Seeds are an important analogy in much of the Old Testament, from Genesis to Isaiah. But the overarching context God uses it for is to advance the prosperous quantity of God’s chosen people. So it is with divine knowledge that Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven and a Gentile’s faith in the new Covenant comparatively to the strong quality of that of a mustard seed.
“It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:32).
With much attention given to escalated drug crimes in Mexico of late, many were concerned with the safety of traveling to Puerto Penasco. Factoring in the economic recession and differing college schedules during spring break this year, Love God Love People was impacted heavily in its planning of a week-long trip.
Still, by the gracious will of God, a small band of souls were generously given the opportunity to serve for the entire week, and another set of amazing volunteers were able to participate for the weekend. Though many of the original ideas for the trip formulated in the beginning were altered or canceled due to the prior circumstances, through the magnificent work of Christ, the trip ended up being a miraculous success that should have long-lasting fruit borne out of these humble seeds.
“It had been planted on good soil by abundant waters that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.” (Ezekiel 17:8)
The theme of the weekday sojourners was 1 Peter, and the Word began to take shape before our very eyes as the weekend approached. Through trials meant to refine us (1 Peter 1:6-7), issues about leadership and direction (5:1-5), and a new outlook on grace (4:7-11), obedience (1:22-23), suffering (4:12-19) and anxieties (5:6-8), a new sense of beautiful urgency in Christ and the Gospel emerged, and it had already begun to see light by the weekend.
This canvassed throughout the week with several construction projects. We met a wonderful family, the Guadelupes, and stuccoed and painted their house. To bond with this family in Christ throughout the week, from the housework to the community of Saturday night Fiesta, was a major blessing for all. The quality and strength of this immediate relationship will never be forgotten. We can only hope it, as with other families various members of the organization have come to know the past couple years, will grow in the coming months.
Our volunteers joined together with members of Bethany Community Church to lay foundation on the Los Olivios family’s house (see the previous month’s entry). This partnership lasted for a few days, and new shades of Christ’s love was revealed as we continued to build a relationship with the Los Olivios clan, as well as the Bethany volunteers.
When the second wave of LGLP volunteers arrived, we took an in depth look at the story of Jonah, really attempting to dig to the root of what Truth lies in his book. The sovereign power of God really resonated with the members.
They spent a couple of days doing stucco work on a new community center in the heart of the invasion area, handing out bag of food to needy families, and playing with local kids during the traditional Fiesta.
After a few meetings throughout the week, the organization has been bestowed some amazing ideas to reach out to more families that might not otherwise get a chance to hear about Christ.
The seeds of growth have been planted and will only continue to be sowed. God will undoubtedly be satisfied with whatever He plans for this organization in the future because so many hearts here are comprised of humble servitude in the name of His Son. Any missions trip- to Mexico, to Rwanda, to the heart of your town’s inner city- can be a safety risk, but if God calls us to, we must go. Live to feed the hungry, stand beside the broken, we must go.
Fill us up, send us out Lord.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:8-10
The construction projects were in full swing, even as the sun baked through the morning clouds on an unusually warm February afternoon. LGLP volunteers dispersed into three separate groups and covered quite a bit of ground.
tradition held at 
