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October 17, 2006
Emmanuel in Zitlala, Gro.
It was a rainy Sunday. Three churches from Cuernavaca (Emmanuel Presbytery) headed up to Bethel Church in Guerrero mountains. Kids was excited travelling in two rented buses. We've arrived late to the church though we left early enough at 5:30 a.m. because the buses zigzaged very slowly on slippery roads due to the rain.
Pastor Esteban Solis was happy to see the buses slide in his town. His church worked hard to welcome us and celebrate her 24th birthday together. The thanksgiving service was about 4 hours long...it seemed like an endless moment: words of 'felicitaciones' and special songs from country songs to mariachi to contemporary music.
Everyone was happy regardless a long hour of the service. But I questioned, What are we celebrating for? What is the meaning of 24th anniversary? The church has ONLY about 50 members after all. Is it good reason to celebrate?
I got the answer awhile later. Thinking of the number of its members the service has no meaning. However, it was a meaningful service as we think of the context the church has been in for such a long time. Guerrero state is not an easy place to plant a church, and it is hard to sustain her. Inhabitants in general seem very aggresive and hard to bring them to Christ comparing to Chiapanecos.
We celebrated so blessed the church for having SURVIVED 24 years of hard and dangerous time. Our thanks and praise be to God.
Posted by nanana at October 17, 2006 01:50 PM