After a particularly significant eruption from our favourite local volcano, we were reminded again what to do when the volcanic ash starts falling.
And it does fall – making our red van somewhat reddish-grey. So here’s the latest notification, in case you ever have the same problem:
In case you’re wondering, the recommendations are:
Use a mouth mask
Wear glasses instead of contact lenses
Avoid outdoor exercise and leaving food outside
Cover buckets of water
Close windows and doors
Cover your vehicle or wipe it with a damp cloth
Sweep up the dry ashes (when they get wet, they solidify)
There you go!
On the bright side, our water situation has improved – except that now they’re turning the water off completely at night. It seems to be a pattern – if it is, we can work with it. It’s much more inconvenient for neighbours whose schedules aren’t as flexible.
Ten years ago today, Hannah and Nathanael were involved in spring celebrations at their schools. The picture below shows Hannah and also David Fry (far right). Hannah was in a play, where – I think – she played a bird. Something with wings, anyway (the flowing silvery things you might see made up her wings).
Another big event ten years ago this month was the recognition service for the first Mexican leaders of the Path of Life Bible Church in Santa Barbara. You can see a (low quality) video of the event – A Very Special Sunday for Sendero de Vida!
Below is a video of the baptisms from this past Sunday. A few words of explanation…
We don’t have the video for the first two baptisms, hence the photos. Sorry!
There were 24 people baptized (I think I said 21 on Facebook, but I counted and it seems there was 24!). 19 were from the church in Jesús MarÃa, and 5 from the church in Las Palmas. It’s easy because the Las Palmas people went last, and that’s the only time I was in the tank. 🙂
You’ll hear a part of a song played over and over. And over. It’s become a bit of a traditional baptism song in the church in Jesús MarÃa, so they played a small part between every baptism. What you’re hearing is, “We give glory to You, Jesus!” – and yes, we do!
The other people you’ll see in the tank are Daniel (left), a leader in the church in Jesús MarÃa, and Ismael (right), the pastor.
Ok – here you are! About three and a half minutes of people you can pray for.
We’ve been thinking a lot about water lately. Frankly, it’s hard to avoid.
Black water – but not as bad as it has been sometimes…
As many of you know, we’ve gone from having very little water pressure, and having to resort to buckets to get clean – to now having wildly unpredictable moments in which we have more water pressure than we’ve had in years (no exaggeration), to water that is black, to not even a drop anywhere.
Our water was off all night – but did come on this morning. A little black, but certainly better than no water at all.
But really, that’s not the water that’s most important at the moment. The important water is in a rectangular tank up in the community of Jesús MarÃa. I imagine it’s filled by now, ready for a special service tomorrow, in which many believers will be baptized!
We have enjoyed spending a little time with some of the people who will be baptized, hearing how God has worked and is working in their lives. So we’ve been able to have an extended “time of rejoicing”, which will continue with the celebration tomorrow morning.
Please pray for these people, who may be in front of a bigger crowd than ever in their lives, 🙂 but who will be making a public confession of the inward reality of faith from the Holy Spirit!
I don’t know if the water will be clear or black – but it doesn’t matter much, because it’s only a symbol of the reality. The cleansing that God has done in hearts is perfect – and purifies us completely. And it is done with blood – imagine! But a blood so pure it cleans our souls.
I’ve been studying for an upcoming sermon in Hebrews, and these words seem very appropriate…
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
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.
Today was our first Sunday in the “Party Garden” in Las Palmas. It was a good service….. getting everything working was…. interesting.
Let’s just say we still have some things to work out before everything functions smoothly. We don’t really have a place for the kids’ Sunday School class, so we’ll have to rig something up for that. They have a lovely fountain in the front of the property, but that made hearing one another a bit of a challenge. I guess if you’re used to events with a band or huge speakers, it works. But we’re a church and we want to talk to each other!
But anyway, it was still a good service. I just wanted to stop by to give you a few pictures. I wanted to give you more of a view of what the place is like, but it was just too hectic – being our first time there,
So – here is just a glimpse!
Cuco leads the service
Shari explains our new Sunday School Material
A view from the front (notice the dog) 🙂
Rod preaches on Hebrews 9
So next week is a BIG week, but not in the garden – it will be at the Path of Life Bible Church in Jesús MarÃa, where, Lord willing, 5 people from our church will be baptized, as well as others from other churches. Stay tuned! 🙂
