Ten years ago today (2012) we were having a closing program for the community centre. Part of the program was to give out some wheelchairs to people who had been identified as having a special need.
These are the “old style” wheelchairs provided by another mission. The new ones are a lot better and more sophisticated. But for someone who had no access to any chair, these were a good start!
Below are a few clips from the closing program for the Centro Cultural Tiempo de Vivir (Time to Live Cultural Centre) this past Friday.
The program went well and we had a very good turnout. You’ll see some of the art that was on display before the program, and then some of the program itself. A good portion of the program was presentations by students, and handing out certificates.
Although we had a good crowd, we were disappointed that more people didn’t come to receive the wheelchairs. I think we presented three chairs, when we were planning to give out twenty. However, the chairs will be given out in separate presentations this week.
All in all a good program Рa lot of people worked hard to make it happen, there was great participation from many more in the program, and a great devotional by guest Antonio Mu̱oz.
Thanks to all who were praying!
The other night I was driving down from Jesús MarÃa after our Bible study. It was dark, and as I wound down the road I noticed that a van was following behind me.
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The strange things was that the van’s headlights were going off, then on. Off, then on. What was the driver trying to tell me?
I looked around – yes, my lights were on. No, there were no doors open. Blink, blink – on and off went the van’s lights.
There was a slow car in front of me. Could it be that the van was trying to signal him? Maybe they had been travelling together, and the van was trying to tell the car driver that he was no longer driving directly behind him.
But the van made no move to pass, and the car just kept going.
On went the van’s headlights behind me. Off. On. Off. On.
Finally I realized what was going on.
Whether by mistake or on purpose, the van’s headlights had been hooked up to the brakes.
That’s right, every time the van braked, the headlights went on. When he eased off the brakes, they went off. What kind of a message is that?!
The things you see!
Tomorrow evening we’re holding our regular closing of classes program at the community centre. We’ve done a lot of different things in past years, but this event is going to be a big one. There will be awards and gifts, students showing what they’ve learned, special music, an art show, wheelchair presentations, and even a special speaker. The speaker, pastor Antonio Muñoz, will be presenting the Gospel to many people who probably have never heard it.
Please do pray for our closing program tomorrow evening – pray that our message will be clear! No mixed signals – no headlights off in the dark – a clear presentation of God’s love and truth.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
Tonight we had our December "clausura" at the community centre in Jesús María.
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A clausura (say clow-SOO-ra) is a closing program. The fall set of classes at the community centre is finished, and at the close of each set of classes we have a special closing program.
Tonight we had some games for English class, and we sang a couple of Christmas songs. We saw some country dancing.
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There were special presentations for everyone who participated in various classes, including basketball and baking class. There was a demonstration from the drum class.
Afterwards there was ponche and corn dogs – what a combination! 🙂
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Clausuras are a great chance to get to know people in the community. Sometimes we meet family and friends of people who are in community centre classes. Sometimes we meet people who just happen to be walking by. 🙂
It’s a great way to end a series of classes with a bang, and recognize students that have been working hard. There’s usually an opportunity to share God’s Word in some way, as we did tonight by sharing the Christmas story and giving out some Gospels of Matthew.
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Very well! Our new community centre director, Tina, did a great job getting everything organized. We didn’t have a lot to do tonight, although I played keyboard for the songs. But it was good to spend some time with new and old friends.
Everyone will be taking a bit of a break from community centre activities over Christmas. Then we’ll be starting a new set of classes later in January. The next set of classes will end just before Holy Week, so there will be more opportunities to share about why Jesus came.
The community centre has been a great opportunity to make friends, and to offer services that actually help the community in various ways. Thanks to those of you who have been a part of it! 🙂
