Great Time in Tequila

I vividly remember a missions meeting where this town's name was brought up and some one said, "There REALLY is a town called Tequila?!?!" Well, I know it sounds funny and although it is a small town famous for it's beverage, Tequila is home to nearly 27,000 lost souls!

We arrived in Tequila from Leon mid morning Friday. There were 20 of us in all and we went to Tequila with the purpose of helping a congregation from Guadalajara (GDL) start a congregation in Tequila. We had breakfast together and hit the street to pass out flyers. Tequila is much hotter than Leon and after a good sweaty walk passing out flyers around town, we returned to the rented facilities. We had lunch together and then we checked into the hotel to relax for a minute and shower. That evening, we returned to the rented placed and from 7 to 8 p.m. we had a good old fashion evangelistic campaign! Now it might not have been my style and I know of those that would just plain shun the thought, but nearly 40 people were there to hear God's word (well over 70 including workers)! It was a good night to see the church from GDL (NO americans) dream up, execute and lead this vision to it's starting point!

That very night, for the first time in nearly 7 years (total) of living in Mexico, I experienced a "zombie-like" Catholic moment. We were downtown and all the gringos were ready for tacos! It had been a long day, but a great one, praise the Lord! I was in line behind Omar about to order when all of the sudden the Temple bell began to ring. EVERYONE seated, stood up, the ladies preparing tacos stopped and faced the church. Tacos continued to fry, mid-bite or whatever, they all faced the temple. At first I thought there was some kind of mass exiting and I was finally gonna get a seat. Then I realized they were all standing, because they had been told to do that. I can't express the shock and the weird feeling that came over me in that moment. Omar told me that the bells meant the priest was putting up of THE BODY (the bread) and THE BLOOD (the wine) of Christ (not symbolic, but actual to the Catholic). My first thought was Tequila is going to be MORE THAN an up hill climb!

Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast together and then we headed out to take a tour of the city. It was fun to ride around with the gang and enjoy the sites and learn a little about the history and volcano there in Tequila. After lunch, we returned to Leon (about a 4 hour drive). Saturday night the GDL brothers continued the campaign and received many the second night as well.

As always, we are thankful to you for your prayers and partnership to make all this possible. Please keep this city and the new church plant in your prayers as we look forward waiting to see God at work in the hearts of His people in Tequila, Jalisco Mexico!!