On Thursday, the palapa over the space where our church met burned.
When I walked through it on Friday morning, the rubble had been cleared. But it was clear we would not be meeting in that space. A stump was still smoldering.
And summer has arrived. Meeting in the heat of the sun is not a possibility.
But I had no need to worry. The church board is made up of people who have the souls of expatriates. Being sentimental over the loss of a grass roof simplify would get in the way of finding a place for us to worship on Sunday. And find a spot they did.
The photograph at the top of this post is the home of the Maya Restaurant in Melaque. It is closed during the summer. But it provided just the right venue for we circumstance-created nomads. Disney calm writ large.
Our pastor read an email from one of our regular visitors recounting that the recent loss tied with our current happiness was a perfect reflection of the mixed emotions of Palm Sunday. Triumph. Loss. Ultimate joy.
I have received several comments and email concerning what the church is going to do.
What we are going to do is to continue to be a part of the community. One of my Mexican neighbors attended church with us this morning to show her solidarity with our work.
This whole incident has helped confirm what I like about my church family and this area of Mexico. I think it is going to be the start -- or renewal -- of a great friendship.
It doesn't take much to get Christians to pull together - in fact it seems to be in the makeup of the human spirit - I imagine the Japanese are working on a fair amount of pulling together, Would that it could be done more without the inspiration of a disaster. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy church meets in a city hall bldg and for a long time met in a local high school. Jesus doesnt seem to mind as He shows up every time we meet. Funny we seem to have more money for stuff other than paying mortgages too. I could get in to the palapa meeting though...
ReplyDeleteWhat struck me most was the sense of living in the moment. Nostalgia was a guest not invited to the party. People who are willing to pull up stakes and move to a new place seem to have a different life spirit. This was another example.
ReplyDeleteOver the years, I have attended churches where we met in unfinished or another organization's building. It gives a certain sense of spiritual freedom not to be so concerned about pouring wealth into a plot of land. There are no great churches of the first century to visit because congregants did the same thing -- met in homes or used local synagogues.
ReplyDeleteI have seen what is believed to be a 1st century "church" in Israel. One that is believed to be the house of Simon Peter. It's a spacious room measuring approximately 10x10.
ReplyDeleteJust the right size.
ReplyDeletethe Mayan is a great spot. Amen.
ReplyDeleteIt is, indeed.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you back.