Today the group arrived from Valley Bible Church (Hercules, California, USA). How many again? 30? 40? Anyway, it’s a big team.
We would really appreciate your prayers for the next few days of events. The team will be presenting 4 concerts (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), and along with that will be wheelchair presentations, and more.
As you might imagine, Rod has had a lot of fun with the logistics. They are staying in 14 different houses, I believe. And so moving everyone from here to there along with instruments and chairs and risers and wheelchairs – fun!
But it’s not about all that – it’s about sharing the Gospel, encouraging believers, doing what God would have us do.
So keep us in your prayers – also remember those who haven’t been feeling well, both among the missionary families here and in the team.
Thanks for your prayers – we’ll try to keep you informed, either during the team’s visit or after!
Just stopping by for a quick report on the weekend.
On Saturday night the church in Jesús MarÃa hosted a dinner for couples. Our temporary sanctuary was all decked out with hearts – balloons and those little corrugated decorations. We all brought food to share – chicken cordon bleu and spaghetti, for the most part.
But before eating we had some prize give-aways and chances for certain couples to publicly express their undying love (to each other, of course – but in public).
Then Pastor Erik, who comes from another church in Mexico City, shared for just over an hour on the topic of biblical marriage. He was clear, frank, and practical. He boldly hit upon some issues that were difficult and hit very close to home, and he didn’t shy away from the tough stuff.
I had the video camera on for the presentation, so I’m trying to get it copied right now for some people who missed it or want to hear it again.
Finally, I think it was around 10pm, we dug into the food.
On Sunday morning I taught my Sunday school class on the sixth commandment – You shall not murder.
I knew this would be one of the most challenging of the Ten Commandments to teach – challenging because, as I said at the beginning of the class, most people still feel that murder is wrong. And so when you really start to delve into what it means, it shows the darkness of our own hearts in a way that we’d probably rather not see.
Just think about all the things that are wrapped up in this commandment. What about these issues:
Death through negligence
Abortion
Suicide
Euthanasia
The death penalty
Hate and resentfulness
Good Samaritans
Revenge
Looking out for the poor
Vigilantes
That’s only a start – and we had less than an hour to talk!
I knew I had to end with a discussion of forgiveness and how we receive it, especially after the Bible declared pretty much everyone (if not 100% of everyone) in the room guilty. And I knew it would be an issue – but it was even more of an issue than I thought it would be – the question Can suicide be forgiven?
This question is actually a lot more important than it may first appear. It touches on questions like – Can you be forgiven after death? What is the nature and purpose of confession? What is salvation? How and when are we forgiven?
The heated discussion continued after the class, and it will continue some more – at the very least, I’ll clarify a few things in the next class (lot of time – next week is the easy topic of “adultery” – hah!).
In the service, Rod brought John 19 alive for us in his sermon. And – it was Fabian’s last Sunday with us! Fabian has been leading the music lately, but he’s going to go and get himself married on Saturday, and move away, and leave us. 🙁
Anyway – a full weekend. With another full weekend to come!
We are so thankful for the 11 people who were baptized this past Sunday at Path of Life Bible Church in Jesús MarÃa! This is a big step, and it’s amazing what God has done!
We were unable to be there, but have been rejoicing as we hear the news and see the pictures. God is working – Rejoice with us! 🙂
I went and took a few pictures, and some video, of some of the community centre activities of the evening. So I had my video software quickly throw together a video for you. So here’s a little glimpse of the evening…
Yesterday we climbed up and down the stairs of the rented house in Jesús MarÃa countless times. We moved a desk, an electric typewriter, books, crayons, song books, and old blankets as we prepared to move out.
David and Rod prepare for the first service
We started renting this house before the church in JM even started meeting. In March 2010, we met there for a Sunday service for the first time, packing it out. (Actually, I was sick that day, and missed the big event!)
It was a great location, right on the corner of two busy streets. But the owner never wanted to sell, so we kept renting.
In an effort to save money, and in hopes that we’ll soon have a new place to meet, the church leadership decided to stop renting the house this month. But – oh the memories!
Of our friend David, who lived in the house and helped with the church plant until going to Uruguay as a missionary. (It’s still nostalgically called “The House of David”)
Hmmm… yes, it has been a little quiet around here lately! And why would that be?
Well, one reason – it’s May. MANIC MAY. Traditionally May is a crazy crazy crazy month, and this year has been no exception.
‘Nuff said about that.
Last week we took some time away, spending time as a family and visiting friends in other states of Mexico.
On the weekend we enjoyed a missions conference in north Mexico City, put on by a church there and FAMEX, a Mexican mission agency that our mission works with.
It was a really good time to learn more about needs in Mexico and around the world.
We enjoyed seeing David Gomez, who worked with us here and is now serving in Uruguay. He shared some of his fish-out-of-water adventures as a Mexican in a foreign land.
We also saw many others who are either serving in or heading to countries around the world – Asia, the Middle East – many other cultures and countries.
Quite a few came from our church to the conference. Our friend Samuel gave a workshop on art in the church. Rod helped organize the conference.
It was exciting to see Mexicans and other Latinos making an impact around the world. It was startling to hear about some of the needs. And inspiring to hear some of the things we can do about it.
Now we’re back at work with a busy week closing out Manic May. Hopefully we’ll survive!
I will try to get some pictures up of all our recent adventures – but knowing our schedule, it may be a while. Thanks for your patience! 🙂