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Christmas is Coming…

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… and coming fast! And along with it come the special activities of Christmas.

Friends at a Christmas Party
Shari with her poncheThis week Shari went to a special Christmas party at the Path of Life Bible Church in Santa Barbara. The women from the Las Palmas church were invited as well. They enjoyed some special gifts and some ponche to warm them all up! (It’s been cold here, although it’s a little warmer now. Everyone, I mean everyone, is talking about the weather!)

Also, last week while we were in Pachuca, the church in the community of Jesús María had its first service in the still-in-progress sanctuary! Take a look at some photos and video at Rod’s blog – First Service in New Auditorium, JM.

We have been dealing with some health issues in the family. Without going into details, it has made it a tough week. If you’ve been praying – thanks!

Meanwhile, I’m getting ready for the upcoming services. I’m preaching tomorrow, so I’ve been thinking about that. And planning some music for the special Christmas service we’re having Friday night. This is a great time to meditate more on the incarnation of Jesus Christ. There is so much to learn – and so much wonder!

As a family we’ve been enjoying Come, Let Us Adore Him, an advent devotional by Paul Tripp. It might be a little late for this year, but I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something special for next year!

By the way, on Facebook I’ve been reposting some of my old Christmas posts. If you haven’t seen the series, take a look at Promises of a Messiah, a twelve part series about Bible prophecy and the coming of Jesus.

Sunday in Pachuca

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Yesterday we went to the city of Pachuca, north of Mexico City in the state of Hidalgo. Pachuca is a city of over a quarter million people. And the temperatures are a little cooler than here!

Iglesia Bíblica El Buen PastorAnyway, we went to La Iglesia Bíblica El Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd Bible Church). We enjoyed worshipping with our old and new friends there (with lots of Christmas songs – even one or two that were new to me!), and I preached.

Preaching was a little bit interesting this time. I was quite sick yesterday – I don’t think I realized how sick I was until today (now that I’m feeling better). So I was in a lot of pain and – better admit it – I was cold! And I didn’t realize how cold I was until I was done preaching. Added to that, we had some technical difficulties – probably all my fault (they were actually really organized and helpful).

So, let’s say with the pain and cold I was a little tense up in the pulpit. But hopefully it was still understandable! As I have been reminded again and again – and as I actually mentioned in my sermon – it is because we’re weak that God’s power is visible in us.

After the service we split up into groups to hand out tracts and talk to people. Mostly short conversations, because people were generally in a rush. Actually, it was funny. I was trying to talk to an older woman who was selling poinsettias. But she was kind of ignoring me and giving short answers. Because – she was busy trying to read the tract that someone else in the church gave her! 🙂

For some people in the church, it was the first time they had done anything like this. So it was fun to be a part of it.

After than, a couple in the church took us out for some very yummy Mexican food, that made me feel a little better (in case you’re interested, I had enchiladas con cecina, in this case tortillas with cheese and green sauce with thinly sliced and salted beef. Anyway, we very much enjoyed our time with them.

And Shari was kind enough to drive us home!

Pilgrims on the highway near PachucaOn the way there, and on the way home, we saw a lot of pilgrims, on foot, bicycle, or in vehicles. It’s getting close to Guadalupe Day (the 12th) when people honour what they believe is a manifestation of the Virgin Mary. ‘Tis the season to not get a lot of sleep, as the “bombas” explode at all hours (as I write, another bomba just set off a car alarm a few metres away).

This is why now, more than ever, people need to hear the message of Christmas. It’s not a message that we can now do more things to find favour with God – or Mary – or a saint. It’s a message that God has sent His Salvation, a gracious gift.

Thanks for your prayers for days yesterday – and today!

Mega Service and More Meetings

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Mega Service 2017 Panorama
Music at the Mega ServiceThanks so much to everyone who prayed for the “Mega Service” this past Sunday at Ecoparque San Pedro. I think the service went fairly well. In the picture above you can see the group in the beautiful outdoor location.

Rod did a great job leading an eclectic collection of music, and I spoke on “The Word of God” from 2 Peter 1:16-21. The picture on the right shows Rod and gang.

After the service we hung out at the park, where there was horse back riding, an outdoor labyrinth, and places to play soccer and other things.

After one day at home I headed to Puebla to meet with the Camino Global team leaders. The altitude changes are usually a health disaster for me, and yesterday was no exception, so it was admittedly a day of pretty severe pain. However, it was a good time with a few of the other missionaries I don’t see often, talking about various issues.

We’ve been trying to get our van verified, which we need to do every 6 months. This time it didn’t pass (due apparently to a sensor issue), and this led to four days at the mechanic’s. We’re hoping that we can get it verified in the next few days. Verification is what allows us to drive without restrictions of certain days.

Just a little news for you! Thanks for reading. 🙂

Prayer Request: “Mega Service” – Tomorrow!

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As far as we can tell, tomorrow is the 4th annual “Mega Service” for our associated churches in the Mexico City area. We’re heading out to an ecopark in the pass between our local volcanoes for an outdoor service (under a tent or tarp). It’s one of the few places that can hold 400+ people for a price the churches can afford! I’m thinking about 10 churches will be represented, but that’s just a guess.

(And yes, for us it will be a little chilly. Around 13℃, probably. Don’t laugh, Canadian friends.)

Mega Service 2017Anyway, this is a particular prayer requests because our team is especially involved in the service. Yes, this year a lot of missionaries are involved – our friend Chuck will be leading the service, and Rod will be leading the music, with a music group made up of talented people from various churches, I believe. There will also be a communion service, led by a pastor friend of ours (Paco) from Mexico City. And of course a host of other people are involved in setup, take-down, organization, watching kids….

And – I’m the speaker! So I would appreciate your prayers for everyone involved, including me, that God’s Word would touch hearts. And that the fellowship would be an encouragement to many.

We’ll be heading up about 9am, and the service is supposed to start at 11am, with time before and after to hang out with people, eat lunch after the service, etc.

Thanks for your prayers!

Tomorrow: First Anniversary of Sendero de Vida Las Palmas!

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Yes, tomorrow will be the big celebration – one year since the first service of the Path of Life Bible Church of Las Palmas! I’m hoping to get some video clips of the service for you, or at least some pictures. It’s going to be fun!

It’s great to see what God has done in so many lives – including our lives – over the past year!

First service at Sendero de Vida las Palmas
A few of the people who attended the very first service – November 2016
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