For those who have been praying for our kids’ club and Bible study Friday nights – thanks for your prayers! God answered our prayers in an obvious way this week, and we had some new people come, and a bigger group than ever. We had some great conversations in our Bible study (focused on Genesis 3 this week) – so keep praying that people will come back, and keep learning! May God do great things in Las Palmas through His Word!
Thanks to much to all of you who prayed specifically for my adult Sunday school class last year. As many of you know, I was teaching a series from October to December (actually, I finished it up in January because one week was cancelled).
The series was on the 10 Commandments. It was a great opportunity for us to wrestle with what they mean for us today, and also to look at so many of the related laws, especially in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. There is just so much there that can transform our lives and communities if we just listen.
I don’t think that we as a Church in general (I mean as the worldwide Church) spend enough time in the Old Testament. And one of the greatest reasons to study it would be the reason that Jesus Himself gave – that it bears witness about Him (John 5:39-40). And so each week we looked at the New Testament as well, and saw the 10 Commandments in the light of Christ.
As I warned my class, we don’t want to assume that we are to ignore the New Testament and the reality of Christ’s coming as we study. We also don’t want to assume that the New Testament is really the only thing that’s important. And finally, we don’t want to “pick and choose” which laws to obey, but instead let God through the Scripture tell us.
And it’s amazing what comes clear when you actually take the time to see what the Scripture says!
The series is going to have new life as I share it on my Spanish blog, where I’ll post the handouts so that others can use the study as well.
Thanks again for your prayers! Now I’m headed to teach another Bible study…
* Note on the graphic: The logo from the class says “Ten Words”. The word “commandments” can be translated “words” or “declarations”, as in “a word from the king”. The first class was entitled “He spoke to you out of the midst of the fire” from Deuteronomy 4:12. “Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?” Wow – Deuteronomy 4:32-35.
A new semester of classes began today at the community centre! Kaycee, teaching English, had a packed class – I think there were over 15 people there this evening.
Tomorrow the fun continues with three more English classes, and a special addition for this month – Asian Cooking with Kaycee! Shari also has a baking class this week – I think doughnut muffins may be on the menu. 😛
Praise the Lord for the many new friends we have made, and great conversations we’ve had. We’re looking forward to some great classes this semester, which runs from now until St. Patrick’s Day.
This is a great time to think about – coming to Mexico in 2016! No, really – it actually is.
Let me put it this way. It’s nice to be prepared, isn’t it? Nice for you, nice for us, and nice for Camino Global, our mission agency. If you’re thinking of coming to Mexico for our EMERGE internship next summer, you can actually apply right now, and everyone will actually be a lot more prepared for your visit!
Or you could wait until the new year, ponder it over January, delay until February.. no, don’t do that.
And there’s another bonus. If you apply between today and the end of the year (hey, I didn’t say you couldn’t ask your Mommy first. You’ll see her over Christmas, right?), you won’t even have to pay the application fee!
Bonus!
Here are two great opportunities. First, get deeply involved in community centre outreach for 4, 6, or 8 weeks (your choice). If you read this blog, you know about the kinds of things we do here. There are people who need to be reached – we need your help!
Or, if you’re the unsettled type, there’s another choice. You can split 6 weeks into 3, visiting three different cities in Mexico (including the BIG ONE, of course!). You can learn a variety of ministries in a variety of quite different contexts. This is the “Journey Mexico” internship.
If you’re interested, or know someone who might be, send them to this post can they can click on either link above to request more information. The program is designed for those 18 and up. And yes, we’ve had people in their 20s, 30s, and people even older who won’t tell us their age (just kidding).
In fact, I’ll make it even easier for you. Write down or copy this link, and send people here — bit.ly/emerge16.
We would love to see you in the summer!
Thanks for your prayers (so far) for the events of December! Here’s a quick report:
For our last adoration service of the year, we meditated on the second coming of Christ, and all the things we’re looking forward to (most of all – HIM!). I also revived a monologue I did many years ago (which I lost, and had to rewrite) (anybody remember that, by the way?). It’s a shepherd speaking just before the angels appear – and he’s pretty bitter. Little does he know that the answers to his questions are only moments away!
The closing program at the community centre was great – lots of people, lots of fun, and some great discussions. Please pray for these people – so many very different people with different needs and situations!
My Sunday School lessons continue through the end of the month. I’m working on the last two – the final commandment (about coveting), and then a wrap-up where we’ll discuss the law and the gospel in general. There have been some great thought-provoking discussions. I’ve learned a lot!
This coming Sunday is our church’s own Christmas service. Nathanael will (Lord willing) be making his ukulele debut, playing “Today is Christmas” while the kids sing.
Thanks again for your prayers during this busy season. We pray that there will be much fruit!
1) Ixtapaluca Project: This project was set up to help the church with their construction. We would love to see this project finished off at the end of this year, and we’re close! Your donation will help us get permanent electricity to the site, and help us work toward our permanent sanctuary and other rooms. This week they’re actually working on Sunday School rooms!
3) The Cottrills’ Support: As always, you can give toward our personal support. We rely on the extra gifts that come in during December to get us through the “lean months” later in the year, and also help us cover ministry expenses such as the purchase of Bibles, printing of Bible studies, and so on.
Thanks so much for your support and encouragement!