It’s one of my favourite things – visiting the plant and flower market in Xochimilco, Mexico City. It’s the largest in Latin America (and I’ve heard the third largest in the world, next to markets in Canada and the Netherlands – does anyone know where those are?).
Isn’t it funny how, when things go the way we like, God is “good”. When things go the way we don’t like, God is “sovereign” (and sometimes “still good”).
Well, God was definitely both good and sovereign this past weekend!
As you may recall, we had a team here from Palabra de Vida (Word of Life), which has a Bible institute north of Mexico City. The team was mostly Mexican, but several other countries were represented as well.
First, the team got whittled down due to sickness – the original fifteen became nine.
The next complication was that the team could not legally drive on the day they were supposed to leave (due to the laws in Mexico City to fight pollution). So special arrangements had to be made.
The team did several excellent evangelistic presentations in Santa Barbara and Jesús MarÃa. They also shared at both churches, teaching Sunday school and leading worship.
But what about Las Palmas? Well, the event was cancelled, because – well, we had “this permit” and “that permit” but we’re also supposed to have “this other permit”.
Never mind that we’ve done many events there in the past, and have never needed “this other permit”.
So, we packed up and shared the Gospel in another community instead!
I’m not quite over that disappointment yet, however I am overjoyed that so many people did hear the Gospel.
On Monday the team shared with 1500 kids at a junior high in Las Palmas. As you might remember, they had to do it all in small groups, because the students aren’t allowed to meet outside right now, because the pollution level is too high!
But still, they had a good impact on the school.
Isn’t it a great temptation to look back, and say “if only…” or “we should have…” — ? And yet God’s goodness and sovereignty are not different, they’re the same. I was reminded of this recently by the song “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”. Check it out —
Even though I haven’t had time to write much, many of you have still been kind enough to visit – thanks! Here are the posts that have been the most popular with you over the past 90 days. The posts are in chronological order, with the three most popular in bold.
This is a weekend that we’ve been looking forward to (and praying forward to!) for a long time. And I know that some of you have too!
Tonight, a group of students is coming to Ixtapaluca from a Bible institute north of Mexico City (Word of Life – some of you are familiar with them). This is a big weekend in Mexico, because it’s CHILDREN‘S DAY (on Saturday, but we can celebrate all weekend)!
Tomorrow the team will be doing presentations for kids, and a youth event, and who knows what else, in the neighbourhood of Santa Barbara, hosted by the Path of Life Bible Church here.
On Sunday, they’ll split up between the two churches, helping with Sunday school and music. Then in the afternoon they’ll do their children’s presentation twice – at 3pm in Las Palmas, and at 5pm in Jesús MarÃa. Busy day!
On Monday they will be doing some presentations in the local public Junior High. Now, there are I think 1500 students there, so they will be doing classes, 3 going at the same time every hour, from 7am until early afternoon.
Why not just do the presentations in two or three big groups? Well, apparently because of the current state of pollution, the school is not allowed to have classes outside. Never mind that they have classes in rooms with open doors and big windows with no screens a few metres away. ??
So – busy weekend! We’re still getting organized to make sure everyone is fed, and to be prepared for what happens and for the new people we’re looking forward to meeting.
Thanks for your continued prayers, for the Palabra de Vida (Word of Life) group, with students, as I understand, from various countries in Latin America, for us, for the other believers here who will be involved, and for the many who will hear God’s Word.
So, starting in about half an hour – well, maybe an hour. Or an hour and a half… well — later this afternoon — Hannah’s 15th birthday party begins!
For the uninitiated, the 15th birthday party, or the quinceañera, is a big deal in Mexico. Sometimes it’s bigger than a nice wedding would be in Canada. People book things months – or years – in advance. We’re talking HUGE.
Although there are many traditions, the quinceañera isn’t just once thing. It goes from the secular to the religious, from a massive expensive party to something small, and has become quite flexible in modern days.
And with our Canadian/Mexican background, we’re feeling free to make it perhaps even more flexible than usual!
Anyway, I’m writing today because I need to warn you that I won’t actually be online a lot from now until toward the end of next week – and then after that we have some other big events – so although I will try to get some photos and/or video up eventually, it may actually take a week or two before you see something substantial.
Anyway, thanks for those who have been praying for this event. We pray that it will be a blessing to Hannah, and to those who come.
We’ll be having a program, with a number of special presentations from various people. The theme is “Inheritance”. And the theme of the decorations is – snowflakes (And we have lots of them, trust me.)! There will also be a meal. And of COURSE a cake by Shari (it’s looking good – just sayin’).
We’re so thankful for so many people who have helped us out – cleaning, decorating – the Frys even loaned us a vehicle today (since we’re not allowed to drive today, due to the current laws in Mexico City).
So – I’d better run! I’ll see you after the party – sometime!
Isn’t it funny how, when things go the way we like, God is “good”. When things go the way we don’t like, God is “sovereign” (and sometimes “still good”).
So, we packed up and shared the Gospel in another community instead!
Tonight, a group of students is coming to Ixtapaluca from a Bible institute north of Mexico City (
Why not just do the presentations in two or three big groups? Well, apparently because of the current state of pollution, the school is not allowed to have classes outside. Never mind that they have classes in rooms with open doors and big windows with no screens a few metres away. ?? 
So, starting in about half an hour – well, maybe an hour. Or an hour and a half… well — later this afternoon — Hannah’s 15th birthday party begins!