Divine Appointments

As I shared in the last post, sometimes our plans don't work out as we had hoped - that of course being the case this year with not having students during this season.  Sometimes, though, our plans work out far better than we could have hoped.  Both, we trust, are because of God's guiding hand, leaning on His providential care and seeing how He works things out in ways far better (yes, often different!) than what we had in mind.  These past few weeks are an example of this.

CONFERENCE

Two weeks ago we were preparing to receive about 20 people who were arriving for a week-long conference.  One of the teachers, a new one, in fact, who was scheduled to teach during CEC on the Panorama of the Bible, still came.  Instead of sharing with a group of CEC students, however, we opened it up to those who wanted to come in for a conference.  With a mix between alumni and leaders from the area both near and further away, we spent five days running a marathon through the Bible, led by Henk Kaemingk, director of a YWAM base in the neighbouring state of Chihuahua.  We had met him earlier has he taught in the Consiervos missions course and also while visiting their YWAM base last year on a recruitment trip to Chihuahua.  Henk has worked as a missionary here in Mexico for over 30 years and masterfully led us through 20 hours of teaching on the Kingdom of God and how through Christ, God is restoring His Kingdom through His followers.  Madly taking notes to keep up with his pace, we were blessed by his teaching and the perspective he brought on the singular story of the Bible culminating in Christ.

The conference participants on the final day.

During our last evening we had a time of fellowship on the beach sharing communion together.

These times serve as a unique opportunity to reconnect with past-students (we had nine alumni attend) as well as continue in and make new connections with people in the community.  One of the pastors from Guaymas who has hosted students for their weekend ministry came with one of the leaders of his church.  One of our alumni brought with him a pastor from neighbouring Empalme who, though he could only make it for one day, left deeply impacted and excited about sharing CEC with the other pastors in his community who are a part of an alliance of pastors, of which he is in a leadership position.  This lead to another encounter which just took place last week.

VISITATIONS AND RECRUITMENT

This pastor, Jose Luis, invited us to his home early last week, to share mutually about both our ministries, but also primarily just to enjoy each other's company and get to know each other more.  As is so often the case here in Mexico, their home is opened up and we are obliged to enjoy not just a cup of coffee together but a full-course breakfast featuring fried potatoes with machaca (a dried meat) and beans followed a hearty helping of freshly cooked (and delicious!) shrimp.  There are no options to go hungry!  What we were most blessed with by this time, however, was the connection as well as the desire to work together with CEC in the future, whether in attending and promoting events, or spreading the word about our course among the local pastors.  As I mentioned before, he is part of the leadership of the local alliance of pastors and so we were grateful for opportunities such as this to connect with strategic people in the area, not just to promote the ministry of CEC but share with him our desire to continue to partner with local churches, coming alongside them ultimately to serve them.

That takes me to another outing that I had together with my colleague, Guillermo, just this past weekend.  We set out to meet up with two pastor couples who had come to CEC a number of years ago, and were still faithfully serving in their communities.

Left: Juan & Noemi, students from 2014; Right: Jesús y Maribel, students from 2012

It had been a number of years since I had last visited Juan & Noemi, students from 2014; to see them once again faithfully continuing on after a number of years was encouraging.  While there were noticeable improvements in brick structure that stood in place of the old wood and tar-paper siding building that I remembered from my last visit, what was particularly encouraging was to see how they were involved in several different locations both close by and also up into the mountains a few hours away - just about every evening they are involved serving in one of these locations.  On top of the significant ministry load he has with his wife, he holds down a job so as not to be a burden to the small congregations that he serves.  Juan & Noemi are an example of the type of people we love to come alongside and serve - "front-liners" who are faithfully serving God in any way they can.

Jesús & Maribel are another example of this.  They serve in a remote area heading up into the mountains on the eastern edge of Sonora, seemingly out in the middle of nowhere (about an hour from the town of Alamos, heading down 50 km of pavement that deteriorates into washboard gravel roads.)  From well before their time in CEC (2012) they've been working in this area, Jesús pastoring and Maribel working with children in the area.  During our visit he took us into the church building where they meet and showed us a set of prayer lists, where they pray for those who don't know the Lord, for those who have needs such as problems with their health, and also for "missionaries."  They had started a weekly prayer meeting about five months ago and low-and-behold, both my name and Guillermo's were under that list.  They had been not only praying for us about also prayed that we would come and visit them.  Needless to say, they were very much encouraged by our visit, and we were encouraged to see that we were, unbeknownst to us, an answer to prayer.  That evening before we left, we had the chance to meet with a number of the other pastors and leaders in the area who work in some of the neighbouring communities for a brief introduction and a chance to share about CEC.  One young pastor in particular stood out as he expressed gratitude with tears in his eyes as he shared how he had been praying for an opportunity such as this to study and further prepare himself for the ministry he was already involved in.  We were blessed not only by these experiences, but we were also invited to come back in the future and share some workshops that would help them in their ministry - something that we had already expressed interest in doing but have been looking for "opened doors" such as these.

