Prayer and Praise

17 December 2010

Big Changes for Nathanael

Big changes are in store for Nathanael! For all of us, actually.

This school year began as a bit of a trial run. Nathanael needs extra rest because of health concerns, and we knew that he would be getting a lot less rest with longer school hours.

In fact, he did better than expected in many ways. He’s been learning a lot, he’s been doing better with his homework – there has been a lot of good news. And it’s been fun having Hannah and Nathanael in the same school for the first time since the spring of 2008.

However, things haven’t been going as well at the school. There’s no need to go into a lot of details, but we’ve been trying to work with the teachers and leadership of the school to make sure he’s getting the education he needs. There have been a lot of meetings, and a lot of prayer, but things have gotten to the point where we feel we need to make a change.

So, in short, Nathanael will not be going back to the school in January. We considered putting him into another school, but we feel that more change and adjustment is not what he needs right now.

So at this point, he will be continuing English and Spanish education at home. We may look for some help with that. We hope to put him into one or more programs (such as swimming lessons again) as well.

He will also have more opportunity for interaction with neighbourhood kids (there are a lot of them!) since he won’t be spending hours doing homework each night.

It will take time to get all the details worked out – and it will be something we’re taking one day at a time. This isn’t necessarily a forever decision either. For both Hannah and Nathanael we’ve taken things one year at a time (while thinking about the future, of course).

There’s no doubt this will be a drastic adjustment for all of us. If you know Nathanael, you know that he needs constant supervision, which means one of us will need to be helping him almost all the time. Leave him for 20 seconds – and who knows what may happen! 😉

So we would appreciate your prayers as we make these changes.

Meanwhile, Hannah and Nathanael are at their school for the last day – well, half a day – practising for the Christmas program! Then the Christmas program takes place on Monday night. Then – holidays!

10 December 2010

Community Centre Christmas Event Tonight!

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Last night was the dress rehearsal for the closing-of-classes Christmas program at the community centre. And tonight is the big night!

We’re hoping to see many of the people who come regularly to the classes related to the community centre – guitar, English, baking, dance, basketball, tutoring, etc. And, of course, we hope to see their family and friends! And then of course there are people from the church, and quite a few we’ve met other places. For example, we talked to a few people when we were handing out flyers with the First Free Team.

So last night I watched as the drama was practised. This was the English class. They will be performing in English, while the audience reads along in Spanish.

Then I helped with a bit of music with the English class – tonight it will be a medley of Mary’s Boy Child and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and then an a capella version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas. We worked hard on tricky words like earth, born, righteousness, and, of course, Hark!

The program is scheduled to start tonight at 6:00pm. It will be outdoors, and considering that the weather report this morning said it was 5 degrees below freezing, it could be interesting doing things like playing guitar!

Tonight will also be a chance to promote all the community centre activities for the new year. We hope to get off to a great start!

We’re praying for a good turnout and a fun time, and of course a clear message of the Gospel which will be in the drama and songs. There are lots of other things going on this time of year, particularly with the holiday for the Virgin of Guadalupe on Sunday (in our claustro there will be a mass to the Virgin of Guadalupe tonight, for example). So please pray that people would come out and hear about the coming of the Messiah.

6 December 2010

Uncharted Waters Sports Ministry

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We have a big… very big… event coming up in January! On the 5th to the 7th of January, the sports ministry known as Uncharted Waters will be returning to Ixtapaluca.

Uncharted Waters has actually been here more than once, running evangelistic sports camps. And they’re coming to do it again – but this time, with a twist.

The purpose of the camp will not only be to reach out to kids here in Mexico City. It will also be to train Mexican workers from other parts of the country to run their own sports camps. So it will be 15 years of international experience from Uncharted Waters added to the national experience, enthusiasm and people-power of Mexican leaders!

Now regularly doing over 100 camps a year, Uncharted Waters wants to see this ministry grow exponentially.

So we’re hoping to be hosting a lot of people come January! If you know Mexican Christian workers who would be interested in this ministry, point them to the poster below. Our coworker Rod has also posted more information in Spanish here.

This event will be three days long, hosted at our community centre in Jesús María, Ixtapaluca – Tiempo de Vivir. There is no cost.

