get some food for his kid. Personally, I have no problem giving food to anybody (I rarely give out money), much less kids, but it was well after 11 and I told him I would help him at the prayer time on Wednesday morning at the building. Please keep Edgar and his son in your prayers as we try to share God's love and His word with them!

Why do I share these things? 1st off to give you a glimpse into some of what we do here. It's funny how many people in the states STILL think we are "on vacation down there". 2nd is to ask for prayers for the many men and women, marriages, children, jobs, etc that we deal with each day. Please ask God for wisdom and strength for us as we strive to share the Gospel in Mexico. So much of ministry is trying to "fix" what is already SO WRONG. I realize God is the One fixing and doing, but we want to be His hands to be busy in His work, His feet taking the Gospel and His mouth sharing words of love and wisdom! Thank you for partnering with us and praying on our behalf!