Church/Mother's Day

I had an amazing 2nd Mother's Day this year. Being in Mazatlan for Mother's Day (and Dia de las Madres a couple of days later!) is something I probably won't ever forget. The Mazatlan pastor had asked Pastor Jose if he would preach at both the La Vina English service and the Francisco Madero's Spanish Service. With one day's notice they also asked if our team would do the Children's service. No problem! I looked up a couple of lesson ideas and was told I would be able to print out some things and buy some materials later. I was confident we could pull off a lesson.









At La Vina Church it was surprising to me to see a service of white people! I didn't realize how many American and Canadian retirees there were in Mazatlan. Pastor Jose brought the message, and he invited the church members to come up for . Our team had an awesome time of ministry praying for a variety of needs.

After that English service ended, we jumped into trucks and drove to the colonia of Francisco Madero to be a part of the Spanish church there. Worship was awesome and it was powerful to sing along in Spanish to songs we knew in English. The day before we were never able to get supplies, a lesson plan or the craft I wanted and we had arrived too late to get access to the churches limited supplies. Without any children's ministry supplies, no detailed lesson, no Spanish speaking team members I was nervous!! When the children were dismissed (it seemed like that was half the congregation!) and Pastor Jose was being called up to speak, I whispered to him "Make it short!"

We were led to the "classroom" which is in the still under construction new building . With about 30 cute, but dirty and stinky kids, we crammed into a small cinder block room. Imagine no fan, one little window, no breeze, 95 degrees.....and those 30 kids (remember cute, but stinky!).

How we survived? I don't really know. Somehow, I did a short lesson in Spanish about the importance of the Bible and the salvation story. I called kids up to recite their favorite verse, and called on kids to answer questions.

We had taken along some beads and we made Salvation story bracelets (each color bead represents something black= sin, red=blood shed...). Shannan, Isabelle, and Debbie M. helped the kids with the bracelets and loved on them, while I was in shock that the Spanish words were coming to me. The kids corrected me a couple of times, I asked the Children's ministry director for help a bit...but overall they understood me and got the message. Thank you Jesus!

As much fun as we were having, I was still ready when the service was over. It was exhausting having to think so hard to teach and the heat was nearly unbearable.

I didn't get to see it, but I heard that the message Pastor Jose preached in Spanish was amazing and the whole church responded for prayer. The Holy Spirit showed up powerfully in that church and the Lord did some great things in people's lives.


Following the church service we enjoyed a good meal at a restaurant.

After that Jose had surprised me with a massage back at our hotel, and the rest of the evening was spent napping and resting by the pool.

I was so blessed by this opportunity to serve in Mazatlan, and I'm so blessed to have such a sweet little girl!