This brief whirlwind tour, of which I haven't mentioned another contact we made along the way (***see below if you want to read about it,) was just another example of our plans bearing far more fruit than we could have imagined ourselves.  We never know what will come of these contacts, both old and new, but we trust that as we walk forward through open doors, God will continue to lead us according to His plans.  One of our greatest challenges is finding our way to those whom desire and need the type of ministry training that we offer - these couple of days were an answer to those prayers and we look forward to continued opportunities such as these down the road.

Continue to pray for us as we plan for other activities down the road, both onsite as well as offsite, and as we continue to plan/dream about the future ministry of CEC.  Thanks, as always, for your continued prayers!

For those who are interested, we will be hosting an information afternoon here at CEC, at the dining hall, this coming Saturday (March 22nd) at 3:30 where we have invited some of our alumni to share about their ministries since they have left CEC.  

We will record the event for those who cannot be there so that you can watch it later online if you wish.  God bless each one of you...¡Dios les bendiga!

***Guillermo, through another contact he had, got in touch with a pastor in Navojoa that he had heard about previously.  He immediately expressed his gratitude at our arrival having heard about CEC previously.  For some reason, though he had tried to get in contact with us a number of years ago, wasn't able to do so - he had had someone whom he wanted to send.  So, he eagerly listened as we shared about CEC, promising to spread the word amongst the alliance of pastors in Navojoa, inviting us to return at a later date to speak to them collectively.  It wasn't until we arrived at his house, having invited us to lunch together with his family, that I realized I had met him many years before!  As I stepped into his house it slowly came together how I had been there over 10 years ago with a fellow missionary from San Carlos whom I had accompanied to Navojoa for a weekend.  Neither the pastor nor myself had recognized each other, but here we were many years later with our paths crossing once again.

Directed Steps

I've often reflected over the years here at CEC that each year brings a new challenge - something we've never seen before.  This has included things such as facing significant issues with students, major incidents such as one of our teachers suffering a life-threatening stroke, to the passing of members of our leadership (Howard most recently, and Jose Luis several years ago).  Walking through each of these experiences (it seems that without fail, we tend to face at least one such crisis each and every year,) one is tempted to think, "Now we've seen it all."  Just wait for next year!

All of this leads us to this year, and only a short time after having written the recent blogpost, The Countdown to the inauguration, we had to make the very difficult decision to cancel this year's course due to a very low number of applications.  This would be the first time this has happened following CEC's 15 classes that have graduated.  "Now we've seen it all," I'm tempted to say...  But even as I look back on each and every one of those other situations, what was difficult or painful at the time (and may continue to be so in many ways), were times when God's faithfulness was magnified.  They have been learning times, to say the least, and they have been trying times as well.  But they have also been growing times, where God has taken us down new paths, yes, uncomfortable paths, and has brought something about that otherwise would never have taken place.  I remember when Jose Luis had a major stroke which the doctors said he should not have survived.  After two weeks in the hospital he returned to CEC where he faced a long and arduous recovery, surrounded by the help of the student body caring for him in various ways - we witnessed a slow but miraculous recovery, enjoying his company and teaching at CEC for another couple of years until the Lord finally took him home.  Our journey over the past two years with Howard's passing (the founder of CEC) has also been a journey of growth into new chapters.

Each one of these experiences have inadvertently helped to prepare us for each new and unexpected circumstance that continues to come our way, even though in the moment we continue to be surprised by these new curve balls.  Yet the past testifies to Romans 8:28, that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him," though it may not be pleasant to walk through in the moment.  In this light, while it was a difficult decision to make, to cancel this year's course - weighing on each one of our hearts - we also had a God-given sense of peace in making it, knowing that this also was not outside of His control nor His plans.

Just the other day, on what would have been the second day of classes, we met together as the leadership staff to look ahead and see what these next months as well as the rest of the year could hold.  Last year one of the things that we focused on was a team was that CEC is more than just the three-and-a-half month course.  It encompasses the ongoing discipleship and encouragement of the alumni who minister in their homes, churches, and communities.  Through the alumni retreat, conference, and visits, it is a privilege to continue to walk alongside them both in their successes and difficulties.  

Jesús Fernando and Yuleni are an example of this - Jesús Fernando who entered the course as a very timid person just recently shared with us how he has been placed in charge of the men's group in his church.  This comes after he himself has shared how he has had opportunities to witness to his co-workers about God, seeing a difference in him, and as he reads his Bible on the job between tasks.  Prior, he never would have had the confidence to do so, but God has been at work in his life.  Yuleni shares about her new role in children's ministry in the church as well also their plans to reach out to the unchurched children in the area around where they live and work.

Jesús Fernando and Yuleni during their time at CEC.

On the other side, I just got a call from one of our past students who was calling after being incarcerated.  This student's journey has been particularly difficult, even after the time in CEC, but one in which this student also recognizes God's grace even in this circumstance - a chance to devote this time to Him and find his way forward.  What a privilege to walk along side each one of the students, both in their highs as well as their lows.  Who of us does not also have our own highs and lows in our journeys?

