Labouring On...

I have to admit, maybe it's my Canadian roots, but one of my favorite times of the year is when I can finally put on a hoodie...unfortunately, hoodie season is far too short, but it is such a welcome reprieve of the intense summer heat that held on exceptionally long this year.  Speaking of reprieves, it seems that this year's "off-season" has been anything but a reprieve, and with cooler temperatures here, it means that another CEC semester is just around the corner.  As our team down here grows with more full-time year round members, in some sense the workload lightens as there are more hands on deck, but it also allows us to expand and cover even more ground - and it seems that that is exactly what has happened this year in particular.  Here's some of the recent highlights:

RECRUITMENT TOUR DOWN SOUTH

My beloved colleague, Guillermo (who lives upstairs from me together with his family), accompanied me on a brief whirl-wind recruitment tour down south, covering a lot of ground over the course of a week and a half.  We visited two churches that have long been connected with CEC as well as two new connections - one being one of our former students from this year, Armando in Guadalajara, and as well as connections through Guillermo's family.

There's always a sense of uncertainty surrounding these trips as we step into both old and new circles, not knowing what fruit will come of it, or even how one will be received (in the new places).  This year was no exception especially with some additional uncertainty regarding the route we had to take, which lead through some areas of unrest at the time.  There is a saying, though, in Mexico - Mi casa es su casa - which means, "My house is your house."  It's more than a saying, though, it is a reality in this warm culture - multiplied ten-fold when you factor in that we are being welcomed into homes of our brothers and sisters in Christ!  It is not only this, though, that stuck out on this trip - the connections we were able to enjoy and make - it was also the invitations that we came across to return, to connect with more churches in the areas we visited, that affirmed any doubt that we may have had in setting out in the first place.  One of the challenges that we often come across on behalf of the school is the challenge of gaining trust with new pastors.  It is understandable to be sure and something that takes time and energy invested in trips like these to build that trust so that they know that we are here to serve them, and help them as well as their members to grow in ways that they will be a blessing both to them and their church as they return.  That is why as different pastors not only opened their doors but invited us back providing themselves as bridges to the neighbouring churches, to share about CEC, not to mention the personal interest in coming to CEC, we were so thankful - God opened doors in each place that we went.  

This was coupled with the opportunity to reconnect with a number of our alumni throughout the trip - always a joy to see them in their home settings, to hear about both their joys and struggles, and hopefully to encourage them as well as they continue on. The picture below took place at one of our stops - an area that has sent students now for a number of years.

A great time with several of our alumni - an impromptu chat over coffee where we could hear from them about some of the challenges that they are facing in ministry and how we can continue to encourage them along the way.  It becomes very evident as we listen to them how they continue to learn and grow in different ways as they head back into their lives and ministry following their time in CEC.

MILLAR COLLEGE MISSIONS MODULE

As we came back, with a short stretch of down-time, we prepared to receive a group of 10 young men and women, all studying currently at Millar School of the Bible, in the BC campus, who came down for a 10 day missions course hosted here at CEC.  The primary goal of this missions module was to not only learn about cross-cultural missions but also be able to experience in some small ways what it might look like to minister in a different culture.  A number of people involved in cross-cultural missions shared various tools for cross-cultural missions from their perspectives and experiences.  Guillermo himself shared in several of the classes about our role in God's plan of Redemption through the Great Commission, a prominent theme during this week and a half highlighting not only what is entailed in effectively carrying it out but also how we are all called to be a part of this mission that reaches to the ends of the earth.  

A familiar scene, only now with classes in English as the students hear from a number of missionaries throughout the week.

An offsite exercise at the local downtown market where the students had an opportunity to try out their newly learned Spanish words and phrases.

The students had an opportunity during our final weekend in the small fishing town of El Choyudo, home to Guillermo and his church, to experience firsthand ministry and interaction in an unfamiliar setting where you don't know the language nor culture.  We had an informal time of fellowship including playing volleyball and a seafood feast prepared by the members of his church; this was followed by a worship service on the beach.  One thing that stood out for this group was the ability to connect and communicate, despite the barriers - a product of the warmth of the Mexican culture but also the grace that is found in connecting with members of the body of Christ, no matter where you are.  The students also left impacted by the testimony of many of the missionaries and local servants such as Pastor Rafael and his wife Marisela in Fatima (whom many of you have heard of or even know personally) and hearing about their years of tireless, dedicated service to the Lord, while seeing, even just for a brief visit, some of the fruits of their labour.  

The students learned and presented a song in Spanish - an impressive undertaking - to the church in El Choyudo.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

As I write this, there are a lot of details swirling around in my mind about up and coming events, not the least of which includes our school year just around the corner.  However in the nearer future, we have plans underway for a conference at the end of November, and, even closer at hand, a trip we plan to take tomorrow (Wednesday) to the neighbouring state of Chihuahua.  One of our alumni who completed the second year course two years ago - Abram - has graciously invited us to his home city and connected us not only with his church but a number of pastors and leaders in the area.  We plan to be on the road about a week visiting a number of different places and people with the hopes of continuing to get the word out about CEC.  Please pray for safety as we travel, but also for fruitful interactions as we seek out those who would benefit in their ministries from coming to CEC.

