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!

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!

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.

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!