wfn.org | 'Tenemos que tener fe!'

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Note #7305 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

20-June-2002
GA02096

'Tenemos que tener fe!'

by Midge Mack

COLUMBUS, OH - A distinctly Spanish flavor permeated the morning worship service on June 20 when the Rev. Amy Mendez, pastor of Iglesia Presbyteriana in Washington Heights, NY, brought God's word in Scripture and message.

After opening hymns were sung in Spanish and English, Mendez read from Hebrews 11, about Abram's call to a new place, and subsequent promises that he could take only on faith. 

Mendez gave thanks for what God has done in her life and said she plans for her future on the basis of faith. For that, she credited her mother, who she said continually admonished her, "Tenemos que tener fe" ("We must have faith").

She told of her journey to Los Angeles to accept a scholarship at age 18. "There I was, knowing no English, in a strange place, in December, finding I was to live with a Jewish family in Beverly Hills," she said. "Using sign language, I learned to celebrate Hanukka and eat matzoh instead of tortillas. I was ready to go home, except for hearing again my mother's words, 'Tenemos que' ... We must have faith."

"Yes, after seminary I certainly did find it hard to receive a call, but I knew God is faithful all the time," Mendez continued, recalling other occasions when her faith was tested. Each time, she said, gave her a new definition of faith to add to her mother's mantra.

"Faith is to be sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we cannot see," she said. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for even when we cannot see what God is doing - to put into action what we say in our words - and to allow God to be God."

"By God's grace," she concluded, "let us walk in faith. Tenemos que tener fe!"
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