#17 Disciple
There are a small handful of adult believers in Las Moras, and a collection of children, as well. They continue to amaze me with their courage to break away from generations of ingrained beliefs and put up with mocking and ostracism from their own community. They are brave, and generous, and hungry.
Our team’s desire is to leave a mature, self-sufficient, indigenous church among the Nahuatl. One that is firm in its foundation and has the desire to reach out to others with the truth.
She is at the house often and we have lots of chances for good discussions.
In order for a mature church to develop, we have to be committed to discipling the believers. Like many other facets of life out here, this is by no means a cut-and-dried topic. We want to be a godly example and yet be transparent, honest about our failings. We want to be there for them but don’t want dependency on us (only on God). We want take the time necessary, but yet there is a sense of urgency.
I am passionate about discipleship. It is the reason I decided to be a teacher in what seems another lifetime. I love that in my conversations with the believing ladies, we have common ground on which to discuss ideas. We have a shared family and a shared culture now–not the ones we were respectively born into, but the new one into which God brought us.
The new believers have a lot of questions. Should we keep going to the old parties for the spirits? What do dreams mean? What should I do when I’m not getting along with someone? Is it true people really get baptized? Someone asked me what religion I am now; what do I tell them?
I do not have the answers. But I am committed to being a life-long student of a Book and a Person that does. We can talk, and pray, and search those things out together. And what is discipleship if not following Him together?