Week Four

It's hard to believe that week four is quickly coming to a close...that means that we are almost a third done the course.  In some ways it feels like we've had these students for months already.  Though the honeymoon period has long worn off, we are still excited, as the students are as well, with what God is doing amongst us.  Wednesday was such a day.

As part of the Spiritual Disciplines class that focussed on Solitude, we discussed and put into practice the experience of silence - reflecting on how we use our words and also by being in silence for a day, learning to listen for God's voice more clearly.  Beginning with the first class at 9:00 all took part in a day of silence - no use of the voice with the exception of the teachers, of course, during their class.  Meals were interesting, and of course eaten rather quickly as there was not much else to do but eat!  The whole day was spent in silence until after supper when we celebrated communion together.

As leaders we met during the day for our weekly staff meeting (yes, we did break our vows of silence for that period!) to cover basic issues that come up, share with each other things that are going on, etc.  We noted some particular concerns concerning some students, areas where we saw needs for growth and healing, etc.  In particular we noted one of the students, whom one of our teachers has known for years, and has come through some very difficult things in his life.  We had seen him in the last couple of days especially putting up barriers in various ways, in classes, and in relationships, and just in general.  Knowing a little about his past we could see that there were some deep hurts that were causing these barriers to come up, especially as certain classes started uncovering some of these areas.  We mentioned it in our staff meeting and a couple of people expressed their desire to talk with him sometime during the week, asking prayer for that, to see if we could work through some of these issues.

During the Santa Cena (communion) in the evening we reflected a bit on the power of silence using the verse Psalm 46:10 as a guide, "Be still and know that I am God."  Several of the students shared about their experiences.  Some were just some practical insights about realizing how much we talk sometimes, trying to be the center of attention.  One student shared about how he was impacted we ought to need there is to use our words for sharing the Gospel, the importance of evangelism.  One of our older students mentioned how he just enjoyed the day (probably the only one who actually enjoyed it!)  Another student shared how sometimes we use words or activities to cover up things we are dealing with but in the silence we are forced to face some of these things as we are "alone" with our thoughts.  One student's thoughts, though, were a particular highlight.  The very student that we were praying for and had expressed concern for, shared that he came to realize some of these very things that had been weighing him down for a long time, and how God spoke to him powerfully through the day, bringing freedom and joy where had been chains for so long.  The very things that we were praying for, God brought about in his life without needing our personal intervention at all!

I could share more about our day yesterday for the purpose of evangelism, one of the main themes over the past two weeks here taught by Benito (whom many of you know, is working up in Arizpe with the church and future Rehab Center), and some awesome ways in which God moved.  But I think we'll save some of these stories for later.

Please keep praying for us.  "For the word of God is alive and active," says Hebrews 4:12.  As the students continue studying the Word, pray that there would continue to be soft hearts as they respond to it.  Pray for us as well that we would have the wisdom, discernment, and energy to keep building into their lives!  ¡Dios les bendiga!