As many of you know, we have a team here from Pennsylvania. It’s been a great start to summer activities, with a soccer tournament, tiling at the church property, baking classes, visiting a home for seniors, a wheelchair presentation, English classes – and we’re not done yet!
Eventually I’ll post some pictures in our photo gallery, but here are a few just to show what we’ve been up to in the past few days…
Two major activities in two days in two neighbourhoods! And both a great success.
First was the soccer/fútbol tournament in Las Palmas. 22 teams, and for much of the day four games going on at the same time. Half-way through the day there was a break, and someone shared about how God saved him. And then the finals, and the awards ceremony.
Yesterday was the fourth annual Easter egg hunt in Jesús MarÃa. First, decorating cookies and dying eggs. Then a break and a presentation about Jesus’ death and resurrection. And finally, what everyone was waiting for – a mad dash to find the plastic eggs, each one with a little surprise inside!
According to Tina, there were 600 cookies decorated, about 150-200 hard boiled eggs, and 700 stuffed plastic Easter eggs!
Thanks to all the amazing people who organized and helped with and prayed for these events. Lots of new friendships were made!
Last night thanks to our visiting team we managed to assemble a set of wheelchairs to present to new friends in Las Palmas. The assembly process may not have been completely without its ups and downs, and I won’t say that every wheel was put on the right way around (but if it did happen, it was fixed). But eventually we succeeded.
Then this morning we had a program to present the chairs. The community centre was full of the recipients and their families. Rod shared a bit about the vision of the community centre, and Mayra shared from God’s Word, and then we made sure everyone had the right size chair, making adjustments as needed.
It has been really great to meet new people, some of whom live very close to the community centre itself. And also to see interest in spiritual things.
One of the men who visited today emphasized that he was going to be reading the Bible we gave him. And the other day, a mother and a boy walked in off the street to find out what classes we had. Tina gave them a flyer about some of the summer activities, including a soccer tournament, English classes, and a children’s Bible club. “Oh look!” said the woman to the boy,”They have Bible classes!”
Well, if everyone gets that excited, we’re good to go. Apparently there have been others asking about Bible studies lately too, so – well, the answer is yes, we do those. 😉
I said a few words at the two closing programs for our community centres. Here’s what I said (except I’ve written it in English instead of Spanish for your convenience)…
Who knows what the motto of our cultural centre is?
Give more Life to Your Life!
No matter what your age, gender, religion, or previous experience, you can experience more life here! More English, to communicate with other people in the world. More music to enjoy. More food — to eat! More crafts to create. More friends. More LIFE!
But, where did life come from?
Eighty eight years ago, some scientists started to talk about the “Big Bang Theory”. The idea was that the universe started with a big explosion.
But back then, most scientists (well, those that didn’t believe in God), said,“Big Bang?! No way! If the universe had a beginning, then . . . it must have had a Creator to start it going! And we don’t believe that.”
And now some scientists are trying to create new scientific models to say that the universe didn’t have a beginning after all.
But unless the universe appeared out of nothing all by itself, there are only two possibilities. It has always existed, or God has always existed. The source of everything is . . . well, rocks . . . or the source of everything is God, and he created it all.*
Look around you! (No, seriously – LOOK around you!) There’s life, there’s movement, there’s energy! Someone started the spinning top** of the cosmos spinning.
But at the same time, life seems to be fading as well. The top stops spinning. There is evil. Violence. Cancer. Flowers wilt. The car runs out of gas.
So next week is Holy Week – who has holidays? I imagine you’ll be more alive during your holidays, right?***
During Holy Week we remember a man who claimed He was God. But this man died. Life had gone. But then . . . His eyes opened . . . He moved his fingers . . . He could jump and shout. LIFE. Life had returned!
During Holy Week we remember Jesus. He said,”Life is more than food. You can’t even add to your own life. But there is such a thing as never-ending life, life that goes on, a life with forgiveness. In fact,” said Jesus, “I AM the LIFE, the only way to God.”
And so enjoy Holy Week. Enjoy your holidays (if you have any!). And I hope we’ll see you back here at the cultural centre in the future, to give more life to your life!
But think BIG! Think in purpose, freedom, life that doesn’t end. This life is only found in Jesus Christ. And if you’re not sure that you have it, I have good news to share with you, if you would like to talk.
* This is imprecise, but I think it’s accurate, if you use “rocks” as an illustration of the physical universe. No matter what you say about the beginning of the universe (here’s Stephen Hawking’s attempt to explain away a “need” for God), you can’t get around the fact that it is either the fundamental reality, or something outside of it is – by definition, God.
** trompo – a popular toy in Mexico, where a spinning top is flung out from the hand, and a string is pulled to start it spinning.
*** Funny, I got two different answers. In one community, a resounding YES! In the other community the kids preferred school!
Another good closing program – this time in Las Palmas! Lots of fun, and a good crowd. Here are a few pics of the evening…
We had a good closing program in Jesús MarÃa. Quite a few people, lots of smiles and laughs! Here are a few pictures. I’ll post some higher resolution versions later.
