One thing we’ve learned during this semester of classes – people don’t seem to like classes at 6pm. And what time is my English class and Bible study – yep, 6pm.
Well, that’s how we learn – by trying!
But I have had people at the English class and the Bible study, though not every week. And we’re looking at making some changes for the next semester (which starts in January). We have three weeks of classes left before the Christmas season begins. So what’s the “switch” I was talking about in the title? Well, we’ve had quite a few people who aren’t from Las Palmas in our classes. Out of the 8 people I’ve had in my English class, I don’t think any were from Las Palmas.
The other classes have had a mix.
Because Las Palmas is actually connected (you can walk from one to the other) to Santa Barbara, we do get a few from there.
And lately we’ve actually had some neighbours from our street come to classes, which has been fun! Four of the people in my English class are friends from our street. And two women from our street came to Shari’s baking class this week.
That is a switch – but it’s a fun switch! It’s been great to get to know some neighbours in a different context. And we’ve had some interesting conversations!
We’re planning some fun things for the semester ahead – we’ll see how it goes! Meanwhile, three more weeks and then our closing program on the 10th of December.
It’s amazing what happens when you pray specifically and strategically. When God answers, you actually notice.
When you pray things like “God bless George”, how will you know if it’s answered?
Anyway, I’m thanking the Lord for His specific blessings over the past week.
We have been really encouraged to see what’s happening at the community centre. In an answer to prayer, people came to my Bible study, where we solved five “Bible mysteries” and got ready for the series which will be starting next week.
The English classes have had students, but mine has been sparse. However, we brought along a neighbour, who learned some words and had a fun time.
And another reason to thank the Lord – another answer to prayer – this week’s baking class! Check out all these people:
On Saturday, I was at a church leadership meeting. It was well attended – and it was so encouraging to see people concerned about evangelism, discipleship, practical needs in the congregation and beyond – things that I think Jesus would be concerned about. We’re preparing for some exciting stuff in the months ahead – may God continue to answer prayer!
This morning we enjoyed a full service, contemplating our Lord, love for His people, and His return.
So often I put up with things that I really should just pray about. God is the one who can transform hearts and make things move in a way we never could!
Thanks to all of you who are praying as well – see? God is answering!
Sometimes you’re encouraged, sometimes you’re discouraged. But there are some interesting things happening at the new community centre, so I thought I’d share a little encouraging news.
Some of the classes have been well attended – some not. This Tuesday my keyboard class was one of the not-well-attended ones, and I thought I’d be packing up early because there were no students.
Then a few junior high boys stopped by. One of them asked me if playing the keyboard was anything like playing the melodica.
I didn’t even know what that was – and in case you don’t, here’s a picture. That’s a melodica in the case. You take it out, attach the mouthpiece and blow through the tube, and then play the keyboard. It’s a “free reed” instrument, similar to an accordion. It’s light-weight and small.
And it’s used in the schools here for music education! Which means there are hundreds of junior highers who are already becoming familiar with the keyboard.
So this guy came back and showed me his melodica. And I asked if he wanted to take a keyboard class. And he did.
Because he was already familiar with the keyboard concept, I taught him some chords – 96 chords in all. And it was a blast to see his eyes light up as he realized how many chords he had learned in only a few minutes. And I flipped through a music book and showed him – “Look, now you know all the chords for this song. And this song. And this song. And…”
I guess I gotta get me a melodica to add to my class.
Shari has been handing out cookies – a “demonstration” of her upcoming baking class. Well, the class was today, and four women came! A great improvement from zero last time.
And Shari too was reminded of the joys of teaching something new. When you’ve never baked before, and you realize that yes, you can bake cookies – WOW! 😉
So Shari really enjoyed her time at the class today. Teresa helped out too, but escaped from the camera lens.
Speaking of Teresa, she apparently had a good time in her English class today. Shari said that the students seem to really like her. Teresa is getting a lot of English teaching in, and she’s making friends and connections which I’m sure will yield fruit in the future!
And activities continue with Tina, and Rod and Mayra Fry as well. Lots going on!
Yes, there has been plenty to be discouraged about. But God is working, and it’s gracious of Him to give us some encouragement along the way.
Reminds me of the verses we memorized in Sunday School a while ago. We were talking about how the Spirit is Someone who goes with us on the journey, encouraging and exhorting us.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Philipians 2:1-2)
The classes at the community centre at Las Palmas are going quite well. There have been about 33 scheduled classes so far this year. They average a handful of students, with people dropping by all the time to ask questions and get the schedule.
I had two enthusiastic students at my keyboard class this past week, where we worked on two Mexican classics – Las Mañanitas (a song typically sung for birthdays), and Mexico Lindo y Querido.
English classes, country dance, guitar classes, and craft classes are also in full swing.
Last night Shari dropped by with some home-made cookies – a little preview of what’s going to be happening at the baking class next week. The recipe is, I believe, galletas flores de cacahuate. I’ll leave it to you to figure out what that may be!
