In The Dark

The "chance" meeting took place yesterday morning.  The fact that I met this couple at the Immigration Office here in Guaymas, I had to ask them where they originally were from.  While having lived in Mexico now for four years, they responded, they were in fact from Peru.  Myself, while having lived in San Carlos now for 16 years, was from Canada, I shared with them - they had always wanted to visit San Carlos.  He was a teacher of philosophy and world religions.  I shared that I too was a teacher, in a Bible School.  Their eyes lit up - they too were Christians, missionaries, in facto, who had been involved in planting churches and he also having taught practical theology including topics such as church growth and discipleship.  

Within half an hour numbers were exchanged and it wasn't more than a couple of hours later, as I was arriving home, that I got a call from him, Antonio, wanting to see if him and his wife Daisy could swing by to not only visit San Carlos but also come by and see the school for themselves.  With a brochure and an application in hand, they left after a tour of the school, excited about the ministry of CEC, both parties being blessed by the "chance" encounter.  Only God knows what will come of it, but this incident seems to capture a recurring theme over the past months.

I would have thought that this fall would have been more relaxed with the missions program Consiervos having been cancelled due to a low number of potential students - it would have run during the months of October and November.  Yet, this has probably been one of the busiest seasons in a while, outside of the CEC course itself, full of many of these kinds of chance encounters.  In many ways "In the Dark" captures how we've felt in general over the past year especially, with Howard's (CEC's founder and past-director) failing health eventually leading to his passing away this past summer - we have been thrust into uncharted waters (yet again...) trying to find our way forward.  Yet at the same time there have been many chance happenings - what we like to call them "coincidences" - that remind us that while the waters might be uncharted for us, there is Someone who's got the whole terrain already mapped out.

It's come in the form of other chance meetings where, while on a promotional visit this fall I ran into a young man who was looking for an opportunity to study at a Bible school - he was excited to hear about CEC and Lord willing, he will be joining us this coming January.  As it turns out, his brother is the pastor of a church down in the state of Jalisco, and I was planning to be in that area a month or so later, on another promotional tour.  I was able to spend some time getting to know the church while having further opportunities to share about CEC's ministry.

This fall has been, among other things, a season of these "chance" connections, both here locally as well as a few ventures both west and further south, including a 5000 km road trip where I met the above-mentioned young man and the church that he came from - all to help form bridges between CEC and new churches, while also visiting some of our past students.  Here's a few other highlights of the past couple of months:

Five of us staff were able to attend the wedding of two of our alumni in Atotonilco, Jalisco this past September.  This picture includes us staff along with seven CEC alumni who also come from that area.

This is a photo taken from our leadership conference this past Saturday here at CEC.  After several years of being on hold we were able to continue once again, enjoying a strong representation of alumni, hearing from a local pastor share from his 40 years of experience as a pastor.  The theme of the conference was "Renewal," looking to God's Word for encouragement to be faithful to the call that God has placed on each one's life, especially in the capacity of leadership in ministry.

There's other opportunities I could mention such as the chance to be a part of a workshop for training children's ministry teachers here locally lead by someone from my parent's church, Bethel, in Manitoba, among other things.  All of these bear witness, however, to Someone who holds all things in the palms of His hands, even if in the moment one doesn't always see how it is all coming together.  

As we enter December we have that same sense of uncertainty as we wait for applications to arrive (two have already come in!).  Over the years we have asked at this point in the year, Will there be a school season next January? but we know better than to question God's plans and His timing.  There has not yet been a year when the "right" amount of students has not arrived (and yes, we have always had a good sized group of students...).  Yet the present uncertainty we experience only stresses us out, not God, thankfully!  There is no uncertainty in Him.  "Even the darkness is not dark" to Him (Psalm 139:12).  

Pray for me as we get ready for another year, as I'm involved with the organization of teachers and schedules, as we continue to reach out for new students, and continue to navigate these new waters as a team.  I'm looking forward to spending a couple of weeks up in Manitoba this Christmas season!  It has been a few years since I've enjoyed a white Christmas.  I'll have to dig out my parka and my boots again...  As always, thanks for your continued support and prayers!  ¡Dios les bendiga!

