Central Abbotsford

On the first Tuesday of each month, the staff of Northview Community Church gathers for our monthly full team meeting. Because of the size of our church (and its staff), we don’t always get the time to connect – to hear what is going on in other ministry areas of the church and across the church as a whole, and see how God is working in and among our people and our community.

One of the first things that we do in each of our staff meetings is to share evidence of God’s grace. These are usually stories of things that are going on in our ministries, in our personal lives, or maybe even in the life of someone close to us where it is evident that God is doing something that only He can. They serve as small (and sometimes large) encouragements for us to continue in the good work of partnering with Him to equip the saints.

This month, I shared a story demonstrating evidence of God’s grace from my recent involvement with the Family Missions Trip to Mexico, and I’d like to share it with you as well. 

As I mentioned in the opening paragraph of last week’s newsletter, the trip was (in my opinion) a tremendous success. First, we were blessed with smooth travels and general good health on the trip. We were able to accomplish a number of work projects that blessed our hosts at Pan de Vida Orphanage. We had lots of fun connecting with the kids in games of tetherball, soccer, chess, not to mention cookie decorating and a taco truck party! We were encouraged by the staff at Pan de Vida who have given so much of themselves into building these kids up – it was a true inspiration.

We also had the opportunity to tour a handful of other ministries overseen by Children of Hope. On our final weekend in Mexico, this included a 90-minute drive (even further) into the mountains to visit a community centre called Casa Otomi. The Otomi are an indigenous people native to Mexico who, for complex reasons, have often been viewed as outsiders. Casa Otomi is a community hub of education, nutrition, and care that has been used by God to accomplish some amazing things in that region.

While there, we learned that hundreds of Otomi people of all ages attend the Casa regularly, with over 100 children attending daily for breakfast. The large library has ample resources and spaces for kids to do homework, read, and socialize. A growing playground saw a lot of use the day that we were there! Bible classes for all ages are held there regularly.

Most amazingly has been the kingdom impact of Casa Otomi. When the ministry began, about 25 years ago, there were only a few dozen professing Christians in the region. Since then, six churches have been planted among the Otomi, the smallest of which has 250 people! God is good, and He is accomplishing His purposes in this place in the world!

While we were there, we had the opportunity to do some painting to help refresh and renew the outer appearance of the buildings. But God has been at work doing a much greater and deeper renewal in the hearts of many among the Otomi community. And that, above all, is evidence of God’s grace.