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Retro: Kentucky (Style) Fried Chicken!

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Ten years ago we were in language school, but we were getting ready for the next step – our “orientation year”. It had not yet been decided where we would move to. So we spent some time visiting Cuautitlan Izcalli (north Mexico City) and Ixtapaluca (SE Mexico City). Next was Texcoco, and the area to the east side of the city, with our friends Rollie and Jo Ann Smith.

So that’s where we were as an extra-long February came to a close. We shot a lot of pictures of the rows and rows and rows of houses in the housing developments in the area (similar to the house we now live in!). I believe the picture below was taken in Los Heroes Tecamac.

(Since this picture was taken on the 29th, I’m posting it one day early!)

Some of these houses were also businesses, such as this one, boasting “Kentucky Style Fried Chicken”! See if you can also find the Victoria beer sign, the Bimbo (bakery) sign, the bicycle cart, the water jugs, and the string of shoes (for sale?):

Stores: Los Heroes Tecamac

MKs Transitioning to Life in Canada

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As many of you know, Hannah is hoping to go to school this coming fall in Canada. But how does that work, when you’ve lived two thirds of your life in another country?

After all, you don’t have the many shared experiences of your peers, or their vocabulary, and you don’t know what they know and they don’t know what you know.

Well, that’s where ReBoot fits in, of course!

Reboot is a retreat put on by the Canadian MK Network (under the MORE Network), whose vision is: To provide a safe place for Canadian MKs to review their life stories, be refreshed through worship and peer relationships in order to re-enter and navigate the transition to Canadian life and culture with God’s grace.

ReBoot 2018There are retreats in Alberta and Ontario. The retreat that Hannah hopes to go to is in Calgary this August, hosted by Ambrose University. It’s for MKs age 17-20.

However, there’s a catch – the organizers want to see if there are enough students before they commit to running the program. By March 31st they want to have around 15 students registered, or they might *gasp* cancel!

So would you help us spread the word? If you know any MKs who may be transitioning to life in Canada, or even who have returned to Canada over the past year or two, tell them to consider ReBoot. There’s lots of information in that link, including videos and testimonials.

If you would like to help Hannah attend ReBoot, you can give to her school fund here.

Earthquake – February 2018

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On Friday Shari and Hannah had just left for the women’s conference in Jesús María when the 7.2 magnitude quake was felt here in Ixtapaluca. It was certainly a good shake, lasting around 2 minutes.

Thankfully, no new damage in our house that we can see, although it did cause one or two temporary leaks in our bathroom.

Then the power went out for a couple of hours, along with cell phone service.

Thankfully, as far as we know no one was killed in the quake, although more homes in the state of Oaxaca (where the epicentre was) were damaged.

About an hour later, an aftershock hit, just slightly felt where we live.

Just before 1am this morning, we felt another aftershock, this one magnitude 5.9.

Earthquakes and Aftershocks 4.5+ in the last 7 days
Earthquakes and Aftershocks 4.5+ in the last 7 days (orange from today)
Courtesy USGS
So – I could use some sleep, but otherwise everyone is fine here.

That being said, continue to pray for people whose homes have been damaged/destroyed. And also for those who continue to be fearful. It’s high stress when the ground keeps moving, but all the more when you have no Solid Rock to hold onto.

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Copying the Cottrills?

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So, we love my parents, and we certainly want to emulate them, most of the time.

But, perhaps this is not the way to do it.

As usual, we haven’t reached their high standards, but – well, when my Dad completely lost his voice (while preparing to preach on Sunday), I decided that some voice problems, and a cough, would be the closest I could get. And yes, I’m preaching on Sunday as well. Hopefully!

AarrrrrggghhhhSo I’m sure the Cottrill men would appreciate your prayers! Actually, I think I’m starting to finally get over this sickness I’ve had for almost two weeks. But the bug is attacking my voice as its last stand.

And since my Mom has been struggling greatly with back pain, Shari decided to join the club, and sadly has been suffering a lot. She’s actually planning to go to a conference tonight, I’m not sure how she’s going to do it, but I’m sure that both the Cottrill women would appreciate your prayers as they try to serve in spite of the back pain.

(In case you somehow actually think we decided to copy my parents on purpose, I’m adding this addendum to clarify things for the most literalistic readers. The point is, the health hasn’t been great lately, and we would appreciate your prayers as we try to serve through this weekend!)

Where did the Bible Come From? (seminar)

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When we travel in Canada, we usually offer several seminars to churches, schools, small groups, etc. – you can see the current list here.

Where did the Bible Come From? flyer

The “Where did the Bible Come From?” seminar may be a little harder to picture than most, so I want to share a bit of an outline of some of the things we cover. This was originally put together in Spanish as 8 studies, but last time we were in Canada I translated and “Canadianized” it, and condensed it into “part 1” and “part 2”, which could be a Friday evening/Saturday morning, or a morning/afternoon.

So here is a bit of an overview, with some of the things we do and cover in the seminar. If you’re in Alberta or Saskatchewan, and are interested, we can talk!

Where did the Bible Come From?

Day 1 (or morning)

The Four Witnesses

  • What is “evidence”? (Laura Secord and the Bible)
  • The surprising new religion of the first century
  • The Resurrection
  • Video: Can you respond to Deepak Chopra?
  • The claims of the Da Vinci Code
  • Group Activity: Compare a Gospel with a “Lost Gospel”

The Hebrew Scriptures

  • Wait – do we have too many books? Or too few? (Canon part 1)
  • Who wrote the “Books of Moses”?
  • The Dead Sea Scrolls and the copying of the OT

Day 2 (or afternoon)

Examining ancient Javier manuscripts
Examining ancient Javier manuscripts

Copy, Copy, Copy
Can we possibly know what was originally written?

  • Group Activity: Examine the ancient texts of Javier the Louse (and experience for yourself the brilliant way that God preserved His Word)
  • Common copying errors
  • Which books? (Canon part 2)
  • Answering the Da Vinci Code

Field Trip: The Bible Translation Museum

Part of the Bible Translation Museum
Part of the Bible Translation Museum

Today’s Bibles

  • Today’s Bible Versions (and where they came from)
  • The Bible: Key Words to know
  • Group Activity: Can you respond to these actual comments from Canadians about the Bible?
  • The Bible Origins Contest
  • (hand out prizes)

Final Review

  • So – where did the Bible come from?
  • 9 Key Points to Remember
  • Key Passages
  • Final words from Ignatius of Antioch and the Apostle John

This seminar is for teens to seniors, suitable for a minimum of 5 people. Some set up time, tables and chairs, and the ability to show PowerPoint/video are needed.

As you can see, I mean to make this very practical, to help you in your own study of Scripture, and to help you answer what you see in the media, hear from a friend, or learn in high school/university.

Again, if you’re interested, contact us and we’ll see what we can do!

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