Later this month some of our team members will be starting up a kids’ club and Bible study in another area of Las Palmas.
Classes also continue at the other community centre in Jesús MarÃa, with a few at other locations as well.
Please keep praying as we network within the community and try to provide quality, useful classes, while at the same time sharing the love and truth of God.
Yes, I’m talking about a Bible that is actually sticky – which usually would be a bad thing. But today was special.
Today Shari led a baking class – unlike any class before. It was finally time for the much-requested topic – How to Decorate Cakes!
There were twelve women (plus Shari and Tina) who came, and a handful of kids, including three or four that don’t usually come.
They learned how to make icing and fondant, how to make cake from a boxed cake mix (not as simple as you may think, if you’ve never done it!), some of them learned how to use a microwave (with all those scary buttons) and a double-boiler, how to decorate with an icing gun, how to make cakes with several layers, and more.
After a time of instruction, in pairs and groups the women started some mad decorating, using their own creative ideas. You can see in the pictures what they came up with.
Of course Shari brought her Bible, and at the very end in the midst of all the crumbs and sugar, she shared a brief devotional about the Gospel.
If your Bible has to get sticky, that’s a pretty good excuse, I think.
Yesterday Shari had another baking class, and it was a great success! So – how did all this get started?
Back in 2009, Shari, Mayra and Aurora started doing baking classes in Jesús MarÃa. I should mention Tiffany too, who was there for the first class even though she wasn’t living here at the time.
Around the same time they also did a baking class in Santa Barbara.
This was the beginning of many more baking classes in both communities. So – what are they all about?
The ministry, known as Amigas del Alma, was described by Rod this way back when it started:
The phrase “Amigas del Alma” has two meanings in Spanish. The common meeting [sic] is “soul friends” or “best friends.” The second meaning is “friends of the soul.” Obviously the purpose of this dynamic trio is to reach women through different creative events, principally…are you ready for this…baking and cooking. So far, Shari has helped the women make banana muffins, and Tiffany assisted in making Christmas cookies. [original post]
Amigas del Alma has evolved quite a bit in over three and a half years, and the “amigas” have changed over time. But here’s the basic idea…
How it works
It’s nice to have a specialty, and Amigas del Alma has specialized in desserts. Yes, it could have ended up much broader, but sticking (more or less) to desserts has brought a nice focus, specialization and expertise. Shari has also tried to bring recipes that are less known here in Mexico City.
Actually, dessert-making here is not especially common. You can buy cakes at the store, and you might make flan or rice pudding, but there’s not the variety that there is when it comes to other types of food. Not to mention that many Mexican women use their ovens more for storage than for baking!
Shari usually hands out the ingredients and what-to-bring list a week early (not the recipe itself – that would take the fun out of it!). Everyone brings their ingredients and what bowls and utensils they can.
Then at the class, Shari goes through the recipe and everyone bakes more or less together. Some share ingredients, others bake their own thing – and it kind of depends on what’s being baked. But everyone wants something to take home! 🙂
As the goodies are in the oven, someone leads a short, simple devotional.
As time has passed, Shari has learned a lot (as have the rest of us!) about what and how to teach! For example, how to explain things in a culture that often just doesn’t have the specific words that we use in Canada when we bake (how do you “cream”? or “fold”?). Or what things are natural to those of us who have grown up baking, but are foreign to those who haven’t. (For example, a pie is not a stew – you can’t just put everything in at the same time and mix it like crazy and throw it in the oven!)
Some things we’ve more or less invented Spanish names for – fun!
Why it’s so cool
There are a lot of reasons why the baking class has been an awesome ministry! For example:
It’s delicious! What a great thing to share – and to bring home to your family! Good feelings all around!
It’s relational! What a great way to get to know people – believers, unbelievers – what a great way to make friends!
You can invite your friends! It’s a fun, non-threatening atmosphere.
It’s a great skill! As a matter of fact, some women have used what they’ve learned to earn money for their families!
You can bring your kids! And many women have over the years. It’s a great mother/daughter event! (And yes, some guys have come once or twice – but here in Mexico, that’s just pretty weird.)
You can pass it on! You can teach baking – and then someone else can take the same recipe and do the same thing – and some have!
Short termers can be involved! As Tiffany did when she first visited, many others from the USA and Canada have come and have been involved. Can’t speak much Spanish? No problem – just come and share a recipe, help stir, and share a smile. You’d be surprised how powerful it can be!
Oh, and of course when someone shares something from the Bible, something else happens. People start to think about spiritual things – and struggles, and hopes. And conversations get started. And people are introduced to – the Pan de Vida (Bread of Life)!
And His food and drink last forever!
Thanks to those who have prayed for this ministry, and those who have donated supplies. Sometimes at the end of a series of classes, the women are invited to one of our closing programs, and they get a little gift. It’s especially fun to get something that’s expensive or hard to get here, that can help with future baking exploits!
And looking back, it’s so neat to see women in the church who got to know other believers through Amigas del Alma. And of course, they got to know Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)