An evangelistic mission into the barrio was planned for the following day. This was a new and unusual experience for me therefore I started out as a rather reluctant participant. Little did I know how powerful this day would be for me.
We arrived in a neighborhood and after praying, Ramon packed us up and moved us to a different location. When asked why the change, Ramon explained that if the neighborhood had a peaceful and inviting feel (vibes) about it, that was not the right place but if the feeling was of dread or rejection then that was the best place to share our beliefs in God.
We broke up into two groups with the group I was with following Ramon around the block going from door to door. Every home had a gate complete with chain, lock and hungry looking dog. Ramon told us if the lock is on the outside then nobody is home and if on the inside then somebody is there. Ramon would go up to the gate and loudly yell out - "Buenos dias". If nobody came to the gate then he would have us all yell in unison - "Buenos dias" and that would usually bring a person to the gate. Being the primary Spanish speaking person Ramon would explain why we Norte Americano's were in Mexico and invite the individual to meet us at a certain place in the street at a certain time for prayer and religious testimony. Based on my knowledge of how American home owner's would react to a similar invitation it was my mistaken belief that the response to these invitations would be slim or none.
When we returned to the prearranged location there were 3 elderly señoras waiting for us and that was all. Ramon commented that there was usually many more interested persons than that and commenced a silent prayer. I wasn't paying too much attention to what was happening but it seemed like only minutes later that I noticed the señoras had multiplied into a small crowd of men, woman and children standing in the light rain waiting for something to happen. Next a nearby home owner appeared and unlocking the gate invited the assembly of people to come into their courtyard and stand under the awning to get out of the rain.
People from the neighborhood continue to arrive as the gathering share a short prayer.
Spanish text bibles and "Purple Book" study guides were freely passed out while local pastor Nico in the picture below wrote down names and contact information of the recipients for follow up later.
The Purple Book helps the student find answers from the Bible while helping build a solid foundation as a Christian. This 12 part series covers the essential truths of the Christian faith in a style that not only educates in the Scripture, but empowers the reader to learn and help others.
Purple Book organisers say their mission to disciple one million people in the Mexican state of Baja California within 20 years using the Purple Book has been exceeding their expectations.
Ramon and others pray for this little girl who suffers from seizures.
The lady shown below responded when the group was asked if there were any special needs which we could pray for. It was traslated to me that - she complained her Eustachian tube and inner ear on one side of her head were blocked with chronic infected secretions causing partial deafness and much pain. Ramon held the woman's head in his hands while praying silently in Spanish. Suddenly the woman burst into excited tears and shouts in Spanish. She exclaimed that she could feel and taste the poison debris draining from her ear. Her hearing was returned and the pain was gone. "God has healed me!" she exclaimed in great excitement.
About ten children politely joined the assembly.
The adults form a circle around the children while Ramon leads us in a prayer asking God for a special child's blessing.
One of the workers from Washington told me that he has been on six previous projects and that at one evangelistic mission there were about sixty persons attending and another over one hundred while this meeting had about thirty people in attendance. He also said that there has always been successful healing at the previous meetings he attended.