Day Two: Sunday Worship

To all God's people in N.W. from Libby Gygax in another corner of God's Kingdom, acting as your ambassador in Christ.
First, thank you to the Franklin family for your beautiful notes of prayer and love that Ben passed out Sunday morning. They touched our hearts. But C. Y. was a little put out that I received one from M.F. and she did not (not all notes were distributed at one time)!
Second, Penny showed us the banners that P.M. and her crew of faithful workers made for gifts to churches here. There was discussion about who should receive them. This church and that church were mentioned. But when Pablo saw the banners, he said, "One needs to hang here in the Instituto Biblico Alfa Y Omega!" (Where we are housed). The team pronounced them beautiful and worthy gifts.
Third, after spending Sunday in worship and sabbath rest, we were all feeling that we already have received more than we could ever give. The hospitality is overwhelming in its generosity. Yesterday, we worshiped with a small congregation in Ocosingo in a building very much under construction. There were piles of dirt all around us in the sanctuary. It would be as though we had stayed in our sanctuary during its renovation. Here, in the Presbyterian Synod of Mexico there are three Presbyteries. In each Presbytery there are three levels of church plantings and growth. 1) Missions, 2) Congregations 3) Churches. There are only 45 pastors to service 600 to 700 of these 3 levels of the church. They work hard! This congregation fed all 24 of us a delicious lunch, waiting until we had finished eating before they came in and finished off the leftovers. Jan, Pablo's wife, feeds us very well here at the Bible Institute. This is truly a corner of the Kingdom close to the throne of God! Now it is time to get back to the work site. Today, Monday, we are hauling gravel - lots of gravel - to fill in two floors to make them ready to pour cement - which we will do as well. We are also hauling water - lots of water to make the cement. Then, to rest, we are making furniture - tables and chairs which we will finish. I'm off. Grace and Peace , Libby