"When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends or brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors.....but when you give a banquet, invite the poor....."  Luke 14:12

 

Last week in Ometepe, Nicaragua we had a party that I call a "Jesus Fiesta." The menu consisted of beans, rice, plantains and ham.We invited the entire village of Flor where our team had completed constructing a new church building.

 

Throughout the week of service our team had offered free medical attention, reading glasses and aVBS outreach to the children in the community. Everyone who participated was invited to the big partyon Thursday night.  Some of our ladies went house to house distributing tracts, sharing and praying with folks and giving the invitation - "come to the fiesta!"

 

At last the big day arrived. The men completed the roofing on the church that afternoon and thirty minutes before the dedicationservice and "Jesus fiesta" was to begin the electricity was installed and we had lights!  We rounded up plastic chairs from all the local barsand began the dedication.

 

Just like Jesus tells in the story of the big banquet in the heavens, there is always room for more. In his book Love Does, Bob Goff says " Those who follow Jesus should think of themselves as ushers not bouncers, and it should be God who decides who gets in.  We're the ones who show people their seats that someone else paid for."

 

Last Thursday night Jesus hosted the party!  As people responded to the music, the message and the food, heartswere ushered into the kingdom.  It is hard to describe, but there is great joy in being with the Master and showingup for the party He started.  With His presence comes  renewal and peace!  And thankfully there was enough foodto share with the several hundred folks who attended. 

 

Thanks for holding us up in prayer. Your partnership makes this ministry possible! We still need lots of ushers to go with us around the world and help show people a seat at the banquet table! Come join one of our upcoming mission teams.  Check out our web page  www.gointernational.org and find a place you can serve!

 

Thank you and God bless!

  

    

Larry Cochran

 

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