I was really impacted by all the joy that the kids and the Adamek family exuded at Rancho 3M. Before we arrived at the ranch, we had been informed that many of the kids came from abusive backgrounds, or had been abandoned. We were told this so that we could be sensitive when speaking with them. The attitude of the kids was completely different than I had expected. The kids were very open and cheerful, and the transforming work of Jesus Christ was clear in many of their lives.

Another thing that touched me was the care that the older kids at the ranch had for the younger children. Some of the children were related, but even the unrelated children treated the younger kids as if they were their own siblings. They all looked out for each other. This is an evidence of God’s grace in their lives, because without God they would only look to their own interests instead of preferring others above themselves.

The best part for me was the way that the “language barrier” dissolved after the first few days. I don’t speak Spanish, and some of the Rancho 3M kids didn’t speak any English, but we all got along very well together. The bilingual members of our team enjoyed translating for us, though I wonder if they were ever tired of hearing ” ¿Cómo se dice…?”

The passion play at Gracia Soberana (”Su Pasión Por Ti”) was a tremendous display of the gospel. The play began with Creation, and the Fall, showing our need for a Savior, and proceeded to the garden of Gethsemane and the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. They mixed scenes from The Passion (film) and songs about Christ with the drama to bring everything to life in a very powerful and compelling display. They constantly returned to the gospel and emphatically repeated our need for a Savior, and after the presentation, the pastor gave an invitation to Alpha. I hope that the presentation impacted the visitors as much as it affected our group. The message of the play bridged any language gap, and it certainly glorified God in the way it was presented.

It was so beautiful to hear “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2: 10) while we were in Mexico, and I’m very grateful for this amazing experience.

Categories: Mx08