Admittedly, the last few days have been pretty rough. Lots going on, health issues. Nathanael took a slide on the pavement, discovering that his skin doesn’t like that (yes, he does look like he just fought off 40 ninjas). No water right now, and no power last night (on the bright side, I’m doing this instead of dishes!).
A bright point, however, was getting together with our team of missionaries on Monday. Not only did we enjoy everyone’s company as always (although we missed the Frys, who weren’t able to come), we also got to do something we’ve wanted to do for years – see a Talavera factory and museum (is it called a factory, when it’s all made by hand?).
Talavera pottery is made traditionally using a process that dates back to the days of the Reformation. It’s a significant tradition in both Spain and in Puebla, Mexico.
The traditional process takes weeks and uses only minerals, even in the paints. There are only six colours used, the most common being blue.
So I thought I’d throw up a few pictures from our visit. Maybe I’ll get around to posting some better quality pics in our album eventually, but here’s a taste of what we saw . . .
Amazing how he makes all these by hand – virtually identical!
Nathanael and the “Pyrogy Tree” (not really, but it kind of looks like it!)
The museum had a bit of everything. In case you’re wondering, yes, they even had one of these.
Oh sorry – you didn’t realize that? I didn’t mean to be the one to tell you. Actually, I didn’t realize it either – wow!
I just thought I’d stop by and let you know what we’re up as we hurtle towards the holidays.
Our Sunday services are continuing, of course. We’re doing a series on the book of Hebrews, and are in chapter 5 right now. I’m also doing the Where did the Bible come from? seminar during our Sunday School time. For those who have taken the seminar, you’ll know what I mean when I tell you that Javier the Louse will be making an appearance this Sunday, so I’m very excited about that. 🙂
Guess which restaurant our team went to…
We’re been greatly encouraged by the church lately – people’s involvement and interest in the Word. Thanks for your prayers!
Shari continues to keep the kids’ ministry running smoothly. Or, as smoothly as is possible with kids! They’re doing a Christmas themed series in Sunday school right now, and on Friday nights they’ve been going through the Creation story – very slowly, but they’re addressing a lot of important questions!
The adult Bible study continues too – we’re in Genesis, but going a little faster than the kids. 🙂
On Christmas Eve Eve we’ll be having a Christmas themed service – and a special year-end service the week after that.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to get together with some of our team of missionaries (the Frys and Chalo are in the States right now, and various children of said missionaries are in various places, including Hannah in Canada!). We would appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this upcoming change and as every missionary decides whether or not they will continue with Avant after the two missions join (if you missed that, check out Camino Global, Avant – What has changed, what has not…)
Of course both Hannah and Nathanael are busy with school, trying to get everything done so that they can enjoy some time off during the holidays. Hannah arrives in Mexico in 1 week, 6 days and under 4 hours!
So yes, we’re hoping to get some rest over the holidays, even though ministry will continue. There seems to be a seasonal bug going around our house right now, so we’re hoping that will go away soon (and that I’ll have a voice on Sunday!). 🤧
So that’s a little of what we’re up to! I hope you’re doing well, and able to catch some time to breath and to meditate on the miracle of the Incarnation.
In fact, our whole team is in it! Jessica Nixon, who is here helping us for a year, put her considerable talents to work to make this video of our Camino team’s ministry! So here it is . . .
When I was in Honduras, I actually made a bit of a presentation about our team as a part of a Mexico presentation. As I thought about it again on the weekend, I realized again what an interesting team we have.
We are involved in a huge number of very different ministries. And we’re serving in three different cities, and four different locations.
And if I estimate correctly, here’s where our team members are from…
We’re also married and single, no children, with children, and empty-nesters. Our meetings are bilingual. We’re also multi-generational.
So for all our faults, it is pretty cool what a variety of people we have on our team.
And then if you add the people we’re actually working with on a local level, it gets even more interesting. That would bring us to a wide group of people, majority Mexican, from a variety of churches and mission agencies.
And in this global world in which we live, that’s what teams are going to look like more and more. And it’s a very challenging thing, but a great thing, because that’s what the Church is.
The wider team of missionaries that we work with are spread out in various cities here in central urban Mexico. Not only are we involved in many different things, most of us individually are involved in a whole variety of activities!
So I asked everyone what exactly they do, and here are some of the answers I got. This cloud is an attempt to show how many of us are involved in various things (not how much time we spend on them or how important they are). Click for a larger version of the image.
