Prayer and Praise

7 March 2019

Church Move

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Yes, our Sunday morning services are finally moving…

As many of you remember, it was our first Sunday back from Canada when we found out that the party hall we rent for Sunday services was being converted into squash courts. But this began weeks and weeks of not knowing how long we would have.

Jim preaching on Hebrews 9. — My last time preaching in the party hall in Las Palmas (on Hebrews 9).

Six weeks – one more week – how about after Christmas? Maybe February. Basically, the owners were waiting for the paperwork to come through so they could start construction.

But, finally, we find ourselves having to move. We’re not moving far away – it’s a “party garden”, in the same community. There are pros and cons to this place, and we haven’t actually met there yet, so we’ll have to see how it goes. It is a little more expensive, but attainable at this point. The good news is that it should give us some room to grow.

I’ll try to give you more details after we’ve actually had a service there.

However, it is definitely another temporary place. I don’t just mean temporary as everything in this world is temporary, I mean that we’re not sure how long it will work for us. And we’re only renting it for a set time Sunday mornings. AND even those mornings won’t always be guaranteed, if other events take precedent.

So we would certainly appreciate your prayers that this place will work for us (this Sunday, the 10th of March, will be our first Sunday there), and that the Lord would provide a more permanent place that we could use to reach out to this community, and provide more services during the week.

I’ll try to take some pictures and/or video on Sunday so you can see what it’s like!

The *old* place – “El RincÃ³n Feliz” (*the happy corner*)
(with Nathanael running our music PowerPoint)

To make things more confusing, we’re there for a week, and then we’ll take a Sunday “off” to meet with the other two churches in JesÃºs MarÃa (the only building that can hold all of us!), where we will be having a special joint baptism service this St. Patrick’s Day.

No matter where we are – we’re thankful that the Lord is building the Church – the people that are coming to Him!

18 February 2019

A Week With Camp Bighorn

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The team from Camp Bighorn’s Journey program is here for one more night, before leaving for other parts of central Mexico. We’ve had some good times with them – hopefully it was useful for them too!

Some of the highlights of their visit included going up to the pass between the volcanoes, some “cultural challenges” such as eating some very strange tacos (you probably don’t want to know), and learning to get around on public transportation, a trip downtown, serving here in Ixtapaluca (getting to know some of the people here, helping with some construction-related stuff), and a visit to a public high school in a nearby town.

The school put on a “Mexican Traditional Fair”, a carnival with various stations where the team members played different games along with the students. In this case, it was an excuse for the students to practise their English.

Here’s one of the girls trying out a trompo, a traditional spinning top. Mexicans grow up with these, as did our kids here in Mexico. For the newbie, though, it’s not so easy! But these guys learn fast.

A visit from a team like this brings new opportunities to share God’s Word, and to demonstrate a Christian character to the community. And its a chance for us to see things through new eyes! Especially in the case of the teams from Camp Bighorn, it’s a chance to continue discipleship in a (very) different context, and learn about the joys and challenges of serving in that culture.

Thanks, team, for visiting! Many more pics and videos from Rod here – Camp Bighorn 2019.

11 February 2019

Camp Bighorn in Mexico

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This week a group from Camp Bighorn‘s Journey program will be here in Ixtapaluca for the third year. They arrive tomorrow.

You can pray for them as they travel tomorrow. We pick them up at the airport first thing in the morning, and they’ll get to know Ixtapaluca a bit throughout the rest of the day.

Rod has organized an interesting and unique schedule for the team! Throughout the next seven days they will be enjoying many eclectic and challenging activities, learning how to navigate in one of the largest cities in the world in another language and culture. Then, next Tuesday, we’ll send them off to Puebla to continue their central Mexico adventure.

Here’s the group from last year, getting their first street tacos of the trip!

2 February 2019

Welcome Back – and Thanks for Praying!

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The Fry family – in this case, Rod, Mayra, and son David – returned to Ixtapaluca full of excitement and energy on the evening of the 21st of January!

Ok, well – maybe the excitement and energy came later. After many hours of driving, we should probably say that they arrived “alive” and leave it at that. ðŸ˜œ

Mayra and Rod share pictures (last Sunday morning) of something called “invierno” that they apparently experienced in Pennsylvania.

But, in spite of many hours of travel, and some van issues back in the USA (not to mention the threat of gas shortages here in Mexico!), they returned safely. And so – thanks to those of you who prayed for them!

We’re thankful to have the Frys back here on the team, and already they appear to running way ahead of us as they pursue God’s work here in Ixtapaluca.

The other day I was sorting through some old papers, reviving memories of some past ministry, such as the initial stages of church planting in the community of JesÃºs MarÃa. I was reminded of the incredible amount of work that Rod and Mayra have put into the Lord’s work in Mexico City.

Perhaps most of the things that missionaries do are not seen by most people. And that makes it all the more amazing – the things that the Frys have done, that we know about – well, we’re so thankful! And God knows the many things they have done, prayers they have prayed, tears they have shed – that few people, if any, see.

And before they get too annoyed with me for writing this post, I’ll just leave it at this – we’re thankful for many years of working with the Fry Family – Rod, Mayra, Daniel, Cathy and David – and we pray that God will continue to use them as He has in the past.

19 December 2018

Quick Video Update: December 2018

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Just a little update with a few clips from the weekend.

11 December 2018

Two Weeks Until Christmas

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Oh sorry – you didn’t realize that? I didn’t mean to be the one to tell you. Actually, I didn’t realize it either – wow!

I just thought I’d stop by and let you know what we’re up as we hurtle towards the holidays.

Our Sunday services are continuing, of course. We’re doing a series on the book of Hebrews, and are in chapter 5 right now. I’m also doing the Where did the Bible come from? seminar during our Sunday School time. For those who have taken the seminar, you’ll know what I mean when I tell you that Javier the Louse will be making an appearance this Sunday, so I’m very excited about that. 🙂

Ixtapaluca: Like No Place Else — Guess which restaurant our team went to…

We’re been greatly encouraged by the church lately – people’s involvement and interest in the Word. Thanks for your prayers!

Shari continues to keep the kids’ ministry running smoothly. Or, as smoothly as is possible with kids! They’re doing a Christmas themed series in Sunday school right now, and on Friday nights they’ve been going through the Creation story – very slowly, but they’re addressing a lot of important questions!

The adult Bible study continues too – we’re in Genesis, but going a little faster than the kids. 🙂

On Christmas Eve Eve we’ll be having a Christmas themed service – and a special year-end service the week after that.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to get together with some of our team of missionaries (the Frys and Chalo are in the States right now, and various children of said missionaries are in various places, including Hannah in Canada!). We would appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this upcoming change and as every missionary decides whether or not they will continue with Avant after the two missions join (if you missed that, check out Camino Global, Avant â€“ What has changed, what has not…)

Of course both Hannah and Nathanael are busy with school, trying to get everything done so that they can enjoy some time off during the holidays. Hannah arrives in Mexico in 1 week, 6 days and under 4 hours!

So yes, we’re hoping to get some rest over the holidays, even though ministry will continue. There seems to be a seasonal bug going around our house right now, so we’re hoping that will go away soon (and that I’ll have a voice on Sunday!). ðŸ¤§

So that’s a little of what we’re up to! I hope you’re doing well, and able to catch some time to breath and to meditate on the miracle of the Incarnation.

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