Friday, January 17, 2020
Watching and Waiting
This morning I read the story of Pentecost and couldn't help but see the parallel with (and reversal to) Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel. In one story, man is at work, united, but against God. God sees man's efforts and confuses mankind by introducing different languages. Thousands of years pass and God has been at work, even using fallen humanity, to bring about a solution. This solution finally comes about in Christ - the Gospel being "the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16). God is at work. Upon His resurrection, the disciples are told to do one thing: wait. They wait for 50 days and suddenly God shows up, empowers them, and the language barriers that were introduced are overcome as the apostles speak in languages they didn't even know, so that every person from every nation represented hears about the amazing things God has done in their own language. God brings about reconciliation and unity. When man was working for himself, God brought confusion. But where God was at work, men were simply called to respond by waiting and trusting. It makes me think that I'm far better off just trusting Him do the work instead of me trying to do it myself.
I find great comfort in this, especially in those areas of "confusion" in my life, whatever that confusion might look like. I'm reminded that it is much more about God, His purpose and His power, than it is about me, my plans, my understanding, or my strength. As we are about to start a new semester at CEC, this is especially of great comfort. I can easily be overwhelmed by the tasks at hand, the classes that I still need to prepare for and all the details involved, but then I'm forgetting all over again that it has much more to do with God and His power than about my inadequacy.
We are excited for the 9 students that are coming this weekend. The semester starts on Monday and a great group from all over Mexico has come together once again. I'll give you more of an update as to who they are and where they are from once we are into the course. Pray for these students as we form a new community and learn to walk together as fellow disciples. Pray for us as staff as we make the adjustments that come with each new year - unity is one of our most powerful tools as we seek to impact the lives of these students. Pray for myself as I venture into teaching classes on Spiritual Disciplines once again over the first five weeks. Will watch and wait to see what God will do in our lives over the next 14 weeks. Thanks for your continued prayers! ¡Dios les bendiga!
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
It's been one the busier fall seasons that I can remember, and the busiest winter season is just around the corner! Here's a recap of what's going on (what you're prayers have been invested in!) and what's around the corner.
CONSIERVOS
The first ever missions-training program Consiervos (Bondservants) is approaching its final days. Six students from all around Mexico have taken part of this 10-week cross-cultural missions training program. This Friday they will head back to their respective homes further equipped with many tools and a deeper understanding of the challenges that lie in fulfilling the Great Commission, going to the ends of the earth until people have responded to the call to discipleship from every nation (literally every ethnic group.) Many of these students are CEC alumni, so it has been a privilege to continue to walk alongside them and to see how the Lord is fanning into flame a greater desire for and sense of the need for cross-cultural missions. Even within Mexico there are still a number of unreached ethnic groups who are in need of evangelical churches being planted within their remote communities.
MOUNTAIN TRAINING TRIP
Along this line, there has been a cooperative effort between local ministries (Casa de Esperanza) and local churches to strengthen a young church in the southern mountain region of Sonora amidst the ethnic group called, the Guarijío. Over the past few years a number of teams have travelled to some of the villages, accessible only on foot, to share the Gospel and encourage the church there. Directly related to this work there, one young man, Juan David, came and studied at CEC this past year. He is from one of the villages, and came down with the goal of strengthening his foundation in the Bible so that he could be a greater help in the church and in his communities. I had the chance to see him a week ago and "had my socks blessed off" seeing how his hunger for the Word has only increased and how God is using him powerfully, even despite his age, 23 years old. He shared how he had completed a 40 day partial fast for the purpose of digging deeper into the Word as he passionately shared verse after verse and how the Lord was working through him in different situations in his community.
From December 16-20 there is a trip planned that will focus on a more systematic teaching for the believers in these villages - laying down some foundational truths that will under-gird and reinforce the message of the Gospel. About a dozen people (myself included) will spend 3 days of teaching through Genesis 1 through 4 in one of the villages. Pray for us as we seek to be as relevant as we can be in a cultural setting that we are only beginning to understand. Pray that the people would be receptive and would be able to capture (in their second language, Spanish) these foundational Christian teachings. We are excited, especially having seen how God is at work in this people group, and to know that we are a part of what He is doing.
CEC APPLICATIONS
We got our first CEC application for January 2020! This may sound like it's on the late side, but I think this might be one of the earliest applications we've ever received! There are a number of people who are very interested in coming and in the process of filling out application forms; we are excited with the prospect of adding the second level this coming March. There are a lot of exciting things around the corner - we just need students! Please pray with us, that God would open the way for those He wants to come, and that whatever obstacle might be in the way, each prospective student would trust Him and see Him make the way possible.
As always, thanks for your continued prayers! God bless! !Dios les bendiga!
CONSIERVOS
The first ever missions-training program Consiervos (Bondservants) is approaching its final days. Six students from all around Mexico have taken part of this 10-week cross-cultural missions training program. This Friday they will head back to their respective homes further equipped with many tools and a deeper understanding of the challenges that lie in fulfilling the Great Commission, going to the ends of the earth until people have responded to the call to discipleship from every nation (literally every ethnic group.) Many of these students are CEC alumni, so it has been a privilege to continue to walk alongside them and to see how the Lord is fanning into flame a greater desire for and sense of the need for cross-cultural missions. Even within Mexico there are still a number of unreached ethnic groups who are in need of evangelical churches being planted within their remote communities.
 |
| Bondservants Class of 2019! |
MOUNTAIN TRAINING TRIP
Along this line, there has been a cooperative effort between local ministries (Casa de Esperanza) and local churches to strengthen a young church in the southern mountain region of Sonora amidst the ethnic group called, the Guarijío. Over the past few years a number of teams have travelled to some of the villages, accessible only on foot, to share the Gospel and encourage the church there. Directly related to this work there, one young man, Juan David, came and studied at CEC this past year. He is from one of the villages, and came down with the goal of strengthening his foundation in the Bible so that he could be a greater help in the church and in his communities. I had the chance to see him a week ago and "had my socks blessed off" seeing how his hunger for the Word has only increased and how God is using him powerfully, even despite his age, 23 years old. He shared how he had completed a 40 day partial fast for the purpose of digging deeper into the Word as he passionately shared verse after verse and how the Lord was working through him in different situations in his community.
