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2nd Anniversary! Path of Life Bible Church of Las Palmas

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In spite of an absolutely crazy week before big event, God blessed our 2nd anniversary service in Las Palmas!

¡Una Salvación Tan Grande!
Such a Great Salvation!
Kids' Sunday School PresentationAs I mentioned last time, the owner of the hall did eventually let us rent it for the normal time. After the service, we went to a property owned by someone in the church for food and activities.

Above you can see the theme for the service, taken from Hebrews 2:3 (the key verse of the day was actually Hebrews 2:9). There was a lot of participation in the service – kids, youth, adults – music, drama, even some puzzles. We talked about our values as a church, and most of all we focused on the Son and His Salvation. As often happens – unplanned, but not by coincidence, everything fit together well.

Iglesia Bíblica Sendero de Vida Las PalmasRing tossAfter the service was a potluck. One of our friends also organized some activities “for the kids” – which in the end most certainly included almost everyone!

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that fact that Shari made some very cool cupcakes for the occasion. 😜

Thanks to everyone who prayed for the service. We’re so thankful for those who prayed, and for so many people who worked together to make the day a great success. We look forward to seeing what God will do in Year 3!

2nd Anniversary Cupcakes

…we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Hebrews 2:9

Amor

So sorry – it appears I misplaced the church. Can’t find it anywhere….

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This coming Sunday, Lord willing, we’ll be celebrating the second anniversary of the Path of Life Bible Church in Las Palmas. Which means it’s kind of a busy week. Ok, crazy busy.

On Monday we were leaving the state for an overnight visit with our team of missionaries. It had been an exhausting weekend, and we were ready for a bit of a break. And that’s when I got the news.

The news was that we wouldn’t be able to use the hall on Sunday. That is, the hall where we meet as church each week. That is, where our anniversary service was going to be in a few days. The owner sent his apologies, and suggested maybe we could have it for more time the week after.

Because, you see, we were using it for a longer time on the 28th – special service, invited guests, decorations, activities for the kids, a special meal….

It would be impossible to move it to the next Sunday, because the 4th of November is the annual joint service with churches around the Mexico City area. We’ll all be out of state that Sunday.

Well, I left it in the Lord’s hands (after some initial shock). But God was kind, and sent us a bit of encouragement.

Kids practising verses
Kids practising for their presentation at the anniversary service
An acquaintance came up to Shari in front of our house, and told her that her family had been studying the Bible, and was wondering if they could come to our church. (It was a longer and more encouraging discussion than that – but you’re busy.)

So Shari told her – well, she wasn’t sure what to tell her – sure, you can come … not sure where our church is, exactly. It might be somewhere this Sunday, somewhere else in 3 weeks – and then we will move to some unknown location….

So you’re welcome to come to our church, as soon as we find it.

Anyway, in spite of the church-of-no-fixed-address problem, it was just the encouragement we needed.

You’ll be glad to hear that when we returned home last night, we found out that the owner was going to let us use the hall after all – but only for the regular time. So we’re scrambling now to see if we can find a place for the after service meal and activities.

So — lots to be done in the next few days — lots more than expected! But we’re praying that somehow it would work out, and that we would have a special time together, and learn from the Lord about His great salvation (that’s our theme for the service – “Such a Great Salvation!”).

Lot’s of people are going to be involved on Sunday – special music, special presentations – we’re looking forward to it! Wherever “it” may be!

Where to Worship?

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Of course, you can worship God anywhere, can’t you?

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father … the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:21-23

Sunday Service October 2018It was our first Sunday back in Ixtapaluca after our summer in Canada. The very first person I spoke to was the owner of the party hall where we meet.

“We’re converting the hall into squash courts”, he said. “We’ll be dividing up the room, so you won’t be able to use it anymore. You’ll have it until the end of November.”

He went on by explaining it was nothing against us – in fact, he has quite a high opinion of us. Well, that’s good.

But it does leave us without a place to meet in about 6 weeks.

So, before taking any action whatsoever, our church decided to have a week of prayer. (If you receive our email update, you might have joined us – thanks!)

Then, last Sunday, we started to discuss some of our options, and start investigating the possibilities.

The reason why it is such an urgent matter of prayer is that the options, from a human standpoint, aren’t great. There are a couple of places in the neighbourhood that might fit our group, but they’re either not really suitable/available, or extremely expensive. There are some other possibilities that we’re looking into, but from a human standpoint it will be a real challenge to find something.

So, you’re welcome to join us in prayer as we look for a place to use as we continue to make disciples. At this point, I don’t think we’ll be on the street (although pitching a tent is a current option!), but we want to pray that God would provide a suitable place – we’re thinking bathrooms, a place where the kids can do their Sunday School, chairs, electricity… and even space to grow.

I agree with Ezra – “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him” (Ezra 8:22).

Shari also encouraged us on Sunday, by reminding us that God “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). So – let’s ask!

Prayer Request: Goodbye, for now.

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Today we are saying goodbye to our team mate, fellow worker, and friend Beth Sandoval. Many of you have prayed for her and her family as she has fought cancer. This morning she finished the good fight, and went to be with her Lord.

