WHITE SKIN...BROWN HEART!

                            By Sandi Mull –Northwest Area minister
Partners in Ministry Coordinator


 

 


Pastor Samuel Moreno of Jerez with members of his congregation in small group discussion of Spiritual Gifts.

People live closer to their basic needs in Mexico, so they are more likely to be aware of answers to prayer and more likely to rely on God rather than self. Many are willing to give time and give up income in order to serve and reach out to others.

One striking example is Madary, who rides the bus, making 2 transfers and traveling for an hour and a half ride each way to get to the nutrition center to serve the children. I was also struck by the willingness of a family in Jerez to give up space in order to serve others. Most of us in the States are rich materially by Mexican standards, but are we as rich in the things of the Spirit?

On the other hand, they have some of the same problems we have. Many are very busy making a living (average wage is $7 a day) that there is little time left for ministry. Transportation can be a problem, since cars and gas are more expensive than in the states. Most pastors are bi-vocational, so they are like Paul who supported himself by tent making. This means they have less time to devote to ministry concerns. On the other hand, members of the congregations may be more likely to realize that all Christians are called to ministry

Mexicans are very hospitable. They willingly give up their comfort for guests and to affirm their gifts of hospitality we accept and say thank-you. They want to share what they have. Being a person that easily focuses on tasks that facilitate ministry, I couldn’t help but notice that Mexicans tend to be very people oriented.

I am always blessed by the partnership ministry with our Mexican brothers in sisters in Christ. I was grateful for Daniel’s introduction of me before I preached in Zacatecas. He said, “Sandi’s skin is white, but her heart is brown.” No truer words were spoken. They are not only my brothers and sisters in Christ and partners in ministry; they are precious friends and family. I’m taking Spanish and can communicate a little basic information, but look forward to the day when I can communicate more fluently with my Mexican friends. Sometimes we expect people to learn English very soon after arriving in the United States. From my experience and frustration with learning Spanish at my age, I understand that one may try, but not become fluent for quite some time.