From December 16-20 there is a trip planned that will focus on a more systematic teaching for the believers in these villages - laying down some foundational truths that will under-gird and reinforce the message of the Gospel. About a dozen people (myself included) will spend 3 days of teaching through Genesis 1 through 4 in one of the villages. Pray for us as we seek to be as relevant as we can be in a cultural setting that we are only beginning to understand. Pray that the people would be receptive and would be able to capture (in their second language, Spanish) these foundational Christian teachings. We are excited, especially having seen how God is at work in this people group, and to know that we are a part of what He is doing.
CEC APPLICATIONS
We got our first CEC application for January 2020! This may sound like it's on the late side, but I think this might be one of the earliest applications we've ever received! There are a number of people who are very interested in coming and in the process of filling out application forms; we are excited with the prospect of adding the second level this coming March. There are a lot of exciting things around the corner - we just need students! Please pray with us, that God would open the way for those He wants to come, and that whatever obstacle might be in the way, each prospective student would trust Him and see Him make the way possible.
As always, thanks for your continued prayers! God bless! !Dios les bendiga!
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Missions, Millar, and Mmmmm...More Students
Missions
We have finished three weeks of the Consiervos (Bondservants) missions course, with the six students enrolled currently on the field, visiting a mission that works with an indigenous tribe. For some it will be a very new experience and comes right after having spent a week dedicated to transcultural topics such as understanding worldview and cultural differences, and then what it looks like to share the Gospel into these different cultural settings. So over the course of these two weeks they will have a first hand experience of being in a very different culture and seeing an established mission at work.
Following these two weeks we will have another five weeks of classes with these students with the program winding down at the end of the first week of December.
Millar
During this two week "break" we are hosting a group of students from Millar College of the Bible's Sunnybrae Campus - 10 students who are taking a 2 credit hour missions module here at CEC. This week we are spending the mornings in class hearing from different people teach on a variety of topics who have had experience in missions. Next week we will get out into the community in a few opportunities to get some exposure to what it is like to be and to serve in a cross-cultural setting.
Between Consiervos and Millar, it has been a MISSIONS focussed month here, and it has been very refreshing. It is so good to be reminded of not only the need that is around us constantly, but to see what God is doing all over the world, being exposed to those needs, and seeing the challenges in meeting them. There is something so refreshing and so important in being reminded of the importance of missions, wherever we are.
More Students
We are three months out from the next CEC course, which begins on January 20th. Details are coming together but one of the highest priorities right now is the recruitment of students. This always presents itself as a challenge being in the last-minute culture that we are in, here in Mexico. However, we are trying to be as proactive as we can to get students signed up as soon as possible, for their sake and for ours. Probably the greatest thing we can do, proactively, is to pray, and you can definitely help us with that! With the second year beginning this coming year, we are praying for up to 15 first year students, and up to 10 second year students (this would be the absolute max). Please pray that connections would be made, and that people would see God open doors for them regarding common difficulties such as leaving ministries, making arrangements for family, and also finances to be able to come. We pray that God will bring together another excellent group of students who can return to their homes, communities, and churches, being even more effective witnesses for God. God bless each one of you and thank you for your prayers and support! ¡Dios les bendiga!
We have finished three weeks of the Consiervos (Bondservants) missions course, with the six students enrolled currently on the field, visiting a mission that works with an indigenous tribe. For some it will be a very new experience and comes right after having spent a week dedicated to transcultural topics such as understanding worldview and cultural differences, and then what it looks like to share the Gospel into these different cultural settings. So over the course of these two weeks they will have a first hand experience of being in a very different culture and seeing an established mission at work.
 |
| The students and staff of Consiervos 2019 |
Following these two weeks we will have another five weeks of classes with these students with the program winding down at the end of the first week of December.
Millar
During this two week "break" we are hosting a group of students from Millar College of the Bible's Sunnybrae Campus - 10 students who are taking a 2 credit hour missions module here at CEC. This week we are spending the mornings in class hearing from different people teach on a variety of topics who have had experience in missions. Next week we will get out into the community in a few opportunities to get some exposure to what it is like to be and to serve in a cross-cultural setting.
Between Consiervos and Millar, it has been a MISSIONS focussed month here, and it has been very refreshing. It is so good to be reminded of not only the need that is around us constantly, but to see what God is doing all over the world, being exposed to those needs, and seeing the challenges in meeting them. There is something so refreshing and so important in being reminded of the importance of missions, wherever we are.
More Students
We are three months out from the next CEC course, which begins on January 20th. Details are coming together but one of the highest priorities right now is the recruitment of students. This always presents itself as a challenge being in the last-minute culture that we are in, here in Mexico. However, we are trying to be as proactive as we can to get students signed up as soon as possible, for their sake and for ours. Probably the greatest thing we can do, proactively, is to pray, and you can definitely help us with that! With the second year beginning this coming year, we are praying for up to 15 first year students, and up to 10 second year students (this would be the absolute max). Please pray that connections would be made, and that people would see God open doors for them regarding common difficulties such as leaving ministries, making arrangements for family, and also finances to be able to come. We pray that God will bring together another excellent group of students who can return to their homes, communities, and churches, being even more effective witnesses for God. God bless each one of you and thank you for your prayers and support! ¡Dios les bendiga!
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