Chalo and Beth Sandoval
Chalo and Beth Sandoval
(2016 – just a few days before her first diagnosis of cancer)
We’re so thankful for the testimony that Beth has had – throughout her life, but also over the past few years. When we would get together, her stories would be about doctors and nurses who had heard the gospel, made confessions of faith, who were interested in Bible studies. In spite of the ongoing pain, nausea, and uncertainty, she persevered for her Lord, and the rewards will be eternal.

Of course that doesn’t convey the constant, quiet encouragement that she has been to us. Both Beth and her husband Chalo have meant so much to us, and so many others. There are many churches filled with many believers, who are there because of the way that God has used this couple.

Of course, Beth wouldn’t want us to spend a lot of time talking about her. She would want us to glorify the Lord Jesus – who, in His mercy, conquers all sickness and discouragement and loss in a way that is far beyond what we see and imagine. And yet, we’ve had glimpses.

Please pray for Beth’s daughters, who are arriving now in Mexico City. Please pray for her son, who is unable to come. Please pray for the service, which will be in the city of Puebla tonight. Most of all, pray for Chalo during this time, and in the months ahead.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11

Hogar, Dulce Hogar (Home Sweet Home)

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We’re always thankful for smooth border crossings and travel in general, and for luggage that actually arrives. And that’s what happened this time around.

In fact, God even sent us a large taxi that could take all of us and our luggage at the same time back home!

Clothes market and bus depot
A sign by the bus depot where I left to pick up our van – a clothing market, and, below, the “SuperFast” bus station.
Upon our arrival home, things didn’t go quite as smoothly. No functioning gas meant no stove, and no hot water. Which wasn’t so much of a problem, because – well, there was this major leak in the bathroom. Not really any way to put a bucket under it (and even if you could, who wants to empty a bucket every few minutes?), so we had to shut off the water. So, not much food in the house, no van yet (I had to pick it up in a different city) so no way to get gas and food, and no water – and we went for tacos, but our favourite taco place wasn’t open.

So these things put a bit of a damper on our arrival.

But isn’t it interesting how God has His ways of making you thankful? The next day, the plumber came and fixed the pipe. We got gas. And I sorta had a shower (ok, so water pressure still isn’t a “thing” around here). Then I picked up the van (and something cracked our windshield on the way home — aaack! Enough!) But then we went out for some pozole. So we were very thankful for the simple things, once we got them back!

A few laundry loads and showers (sorta) later, we might even make it to the grocery store today for some actual food to cook. Which we can now cook, because we have gas. But actually, I need some gas in the van. Well, civilization is complicated, isn’t it?

Cottrills - September 2018
Our last evening together in Canada.

Seriously, though, it’s turning out to be a little more of a challenge than we expected to learn how to live in Mexico again, after 15 weeks away. Even before diving into “official ministry”, we’re finding a plethora of things that we need to deal with, expected and unexpected, while we try to remember how everyday life goes. So the first few days are turning out to be a little tough.

However, it’s still hogar dulce hogar – and we’re so thankful for what God has provided, and we know He’s still here – and in Canada too, with Hannah. And we have been reminded that a shower, even with very little pressure, is still a wonder.

Looking ahead – Canada and Mexico

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That, my friends, is summer snow.You see that? That’s snow. In summer. People in Alberta aren’t impressed. The stores don’t have any winter stuff even for sale.

Hannah is trying to find a winter jacket – but it’s not so easy. There are only a few around, and they’re the pricey ones. 💲💲💲 Must be a run on the stores to find something warm!

Just for the record, last Friday it was 28℃. WHAT is up.

2000 Years of Missions
2000 Years of Missions
Ok, enough ranting. We’ve had a busy week here. Lots of fun at the 2000 Years of Missions seminar on Tuesday. More appointments and errands this week. And tonight we’re celebrating Mexican Independence at Viva Mexico, which is actually a dinner to welcome the ABC Daycare burn survivors from Mexico. Who, by the way, are searching for donations of warm jackets. Sizes 4-16. Seriously, what is UP with this weather. Oops – how did I get back there?
Viva Mexico 2018
Actually, on the bright side, it is an unexpected delight for some of our guests from Mexico to experience snow for the first time (warm jackets needed).

Anyway, I wanted to give a look ahead, that was the original purpose of this post, right?

In the short term, we would appreciate your prayers as we go to Innisfail tomorrow to share at Innisfail Baptist Church. The service is at 10:30am, if you’re in the area.

We’re a little disappointed that we haven’t been able to see more people here, but everyone is pretty busy. But you’re welcome to join us tomorrow!

We will hit the ground running when we get back to Mexico. There’s a conference for missionaries in the country, just a few days after we get back. So we’ll be loading up the suitcases again.

There’s a church in California that is interested in partnering with the ministry in Ixtapaluca, and they’ve invited the church leaders to come join them for the Expositores 2018 conference (Expositors Conference, in Spanish). So Lord willing I’ll be up in the US for a weekend for some teaching and fellowship. It will be a good time to get to know the church, but also a good time to catch up with what’s been going on in Ixtapaluca while we’ve been gone.

A few weeks ago we found out that our coworkers will be in the US until the end of December, so we’ll be under an extra load when we get back. So we would certainly appreciate your prayers as we hear from everyone about how things are going and what new and old needs there are, and as we seek to shine the Lord’s light in Mexico again.

Tomorrow is Independence Day! So enjoy some Mexican food, and – if you want to be involved – pray for the people of Mexico – especially those we will be serving when we return.

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