You may remember the Migraine World Summit which took place last year online. Bringing together experts and advocates from around the world for a week, it was a tremendous success. This year, it’s being repeated – and you can take part, from your home, for free.
Last year I was honoured to be one of the speakers. This year I’ll just be attending. But I was able to Skype with one of the hosts of this year’s summit, and he has some big dreams for this year, and for the future.
If you attended last year, you’ll be excited to hear that there will be even more practical information, more cutting-edge research, higher quality video – and you can watch it all (or just a session that interests you) for free (as long as you have tickets. Which are free.).
The speakers come from around the world, from such familiar places of research as the Cleveland Clinic, Harvard, Mayo Clinic, Kings College London, and more. I’m familiar with many of the speakers, and I can say with confidence that this is a group of some of the world’s absolute top experts.
I don’t talk a lot about things like this here, but I do encourage you to seriously consider attending (via internet) if you have headaches, and/or migraine, or you know someone who does. The summit takes place next week, from Sunday to Saturday (23-29 April 2017). Again, you can just watch one session, or hang out all week.
A few years ago, our team initiated a project to help the local church in the community of Jesús MarÃa, Ixtapaluca, to purchase land and begin construction. Great news! We have reached our goal, and completed the project!
This project of course is only a gift to help with some of the cost. The church has raised a great deal from other sources, such as offerings and garage sales. But working together, these funds have now been mostly converted into soil and brick and wire. The church has land, and part of a structure.
The next goal is to finish the walls of the main sanctuary and put up the roof. Lord willing that will be done this summer!
For all of you who helped with this project – thank you! If you donated, you should receive a final report sometime soon.
Already this building has been used for Sunday services, Bible studies, counselling, classes for the community, temporary storage of things like wheelchairs for people in need, and much more. As I’ve said often, the building is only one of many means to an end – to see disciples of the Lord reaching out to share His truth and love.
This is a good time to post a few pictures, to remember what has happened over the past few years…
Very first service in a small rented house in 2010. It was packed! Peeking over the wall, you can see construction beginning. First, they had to demolish the old pig sties! (2013) First Sunday service on the new property, in the temporary sanctuary (2014). Baptisms in the roofless sanctuary in 2016. Representatives from all three Sendero de Vida churches at the Children’s Ministry seminar in Jesús MarÃa (2017).
Recently my Dad introduced me to a remarkable and yet mostly forgotten old hymn. It was written by a man from Ohio with the surprising name Tullius Clinton O’Kane. During his life he was a school principle, a travelling salesman, and ran a choral society.
He imagines a multitude passing through death to their final salvation in Jesus Christ. Among those in the crowd are those who have lived through hard suffering or who have faced conflict, in this life.
Kids at the Saturday club in Las PalmasBut perhaps the most beautiful and unique picture is in the second verse. O’Kane celebrates something that we don’t celebrate enough. The wonderful grace of God that we see in the lives of children who have come to know the Lord early in life.
You can read the hymn below, but also be sure to check out my Dad’s article here, which also celebrates the contributions of children to the Church.
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
Who, who are these beside the chilly wave, Just on the borders of the silent grave, Shouting Jesu’s power to save, “Washed in the blood of the Lamb.” “Sweeping through the gates” of the new Jerusalem, “Washed in the blood of the Lamb,” “Sweeping through the gates” of the new Jerusalem, “Washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
These, these are they who, in their youthful days, Found Jesus early, and in wisdom’s ways Proved the fullness of His grace, “Washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
These, these are they who, in affliction’s woes, Ever have found in Jesus calm repose, Such as from a pure heart flows, “Washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
These, these are they who, in the conflict dire, Boldly have stood amid the hottest fire; Jesus now says, “come up higher,” “Washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
Safe, safe upon the ever shining shore, Sin, pain, and death, and sorrow are all o’er; Happy now and evermore, “Washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
It’s been 66 weeks, and 462 blog posts in Spanish. And I finally finished yesterday.
With a desire to learn more about each book of the Bible, I started to write brief notes about each book of the Bible on my Spanish blog – En la Biblia. On Sundays, “Measurements” – the length and genre and some details about each book. On Mondays, “History” – where the book fits in history, dates of writing, etc. On Tuesdays, “Author” – or, of course, authors in some cases.
Wednesdays, the “Key” – one key word for each book (thanks to my Dad), and an explanation. Thursdays, “Characters” – key people in the book. On Fridays, “The Christ” – where do we see Him in the book? (Answer: all over the place!)
Finally, every Saturday, “Meditations” – key verses and passages to meditate on or memorize.
So I hope I’ve learned something. And maybe a few other people have too!
So today I started a brand new brief daily post – proverbs in the Bible! A new proverb every day with a brief note. So I’m looking forward to meditating on various proverbs for the next 365 days.
The logo I’m using says: Proverbs: The ancient art of real life (“real” actually has a double meaning – it can also mean royal.)
When I’m done that (if I finish!) I’ll actually have 3 daily projects – The Believer’s Daily Treasure, The One Year Catechism, and the Proverb of the Day, plus the Bible book summaries that don’t exactly fit in a year but I might try to cram them in somehow. That way I’ll have various paths people can take to do a daily Bible meditation. They’re generally very short – in many cases you could read them in less than five minutes.
Just a little something I work on to learn both about the Bible and about Spanish! Here’s hoping I’ll retain something.
