And the last shall be first

One of the most exciting parts of being part of a mission's discipleship program is that we have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of ministries vicariously through our Avancistas (participants of Avance). Recobro is one such ministry that is especially close to our heart. Recobro is Spanish for "recovery". Recobro is a home for women and children who have some type of disability. Two of our Avancistas volunteered with Recobro this past year Jackie (on the left, a social worker), and Jessica (on the right).

Yesterday we held a team ministry event at Recobro for all of our summer interns in combination with our team of Mexican Avancistas who went to Honduras over spring break. The Avancistas put on a number of skits and shared their testimonies. Here are a couple of pictures from the event.

The most meaningful part of the entire event for me, however, happened after the "official" program had ended. We turned on some worship music and all of the residents of Recobro stood up to participate. We were all touched by the joy, the earnestness, and the complete abandon with which they worshipped. The presence of God was so tangible in that moment, and the idea that Jesus taught that "the last shall be first" kept repeating over and over in my mind. These women and children have been abused, abandoned and overlooked. Every one has a story that breaks your heart. But according to the values of our Heavenly Father and his kingdom, to the extent that they have experienced rejection from this world they will receive acceptance and honor when one day they are with their Maker. I, for one, cannot wait for that day.

One of our Avancistas wrote on his Facebook post: "Mind blowing experience today.... So beautiful to see so many people so loving and happy and in love with God."

I hope and pray that each one of us might also be able to embody this joy and complete abandon in our daily walk with God.