An Uplifting Journey

Surrounded by blooming flowers, warm hospitality, and deep Bible study, we witnessed how faith is growing in Mexico, one disciple at a time.

Bro. Dennis Paggi and I decided to visit Mexico in October for our annual trip and to host a study weekend for the brothers and sisters in the Guadalajara area. We had a pleasant flight down and were met by a smiling Sis. Cynthia Paiva de Lopez. Bro. and Sis Gabriel and Cynthia are the resident missionaries, and they always make us feel very welcome. After we arrived at their house, we spent some time chatting and catching up, and then looking at all the fruit trees in their garden. This time of the year is very pretty in Guadalajara. The rainy season is almost over, and the flowers are all in bloom. The temperature is very pleasant, and the skies are filled with beautiful cumulus clouds.

After a delicious dinner, Sis. Cynthia invited us to participate in a Bible Reading Class, during which we read portions of the chapters, and each participant in the class shared their observations about what stood out to them. Several participants joined us virtually. After the class, we were able to chat with Sis. Cynthia for a while about the Truth in Mexico.

For our Study Weekend topic, Bro. Dennis had been examining the last week of Christ’s ministry, and so we decided to use that as a basis for our topic. We observed that at this point in his ministry, Christ would be leaving soon, and the disciples would have to continue the ministry without his physical presence on Earth. Therefore, much of what he taught last week has strong application for disciples through the ages, and so we can take these lessons and apply them to ourselves. Our overall theme was “Building Disciples: Lessons from His Last Week.” Bro. Dennis was to give the introductory class on Saturday and the exhortation on Sunday on the topic of the “Seven Sayings from the Cross.” I would give the other three classes, one on each of the three parables: The Vine and the Gardener, The Ten Virgins, and The Parable of the Talents. I was scheduled to give two classes on Saturday and the third and final class on Sunday, following the Memorial Service.

On the first day of the Study Weekend, we had a tasty breakfast of beef soft tacos on the way to the venue. The Jalisco Sur Ecclesia currently meets in a locale rented by Sis. Guadalupe Hernandez, a small grocery store in the front, but also features a large back area that works as a meeting room for the small ecclesia. After the first two classes, one given by Bro. Dennis, and the other by me, we went outside in the patio area behind the store and enjoyed a delicious lunch and fellowship with the brothers and sisters, before we headed inside for my final two classes of the day. Approximately sixteen or seventeen were in attendance, several in person and others online. There was lively discussion during the classes, both by all, and many deep spiritual insights. Bro. Gabriel and Sis. Cynthia did a wonderful job organizing the day, and Cynthia worked hard throughout the classes to make sure the online attendees could see the PowerPoint slides and could hear and participate in the classes.

On Sunday morning, we left for the meeting venue and stopped on the way to have another tasty breakfast of soft tacos. While there, we picked up birria, which Sis. Cynthia had ordered beforehand to take to the venue and eat for lunch. Birria is a rich, tender meat stew made with beef, lamb, or goat, which is simmered slowly in a seasoned broth, a delicious, typical Mexican dish. Our birria was made with goat meat.

During the Memorial Service, Bro. Dennis gave his exhortation on the “Seven Sayings from the Cross,” a powerful talk on the significance of these sayings of the Lord Jesus Christ. After the Memorial Service, I gave my third and final class on the Parable of the Talents. After this, we all enjoyed a lunch of birria, rice, corn-on-the-cob, and warm tortillas on the patio behind the store. All in all, it was a truly uplifting weekend, and we all felt spiritually refreshed and thankful for the opportunity to participate.

    

David Collister,
CBMA Co-Link for Mexico