Published: May 15, 2008 06:50 pm            

First Baptist in Newton helps lay foundation for Mexican church

NEWTON — A group of members from First Baptist Church in Newton recently arrived home from a seven day mission trip to Moroleon, Mexico.

“The objective on going on this trip was to help with the beginning of construction on a new church building,” Pastor of FBC Luke Lane said. “We helped with the foundation of the church, it was a lot of hard work but very rewarding. One of our members Joe Pugh had been on a mission trip there before and had become friends with Pastor Roberto of Moroleon and that is how we learned of the need for help there.”

Ladies from the group spent the day working with a group of about 55 children doing crafts, reading Bible stories, and going door to door handing out The Gospel of John and meeting and inviting new prospects to the church.

“It was a wonderful experience both educationally and spiritually,” church member Dottie Armstrong said. “I really enjoyed knocking on the doors and handing out Bibles. One of the things I loved the most was teaching art classes to the little children.”

Armstrong said even though they didn’t understand each others language they were able to communicate and really fell in love with each other.

“It was so hard to leave them, I can visualize their little faces right now,” Armstrong said. “They were so sweet, I would go back anytime.”

Andy Armstrong said getting the foundation started was very hard because the ground was hard volcanic rock strewn with rocks and black dirt. There wasn’t a concrete truck, the rock and sand had to be mixed by hand and you had to carry big buckets of water.

“Our men accomplished so much in such a short time by pushing themselves very hard,” Andy said. “When we left we had the foundation poured.”

Andy Armstrong said one thing he noticed was they didn’t have much according to our standards, but they were a happy people.

“I remember a particular sound on Sunday morning in the church service,” Andy said. “Every person had their Bibles open and when they turned the pages at the same time it sounded like the wind blowing, it was a beautiful sound.”

Randy Cuchens said despite the language barrier their was a joy because they were united in Christ.

“We went to a service in the home of an 80 year old blind, widowed man who has opened up his home for worship until the church is finished,” Cuchens said. “You could just see the love in his heart and when we were praying you could sense his love for the Lord.”

Cuchens said on the last day when they gathered with the congregational members and Pastor Roberto to pray he then wrapped a Spanish Bible in a plastic bag and placed it in the foundational cornerstone of the church.

“The cement was then poured on top of the Bible,” Cuchens said. “Now a copy of God’s word is in the foundational cornerstone of that church.”

Members of First Baptist Church who went on the Mission trip were: Pastor Luke Lane, Randy and Susan Cuchens, John and Elaine Gipson, Peggy Garrison, Linda Kirby, Brian Mann, Sonji Rose, Jennifer Liggett, Jessica James, Joe Pugh, Andy and Dottie Armstrong.

A report on the mission trip will be held Sunday night at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Newton with a slide presentation, Pastor Lane said. The public is invited to attend.

        

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