As we sat around the table the other day as the CEC leadership, we put into motion some plans for the short term, including taking advantage of one of our teachers who was scheduled to come at the end of February and host a 5 day conference on the very class that he was going to give - Panorama of the Bible.  Other ideas were shared and we will continue to look in the coming days at ways to further develop and build the ministry of CEC outside of our primary course, both on-site and off-site, through mentoring, conferences, visitations, trips, etc., while also looking forward to and preparing for next year.  Please continue to pray for us as we plan and continue the ministry of CEC through different means.  

As Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."  We continue to sense and rest in the fact that God will continue His ministry through CEC, that the vision to EQUIP AND TRAIN SERVANT LEADERS (Eph. 2:12) continues to be what guides us.  It may look a little different, especially over the course of the next few months, but we continue to trust that He will continue to direct our steps.  Thank you, as always, and maybe even more during times like these, for your continued support and prayers for myself and for this ministry!  God bless each one of you.  ¡Dios les bendiga!

The Countdown

Ten days to go...  As we just finished counting down the final days of 2024, another countdown begins for us: the 2025 CEC school season.  But before we get into that, let me share some of the highlights of the end of last year:

CONFERENCE: MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER

The final event planned for 2024 took place at the end of November where a local pastor, Jorge Campoy, took us through the biblical and cultural context of the well known passage where Jesus condemns what is happening in the outer courts of the temple, overturning the tables, and citing the familiar Old Testament passage from Isaiah 56:7, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations."  He unpacked for us the powerful message of the Gospel, the miracle that God would invite all people to Himself - which was His plan all along - and one that those who were responsible for the Temple during Jesus' time, had completely overlooked.  Jesus Himself takes away all obstacles between us and God the Father - and this invitation was not just for the Jews, but for all people, including us!  

A time of worship before one of the sessions.

Staff and conference participants.

We had about 25 people participate in the two day conference, from various places, different backgrounds, a variety of "theological levels," but each one went away impacted both by Jorge's presentation of the Word, but also by the blessing it is to have received from the Word itself.  Each person we talked to expressed how they were impacted in some way.  It shouldn't be surprising, but when the Word is simply taught, being alive and active, it impacts and transforms.

In the evening we experimented with something that we often do during the CEC course itself: retreating to the beach in the evening to enjoy the sunset and take communion together around a campfire with prayer and worship.  Many reflected on how much they enjoyed this unique experience - a break from the routine, experiencing something familiar like the Lord's Supper in a different setting, and one as beautiful as a San Carlos beach.

Could there be a better setting for communion?

As we reflect on this conference, we are excited as we take up the torch once again, bringing back conferences like this, after having a reprieve of a couple of years without due to the pandemic restrictions at the time.  (This is the second year now that we've returned to doing an event like this...)

The rest of the year (the month of December) has been a time of relative rest, after a busy year with a number of events and outings, with opportunities to take care of different projects that have been on the back burner for a while - things that get pushed off until there is finally time to do them.  Among them included something that I've been working on over the past year and finally came to its conclusion - becoming a Mexican citizen!  It's something I've had in the back of my mind for a long time but finally pursued it this past year, and after a year of paperwork and waiting, I finally was presented my letter, the Carta de Naturalización, this past December.  Some have asked Why? and perhaps in a future post I can expand on that a bit more (or you can ask me personally!)  But in part, along with certain benefits, it has been part of a continued venture into living and truly being here in Mexico.  Mexicans, in general, have such a pride for their country and to make the effort to become a citizen is a way to honor both the people themselves and the country that they take pride in.  (Many are proud that someone would want to become a Mexican alongside them!)  In the end, it is part of a continued effort to always help reach more deeply and live alongside the people that I work with and serve.

CEC 2025

As I mentioned before...10 days to go!  With the beginning of a new year, months of planning now start turning into reality.  We are in the final stages of planning, not to mention confirming students.  It has been slow thus far as far as students being confirmed.  While a number have expressed interest, those who have actually sent in their application forms thus far is less than previous years, at this point.  This isn't the first time we've been at a place like this before, though, with only a little more than a week to go - we are, of course, in Mexico, where many things are spur-of-the-moment.  So there is still time for more students to show interest and hand in their applications.  It is, though, a faith-inducing experience - even if it is not the first time we've gone through this!  So, PRAY together with us for those students that God would bring to us this year.  It is always a big commitment for them to take that step of faith themselves, but our prayer is that their desire to grow deeper in their walk, to learn deeply from the Bible, and their desire to serve, would propel them beyond whatever obstacle might present itself to spend these next four months with us.  Our beginning day of classes is the 20th of January.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!  As we enter this intense season of walking alongside others, we covet your prayers.  Each year presents its unique challenges and opportunities with each student that comes.  It also presents its own personal challenges - but I look forward to another opportunity to walk together with others as we grow together.  God bless each one of you and thank you!  ¡Dios les bendiga!