How was Mexico?

This is a question that has been asked over and over again since I returned from IFES World Assembly 2015, which was held in Mexico.

There is no simple answer to this question. There is no way I could summarize the experience in one word, or sentence, or paragraph, or Power Point presentation, or blog post. But, for the sake of those who don't have the opportunity to sit with me for half an hour to hear how I was impacted, I will try to answer the question...

It was WARM and WELCOMING

Welcome Room with traditional Mexican decorations

Our hosts COMPA did an exceptional job of making us feel at home in Mexico. Even before we arrived, they promptly answered our emails and assured us that we would be well taken care of. When our flight was delayed for two hours, causing us to arrive at the airport at 1am, they were right there waiting to welcome us to our new home for the next few days.

The Welcome team at the airport

Even the staff at the hotel where we stayed were so hospitable. Although it could be said they were just 'doing their job', they did it so well! There was one day when the sun was blazing hot one minute, and then suddenly the sky turned dark and there was a heavy downpour, complete with lightning and thunder. We were having dinner at the time, and after being entertained by our COMPA hosts with singing and dancing, it was time to go to the hall for our evening session. The hotel staff secured large umbrellas to escort us to the hall so we were able to get there in time despite the inclement weather.

Having fun while waiting for the rain to stop falling

It was WELL ORGANISED

I must commend the planning committee for pulling off a global event of this magnitude with such excellence. As someone who organises camps on a small scale, I cannot begin to imagine the immensity of the logistics involved in facilitating a conference for 1000+ delegates from more than 100 different countries. Yet our COMPA family was able to ensure that all necessary details were in place so that all we needed to do was to show up and participate! From the airport shuttles to registration to the main sessions to the seminars to the excursion, they ensured that everything ran smoothly.

Volunteers manning the registration table

It was WORLDWIDE

World Assembly brings together representatives from most of the countries where there is an established International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) presence. As a result of this, there were delegates there from literally all over the world, even countries where Christians are 0.01% of the entire population. At almost every meal time, I was able to sit with someone from a different country and engage with them. Some of the stories shared were truly eye-opening. In my small group, there were persons from countries I had only ever read about in my geography books. In spite of the differences in cultures, there was a real sense of unity among all the delegates that was manifest in our times of corporate worship, which gave a glimpse of what heaven would be like - people from every nation, tribe and tongue all giving praise to Almighty God!

Breakfast with new friends from Mozambique, Peru, Ecuador
and Germany, and this was just the first day!!!

It was WORTHWHILE

The Bible expositions on Daniel 1 and 3 and the book of Philippians... the small group discussions where participants shared openly and honestly about their experiences in their own contexts... the numerous testimonies which were shared where God showed up in the midst of difficult circumstances... the privilege of worshiping God together with believers from different denominations in different languages but in sweet unity... the seminars which allowed us to make practical applications on various topics... the new friendships which were initiated and can be easily sustained thanks to technology... it was more than worth all the efforts and resources which were invested to be a part of World Assembly 2015.

See if you can find me LOL

To get a visual feel of what the experience was like, you can click here

What was most impacting to me personally was the importance of being in consistent prayer for the persecuted church. I have heard firsthand of the ways that God is moving in some countries, despite the barriers which exist. As a member of the body of Christ, we have a responsibility to intercede for our brothers and sisters who do not enjoy the same religious freedom as we do.

1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

World Assembly reminded me that we are indeed Together. In Christ. In Mission. In the University.