By Cesar Parra
In 1997 I went on my first mission trip to Venezuela. I was a two-year-old believer when I answered the call, saved money and bought my ticket. On the last day of the Evangelistic March, through the streets of Caracas, I was sent with two youth to share the gospel. At the end of the day, 12 people accepted Christ, including a girl who was a Jehovah’s Witness. We had a conversation for two hours and finally, after answering her questions and sharing the gospel, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. It was at that moment that I felt God calling me to be a pastor. Since then, mission trips have continued to change my life.
This past October, I went on mission to Seville, Spain. It was a blessing to connect with IMB missionaries, David and Chanele Acton. Seeing this family serve God with dedication reminded me of how we are to love lost people in order to declare the gospel: with patient, humble hearts, always willing to serve others.
As I walked through the streets with David, everyone said hello; he knew everyone’s story—from the staff at the police station to the barber having a coffee at the corner café. He asked about their children, spouses, struggles and blessings; he always gave each one time to have a conversation. He expressed Jesus’ love with a smile, optimism and encouragement for all he encountered.
Then, there was Enrique and his wife Margarita. They are both in their early twenties, just got married and currently working as missionaries from Germany in Seville. Enrique made friends with everyone, on the streets, at the soccer fields and at the university as he participates in an emergent English class. I’ve never met such a mature young man, so serious about reaching lost people with the gospel.
This couple is an example to all young people. Young women admire Margarita for getting married young and for serving God with her husband even though marriage in Europe is fading, especially for younger couples. Enrique and Margarita are a testimony of true love and that in Christ, a young couple can still be committed and faithful in marriage, even in this day and age.
As for me, I felt like Spain was home. People love soccer as a social activity to make new friends. Enrique and I connected with so many men through soccer and going for a coffee afterwards. Art is also huge in Seville; I was able to have countless conversations by using music and art. It was exciting to share the gospel in a cafeteria at the Seville university, on the streets [see Horizon cover] using photography, at a Bible study at David’s house, at a churro stand (a famous pastry in Spain), and in a restaurant when we went out with soccer players and their girlfriends one evening.
My mission in Seville was to help in evangelism, but God had another plan; He helped me see things I needed to experience. He reminded me of the value of missionaries, how they give their lives for people to meet Jesus and how we lose that passion here in North America.
God made me reflect on who I have connected with this past year in my neighbourhood, in the town in which I live. He also gave me a burden for Europe and especially for Spain. This country has 45 million people. Out of this population, 66.7 percent are Catholic, 30.9 percent are non-religious, 1.2 percent are Muslims and only 0.4 percent Protestant.
I don’t know what will happen in the future, or what this trip meant for my family. All I know is that I cannot get Spain out of my heart. God always changes my life on mission trips. Therefore, my question to all of you is: “When is the last time you went on a mission trip?” Try to get involved in one this year.
Don’t just read Acts 1:8, go and live it: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.