O, if I could but speak their language I would freely spend my life among them for Jesus’ sake. ~William Case (missionary to native peoples) (1 July 2016)
Canada is an interesting place; the rest of the world thinks so, even if Canadians don’t. ðŸ ~Terence M. Green #canadaquotes#canadaday2016 (1 July 2016)
Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise. ðŸ ~Margaret Atwood #canadaquotes (1 July 2016)
We cannot in Canada continue as we are. We must become something greater or something infinitely less. ðŸ ~Stephen Leacock #canadaquotes (1 July 2016)
Many of you have been following the construction of the building for the church in Jesús MarÃa (Path of Life Bible Church) since the first brick was laid. Those of you who have donated to the project through Camino Global have also received a report twice a year.
So this is an update for all of you who have given or prayed over the last few years.
For various reasons, included waiting for permits, lacking of funds, and opposition from people who do not want to see Christians in their community, construction has been slow. It was just over two years ago that we moved onto the property for our first Sunday service.
At that point until now we have used a room that is a temporary sanctuary, because the main sanctuary has not yet been built.
Some work that has been done over the past few months:
Sunday school rooms (also used for community centre classes) have been completed above the temporary sanctuary
Landscaping completed at the front of the property
Water piped onto the property, flush toilets installed
But let’s face it, we’re all tired of saying “temporary sanctuary”. Quite often it’s been filled over-capacity. And the setup really is far from ideal for services.
Soooo…. you guessed it! It’s time to actually build the sanctuary!
The view below is taken from the second level, outside the Sunday School rooms and above the temporary sanctuary. The area on the left, filled with rubble (much of it from the pigsties that were originally on the property), is where the sanctuary will stand, Lord willing (the greyed-out area is an estimate).
We have most of the funds that we need to complete it. If we can finish off the Ixtapaluca Project, we will have all the funds that we need to complete the sanctuary, complete with stage and baptistery. The project is 97% complete – for more details, feel free to contact us here.
If you would like to be a part of completing the sanctuary, now’s your chance, because it’s about to happen! Find out how you can give here.
Also, pray with us and watch this space for more progress!
No, no, not ALL movies. But I’ve noticed that recent movies about the life of Jesus have this tendency.
It’s a little weird. And when you start to see a pattern, you start to wonder if there’s a reason. And if so, what is it?
There are two things that are left out – maybe three. Of course this wouldn’t apply to a word-for-word reading of a Gospel, but movies such as Son of God or Risen.
Thomas’ Declaration: When Thomas saw Jesus, did he touch Jesus’ hands or side? I doubt it – he was so overwhelmed, he said simply,“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) Why do movies frequently include Thomas, but frequently leave out his great declaration of faith?
Lord: I haven’t done a scientific search through transcripts, but it seems that Jesus is rarely called “Lord” at all. This actually isn’t very common in the Gospels, but it’s more common after Jesus rises from the dead. (Once you get into the epistles, “Jesus” is usually paired with “Christ” or else “Lord” – rarely is it just “Jesus”.) Peter seemed to like to call Him Lord.
Father, Son, and Spirit: It’s the Great Commission, of course – which is sometimes included in some way shape or form in these movies. But I’m not sure I’ve ever heard the whole thing. Why is “the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) frequently left out?
I’m not saying that every movie about Jesus’ life is bad unless it’s a word-for-word transcript from the Bible, necessarily. But these things, especially the first and the last, seem pretty glaring by their absence. Especially when the scene is included – and the scene with Thomas in the Bible is pretty short (it’s not as if these things would have to be cut because of time)! – but the key words are left out.
Have you noticed this? Any reason why this might be?
We just finished a crazy week with the team from Mt Calvary Church! We were a little disappointed that we couldn’t spend more time with them (one of Hannah’s school projects ended up taking over!), but we enjoyed the time we had.
Last Saturday was the soccer tournament. In spite of some trouble (again) with the permits (which apparently was not our fault), it went ahead. Here’s the winning team – from the church in Jesús MarÃa, no less! Jonathan, second from the left, did a great job sharing his testimony during the day.
On Sunday the team shared in the service, even doing a song in Spanish. In the afternoon, they led an event for the youth of the church.
On Monday we went to a local public Jr. High School, and took part in a rally. There were several hundred students – I’m not sure of the exact count. The team members joined various classes, and Hannah and Nathanael even got to join in. Shari and I helped out at a couple of the stations. The team helped in many ways, including their presentation of a skit.The Mt Calvary Team does a skit at the Jr. High.
On Tuesday and Wednesday there were various service project and outreaches – a youth girls and adult women event at the church (but with many people from the community who don’t attend our church), painting at a rehab centre, putting together wheelchairs, clean up and community improvements, and so on.
Thursday was a day of site-seeing and souvenir shopping downtown.Mt Calvary Team and others involved in the Chalco event
On Friday we had a big wheelchair/hearing aid event in the city of Chalco. Many people in need were given wheelchairs and hearing aids, as well as Bibles. They also heard a clear gospel presentation from Mayra Fry!Katelyn & Maddy, with Nathanael, Hannah and Shari
Last night there was a goodbye party for the team at the church, and this morning(?) at just before 5am we said goodbye as the team headed to the airport.
We were blessed to have Maddy and Katelyn stay in our home for the week as well!
Yes, a big week! But a good one. Thanks for your prayers!
We have most of the funds that we need to complete it. If we can finish off the Ixtapaluca Project, we will have all the funds that we need to complete the sanctuary, complete with stage and baptistery. The project is 97% complete – for more details, 
On Monday we went to a local public Jr. High School, and took part in a rally. There were several hundred students – I’m not sure of the exact count. The team members joined various classes, and Hannah and Nathanael even got to join in. Shari and I helped out at a couple of the stations. The team helped in many ways, including their presentation of a skit.