An update from San Carlos - Summer 2023

 Too much time has passed since my last update, but I sincerely want to thank each on of your for your continued prayers and support for myself and the ministry of CEC.  It would be imposible to cover all that has happened during that last couple of months (and I was able to see many of you up in Manitoba, thankfully!) but before I get to them, here's a thank-you message from our students from this past year:

The first being not a highlight but sincerely a low point for CEC in the passing of Howard Dyck, our beloved founder and director this spring.  As many of your were aware and accompanying us in your prayers, he went to be with the Lord this July after a long battle.  While we greatly miss him, his joy, his presence, his animo (encouragement).  Many in the community (from people at the bank, local stores, the insurance guy, etc.!!) have noted his presence.  Students from the many years of CEC continue to reach out.  All this shows the immense impact that he had on so many lives over the years.  He worked behind the scenes in more ways than we could ever know (and are now finding out!) but in his absence we also are living in the wake of what God started through him and his wife Susan through the ministry of CEC.  I remember first coming on in the early years of CEC and was given the opportunity to contribute in various ways, including opportunities to teach.  Howard had a way of bringing people into the vision of CEC, empowering them, and watching the vision unfold into something much greater than any one of us.  We look forward to the future of CEC because it was something that is greater than all of us - it is ultimately the Lord's - an instrument for the building of His kingdom.  Over the years we have had a number of difficult situations with regards to staff members or different circumstances.  Each year we think that "now we've seen it all..." only to be surprised yet again.  But through it all too, we have seen God at work in our lives and in others too through this ministry, and for that we are thankful, though we wouldn't necessarily choose the paths that we have had to walk.  We look forward to another season, especially now as we are making plans and confirming students for the next school term.

The last couple of weeks I've had the chance to pour through some of the testimonies that our students recorded before they left in putting together a promotional video and a video thanking our many supporters (see the link above!).  It brings back many of the memories and how God worked through that time in the student's lives.  Some of the highlights include one of our youngest students, Brayan, who shares,

Brayan, a first year student

Fabián, another first year student

Manuel, reflecting on his return as a 2nd year student

I had the chance to visit Elías, another one of our returning students, who is helping to build a new rehabilitation center just outside of Hermosillo.  Visiting them in July, in the Sonoran desert heat (+40 C on any given day), at a place where there is no electricity or even running water, as they are making bricks to build new facilities for a rehab center.  He helps oversee the work there but he also leads the other guys in Bible studies, men who themselves are on the road to recovery as he once was.  He is passionate about sharing from the Bible but is also an avid learner himself with a hunger to know the Word more deeply.  Seeing his dedication is inspiring and humbling - what a privilege it is to continue to walk along side some of these humble and dedicated servants!

Elías, 2nd year

Since CEC ended, we had an opportunity to spend extended time with three of our CEC students who took part in an English course ran by our ministry partners, Consiervos (Bondservants), an organization that is dedicated to equip others for cross-cultural missions.  They continued on for an 8-week intensive English course that will help them in their ministry settings where knowing English will be an asset.  In addition to helping them practice English, it gave us an opportunity to continue to connect with them in person and to encourage them in their walk.

I was able to get away up to Manitoba this summer as well, enjoying four weeks, seeing many of you in Manitoba, and getting a little bit of a breather before hitting the ground running now here in September.  Tomorrow I'll be hitting the road for the next week and a half making some new connections for the school and fostering some old ones as well.  A number of people have expressed interest already in coming for the coming school year and plans are underway, getting our calendar lined up.  We are excited about continuing to grow our 2nd year program.  This morning, in fact, we met together to discuss our plans, discerning the on-going needs of our students in their lives and ministries, catching up with one of our currently off-site teachers via video-conference.  As we discuss different ideas the excitement grows for seeing another year come around the corner.  There's a sense where, while CEC's footprint grows as more students come through our doors each year, there still is so much that still needs to be done - people whom we can reach with God's Word, so that they will be built up and equipped for further ministry.  In the end it is not CEC's footprint that we are truly worried about, but God's - being a part of what He is doing here and throughout Mexico.

