Forgiveness, service, and acceptance were amongst the nightly themes of the youth conference, which was attended by more than 400 youths from throughout Mexico.
Centered in the city and state of Veracruz, the hotel and its conference room was the epicenter of a series of powerful events that changed the lives of many.
After the evening church service of Sunday, April 1, we embarked on our journey from Monterrey to the southern reaches of Mexico, which, with its necessary stops, would take nearly 20 hours. Upon our evening arrival at the upscale hotel, we dined and immediately delved into the Word of God. Contemporary songs of worship rose from the lungs of each one that filled the room, and a young, monolingual Oklahoman preacher named Jeff Smith gave the sermon, which was less sermonic and more interactional with some dialogue. As he spoke, the enthusiastic minister Brian Brown, at his side, translated the message for the predominantly Spanish-speaking audience.
He taught on the importance of forgiveness. He noted that many persons willfully sin, because they know that God is a forgiving God. They are “repeated offenders” that abuse their freedoms. It is true that each of us commit sins, but we must be willing to forgive in order to be forgiven. The idea of forgiving is heard so frequently that it has almost become a clichéd lecture. Nevertheless, we still fail to master it. Many of us still fail to release the bitterness and excavate the pain that is deeply rooted within our hearts.
We began our first full day by visiting Nanciyaga, a jungle that lacks the risk that I anticipated. Nevertheless, it is home to iguanas, turtles, crocodiles, and other reptiles. There we indulged ourselves in the drinking of mineral water directly from the pond. Though it had a strikingly, unappealing taste, the presumably pure water caused no sicknesses amongst us. Thereafter, we took a boat ride to an island, just off the shores of the jungle, La Isla de los Changos (Island of the Monkeys). As its name suggests, it is inhabited primarily my tons of monkeys.
The last adventure of our day took us to the base and top of the beautiful waterfall El Salto de Eyipantla. Though it lacks the grandeur of Niagara Falls, it is nonetheless spectacular. After the excursion, we explored the theme of servicing each other and the Lord. Smith said, “You are never more like Jesus than when you serve.” The earthly life of Christ was dedicated to serving humankind from his tedious labors as a carpenter and performing miracles to his earthly, sacrificial death and resurrection. When one serves another, he or she is serving God.
Wednesday we awakened early to acquaint ourselves with fish, sand, and wax. Yes, wax! Our first stop was the Acuario de Veracruz, or the Aquarium of Veracruz, which houses rare species of fish, sharks, turtles, stingrays, and multitudes of other creatures. Moments later, a quick indoor-walk led us to the Museo de Cera, or the Museum of Wax. This museum has more than four-dozen life-like figures, such as Gandhi, Elvis, Elton John, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, the Beetles, and Bush.
Upon arrival at the beach, I coated my body with sunscreen lotion with SPF 30. If the vendors selling sunscreen with SPF 70 was any indication of the strength of Mexican sunrays, I should have known that I would still suffer sunburn. Somewhere between swimming in the salty ocean and sliding through the extensive water toboggans, I turned purple; as if I was not attracting enough attention by being the only black on the beach. Several individuals approached to question me about my cornrow braids. A number of Mexicans also expressed their surprise at my ability to communicate with them. Another girl approached me with a brilliant smile and asked if I played basketball and could rap for her. When I told her that I do neither, I broke her heart. These types of stereotypes can only be expected in a country where there is little racial diversity.
The next day, we traveled deeply through hills to find a small, hidden community of indigenous people that speak Nahuatl, an exception to the lack of diversity. These individuals gathered on a field as we served them with clothes, food, and inspirational songs of praise and worship. To witness the smiles of young children at the site of a pair of used shoes or a slice of pie was overwhelming. They displayed humility that is surpassed by none other that currently walks this planet. These people are of the lowest social class that exists in Mexico, but they still had a reason to smile.
As we entered the next service, shortly before eleven o’clock at night, we were soon to witness something that is nothing less than a miracle. After having been humbled by the encounter with the needy and homeless persons and the ways in which they are blessed, we were in store for our own blessings. An emotional lesson was taught upon acceptance. How many of us humans are accepted by our loved ones? How many of us accept others? How many of us truly accept ourselves?
Many in that room walked in feeling unaccepted, but before they exited, they knew that at least Christ accepted them. As we sung songs of praise and held the altar call, the presence of the Holy Spirit forced the room into tears. Mexicans guys, who are extremely protective of their machismo, wept and held each other. Streams of teenagers and young adults left at the altar the burdens and shackles that have restricted them all of their lives. We being a body of Mexicans, European Americans, and an African American, and speaking both Spanish and English, celebrated in unity, with one spirit. We actually forged a familial bond.
The night was so powerful that more than 400 of us remained until after four o’clock in the morning to share and listen to testimonials. A young gentleman that I met at the conference, and that had just gotten saved, approached me with a face dampened by tears. He expressed that I was one of few people that made him feel accepted. He embraced and thanked me for my acceptance. Little did I know that this reasonably extroverted individual who had been surrounded by ladies was battling such insecurities. It once again demonstrated to me that even those that seem to possess the world sometimes lack happiness. Sometimes the smiles that they wear are artificial. Thus, actions as seemingly insignificant as a smile or greeting may have great impacts and influences on others.
Centered in the city and state of Veracruz, the hotel and its conference room was the epicenter of a series of powerful events that changed the lives of many.