Thanks, as always, for your continued prayers - there are so many plans underway for different activities yet it is exciting to see the ministry of CEC continue to grow.  Perhaps one other thing that stands out from the Millar missions module and also these recruitment trips is how, though we are finding ourselves with a lot of "work" to do these days, there are so many who are also labouring, just as we are, all over the world, not just here in Mexico.  That, of course, includes you as well!  We all have a part to play, but even more so, it is God who is at work in every part of the world, and wherever we go, we find Him there at work as well.  God bless each one of you as you labor on as well!  ¡Dios les bendiga!

There and Back Again

Much has happened since the last update - and too much time has gone by as well.  Our first alumni retreat, a trip to Manitoba, and now back on the ground running in San Carlos with the Consiervos (Bondservants) Mission training course underway and a recruitment tour just around the corner.  This has been perhaps one of the busier "off" seasons, though there really isn't such a thing as an off-season - it just perhaps feels so compared to the busyness of January through April and our time during the course with the students here onsite.  Here are some past highlights as well as some of plans on the horizon:

Alumni Retreat

Being a huge success, we look forward to this being a continuing, yearly tradition.  Though it was somewhat short notice, with only one month of planning and getting the word out, we had a great turnout: 20 students came out for the first weekend in August, from over the past 13 years of classes.  One of our students even came from the southern most tip of Mexico, from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, excited to reconnect with us and fellow students.  The goal of this weekend was more than just a reunion of old friendship but a time of listening to and encouraging the students in their lives and ministries.  There is no doubt that, while the time together in CEC during the course is powerful and encouraging for the students, some of the biggest challenges lie as they return back to their homes and ministries, living out what they have absorbed during CEC.  We try to continue to walk with them as much as we can from a distance, but events such as this where we have face to face contact cannot be replaced.  My coworker Guillermo challenged the students from the life and example of Joshua who experienced different stages of growth as he was mentored by Moses, later leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land, and eventually prepared the next generations in his departure.  The encouragement to the students was seeing God's continual work in our lives with Him is our focal point - He is accomplishing His plan through us in these various stages of our lives - something He continues to do in the lives of the students, wherever they find themselves.

The staff and students at our alumni reunion.

The time together was great, the interaction between the different years was enjoyable, and the openness with which the students shared, as though they had all already studied together was sweet.  We recognize the immeasurable value of this time together and look forward to, Lord willing, keep doing this in the years to come.

Trip to Manitoba

A couple of days following the alumni retreat I was on the road heading up to spend a month in Manitoba.  I was treated by probably the coldest day on record for an August summer, with a high of 12 degrees - coming from mid to high 30's with high humidity, this was a shock (though a welcome shock!) to the system! ;)  Aside from that, though, the month was spent in rest and relaxation with family and friends along with opportunities to share about CEC in a couple of local churches and finished off with a really great event planned together with a number of people both from my home church and others involved with CEC.  Denver and Katie Janz (CEC's directors) were able to travel in from BC, along with several of the local board members for the mission (including my Dad and Jake Friesen, who is from my home church), shared about the ministry and vision of CEC.  Over 150 came out in support of and to hear from us, not to mention one of our own alumni, who happened to be spending the summer working in southern Manitoba together with his wife and two kids, also shared about CEC and his experience as a student.  He went through the program back in 2017, coming from the nearby city of Empalme, about half and hour from the school.  Since his time in CEC he has been working along with others in the beginning stages of a church plant in a nearby village, working there primarily with the children.  He shared with us about his experience in CEC and how had been shaped by the time spent in the Word.  It is always a blessing to hear from our students, especially now years from their time at CEC, and to see how they are continuing on faithfully, through the ups and downs.  If there's one thing that stands about Jesús, it is his continued passion for the Word, not only in study but in sharing it with others and the power of the Gospel message.  This event really was a celebration of the ministry of CEC and what God has been doing through it - and it was exciting to see so many come in support of what God has done and is continuing to do in San Carlos.  

My time in Winkler not only drew to a close with this event, but all things were timed perfectly as my newest niece was born just days before I came back - five days before, in fact.  All in all, it may not have been a relaxing time away, but it was encouraging and rejuvenating.

Back on the Ground Running

On the next day back to San Carlos I was scheduled in for some tests to address some health issues that have been bothering me over the last months.  While not looking forward to it necessarily, I was hoping to find some answers as to what was going on.  Thankfully, all things checked out, it being nothing serious - thank you to those who were praying!  

This fall has shaped up to be fairly busy.  These are some of the activities that are lined up for this coming stretch:

• Consiervos (Bondservants) cross-cultural missions training program (Oct-Nov)
• Recruitment tour to visit past students and promote CEC to new churches/pastors (2 weeks in Oct)
• Millar College of the Bible missions module, hosted at CEC (last two weeks of Oct)
• Leadership conference (last week of Nov)

We are currently full swing into the Consiervos program with 11 students on site, several of them being CEC alumni.  I've had the privilege of sharing some classes on the History of Missions over the past few days, looking at both the successes and failures of the church over the years in carrying out the Great Commission, but mostly seeing how through it all, it is God who has been carrying out His mission to us, and how we are called to be a part of it.  The program, run by a dear missionary couple who themselves spent many years in missions to one of the indigenous groups here in Mexico, K and R Van Kirk, is very similar to CEC in the way that it is run - building into the lives of each of the students during their time here, but with a focus specifically on missions in a cross-cultural setting.