With that, I acknowledge once again my indebtedness to you and your prayers for myself and this ministry.  Every year has had its challenges and this year is no different.  But we are exciting as we move forward, carrying one what Howard started so many years ago with Susan (we also look forward to her continued presence and help on the team!)  God bless each one of you!  ¡Dios les bendiga!

Celebrating the Class of 2023

It usually takes a week or so at least to return back to a "normal" routine (whatever that may be!) following another school season of CEC - I can only imagine what it is like for the students as they return home after 14 weeks of intensive learning and living together.  There is always a mixture of excitement for all that has been learned, all that God has done in each one's life during this time together, with the sadness of saying goodbye to the daily experience of community that we've come to enjoy.  Here's some reflections on another great season of CEC and the class of 2023!

New First-Year Grads

Six young men returned to their homes and ministries, each one bearing evidence of God's work in their lives - each one leaving markedly different compared to when they arrived.  Here's a few highlights:

Julio arrived with years of ministry experience behind him, having been rescued from a life of drugs and now serving those who are themselves caught up in addictions.  For various reasons, though, he had for many years resisted going for any Bible training, and most recently, for various reasons, was at a spiritual low in his life.  One of the greatest challenges for him during the school year was in the area of fellowship with others.  Being a significant part of the program here, living as part of the family of God where biblical "theory" is meant to be lived out within the community, this was a significant stretch for a number of the students, perhaps especially Julio.  One of the reasons for this emphasis in CEC's program comes to the heart of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus - we can learn how to "minister" to other people with all the right tools and biblical knowledge but in the end it is as much about who we are, in Christ, as it is about what we do or say.  Learning how to love (and to be loved!) becomes the platform through which others will be more deeply impacted - and this is one of the areas where Julio grew tremendously throughout the course, coupled with a reigniting of his passion to serve God.  The transformation that took place in many ways in his life showed itself from being an outlier to embracing the community, being impacted by it, and finding his place within it.  He is a gifted leader with a vision for raising up different ministries to those who are still caught in addictions and is a natural leader who has the ability to pull others into the vision for ministry that God has given him.

Fabián is a young man who comes from the neighbouring community of Guaymas, who also came from a period in his life where he was caught up in addictions.  What stood out for me in Fabián's life is the confidence he gained as he came to understand more deeply his identity in Christ.  Having fallen into drug addictions already being a Christian, it has been hard to come back into the church, though God has unmistakably worked in his life and and has turned the corner on that lifestyle.  Despite this, though, it has not been easy to reintegrate into the spiritual family.  One of the things we want all of the students to see during their time in CEC is to come to a great understanding of who they are now in Christ, to know what God has done for each one of us through Christ, and to live confidently in the fullness of this new reality - that we live and serve only by grace and upon no other grounds.  It was plain to see the evidence of these truths slowly sink deeper and deeper into Fabián's heart and mind during our time together.  He, too, is a gifted individual, a musician with a deep passion to share Christ with others - an evangelist by nature - now, too, he is equipped with a deeper sense of his identity in Christ.  Below is a picture of him sharing the Gospel along with another one of our students - this one week after leaving CEC.

New Second-Year Grads

In addition to these six grads, five others were able to complete our first ever 2nd-year program.  Though we had attempted it once previously in 2020 (it was cut short due to Covid), we were able to see it through to the end this time around.  During the final eight weeks of this year's course, five of our past students came back (ranging from this past year to all the way back to 2017).  One of these students, Abraham, made the following remark:

"It was even better than the first time in CEC because we already knew the environment and we could immediately trust our fellow students as well as the staff - we could be open about our lives and begin to receive the reorientation that comes from God's Word."

Abraham (left) together with one of the other second-year students, Javier.

Another one of the returning students, Manuel, was a student back in 2017.  In the last number of years (since before his first time in CEC) he has dedicated much of his time to planting a church in a nearby town called Maytorena, about half an hour from San Carlos.  They now have a solid church family which they serve along with a strong children's ministry, at teams bringing into a couple of hundred kids from the community for any given outreach event.  We've had the opportunity to take the students on ministry-practicums, both focused on children's and youth ministry together with the local church.  It is a pleasure to be able to continue to build into the lives of past students like Manuel, to encourage him as best we can to continue in the pastoral work that God has laid on his heart.  

