Speak to me, Lord!

We are officially 25% of the way through our 14 weeks together with these 10 students who have joined us from all parts of Mexico. Though it's only been three and a half weeks, honestly it has felt like about seven weeks together in many ways. "Ahead of the curve" is one way to describe this group in the sense that from Day 1 this group "agarró confianza" (some things are just easier to say in Spanish!) Basically, they got very comfortable very early as a group. This is great, because its when we get past the initial "ice-breaking" that we can get down to the real work of learning and growing, and yes, this more than often comes through conflict as "iron sharpens iron." I think there's been a lot of iron-sharpening already! Within the first two weeks a number of students faced internal mini-crisis where they were close to the point of leaving. Thankfully each one made the decision to stick around, staying the course. It is often as we are confronted with different issues that we respond by running. Praise God that no one has successfully run so far!

The class of 2020: Jesús (Sonora), Jorge (Sonora), José Carlos (Sonora), Abraham (Jalisco), Abraham (Chihuahua), Andrea (Oaxaca), Carlos (Veracruz), Raul & Sofía (Veracruz), Juan (Sonora)

One of the big themes that has come up with this group is what it means to "hear God's voice." This can be misleading because to hear someone's voice is not difficult. We hear people's voices all the time - this is easy to understand. But it is different with God's voice. We don't (except perhaps in rare occasions) hear an audible voice like we do with people. So what does it mean to hear God's voice? Below is a graphic I shared in one of my classes that perhaps over-simplifies it, yet it holds the key to what we've been conveying to the students in helping them to develop a deeper understanding, stronger habits, and ultimately a sensitivity to hear (and discern) God's voice from the many other "voices" that we often hear. "The Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) These are humbling, almost scary words when we consider the power of God's Word and what it reveals in us but even more so, to us. It's no wonder why someone might want to run!

"Speak to me, Lord!"

BUT, Jesus Himself, speaks clearly about what His intention is in speaking to us. "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:11) We are excited when we see the students respond to God's Word, sometimes having to face some hard and painful things in the process. But the purpose is ALWAYS for our own good. We have seen that in a number of students already, responding to God's work in their lives. We have some students who are still continuing to struggle through some difficult issues, but we are excited knowing that God is continuing to do His work in each one of them. Continue to pray with us for each one of them! Continue to pray for us as a staff, as we work together in unity. Thank you for your faithful prayers! ¡Dios les bendiga!