Uncharted Waters Sports Camp in Ixtapaluca, Mexico City

1 December 2010

First Free Mexico Team Flies

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First Free Team in the hills above Ixtapaluca

The members of the First Free Mexico Team are now on their way home! We certainly had some interesting days here in Ixtapaluca.

The team really made an impact, and we certainly appreciated the boost they gave to the work at the community centre, and the encouragement they gave to us and the other believers here. Yesterday they were involved in two Bible studies, plus time preparing, our own time in the Word and prayer, learning more about Ixtapaluca, trying new foods, and a lot more. Yesterday was quite the day!

Some of you are also aware that we were praying about a family issue back in Canada, which was on our hearts during the team’s time here.

The picture above was taken on top of some indigenous ruins on the hills above the city. You’ll have to ask the team how they got up that high!

Of course there are always minor disasters going on in the background – such as a broken lock on our front door yesterday. While we were eating and doing some errands, Shari and the kids were locked out of the house, waiting for a locksmith. He’s returning today to finish what he started!

First thing this morning the team members said goodbye to their hosts and we headed back to the airport. The team’s flight was slightly delayed, so we went to the food court and had a snack. (I won’t say what we ate – it’s supposed to be a secret!)

I soon discovered that almost every table in the food court was covered with this same ad! What is this supposed to tell us about the food in the airport food court? And, of course, it wouldn’t reinforce anyone’s stereotypes about Mexico, would it? 😉

Anyway, we saw the team through security, and had a remarkably uneventful trip home.

I have lots of video and pictures of the team – hopefully I’ll be able to get that up soon. But don’t hold your breath.

So now we’re home again, dealing with … homework! And tonight we have our first practice at the community centre for the "closing ceremonies" of the year. So excuse me – I’ve got to run!

29 November 2010

English/Canada Class

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I’m trying to get some information up here for people back home that wonder what’s going on with the team! I do have more pictures and video, but I’ll deal with those later.

Today we had a good time talking about some of the things we’ve seen and done, and talking about ministry, and God’s Word. Then we went out in front of some of the local schools, just when the kids were getting out, to hand out flyers promoting this evening’s English class. We must have handed out 6 hundred flyers or more.

Actually, it was an English and Canadian culture class. The team did a great job with a packed house, showing the names of the provinces, teaching pronunciation… all kinds of fun things. In the picture above, you can see them teaching the "head and shoulders" song.

There were lots of people there, and the event drummed up a lot of interest in the English classes that will be starting up again in January. Also, we invited people to an event on the 10th of December. Some even expressed interest in the baking classes.

In short, we made a lot of new friends!

If you want to pray about tomorrow, there will be a Bible study in the morning (for the women) and in the evening (for everyone). In between we’ll be getting ready, doing some errands, and some other fun stuff.

And while you’re praying – well, it seems like there’s a lot of sickness going around! The Fry family has been laid low by something. Our friend Allan couldn’t make it tonight because his Mom is sick. We just keep hearing of people struggling with health. So pray for them – and for us, that we would stay healthy! (All right, so I’m not healthy. But I could be a lot worse!) 😉

28 November 2010

Sunday Service with the First Free Team

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A Packed Service at Sendero de Vida JesÃºs MarÃa!

We had a very packed service today. A lot of people were outside, and they just couldn’t hear what was going on. We’re really going to have to find a solution.

However, it was a great service today, with the First Free Team. They sang accompanied by Walter’s violin. Then they sang accompanied by the violin and the worship team – and then everyone sang the same song in Spanish. Walter and Amy also gave their testimonies.

I think everyone really appreciated it, and the team enjoyed it too.

Walter shares his testimony, while Rod translates

After the service, the church had a potluck in honour of the Canadian team. So they had a chance to try a lot of yummy authentic Mexican food.

The rest of the day has been a little more laid back – spending a little time with people, and hopefully getting a rest. They’re in need of a rest, that’s for sure!

Tomorrow we’re going to be at the community centre all day getting ready for a special English class in the afternoon. Lord willing we’re going to hand out flyers to promote the event – it should be a lot of fun! I’m sure the team would appreciate your prayers as they get ready.

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