La boda
Yesterday we went to a wedding. Here are a few thoughts about the wedding, some of our friends, and even a clip of . . . well, you’ll see.
Ministry glimpses
Happy 15th Anniversary, Peace
This past Sunday morning Shari and I sang a song that has almost become a theme song for us. I realized as I pulled it out to practise that it was almost exactly 15 years ago that I wrote it.
Though the storm clouds darken the sky
It was actually soon after I met Shari, when we were training for our year of ministry with our Friends and Followers team in 1993. I wrote it for a friend who was going through a hard time, putting it down on paper when I was supposed to be listening to one of our sessions (there’s still some critical bit of missionary training that I’m missing – that explains a lot!).
In Mexico, later that year, we worked with Becky Baron, a CAM missionary who was an accomplished musician and music translator. She translated Peace for me (Paz in Spanish), and our team used it as one of our songs through our tour.
After Shari and I were married, we started singing it as a duet, in both English and Spanish. And it still got a little extra polish earlier this year when we made some small additions in Spanish, while visiting Becky and her husband in Mexico City.
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, I thought I’d write this post and share a few of the verses that inspired the song. Singing Peace has always been a reminder to me that, even in the darkest times, Jesus is walking with us, leading us home.
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (John 6:16-21)
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13)
Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isa 55:6)
But as it is written:
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. (Heb 4:9)
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (Heb 12:22-24)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6:10-11)
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (Mat 25:13)
He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. (Isa 25:8)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (Joh 14:3)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Joh 14:27)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phi 4:6-7)
And walk me gently through the sand of time
Forevermore
I know Your peace is mine
September is not a boring month (in case you didn’t know)
We haven’t been bored, no. But as a result, I haven’t had much time to write! So far, September has been a full month. So let me just give you a quick update.
We’ve enjoyed some time with friends here in Ixtapaluca, though not as much time as we would like. For example, we were over at Martin and Laura’s home last week to get a glimpse of Mexican culture watching the 1947 movie Nosotros los Pobres (We the Poor).
The National Palace
Last week we fulfilled some of the requirements of our Orientation Year with a visit to downtown Mexico City.
 The building was packed for the church party |
I have lots of pictures of video to show you of that, so stay tuned. We visited the Latin American Tower, spent some time in the world’s second largest city square, and saw the world famous Ballet Folklórico. Our friends Rollie and JoAnn Smith were kind enough to let our kids sleep over at their house. 🙂
This past weekend was full of Independence Day celebrations (the actual day was the 16th). So Hannah and Nathanael got to dress up at school, and we all dressed up for a party on the 14th. Firecrackers, tacos, music, games – lots of fun! Pictures to follow. 😉
We also had our kitchen installed this month! That’s right,
 The carpenters install the kitchen |
we now have cupboards and counters. We’re still waiting on the table and chairs, and one more cabinet for the kitchen. And the drain isn’t hooked up yet. So, soon we’ll actually have most of our bins unpacked (in theory)! Praise the Lord!
On Monday we went with the Frys and our friends Crystal and Alberto to a zooish kind of place nearby. Lots of fun there. You guessed it – pictures are forthcoming.
Today we’re heading out again to spend the weekend in Querétaro with our friends Bryan and Lori Smith. We’re hoping to learn a little about the ministry there (this is also a requirement for our Orientation Year, though we’re happy for any excuse to visit the Smiths). We get home Sunday night, and then head the next morning to a one day retreat for our co-workers in the Mexico City area. I’ll be leading some music worship there.
Wow, I didn’t realize how crazy September has been until I wrote that. It pays to post once in a while!
In case you haven’t seen enough, here’s a quick video of music practice from last Sunday, courtesy of Rod Fry. Really, I was having a lot more fun than I look like I was having! 😛
Welcoming the Canadians
It was announced on Sunday morning – in the evening there was going to be a get-together, for a family of Canadians that had recently moved to the area. Know anyone like that?
Yep, it was us. 🙂 We came to the house the church meets in around 6pn on Sunday, and it was all set up with balloons, sandwiches, cake and coffee.
We had a great time with the people that came. Rod had put together a quiz on Canada (fortunately I knew all the answers – *phew* !), and then we had a game of charades featuring Mexican sayings.
I got to act out an easy one… No se puede tapar el sol con un dedo, which means You can’t cover the sun with a finger (I think this would refer to trying to hide or cover up something that really cannot be hidden so easily).
Then we shared a little about how we ended up in Mexico City (a tricky thing to explain, especially in Spanish, since God really led us here little by little through a hundred things. Safe to say it was a journey).
We had some time to talk afterwards too. It was really great to connect with people, and we’re looking forward to getting to know everyone better! There are such great people here, it’s an honour to get to spend time with them and learn from them.
Footnote: By the way – here’s a saying I don’t think we covered Sunday, but I love it. El amor es ciego pero los vecinos no. That is, Love is blind, but neighbours aren’t. 😉
Meetings and update on Claudia
This evening I was over at Alberto and Claudia‘s house with a few friends. She is home now, and looking well (especially considering all she’s been through the last few days – here’s the back story).
She was sitting up and in the middle of a good Mexican welcome home party. 🙂
Thanks for your continued prayers for Claudia and her family. We praise the Lord that she’s home, but the treatment will be continuing. What lies ahead remains to be seen.
We enjoyed a bit of a personal planning meeting for the coming year with Rod this past week. We still have a lot to discuss, but we’re starting to get more of a picture of what will be happening in the year ahead (stay tuned!).
This went together with a brainstorming and planning meeting I went to for the church on … when was that? The week is a bit of a blur. Well, some evening this past week. I tried to mostly listen and learn, but it’s so great to hear the vision for planting new churches in the future, the vision for outreach to the community, and growth among the believers. There will be lots of great things coming up!
Thanks to those who have been praying this week. Now on to next week….
Kenya, English, Leaks and updates on everything
Well, okay, this isn’t really going to be an update on everything, but pretty close.
First of all, pictures of Kenya are now in the Photo Gallery. If you checked it before tonight (Thursday the 17th of July in the Year of Grace 2008), you haven’t seen them all. Of course, you still haven’t seen them all, but I’m not going to post any more right now. So be content.
These of course include photos of the wedding of Nate Kidder and Amy Winger. Don’t miss it.
You’ll also find a few photos of the English classes that have been going on this week in Ixtapaluca. The ones I took pictures of feature some interns from the USA at our church here, so you can see a bit of what our church looks like inside too. (If you want to see more interns and more activities, see Rod’s blog)
In other news, we continue to work on getting the house more functional. As of this week, we have bulbs and not just wires hanging from the ceiling, which is kind of cool (no light fixtures, just bulbs hanging from wires. But they’re nice wires.). We’ve also done more to try to keep water out of the house.
However, guess what Shari and I were doing tonight? That’s right. Moving things and mopping up and running for towels, after discovering a new leak in the kitchen. How many more leaks will we find? I just wish the water would leak out as easily as it leaks in!
Also hampering our efforts this week are these migraine symptoms that have been waxing and waning since Sunday. Today I spent a good part of the day in bed. But I’m hoping the worst is over.
To end on a brighter note, yesterday we had a brief but good visit from some of the Downs family from Cuernavaca. It’s always good to have visitors (when are you coming?). We also continue to get to know our neighbours. And we’ve gotten some good help and encouragement from the Fry family. We also enjoyed going to some activities this week – as you see in the gallery I poked my head in a few English classes, and also enjoyed a prayer meeting. Shari went to a ladies’ meeting (can you say that still? What’s PC – women’s meeting? Girls’ morning?) too.
Anyway, I’d better go check for leaks – bye for now!