Manuel (left) along with one of our staff members, Guillermo.

New Challenges

Every year, without exception, has brought new and distinct challenges for us as staff, this year being the absence of Howard and Susan as directors.  We are reminded, though, that the vision and mission of CEC is greater than any one of us as we continually reoriento ourselves to move forward with the vision of this ministry that we have the privilege to be a part of.  With that, Denver and Katie have taken on their roles as directors, and others have joined the team this year to see the ministry of CEC carry forward.  It was a pleasure to be able to work along side Jake and Ingrid Friesen from my home church in Manitoba during this season, seeing their hearts for serving God and being a tremendous example and  blessing to both the staff and student body.  

Every change presents opportunities for growth and change, as we form a new way forward - change is often not what we look for but it ends up being the tool that God uses to work out His purposes not only through a ministry like CEC, but in each one of us as well.  We appreciate your continued prayers for the ministry of CEC, for the team involved, and of course for continued healing in the life of Howard.

New Season

The end of the CEC season leads into a distinct, almost drastic change into the "after-CEC" season - not too unlike Manitoba's very distinct four seasons of the year! (Something I took for granted as "normal" until living here in the desert).  This coming season will entail:

• Looking back and reflecting on this school term, evaluating and looking forward to how we can improve and grow the ministry of CEC as God leads.
• Continuing to connect and encourage past students as they are now serving back in their local places of ministry.
• Planning how to grow and expand the ministry of CEC, in terms of bringing in new students through new church contacts throughout Mexico.
• Involvement in the Conservios (Bondservants) English (July-August) and Missions Training (Oct-Nov) programs.
• Continued studies through Briercrest (I am preparing for a module at the end of May called "Shepherd the Flock, a theology class based around the task of pastoral care).
• Rejuvenation, both physical and spiritual.

To say that the CEC season is draining would be an understatement; some of this years challenges has perhaps made it particularly so.  I'm grateful for this time, this present season where, as a routine is reestablished and there is time to both look back as well as plan towards the future, there is also time to reflect personally, recharge physically, and reorient spiritually.  Thank you, as always, for the continued prayers for myself and for the ministry here in San Carlos.  They are greatly appreciated and coveted!  God bless each one of you.  ¡Dios les bendiga!

A Half-time Break

It's amazing to think that we are now exactly halfway through this year's course. Though week 1 feels like ages ago, the prospect of graduation approaching quickly is hard to imagine. This update has been too long in coming, but at the same time, I appreciate your faithful prayers for myself and for our students this year.

CLASS OF 2023

Meet our class of 2023!  Fabián, Bryan, Yino (back); Blanca, Rafael (Middle); Julio, José (Front)

Every class is so distinct, though each one, in their own way, shows evidence of how God is at work - and in the lives of each one of the students. Some come from fresh encounters with God, such as Fabián, who, although he had spent many years in a church setting, ended up coming back to God after having fallen into a season of addiction. His hunger and thirst for understanding who he now is in Christ is refreshing to see. He, along with others, are finding their grounding in Christ and what He has done for each one of us. Others, such as Julio, has spent many years in ministry, yet too has come through a difficult season. The grace and mercy that God extends to each one of can be difficult to comprehend in the midst of our failures and weaknesses, but it is precisely in those moments that we most desperately need it. To discover this in a community setting, such as during this course in CEC, is both a blessing and a challenge. On more than one occassion some of the students have expressed the desire to leave at some point, yet little by little, each and every student is "growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) - and us as staff as well! This year has come with its own set of challenges as we navigate a season without Howard and Susan involved (thankfully he is making slow but small and steady progression in his health). All in all, though, we are excited to see God at work in each one of the students and in our lives as well.

