Mission to Mexico 2007
From February 17 to 27, 2007, 10 missionaries from Gulf Coast Christian Center ventured from home in Mobile, Alabama to minister in Laferia, Texas, Monterrey Mexico and Linares Mexico. For four of these, it was their first mission trip, which is always a memorable occasion. Some of the others are seasoned missionary travelers, but all contributed their gifts to the work of the ministry during this trip.
If the impact of a mission trip can be measured by the opposition, then this was one of the most important trips that I have taken. Starting off near the beginning of the trip, our dancer fell down the stairs and had to dance with a very sore back and leg; our singer had a sore throat and asthma attacks, but managed to sing when called upon none the less. Before we were done two had to go the hospital, two had to go to the dentist for broken teeth, our athlete twisted his ankle and missed some ball games upon returning, and several had colds and bronchitis. None of this has dampened the enthusiasm of these missionaries to declare the Kingdom of God to central Mexico! If the devil has to pester us with these minor tribulations, then we know that we are encroaching on his territory and that the word of the Kingdom is going forth!
Out first stop was in Laferia Texas, where we participated in Brother Frank Gonzalez’s church on Sunday. We were able to minister in the morning service and were blessed by fellowshipping with their people all that day.
On Monday, we crossed over into Mexico and headed to Monterrey, where we ministered to Pastor Candelerio’s church. Three of us were able to teach, declare the kingdom, and preach the word at this church, and part of the group ministered to the young people with puppets as well. Everywhere we went, the young people were excited to learn to praise the Lord in dance (even though our dance teacher had fallen down staires!)
We also had some good fellowship with brother Candelerio, who took us to see the sights of Monterrey. Of great interest to our group, was a special exhibit at the historical museum, which described the role of Africans in the history of Mexico. Though not commonly taught in the history books, several prominent men and women in Mexican history were black. Pastor Candelerio is a good brother with an apostolic vision for Mexico that will be a good partner for us as we continue to work in Mexico.
On Wednesday, we headed up the mountains to the ranch. This is Janie Gonzalez’s home, and her dear parents, though in their 80s, still minister to the people in the surrounding mountains. At their church we improved their dormitory by building a wall, adding some lights and repairing and painting the rest rooms. This will provide a better facility for future missionaries to use while ministering to the surrounding churches. We also participated in their Wednesday night service, and were able to pray for many people.
On Thursday, we delivered supplies to the orphanage and ministered to the children. It was a great blessing to watch our teenage boys teaching them to play American football. All had a great time. The children their also enjoyed learning to dance and asked for the CD so they could continue to practice.
On Friday, we met for prayer back in Texas as Brother Frank’s church. We prayed as a group for awhile, and then our missionaries prayed for all of the members of the church that were in attendance. I don’t have words to express how proud I was of our teenage boys, as they pitched in and prayed for the young people of the church. They did a wonderful job and all in the church were blessed.
On Saturday, we made the long journey back home to Mobile, but our mission really was not complete as many of us struggled with various trials and illnesses for the next week. All of those trials, though, just served to remind us to pray for the people of Mexico, and for the next trip, when we can continue to expand the Kingdom of God in Mexico.
David Brillhart
Pastor of Missions
Gulf Coast Christian Center
Mobile, AL
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