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Baptisms 2020! (video)

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Yes, let’s associate 2020 with baptisms – because, as I’ve been reminded lately – 2020 is the “Year of our Lord” (just like the year before)!

So yes – this past Sunday we had our first in-person service in 18 weeks. We used the building in Jesús María, because they have a baptismal tank (thanks to all those who donated to help build the building!).

It was wonderful to be together! Reading Scripture together, singing and praising God together, listening to God’s Word together (continuing our study in Romans, our friend Ezequiel preached). That word together really does mean something when you haven’t been together for so long.

Three people were baptized – all from one family – what a blessing! (Am I overusing exclamation marks?!) (No, I don’t think so!)

Lord willing we will continue meeting next week – although we haven’t worked out where yet (but we have some options, so we’re not in a panic. Hopefully we’ll know by the end of today.). This coming Sunday will be another major celebration – a Communion Service – The Lord’s Supper – together! 🙂

So as I traditionally do, I’m including a video so you can see the baptisms for yourself, and pray for these people. It’s only a minute long, but it’s a BIG minute.

(One more funny thing – before the baptism, I was talking to Rod to make sure that we were either both wearing masks, or both not wearing masks. As you can see, in the end, my hard work all came to nothing. I didn’t really realize it until it was too late, because I was focused on the baptisms. But just so you know – it wasn’t a case of a rabid anti-masker versus a rabid pro-masker!)

The Last Hermeneutics Class (with video)

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On Saturday we had our review and then exam for the last hermeneutics class. I took a little video so that you could see for yourself (see below). 🙂

Handing out certificates at the hermeneutics class.
Handing out certificates

If we can’t learn how to read, understand, and apply God’s Word to our lives, then we’ve failed at life. It was tremendously encouraging to see people thinking, studying, and being enthusiastic about this important skill! And what an encouragement to see people committed to a 40 hour course – it was a sacrifice they were willing to make.

And thanks to John and Frank, and the many others who were involved in teaching and translating, and for Still Water Community Church for their support of this class. And many of you have added your prayers to support this work – thank you!

Again, four local churches had representatives, and our class had about 50 people attending.

The next class (actually a 60 hour class!) begins in February. It’s an Old Testament survey course. So stay tuned!

Tiempo de Vivir Events (video)

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While the team from Word of Life was here, we did two events in two neighbourhoods to provide hearing aids and reading glasses to people in need. Various people had signed up ahead of time, many with notes from their doctors.

Senios' group in Santa Barbara, Ixtapaluca.

In the video below, you’ll see a few clips from both programs. The first was in the community of Los Heroes. The church in Jesús María has had an impact in this community for a long time, and we would love to see this develop into a new church plant. You can see pastor Ismael explaining that we ‘re not with any political party, but that we’re with a Christian church.

At each program, God’s Word was shared, both by local people and through the ministry of the visiting team. Many received literature and a Gospel of John (Gospel booklet thanks to the Pocket Testament League).

The second event was in the neighbourhood of Geovillas Ixtapaluca 2000. Some from the church in Las Palmas have been reaching out to a new group of people in this area.

Shari was helping people get set up with their hearing aids, and is always encouraged to see eyes light up as someone begins to hear for the first time in years!

These programs are part of long term works to reach out to new people in new areas with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a look – and consider joining us!

Baking Classes (and craft class) (Video)

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Here is a five minute video from the baking classes – well, with a little extra from yesterday’s craft class. This was a community event from Word of Life Chapel along with the Tiempo de Vivir community centre and the Path of Life Bible Church in the community of Jesús María.

Craft class finale
Sharing from the Bible at the end of the craft class.

So see if you can figure out what they’re making. Ok, I’ll tell you one, because it makes one scene near the end make more sense – they made whoopie pies.

I’m not sure what the final numbers were, but you can get an idea from the videos. There were two “classes” of three days each, so basically double what you see in one scene above. Some people snuck in their friends and neighbours to join them, and some brought kids – so the “official” numbers probably aren’t right anyway!

Amazing the amount of work that went into this – especially by the women on the team and Mayra and Shari, and also women from the church!

During or after the actual baking was a devotional/testimony time, where the gospel was shared. There were also some great one-on-one spiritual conversations happening.

So – friends from outside of Mexico – does this look like a ministry you could be involved in? 😋

Oh, one comment on the photo above. The person on the left sitting on the table reading the Bible is Marla. This is the end of yesterday’s craft class. Marla does some flower arranging in the USA, and is properly amazed at the price of flowers here. So – she did some flower arranging for the women at the class – everyone got to take home a bouquet of roses! 🌹

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