We all walked into the familiar home happy and tired from our last work day with the Mastecos. The whole family, 13 people total, were dressed well and patiently waiting for the dedication to begin. For the past two and a half weeks of ministry we have been building a house, more like a new room, for a family in the community. Today was the dedication celebration over this new space.
Fernando began by sharing words. He explained how the people from the United States have enough money so they can help. We, his family, have enough so we can help too, he described.
My teammates lead us all in a time of worship. My teammate, Janice, is our worship leader here and was one back home. She is bilingual and leads worship in both Spanish and English. During the dedication it was so incredible to sing familiar songs with this Guatemalan family and our new missionary friends. I loved hearing both languages in worship simultaneously in that space.
Fernando spoke again, We don’t go to heaven because we are good. I don’t go to heaven because I build this house. But I go to heaven for knowing Jesus. In the Bible, both Paul and James say faith without works is dead. Through faith those who know Jesus do good, its born in our hearts to do good. We are activated to do what God has called us to do.
We painted a plaque on the outside of the new room with a verse. “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, Fernando says before reading the verse:
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17
Everything we do in word or action we do in the name of Jesus. We find in this verse that giving all we do to God the father is all for Him. We cannot dedicate something to the Father without dedicating it to Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. All we do and have done here we have done for the glory of God. Its important not to say thanks to us, the builders, we want you all to say thank you but not to a person. We do not want to take away glory from God.
Everything we do is for Him. This verse says we do everything for the glory of God.
More to come…
So good Lauren!!
So good!