SEGUIMIENTO (2ND YEAR)

This past week we saw 5 past students join the ranks to take part in the 2nd year ("Followup") course. The first time around, in 2020, our time together was cut short after merely 3 weeks together. Three students from last year and two others from previous years have joined us for a time of continued learning and fellowship together. They bring such a great perspective and maturity to the group as they can share from not only their previous experiences at CEC but also their experiences after having left CEC. Classes for this group are arranged more as a "round table" affair where indepth study of different topics and books look to further equip them for the ministries they are involved in. I will be leading them in a study of 1 John where we look at what our intimate life with Christ looks like (or ought to look like) in our daily lives.

First year students in back; returning students (L-R): Elías, Adán, Javier (2022), Abraham (2020), Manuel (2017)

At this point in this 14 week marathon, many of us are tired, staff and students alike. The returning students and provided a breath of fresh air but their is still a tendency to lose some of the focus that the course started with. At the same time, relationships are forming not only between us and the students but within the group itself - relationships that are being tested in many ways, but also providing opportunities to give and receive the same love and grace that God gives to us each day. Aside from all of the invaluable truths that are learned both in and out of the class, the opportunity to be a part of a community where these things are also experienced is part of what makes this time together with the students so special. It is a learning process for all of us. This week I get to finish up a series of classes that focus exactly on these principals - the class is called Principals of Grace.

Thanks for your ongoing prayers for us! We feel the effects of these seven weeks under the belt but we also look forward to what God will continue to do in the time that remains. God bless each one of you! ¡Dios les bendiga!

Ready...Set...

Monday, January 23rd has loomed on the horizon, where everything must be ready to GO! Of course the majority of things are in place, teachers are set, students are confirmed, preparations are being made on site, our staff has all come together. Yet, perhaps more than any other year, I don't know that I feel ready (though I'm not sure if I ever do completely!) There are, of course, the usual uncertainties - Who are our students? How will they respond? What will the challenges be this year? Then there are the new uncertainties with Howard's (our director) health slowly, slowly improving, though he still a long way to go; this means, though, that both he and his wife, at this point, will largely be out of the picture for the next while course. We are grateful that both he and his wife Susan were able to make the trip from Canada and are now at home here in San Carlos, already seeing fruits of the care he is receiving here - we continue to pray for his recovery.

We are encouraged with the team of staff that we have in place this year. It includes the help of some new participants, Jake and Ingrid who come from my home church outside of Winkler, Manitoba. We have already been impacted by them, the meal invitations, the projects that are underway, their hearts for the school, and the ways that they are looking forward to contribute to CEC this school season. They will be helping in various roles, filling in some of the gaps left by the absence of others as well as contributing to the ministry with the students, both being Spanish speakers.

We are encouraged, too, with the eight students we have confirmed for this year's course. We have a bit more of a mature group this year, the majority being in their 30's and 40's (one 19 year old, and another who is a retired school teacher, the only female this year). Many come from backgrounds that were involved with various addictions but have come to know the Lord and are now serving in some form in different ministries or churches. Most come from the state of Sonora, with one exception - a young many who is from Honduras yet came up through Mexico a number of years ago with the goal of getting to the US only to come to know the Lord and settle down in the state of Chihuahua.

Every year is so distinct and different - it is difficult to even imagine what each season will bring. We have learned over the years to try to not come with too many expectations - we come with plans and ideas, things that have worked and others that haven't, making adjustments. Yet at the end of the day there still is this sense of, Are we ready? Do we know what's coming? Of course we don't and the "planner" in me wrestles with that! So, we meet, we pray, we plan, and we wait to see how God will work in our own lives and in the lives of each of the students. That's of course where you all come in as well! We invite you to pray for our students and for us as staff as we start a new school season, this coming Monday, January 23rd. Some things you can specifically pray for me would be:

* As I teach, though I have taught these classes before, each year is distinct as I find I myself have changed and learned new things; especially in the first group of classes, Spiritual Disciplines, I want to reflect what I've been learning and experiencing with those in these classes.

* Peace in the midst of uncertainty - as a "planner" and chronic worrier, this is perhaps an ongoing prayer request!

Thanks again for your continued prayers for myself and for the ministry of CEC. It is greatly, greatly appreciated! I'll keep you updated with how our school season progresses and introduce some of the students along the way as we get to know them. ¡Dios les bendiga!