[News] Feb 27, 2010

[Berkshire Mission]

Feb. 27, 2010

 

Happy Sabbath.

 

And what a glorious, spectacular Sabbath it has been.  We are all riding so
high on lofty winds that I don't know where to start.  I guess the first
thing I will tell you is that there were 19 baptisms last night and not 17
as we first thought.  Plus 20 other people stood to proclaim their desire
for future baptism.

This morning we started out our Sabbath school with testimony time.  First
,Berkshire Mission told their blessings and then next the Mexican folks.
The church was packed and looked absolutely beautiful.  It was all decorated
with beautiful fresh flowers on the window grates and on the pews in honor
of the weddings to take place.  The 2 little bides were dressed in gowns of
which I am sure some of the church ladies supplied,. They looked lovely.
Especially the Tzotzil Indian woman, her features were just gorgeous.  She
was so very shy, one reason is she had no idea of anything that was said.
She only speaks Tzotzil, and the custom of these people is one of shyness.
She hardly ever would hold eye contact with anyone. Both couples were just
so proud and happy about their beautiful wedding.  Pastor Bill gave a
wonderful talk about how to keep a marriage happy.  Oh how I wish that were
a talk that every person even thinking about marriage would have to listen
too and then take an exam on. Very wise counsel indeed.  Pastor Dwight did
the wedding vows and also told with a tear in his eye about how happy and
full of joy his 50 year marriage to Betty has been.  When you follow the
Lord's counsel wonderful things are in store for you.  After the wedding
many of our group presented the brides with a gift of money.  Both couples
were extremely poor but the Tzotzil woman didn't have a bit of furniture and
when they were visited by the Pastor's they all sat on the dirt floor.

I had the honor of preaching for the divine service and the topic was on
being faithful to preach the gospel to all men.   Paul presented the Pastor
with a wonderful gift.  He makes box's using the wood from various places.
This one was made from the old wood of the very first 7th day Adventist
church  in Washington, N. H.  A wonderful present in deed.. After the
service and the wedding the Mayor of Jitotol, who they refer to as
"President of Jitotol" stopped with many of his police officials.  He has to
travel with them because of the great chance of kidnapping here in Mexico.
He came to tell us how impressed he and his town is with our work.  He told
us he is of Mayan decent and is a Catholic who sees God in us.  He had
diplomas., awards and certificates to hand out to Eric and Bob, along with a
beautiful Mayan carving.  The policemen passed out carved bowls,. And other
carvings to each of us in the group.  We certainly felt very honored and
humbled by the officials gratitude.  Next the church women came forward and
presented a gorgeous hand woven purse to each of our women and the men
passed out shirts of Jitotol to our men.  We had so many gifts we could
hardly hold them all.  Then the hugs and tears started between all of us.
To see these wonderful lovely people actually break down and cry over our
leaving was hard to take and of course we started crying.  Then they all
wanted us to sign their Bibles and take pictures with us. Especially with
Amy. In the mean time dr. Mark slipped away into the bus with an elderly
woman and proceeded to extract a hurting rotten tooth.  He came prepared
with everything he would need to painlessly help this poor woman before we
left.  We could barely get away and our hearts certainly didn't want to.
leave  We have been involved in many missions but this one has been
something above and beyond special.  We have been so blessed, more
abundantly than we had ever hoped for.  Our cup is running over!  In this
trip we have delivered a baby, baptized many and had 2 weddings.  Later in
the afternoon we all gathered for our group picture at the University.
Pastor  Rigo suggested we all form a circle  in the field and thank God for
our many blessings on this trip.  The experience was heavenly.

This evening the University wanted to do a musical performance for us.  One
that was typical of Mexican style music and singing.  We went to their
auditorium and heard fabulous solo singers, a pan pipe player, and a
violinist who happens to have graduated from AUC around 1980.  She is now "
Professor" Ruth Urdiales.  Two of the students were dressed in costumes of
Vera Cruz style. Paul once again presented one of his box's with the wood
from the original church to the school.  They were thrilled and said it
would be put in the museum here.

After this was over all the students came to take pictures of and with us.
And to have us sign their Bibles. Poor Pastor Rigo, all the girls lined up
to have their picture taken with him.  Well, you know, some one has to do it
right?  And then there is the case of little Dillon...hmmmm what can I say?
He ended up getting kissed again tonight by more than one older college
girl.  And then they told his mom to please bring him back when he is older!
We are going to have to make sure he makes it on to the bus tomorrow.  Along
with Courtney who had a young man come to her room to give her his shirt.
And it even smells like him she saidJ    Then John, our interpreter gave her
his hat. And if that wasn't enough there were boys coming to get her
signature And called her a pop star.  I am going to make sure I count heads
tomorrow as we pull out of here at 5:30 A.M.  

Oh it has been a wonderful, thrilling day, full of joy, and a taste of
heaven.  We are so blessed.

Thank you to all that have donated Bibles, money, toys and other various
items.  You have blessed people abundantly.  Your heart felt gifts are
recorded in Heaven.  The people you have touched through this will be
looking for you when we all get to our eternal home.  I know they are going
to want to thank you personally.

 

Keep looking up to Jesus for every answer.  He longs to hold you tenderly
and walk through the garden with you.

Blessings to you our dear friends.  We will be headed to Cancun for a couple
days of well deserved R+R and you will not hear from us till we are back in
the states.  Pray for our brothers in Chili,.  The quake hit in the town we
built the church in 2 years ago.

 

Smiles as Always,

Jennifer Young, Mission Reporter

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