Our second big event was the Talent Show! Earlier in the week, we had walked through the communities, handing out fliers for a Talent Show that would be held at the church in Leon. Well, tonight was the night for it. Pastor Philippe of Verbo Leon hosted the event, and welcomed everyone who joined us. He prayed for the show, that God would take control of the acts, and he kicked it off with some of our team who had entered the contest. The judges and the crowd sat to observe singing, guitars, keyboards, drums, even hand stands. Our judges eventually determined the winner to be a little girl who had everyone standing and clapping along as she sang.
Pastor Philippe then took a moment to share from the Gospel of John. What struck me was how we had just witnessed a talent show, where people broadcast their joys, and then Philippe shared John 3:16, where we learn that God took His joy, His Son, and gave Him as a gift for us. We were challenged to consider if we would ever die for the person beside us, or our enemy. Able to reflect on the depth of God's sacrifice for us, Philippe asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus as their Savior, and everyone celebrated with those who came forward! It was a simple invitation, and yet one we sometimes struggle to extend, the invitation to accept Jesus in to lives, that He might transform them.
Returning to the hotel a little later than usual, we ate dinner and quickly prepared for Porch Time. There were some funny moments at the beach that people reflected on, and powerful times that Jesus was seen throughout the day. We sang a few songs reminding us of the idea that our response in every circumstance is praise. And after that time of musical worship, Luke shared about suffering in the world. Why is there suffering? Where is God in the suffering? We learned that we were created in His image (Genesis), but that along the way, we suppressed the truth of God and worshipped other things (Romans), and that our selfishness always leads to suffering. Still, there is hope. God wants to use us, wants to empower us through His Spirit, to offer ourselves as living sacrifices for Him. Living selfless lives, dying to our selves that He might live in us. Small groups discussed what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, what things we find ourselves tempted to worship besides God, and how we can offer ourselves back to God, who offered Himself for us. Please pray for clarity and understanding, as our team studies what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ!
