Centro Cultural Tiempo de Vivir

2 April 2012

MI Team on a Monday

Good news – the team was all looking healthy and chipper today – and ready for action! Today we headed over to the community centre with the team for a time of devotions and prayer. Then we jumped right in to getting things set up for the kids’ club.

The kids’ club started today with a bang. Marta did an excellent job organizing everybody. There were almost 50 kids there today, but we expect to see more as word spreads. Then again, these things are impossible to predict!

The team spent the afternoon cleaning up after the club and preparing for the evening’s English class and activities later in the week. Oh, and of course the stopped for tacos in there somewhere.

The English class tonight…. well, it didn’t happen! After several announcements and 600 flyers, no one came – another demonstration of just how unpredictable events can be here.

However, we do have some strategies to try to get more people out for the next English class on Wednesday!

So in the space of the English class we spent some time talking about Canadian and Mexican culture, which hopefully was useful. It was something we were planning to do today or tomorrow anyway.

Not too much was done on construction today – we spent the day waiting for material to arrive, although John went with some men on a hardware store run to get some things that will be needed later.

The good news is that people spent time together, and friendships are being formed, and the team is doing a great job.

Here are a few random pictures for you:

A Pastor eating "Pastor Pizza" (no, really)

John with the family that made the Pastor Pizza

One of the teams at the Kids’ Club

Activities at the Kids’ Club

Kids enjoying hot dogs (and a serious discussion) at the kids’ club

2 April 2012

MI Team: Days 1-4 (video)

Jim Ministry glimpses, Missions, Prayer and Praise, Video Blogs 0

Below is a somewhat rough video with clips from the past 4 days (Thursday to Sunday). It will give you an idea of what the MI Team has been up to in their first few days. It’s not all video of the people on the team, but more clips of the activities they were involved in.

I didn’t take a lot of video in downtown Mexico City. One thing we did was go to the Basilica in the city, and you can see a video from another visit back in 2010 here.

The team has already been a big help, but they are really just going to be diving into some of their main ministries today. But through the activities and social times of the past few days, new friends have been made, they’ve worshipped together with the Mexican believers, and there have even been some who have prayed to receive Christ.

The team is doing well, although as I have mentioned there has been a bit of sickness – two or three of the guys – but they seem to be getting over it quickly.

Today the kids’ club begins, and there’s an English class in the afternoon, plus some construction work… stay tuned!

31 March 2012

MI Team and Easter Egg Hunt

Jim Ministry glimpses 2

I won’t write a lot tonight due to the lateness of the hour (and we lose an hour tonight because of Daylight Savings), but I wanted to stop by anyway especially to update those faithful readers who are wondering how the team is doing.

Today we had a major event for the community – which included decorating eggs, decorating cookies – and a massive Easter egg hunt (we’re talking over 800 eggs!).

These things are not a tradition here, so it was quite a novelty. We had a great turn out, over 200 people I believe and about half of them people that were not familiar to us.

There was a very clear presentation of the Gospel, and some great opportunities to share with people afterwards, either to make friends or share the Gospel again too.

The team was a great help, hiding eggs, guarding eggs, and finding ways to communicate with people.

In the afternoon they spent time preparing for the week ahead – there’s lots to do.

One of the team members, Tony, was feeling sick, but he went back to his house to sleep and is being well taken care of by his adopted family. We kept checking up on him and we think he should be doing a lot better tomorrow. It’s been a whirlwind so far for everyone, so we are working hard to make sure everyone gets some sleep tonight and doesn’t push themselves too hard.

In the evening we went to the home of some people in the church who make great pizza (as a business), and it was a blessing to spend time with them. AND their pizza is FANTASTIC.

I’m going to leave it at that for tonight. Lord willing in the next day or so I’ll have some video and pictures to post, so stay tuned!

Oh, I wanted to point you to Tina’s blog – she has some pictures of the community centre activities from yesterday and today, and some commentary…

Closing Program for the Community Center
Easter Egg Hunt!

30 March 2012

MI Team: First Day+

Jim Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise 1

If you’re wondering what’s been happening with the MI Team from Canada, you’ve come to the right place! I’m just stopping by to give you a brief update.

Looking around at a market in Mexico City

The team arrived without a hitch (but in two shifts) yesterday. Those of us who arrived early enough went out to eat, then we checked out the main city square of Mexico City.

The two guys who arrived on the second flight were dropped off by Rod. Our friend Allan joined us for the weekend as well. So we had a little orientation time, then Allan took the two who arrived later out for tacos. We try to keep everyone fed here.

We did a little sightseeing and orientation in Mexico City the next day (today!), then returned to Ixtapaluca for the closing program for this set of community centre activities. (The program went very well, by the way.)

Then we got everyone together with the families they will be staying with, and got them settled in.

Let’s just say it’s been a whirlwind the last day and a half. The team is doing well, but I’m sure they’re ready for a rest tonight! Tomorrow will be busy too, but hopefully they’ll have a little more time to breath.

I’ll try to keep you up to date with what’s going on when I can. Meanwhile – they have all arrived safely, are doing well, and are being well taken care of!

Stay tuned for more!

18 February 2012

Community Transformation in Mexico (video)

Jim Misc 3

This past November, videographer Nicole Greiner visited Ixtapaluca to take some video. Fortunately, we weren’t here. 😉

However, she came up with some good footage of the ministry here in Mexico, especially in Jesús María. The video features, among other people, Rod Fry, Tiffany Taylor and Tina Barham.

Without further ado, here it is!

via: In the Shadow of Volcanoes

12 February 2012

We Need One Another (Upcoming Events)

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses, Missions, Prayer and Praise 0

Last night I went to the small house we are renting as an HQ for the church. Every Saturday night we’ve been getting together there as a group of men to study God’s Word.

I arrived about a minute early to find no one there – and I realized I’d forgotten my key. No problem – there should be one or two others with keys.

I waited, and eventually one man came… then left. Then some others came, and we talked for a while. Finally we got in touch with the man who was supposed to be teaching. And about 45 minutes later, the study began! 🙂

Yes, someone eventually came with a key.

Last night and this morning (at our Sunday worship) I was reminded again and again – we need one another.

People write their names on the wall of the café

People have been writing their names on one of the walls at the café. Here are the first few!

There’s a reason why God tells us in Hebrews: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Rod preached this morning, and reminded us what Jesus said in John 15 – This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

We’re looking forward to a couple of very special days in March. On the 25th, we’ll be celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the church plant in Jesús María (see the countdown in the sidebar to the right). Can you believe it? It’s wonderful to see what God is doing in the church community. This morning Shari counted at least 80 people worshipping with us – and not everyone was there. Two years ago, there was no church worshipping in that housing development.

Also, coming to demonstrate the love between churches, is a team from Canada! On the 29th of March we’ll be welcoming a joint team from Mirror Alliance Church and Innisfail Baptist Church. I like to call them the MI Team. But that doesn’t mean their mission is impossible.

Well, humanly speaking, I suppose it is!

They’ll be working with the believers here to serve the community. They’ll be serving at the community centre, in Bible studies, and they’ll be helping with some construction in the café. They’ll be here during Holy Week, using the time as an opportunity to reach out to children in the community.

We need one another. May Jesus words in John 13 be a reality in the weeks ahead: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)

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