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Work for the Lord

The Word tells us in Colossians 3:23-24 “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”  We had the blessings of spending a week in Cuba witnessing the church of Patria living out this truth. Last week, Brian and I traveled with a team from AUMC to Patria, Isle of Youth, Cuba to serve alongside our brothers and sisters on the Patria Church construction project as well as work on the farm and with their missionaries, women, and children in ministry. What amazed us right off the bat was the pace at which the construction is being completed. They started demolition at the end of January and got the foundations completed to start laying block at the end of February. When we arrived, the block was done and it had only been a short 2 weeks. The crew they have working is truly committed and knows their work is for a higher calling than just some concrete … [Read more...] about Work for the Lord

Master Builder

Third Lens is a part of building a lot of structures – orphanages, homes, community centers, churches, clinics. We are also a part of building spiritually in these places. It is about more than the bricks and mortar. It goes beyond the concrete slabs and metal roofs. The building we are a part of is to further the Kingdom and empower ministries to create places where people encounter Jesus. A friend was sharing some of Hebrews 3 the other day and it related so much to building for the Kingdom. Hebrews 3:1-6 “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, who we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant … [Read more...] about Master Builder

Progress In Patria

Demolition has begun in Patria! Towards the end of last year, Third Lens began a partnership with Auburn UMC and the Methodist Church of Patria on the Isle of Youth in Cuba. The Methodist Church of Patria is growing rapidly and has torn down every interior wall possible in their current building to make room for more people. The church also has 5 mission churches throughout the Isle of Youth. The goal of these mission churches is to take the gospel to the people. They meet in homes for missions as well as for weekly small group prayer meetings. God is adding to their numbers daily and as the Lord moves and the church grows, they have had the vision to construct a new church building to provide enough room for worship services, Sunday School rooms, and a small apartment upstairs to house guests. The church has acquired the cement needed for the foundation of the new church building and the congregation has come together to start demolition of the existing building room by … [Read more...] about Progress In Patria

The Next Chapter

I just recently got back from two months in Cuba. I was blessed with an opportunity to serve the Lord in Patria on the Isle of Youth working with the United Methodist Church of Patria and its ministries. I experienced the Holy Spirit movein ways that I never had before. I learned more about what the love of God looks like within his family of believers. I received more blessings than I can count. My Spanish improved a lot. I learned more about their culture and way of life. God showed me ways that I am weak and just how much I need him as well as ways in which he has given me strengths to bring glory to his name. God showed me his goodness and faithfulness in many different ways. I learned how to farm tomatoes and how to navigate the guagua (public bus). I ate more sweet potatoes, cucumbers, and ice cream than I ever had before in a span of two months. And I became part of a family that will forever be on my heart because when people seek after the Lord with all they have, the Holy … [Read more...] about The Next Chapter