Monterrey, Mexico Mission Report
On July 3rd the team from Canada left for Monterry. Our team of Canadians consisted of Jason, Stephanie, Madison and Hudson Shellborn, Sandra Laarz and Mark Forrester. Sandra had previously been to Monterrey on missions but Madison, Hudson and Mark had never been on a missions trip before. As part of our preparation for the trip we memorized the twelve verses from book 3 that correspond with the bridge illustration, prepared personal testimonies, and prepared sermons. I told the team that we need to be ready to share at a moments notice so come prepared because we will be called upon.
On arrival to Monterrey we were welcomed by Valdemar Sanchez. Valdemar had worked hard to make all the arrangements for our accommodations, vehicles, and schedule for the following ten days. After resting for a few hours from travel, we went that afternoon to a church Pastored by Luis Raul Fernandez Ortega. At the church we were met by many church members who had volunteered to go with us door to door to share the gospel in the area around that church. The neighbours in the area were receptive to hearing the gospel and approximately 12 people prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and saviour. We also had an opportunity to give out an audio Bible to one older man, in a wheelchair who found it difficult to read due to his eyesight. After returning to the church, our team would take some time to share our experiences and give glory to God. This was always a blessing to hear how the Lord had worked in all the teams that went out. Mark blessed the team sharing his experience presenting the gospel and seeing people receive Christ. Another highlight of that day was to see Madison share the gospel for the first time!
Each day we would either go door to door, visit one of the four prisons or share in the streets. We would join with different groups of volunteers from existing churches or discipleship groups as we shared the gospel. We learned when we arrived in Monterrey that Madison and Hudson would not be allowed to enter into the prisons, this was not what we had planned, but the Lord in His good plan used these times for team building, giving them time to prepare their talk for Sunday morning service and a chance for them to see the city of Monterrey. Hudson made friends with some boys in our hotel who were in town for a soccer tournament. Valdemar saw this as a good opportunity to get all the boys together and have a small soccer competition with a gospel presentation at the end. Many boys prayer to receive Christ, took bridge tracts and Bibles. Praise the Lord for the things He has planned!
Sharing at the prisons were a great opportunity. We partnered with a faithful group of sisters who weekly go into several prisons in the area. We went to 2 men’s maximum security prisons, 1 women’s maximum security prison and a youth detention centre. There we would share our testimonies, the gospel through the bridge illustration, a short devotional and often would provide food for the prisoners. Many of the prisoners spend 23 hours a day in their cells, are not provided with much food and rely on outside family or friends to visit or bring extra food. Sandra was deeply blessed by the response in the women’s as she shared her testimony. They were overwhelmed by the work the Lord did among them. The youth prison was co-ed. These young people were very open to hearing the testimonies and the gospel as they reflected on the decisions they had made, and the direction of their futures.
Sharing the gospel in the busy downtown streets of Monterrey was a memorable experience we started by going around, handing out tracts and inviting people to come to presentation that was starting in a few minutes. Mark with the help of a translator Cesar stood on a bench and began to preach the gospel. As they were sharing a crowd began to gather and listen. Some would stay others would move on and some would listen at a distance. After Mark had finished the rest of us would approach those who had been listening and give an invitation to receive Christ. On Sunday our team was involved in the morning and evening services. The Shellborn family led a few worship songs in the morning followed by a message given by Mark. Madison and Hudson had also been asked to share with the Sunday school children about their experience of Awana in Canada and being on the Mission trip. In the evening service I shared the message.
On arrival home Madison had an opportunity to share the gospel using the bridge illustration with our neighbour. We have been praying for this family since we moved here. London has also been sharing the gospel with our neighbour and has prayed with her to ask Jesus into her life. Seeing God use this team was an encouragement to me. Please continue to pray for those in Mexico who are serving and who have responded to the gospel. Valdemar and Irma will be heading to Cuba in Sept for three months to start discipleship groups with the churches there. God continues to make disciples of all nations. Thank you for your prayer and support.
Jason Shellborn
Discipleship International
