What’s Coming Up in January (podcast)
A look at what’s happening in January as community centre activities start up, construction continues, and more …
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Iglesia Bíblica Sendero de Vida Jesús María
Some December Events
I’m sure there are many of you who are extra busy this time of year – well, it’s been no exception around here!
Thanks so much for your prayers for our closing events (clausuras) this month! There was a great turn out in Las Palmas from the English classes (there were about thirty people there, I believe). Julian shared about the Christmas story, and we all had good opportunities to talk with people and invite everyone to a new season of classes starting in January.
On the 11th we had our clausura in Jesús MarÃa. Another great turn out from the various classes. Shari handed out some gifts for those who had attended the baking classes. And I shared the devotional, contrasting Mexican and Canadian Christmas traditions and the message from the angels to the shepherds.
The following Saturday we went with some neighbours to the Coro Unido in Puebla, directed by Camino missionary Terry Vanderwerf, where we heard about the Lord Jesus in words and songs. “A Gift of Love” was the theme of the evening.
This coming Sunday we’ll be involved in an evangelistic event in Jesús MarÃa, and I’ll be preaching in Santa Barbara. Yeah, we get around. 😉
So now we’re trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to get everything done that we need to do so that we can get a break over Christmas! So I’d better run – talk to you later! 🙂
MEGA CULTO
You may be wondering – what on earth is a MEGA CULTO?! Some evil villain that fights Spiderman?
No, actually. It’s kinda like a SUPER Sunday Service. With a whole bunch of churches together.
And why do I mention a mega culto? Because tomorrow we’re going to be having one – a whole bunch of churches from the Mexico City area will be getting together for worship and fellowship at a campground out near our favourite volcanoes.
This is not a normal thing – quite unusual, in fact. Have we done it in the last decade?
Anyway, these are small churches that can feel pretty alone in an area like this where there simply aren’t many churches at all.
So do pray that this will be a time of great encouragement and unity for these churches. It’s a wonderful thing to be together in the unity of the Spirit, to work together, to worship together.
We’ll be having a service, a communion service, and special classes for all age groups afterwards. Then some food, some games – it will be an all day affair.
So – sometime next week I’ll try to fill you in on how it went! For now, I’d better make sure I’m ready.
Building UP!
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Here’s the building we meet in on Sunday. But do you notice something different? That’s right – a second floor!
After the most recent robberies of the property, we knew we had to do something drastic. So here it is.
Actually, this was already a part of the plan, but it wasn’t what we were planning to build next.
But the plan was changed. We’re building rooms and bathrooms up there. The purpose of the bathrooms should be obvious. The rooms can be used for meetings and also to house visitors.
Or – perhaps for the time being, to actually house a family.
The idea is to have someone there at night, so that no one can sneak in. So it looks like one of our church families will be moving in, which will help them and help all of us.
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So the hired workers have been working madly to get the job done.
The property actually doesn’t have permanent bathrooms yet, so these will be the first. Of course, there’s still a minor detail – we still don’t have water hooked up yet. We’re trying, really we are.
Thanks again to all who have given to the Ixtapaluca Project. The funds have been a huge help, especially now when the need is so urgent. And we’re not quite done the project yet – we’ve raised about 90% so far. If you’d like to help, visit this page.
The most important work, of course, is the people! Please keep praying that we would be faithful to God’s calling to share His Word and His love. There are many challenges and struggles, many of which I can’t write about here. But our Lord is faithful, and powerful, and He holds us in His hands!
Church Property Robbed – Again.
This is the only window leading into the building where we meet for worship services. As you can see, the bars are pretty thick.
But if you were small … like, a child … you would be able to fit through. It would be a bit of a drop, but with help you could do it. And pass things out to your accomplices.
Well, looks like that’s about what happened.
I think this is the second time the property has been robbed since we came back to Mexico at the end of July, but this is the first time the building has been broken into.
Hundreds of dollars worth of things were stolen, including a video projector, the majority of our microphones and cables, including costly power cords. Tools belonging to members of the church were also taken. Whatever would fit through those little squares.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering – they did take the time to detach and remove the sink that was outside by our temporary bathrooms. Yes, even the sink was stolen.
So throughout the weekend we’ve been talking about options to up the security. None of the options are easy or inexpensive. But we have to do something.
When we arrived at the Sunday service, I was wondering if we would stand around the room singing like the Whos in Whoville after the Grinch stole all the Christmas trimmings (Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all!). But actually a few bits and pieces came from somewhere – even a video projector someone borrowed from work. 🙂
In fact, we weren’t talking about the robbery at all. Everyone was talking about the Holy Spirit, and how we can better serve each other, and things like that. Imagine!
Finally, at the very end, we did take the time to pray for the thieves.
Right on.
We would appreciate your prayers as we try to replace some of the things that were lost and try to move toward a building which is more complete and secure. (By the way, don’t forget we’re still raising funds for the building here. As I write we’re about 90% finished)
Just another reminder that we’re in the world. And it’s the world we’re reaching out to. We’re not angels reaching out to other angels the next cloud over. But sinners reaching out to sinners.
With a God far more powerful and good than any of us.
Hear more from Rod’s perspective in Theft and Missions
Acts, Outreaches, and Other
We’ve been having a good time and a not-so-good-time here. Maybe that’s not so unusual.
We would appreciate your prayers as we join with our friends at Path of Life Bible Church in Santa Barbara to reach out into a new neighbourhood with kids’ clubs and a special study for parents. Last week’s turn-out wasn’t great, but Shari, Julian, Malu and some from the church handed out some more flyers yesterday, so we’re hoping for better things this week. 🙂
I got to make up the questions – from easy, to normal, to hard, to very hard, to “almost impossible”. (And they were.)
One group worked particularly hard to prepare, and it showed. Congratulations to the women! (The men challenged them for a while, but eventually fell behind).
If you know Spanish, you can take a look at the questions here.
The not-so-good has been health. I’ve been sick since Thursday noon, and last night was the worst night yet. Which means I’m getting better now, right? Right?
It looks like Shari has decided to join the ranks of the sick today as well. 🙁
But we’re pushing ahead, trying to get some other outreaches up and running here, getting some Bible studies going, and of course getting Hannah and Nathanael edykated.