Mas?

by Will Neely

“Mas?” (Meaning are there “more” people coming?)asked the first child we talked to in the streets of Matamoros last December. He looked up and down the alley to see if there were any more Americano’s coming to his neighborhood. We were a small group of ten from the Student Ministry Praise Band who traveled south of the border over the winter break to lead a series of evangelistic concerts in cooperation with our partner church in Matamoros, the Bautista Temple Belen de Judea.

From the time we stepped out of our vans and into the mud-filled street, God’s provision was obvious in the way our needs were fulfilled. The pastor was not there to meet us when we first arrived- and since he was supplying us with our only translator, this was a big problem! However, a local man “just happened” to be patronizing a different Laundromat from his family’s normal one, and that Laundromat “just happened” to be a few yards away from the church. That local man “just happened” to speak English and “just happened” to be a member of the church we were partnering with! Thanks to the grace of God, we were provided with a translator at the right time and were able to get in touch with Pastor Manuel de la Cruz to let him know we had arrived.

Some members of our team struggled with health issues for most of the week. Thomas, our lead singer, had a sore throat and rapidly disappearing voice. Through the Father’s provision he was able to lead us all in worship as often as he was called on to do so. By these and other needs that were provided for, God demonstrated the truth of His Word: “[He] causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Over the course of the next three days we led worship at three different locations. We sang in Spanish, and each night one of the members of the band shared their testimony via an interpreter. We found out from Pastor Manuel that at least five people made decisions for Christ in the first two concerts! To be used by God, in that manner, was truly an awesome and humbling experience for all of us.

Praise be to God! We thank Him and give Him glory for all that He accomplished through the Student Praise Band.

We also give thanks for the members of Southside who supported us as we endeavored to follow our Lord’s command to “teach all nations.”