Tuesday, January 15
Mexico
Sometimes Lirio de los Valles wonders why it has not grown into a church of hundreds of people. And to be honest, it sometimes feels like it is not as “good” or not as “faithful” as the “big church” in town. It is an honor to worship, fellowship, and serve with the faithful who are part of the Lirio de los Valles family and to give witness to the power of the gospel working in and through them.
Seeing Mara and Roberto, we are reminded of their grandmother, Sister Amelia del Pozo, who died last year. She began the first Presbyterian worship in her home 27 years ago. Today over 80 people find spiritual shelter at Lirio de los Valles, and this “insignificant” congregation is starting two congregations in Agua Prieta and supporting the development of a third, in Caborca, three hours away, in an effort to provide a home for many other thirsty souls.
Sister Carmina, Brother Pedro, and others who are motivated by faith open up their homes to provide food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, and welcome for the stranger—the literally hundreds of people finding shelter in their homes.
Brother Daniel and Sister Elvia, who were forced to migrate from their communities in Chiapas and Nayarit, respectively, because of economic situations, are now making it possible for families in their communities to be reunited, or kept together, through their vision and hard work with Café Justo—a faith-based response to the root causes of immigration.
One of the true gifts we have as mission co-workers is witnessing how God takes what seems insignificant and small—in the world’s eyes—and multiplies and transforms it into a blessing for many.
For another reflection on this theme, please visit.
—Mark Adams, PC(USA) mission co-worker
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Presbyterian Border Ministry: Rev. Mark Adams, U.S. coordinator, Frontera de Cristo, Miriam Maldonado Escobar, team ministry, Frontera de Cristo, Andres Garcia and Gloria Salazar Navarez
Partners/Ministries
Presbyterian Border Ministry: John Nelsen, board president • Theological Community of Mexico: Rev. Dan Gonzalez Ortega, rector
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Dwayne Batcho, PMA
Terri Bate, PMA
Let us pray
Faithful God, we are blessed by the ways in which our sisters and brothers focus not on what they do not have but on what they do have and offer it to be a blessing to God and to others. May it be so with us. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 42; 146
First Reading Isaiah 40:25-31
Second Reading Ephesians 1:15-23
Gospel Reading Mark 1:14-28
Evening Psalms 102; 133
