Sunday, July 15, 2007

Neuva Esperanza

Vacation Bible School... those three little words can bring back some fun memories.

VBS at Westwood is a little different this year and I believe it is working in the lives of that adults just as much as the kids. VBS is taking place on Wednesday nights with the focus of missions. Each week, the kids 'board a plane and fly to a different country'. We have been to Hungary, China, Bolivia, Peru, and to East Roxboro (yeah- that's where we live now). Our church either supports missionaries in those areas, has been there on a mission trip, or both. We learn about what God is doing in those areas, how we can support and pray for the people there, and about the importance of speading the gospel to all the nations. Acts 1:8 "You will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. You will be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria. And you will be my witnesses from one end of the earth to the other."

Like I said earlier, one of the weeks in VBS we 'traveled' to East Roxboro. This is because our church is currently helping a new church be planted right here in our hometown. So often when we think of mission work, we think we must travel elsewhere. But truthfully, the people right here in our own neighborhood need to hear the good news of Jesus just the same as those in other countries. If I translated Acts 1:8 to be speaking directly to me, it would say "...be my witness in Roxboro. You will be my witness in Person County and North Carolina. And you will be my witness from one end of the earth to the other." Roxboro is my Jerusalem. Are you being a witness in your Jerusalem?

Yesterday, Shawn and I had an awesome opportunity to help with a mission project right here in our home town.

This leads me to the title of the blog. Neuva Esperanza. Neuva Esperanza is a Spanish Mission church that meets in the fellowship hall of our church weekly. Somehow they inherited an empty trailer that is located in a trailer park that is mostly a hispanic people group. They have been working on the trailer for quite a while now...cleaning, new walls, new flooring, etc. They are planning on using the property to hold Bible studies to reach out to the spanish commnuity. So, a team from Westwood got together yesterday to help out with the project. We were able to accomplish a lot, but there is so much that still needs to be done. We are going to be having a block party tomorrow to hand out free hotdogs, balloon animals, listen to live music, continue with some of the work, and pass out information reguarding the upcoming Bible studies. It is so awesome to be a part of Gods work.

Here are some pictures from the work day yesterday.


Here she is! (the trailer that is) The guys were building a new porch.

Jim was installing new light fixtures.

The ladies cleaned on the inside... and boy did we clean.

This is only about HALF of the trash we hauled out of the trailer.

Shawn and I taking a much needed break.

I ask that you be in prayer for the upcoming Bible studies that will be taking place in this very trailer. Pray that God will open many doors, provide opportunites for Neuva Esperanza to share God's word, and that they will be a light in this community.


1 comment:

Jessica said...

I will keep this mission in my prayers. I agree that we can be missionaries here in our own backyard. Keep up the God work! :)