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.
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| 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!
