A Service to Remember

In light of it being Hispanic Heritage Month (I think), I would like to share some highlights of this past Sunday worship service at our church. As you may recall, I've mentioned before of how we pastor a small church here in the inner city of Pensacola. It has been a tremendous challenge and a difficult area but Sunday morning was one of those services that makes you remember why you continue to work week after week in ministry. With exception to our family, the congregation was entirely Latino. Thank God one of the teenage guys can translate for all of us!!

We were singing our praise/worship and they worshipped so wonderfully not knowing half of what we were saying. We stopped after a couple of songs and suggested one of them come up and sing a praise song they knew. Just that quick we were in the boat of not knowing what was being sang yet we knew to keep worshipping. Such a sweet spirit entered that sanctuary. It didn't matter that half of us couldn't understand one another. It was beautiful worship. My husband shared the Word and the teenager translated. Soon, the Latino families lined up in front of the pulpit and wanted prayer. So we began to anoint each one with oil and pray for them. My husband felt compelled to pray for one lady about a son. He did not know anything so he asked her through the translator if she had a son. She began to weep. She does have a son who could not come to the states. He is still in Mexico for reasons we don't know. But God knew this woman's grief over the situation and wanted her to have comfort and peace through it. How wonderful is our God!!

I have felt a little like David this week when he was in the cave surrounded by the rejects and unwanted of society. They stood by him and fought for him. These people we have worshipped with recently have embraced us with such fervor and are faithful to worship. They love God and it is apparent. I can't make them legal citizens. That is something they will have to diligently work towards. But we can direct them to take the proper steps if they desire to stay in our country and we can certainly love them as Christ does. I admire their love for the Lord and I appreciate their hunger to want more of Christ. It was such a refreshing and beautiful service. I feel humbled to be in the company of people that love so deeply and sincerely. I was truly blessed.