Unity

Unity - that was the theme of our Leader's week in El Salvador. It wasn't the theme that we had selected beforehand, however, it became apparent right from the start that this was the theme that God had selected for us.
On Sunday morning, at our first team devotion, Wayne Drudge from Listowel EMC shared from Psalm 133:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Running down on the beard,

The beard of Aaron,

Running down on the edge of his garments

It is like the dew of Hermon,

Descending upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—

Life forevermore.

As we worked alongside each other, many of us meeting one another for the first time, unity would be crucial. With each of us being "leaders" learning how to be mutually submissive to each other through the building of houses and also in our meetings, is no easy task and yet there was unity among us. Not uniformity, because we are all different and have different strengths and talents and gifts, but there was unquestionable unity. 

Today (Friday) as we went back into the community called New Hope, for the key giving ceremony, Pastor Oscar gave a message on Psalm 133. He talked about the two fold promise: the first being the setting apart by God, in the way that Aaron was set apart to minister as High Priest. God blesses unity and works through unity to accomplish His purposes. Secondly, there is a unique inspirational refreshment, like the dew in the morning, which comes through unity. 

Lastly, this afternoon, we gathered all the volunteers and workers from all the communities that we have worked in over the course of this last season. There were about 140 people in total. I had the privilege of sharing from Romans 16, a message the Lord had given me to write two weeks ago - the theme - you guessed it - unity!  A unity forged through our common faith in Jesus Christ. A unity fuelled by the power of the Holy Spirit. A unity that uses diverse kinds of people. A unity, through which God desires to reach the nations, including Canada and El Salvador, as people make God honouring choices to resist evil and obey the truth. 

The lasting impression of the stories we've encountered (sorry, we've had poor internet connectivity this week which have limited our ability to share) and our experiences have fuelled our desire to serve the Lord in the upcoming year because of the way in which we've seen Him work through all of us, Canadians and El Salvadorians, through the unity that He continues to work within us. 

The 140 people gathered in an upper room in San Vicente, had an unmistakeable feeling that God is using each and everyone of us, and through us to our various communities, team members and partner churches and organizations to bringing healing and redemption to the lives of both Canadians and El Salvadorians. 

Thank you for sharing in this ministry, we serve an amazing God who in these days, has brought Psalm 133 and Romans 16 to life before our eyes. 

"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages  but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (Romans 16:25-27)

Deve