Church plant in Chichi

Manuel of Tabacal was the "pastor" of a group of people in his home village in the department of Chichicastenango. When he left for Tabacal many of the people just stopped meeting. On his visits back to the people he encouraged several small groups to get together and formally start up a church. We were able to be there for the openning service of the new Christian and Missionary Alliance church.

About an hour out a rock road and over some hills we arrived to a welcoming of the whole church. There were a couple hundred people there with banners and flags. I felt like some sort of royalty or something. They lined the path to enter with people on both sides greeting, thanking and hugging us. There was definately a party energy in the air. We made our way around to the central courtyard and soon the festivities started. Manuel asked if I could preach the first sermon. I told him I would be honored. When I asked how much time I had to prepare, I was told, "about 5 minutes." Thank God that He had placed on my heart from my reading in Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes on the trip over that this life is a vapor. The treasures and sufferings of this world are only temporary and our trust should not rest here. Rather let us place our trust and efforts in Christ and his righteousness, preparing us for the life to come. It was a fitting message for these people that wealth has passed by. Merari performed communion with the people and their devotion was inspiring.

After the service was the offering. The people didn't have much money so they offered fruit, corn and chickens. The peopel gave with thanksgiving and pressed their way to the front to give. I was given a white rooster and hen for my, "beautiful white twin girls." I will pick them up from Pastor Merari's house on sunday. Then it was time to feast. The group of us from San Lucas ate near the pulpit. We had typical Mayan soup with the ladies standing nearby to geth whatever we needed with huge smiles on their faces.

When we left, the scene was the same as when we came with all the people out to send us off.
Wealth and happiness are not joined. Visits to places like this remind me of that principle every time. For this reason, I think we all need to spend time with God's people who have little but still have "the joy" so we can equally bless one another.