During the last two weeks of October, we hosted what has become a yearly missions module for students from Millar College of the Bible. This year we had five students who were interested in learning more about missions on the field instead of just in the classroom; we spent almost two weeks between classroom teaching and off-site ministry experience. We bring in some local and national missionaries to teach and share from their experiences with the hope not only to encourage some to pursue missions but also to challenge them in the day to day mission work that we are all called to.
This is the third year that we are offering this in partnership with Millar and one would think that it should get "easier" with each year. For whatever reason, this year was anything but easy in putting it together. Teachers which we had drawn on in the past were either busy or unable to confirm. We kept knocking on doors, and waiting, only to eventually hear a no. It wasn't until a couple of weeks before that we were able to confirm one of our missionary-teachers who would end up teaching a significant part of the course: Worldview, Cross-cultural Understanding, and How to Share the Gospel in different cultures. Yet, though he was finally confirmed, it still wouldn't be that easy. Because of his busy schedule, and the fact that he lives in the neighbouring state of Chihuahua, we made arrangements for him to fly in for three days, courtesy of another missionary organization who would personally fly him. The only catch was: flying a little Cessna requires good flying conditions. The forecast in Chihuahua? Nothing but rain. Plans to fly Sunday were postponed for a hopeful break in the weather Monday (the same day he was to start teaching). As it turned out, though there was only rain in the forecast, there was also forecast a brief break in the weather. Thankfully, this materialized and he was able to fly out in what turned out to be a mere two or three hour break in the weather, teaching within minutes of arriving at school! (It was not only a huge relief, but a significant blessing for the students as he really challenged them with his stories and experience.)
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| Andres the teacher and our class of students |
So, is God a procrastinator? That couldn't be further from the truth! Yet, He sure does seem to work things out last minute at times. I'm pretty certain the reasons have much less to do with Him (as if He were busy, or that He forgets, etc.) and much more, well, entirely, to do with me and teaching me to trust Him always, even in the face of uncertainty.
If that were the end of it, I could say the rest of the time would have been a breeze. However, it would seem the same last-minutedness extended also to our ministry times. At best it can be difficult to plan things in Mexico as time is of secondary importance and plans can follow very much right behind. Times can be set and plans made yet in the end, what happens will happen, when it happens! (If you've spent time down here you will appreciate this!) Needless to say, our ministry times, which included visiting an orphanage, taking part in some children's ministry, joining a church service, and finally tagging along with a local church who is reaching out to a local community, doing a weekly Bible Study with the goal of planting a congregation. It was especially this final activity that ended up being particularly difficult to nail down for various reasons. Between commitments, appointments, and community events, it finally did come together. The plan was to go with the local pastor a few hours prior to the Bible Study, invite people, play some soccer with the kids, and take advantage of one of the missionaries (who helped put this course together and is also a doctor) to do some free consultations for those who needed it in this community. This evening, for myself, really captured how this whole missions module has gone. As we were walking through the streets, the kids would at first kind of "run away," seemingly shy at the invasion of these extranjeros. My planner's mind starts thinking: is this going to come together at all? An hour passes as we made our way through the village, having invited people and arrived back to the house where the Bible Study will take place. No kids. The soccer ball comes out. Slowly some kids start to crawl out of the woodwork. Within ten to fifteen minutes, more come and a second game starts. On the consultation side of things, we weren't sure if there would be more than one or two who would come for the doctor's consultations but as it turns out, a solid two hours were booked taking us right to the Bible Study. All in all, we had a great time and an awesome opportunity to see what it looks like to reach out to people here in this culture. I was relieved and joyful to see how God did bring everything together, not only this evening but throughout the entire course.
What's the moral of the story? Don't bother making plans? I think it might rather be, even as I make my plans, to remember it is the "Lord who determines our steps" (Prov 16:9). I'm glad there is a Mastermind behind everything who is completely trustworthy! He seems to keep needing to remind me that He is in fact the One who is in control! As an administrator, it can be hard to let go of the reigns sometimes; and sometimes He just takes them right out of my hand!
We are in the process of getting the word out for the coming school year and making final plans. We are also excited about the tenth year anniversary coming up of CEC with plans to celebrate it during the school year, inviting alumni back for a two-week session of teaching, encouragement, and celebration. Pray for prospective students - this is the time of year where we always wonder: will there be students this year?? But each year God brings the right ones...in His time! Thanks for your faithful prayers! ¡Dios les bendiga!