After the evening church service of Sunday, April 1, we embarked on our journey from Monterrey to the southern reaches of Mexico, which, with its necessary stops, would take nearly 20 hours. Upon our evening arrival at the upscale hotel, we dined and immediately delved into the Word of God. Contemporary songs of worship rose from the lungs of each one that filled the room, and a young, monolingual Oklahoman preacher named Jeff Smith gave the sermon, which was less sermonic and more interactional with some dialogue. As he spoke, the enthusiastic minister Brian Brown, at his side, translated the message for the predominantly Spanish-speaking audience.
He taught on the importance of forgiveness. He noted that many persons willfully sin, because they know that God is a forgiving God. They are “repeated offenders” that abuse their freedoms. It is true that each of us commit sins, but we must be willing to forgive in order to be forgiven. The idea of forgiving is heard so frequently that it has almost become a clichéd lecture. Nevertheless, we still fail to master it. Many of us still fail to release the bitterness and excavate the pain that is deeply rooted within our hearts.
We began our first full day by visiting Nanciyaga, a jungle that lacks the risk that I anticipated. Nevertheless, it is home to iguanas, turtles, crocodiles, and other reptiles. There we indulged ourselves in the drinking of mineral water directly from the pond. Though it had a strikingly, unappealing taste, the presumably pure water caused no sicknesses amongst us. Thereafter, we took a boat ride to an island, just off the shores of the jungle, La Isla de los Changos (Island of the Monkeys). As its name suggests, it is inhabited primarily my tons of monkeys.
The last adventure of our day took us to the base and top of the beautiful waterfall El Salto de Eyipantla. Though it lacks the grandeur of Niagara Falls, it is nonetheless spectacular. After the excursion, we explored the theme of servicing each other and the Lord. Smith said, “You are never more like Jesus than when you serve.” The earthly life of Christ was dedicated to serving humankind from his tedious labors as a carpenter and performing miracles to his earthly, sacrificial death and resurrection. When one serves another, he or she is serving God.
Wednesday we awakened early to acquaint ourselves with fish, sand, and wax. Yes, wax! Our first stop was the Acuario de Veracruz, or the Aquarium of Veracruz, which houses rare species of fish, sharks, turtles, stingrays, and multitudes of other creatures. Moments later, a quick indoor-walk led us to the Museo de Cera, or the Museum of Wax. This museum has more than four-dozen life-like figures, such as Gandhi, Elvis, Elton John, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, the Beetles, and Bush.
Upon arrival at the beach, I coated my body with sunscreen lotion with SPF 30. If the vendors selling sunscreen with SPF 70 was any indication of the strength of Mexican sunrays, I should have known that I would still suffer sunburn. Somewhere between swimming in the salty ocean and sliding through the extensive water toboggans, I turned purple; as if I was not attracting enough attention by being the only black on the beach. Several individuals approached to question me about my cornrow braids. A number of Mexicans also expressed their surprise at my ability to communicate with them. Another girl approached me with a brilliant smile and asked if I played basketball and could rap for her. When I told her that I do neither, I broke her heart. These types of stereotypes can only be expected in a country where there is little racial diversity.
The next day, we traveled deeply through hills to find a small, hidden community of indigenous people that speak Nahuatl, an exception to the lack of diversity. These individuals gathered on a field as we served them with clothes, food, and inspirational songs of praise and worship. To witness the smiles of young children at the site of a pair of used shoes or a slice of pie was overwhelming. They displayed humility that is surpassed by none other that currently walks this planet. These people are of the lowest social class that exists in Mexico, but they still had a reason to smile.
As we entered the next service, shortly before eleven o’clock at night, we were soon to witness something that is nothing less than a miracle. After having been humbled by the encounter with the needy and homeless persons and the ways in which they are blessed, we were in store for our own blessings. An emotional lesson was taught upon acceptance. How many of us humans are accepted by our loved ones? How many of us accept others? How many of us truly accept ourselves?
Many in that room walked in feeling unaccepted, but before they exited, they knew that at least Christ accepted them. As we sung songs of praise and held the altar call, the presence of the Holy Spirit forced the room into tears. Mexicans guys, who are extremely protective of their machismo, wept and held each other. Streams of teenagers and young adults left at the altar the burdens and shackles that have restricted them all of their lives. We being a body of Mexicans, European Americans, and an African American, and speaking both Spanish and English, celebrated in unity, with one spirit. We actually forged a familial bond.
The night was so powerful that more than 400 of us remained until after four o’clock in the morning to share and listen to testimonials. A young gentleman that I met at the conference, and that had just gotten saved, approached me with a face dampened by tears. He expressed that I was one of few people that made him feel accepted. He embraced and thanked me for my acceptance. Little did I know that this reasonably extroverted individual who had been surrounded by ladies was battling such insecurities. It once again demonstrated to me that even those that seem to possess the world sometimes lack happiness. Sometimes the smiles that they wear are artificial. Thus, actions as seemingly insignificant as a smile or greeting may have great impacts and influences on others.
I walked away from this conference burned on the skin, but with a newly sparked flame for life in my soul. I walked away stepping onto a path that seems even brighter. I humbly expect great things to happen on this road that lies before me. I expect to continue to wake up to joy and happiness. I cannot expect to encounter greatness, if I fail to have an optimistic outlook. Until the day that “my cup runneth over,” it will at least be half-full.
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