All of this is going on while we to continue to plan and recruit for this coming year.  Please pray for the plans still to be made and particularly for teachers that are needed to fill some big holes left behind by some who will not be able to return this coming year.  One ground-breaking, historical note, though - WE ALREADY HAVE OUR FIRST STUDENT ENROLLED!  Now, this may not sound like something that amazing, but considering that normally we only receive our first application sometime in December, it is incredible to already have one student confirmed.  Please continue to pray for this coming school year, for our still-unknown students, and for us as staff as we prepare for another season.  Pray for safety as we embark on a short recruitment tour in the coming days (planning to leave this coming Saturday), for new connections, new students, and also for our alumni whom which we plan to connect with.  As always, thanks for your continued prayers for myself and for the ministry of CEC!  ¡Dios les bendiga!

The Classroom of Ups and Downs

It's always encouraging to hear from students outside of our formal training time with them.  Just the other day a student contacted me whom I had not heard from for a year or two - he came in 2021 and recently reached out to me, sharing about some of the ways he has been serving as of late, including teaching at a local Christian rehab center and some other local churches.  He expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the impact of his time at CEC.  He wrote,

"God has prepared us for battle - now it is our turn to act, and where there is fertile land to sow, I will do so tirelessly." - Fernando Rojas

It's hard to keep track of all of the students who come through CEC but it is always an encouragement to not only hear from them, but to see how they are continuing on serving the Lord, years after their time here.  Continue to pray with us for our students, both recent and past!

Without a doubt, while their time during the 3+ months we spend together comes with its challenges, some of the greatest challenges await them as they leave CEC and return home.  And while there is plenty of opportunity to put into practice things that are being learned while here (while they live together in community not to mention their weekend places of ministry...), the biggest tests await them beyond graduation.  This shouldn't be surprising, of course - I'm sure we can all look back to our own experiences, not to mention so many stories of even the great leaders in the Bible, to the ups and downs, failures and successes, of each one on this journey.  The learning continues far beyond the classroom and time at CEC, mirroring it in many ways with its own highs and lows.  He continues to teach and show His faithfulness. 

So, it is encouraging to hear from students like Yuleni and Fernando who are back serving in their congregation - a small agricultural village about an hour from here - investing in the children of the congregation.  Yuleni shared about how she was deeply impacted during her time in CEC - in her words, "by coming to know God more deeply through studying His Word."  Her husband, Fernando, a man of few words, gradually grew in confidence himself as he slowly opened up and shared what he was learning from God in our morning devotion time.  They are currently working with the children in their community, hosting them every Saturday for a time of games and Bible lessons.

Jesús and his wife Yuleni, serving at one of our off-site ministry opportunities for children.

Other students have had to navigate some challenges upon their return home.  One of our students, for various reasons, chose to step back from the ministry he was involved with to dedicate more time to his son - God has been at work to slowly bring restoration to a difficult family situation - while also providing opportunities to serve in different churches and rehab centers in the area.  Another one of our recent students is facing a similar situation with regards to his ministry - please pray for him that God would lead him in any decisions that need to be made.

One thing becomes especially clear as we continue to hear from the students - all of the "theory" that we learn, also has to be walked out in our lives.  While we do this as much as we can while we are together, it will be an ongoing task both in life and in ministry.  We have been thinking about what it looks like to continue to walk alongside the students as much as we can, to continue to encourage them in their lives and ministry.  To that end, we had our first (maybe anual?) alumni evening - lighting up the pizza oven and hearing from those who could return from this past year and enjoying one another's company once again, even if just for several hours.  It was a pleasure to reconnect with six of our students.  We are also planning an alumni weekend mid-summer, open to students from all 15 years, sometime mid-summer.  We hope and pray that it will be a time of encouragement for each one who comes as they continue on in service.

At present we have several activities/tasks going on that you can keep in your prayers:

• Continuing to plan, as we confirm teachers for next year - we have some significant holes to fill left behind by some great teachers.
• Consiervos English class - now almost halfway done its 8 week course (for people who need English in missions/ministry).  We've had the opportunity of continuing to connect with a couple of our past CEC students who have returned for this course.
• Alumni Retreat - planning for a weekend in August, a time of fellowship and encouragement for  past students.

I'm also looking forward to being out in Manitoba once again this summer, for the month of August till into September.  We are planning an event in the Winkler, MB area on September 8th where several CEC staff, including Denver and Katie Janz, the directors of the school, will be out to share about the ongoing ministry of CEC (more details to come!).  While I'll have the opportunity to share this weekend at my home church BMC, in Manitoba (via video-call), there is nothing like being there in person.  I look forward to connecting with many while out there!  Until then, thanks again for the faithful support and prayers.  They are deeply appreciated!  ¡Dios les bendiga!