Renewed Vision

Vision 2020.  I can still hear the optimism and hope we had one year ago, many taking advantage of the convenient slogan to realign our focus, to readjust our goals in light of what God has called us to do.  I can't help but wonder if that is exactly what we were given opportunity to do, though not in the way that we expected!

Making plans has taken on a new challenge, even in this new year.  But in the midst of it, there is a sense of excitement and hope when we realize that neither the government nor the news headlines have the final say, but rather God Himself, who is above all things and who "works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28).  We have seen Him working as we get ready for another school year.

In fact, there often comes a point about one month before classes are supposed to start where we as a staff wonder, "Will there be school this year?"  It is due to the fact that, at that point, there are often few students who are actually registered (maybe two or three).  Sure enough though, by the time classes are supposed to start, the registrations come in and we breathe a sigh of relief.  (It is the same story every year - you would think that we would have gotten used to it by now!)  Well, this year, we were again wondering, "Will there be school this year?"  The reason for the question, though, was anchored in the current crisis that is affecting Mexico as much as any other country.  Yet in the midst of all the uncertainty, God saw it fit to make sure that we wouldn't lose sight of what we are called to do: by mid-December we already had seven students officially registered, with a number of others in process of getting their applications in!  Maybe it doesn't seem a like something big, but for us it was that boost that we needed, that confidence to help us to move ahead, even amidst all the uncertainty, and to see how God would take care of the rest.

In one sense, it not only causes us to depend even more on Him, but it also helps us to rethink what it is we are actually about as a school.  There will be adjustments that need to be made (for example, students will not be heading out to different ministries on the weekends as they usually do), but one thing that has become clear, especially for myself in being directly involved with planning the program and the schedule, it is not the program itself that is the important thing.  To clarify, the classes, the themes that are covered, the structure, these things are important.  The time spent studying the Bible is of utmost importance.  However, the way that all of this takes place, the details of the schedule, even which teachers end up being involved, etc., all of this comes under something else that we hold as of utmost importance: discipleship.  What we tell our students is that discipleship is not a program (it is not a method or Bible study that someone is taken through, or even a program one attends).  It is simply walking together with others as we follow Christ.  There is a tremendous amount of flexibility and freedom when we primarily see the 14 weeks that we spend together in this light.  Suddenly the details of how things need to work out fall into the background, because the key is not the product itself (ie. the program) that is offered, but the fact that we desire to intentionally walk alongside these students, centred around the study of the Bible, with the sincere desire that they will be strengthened in their walk, and so further empowered to help strengthen others.

To be sure, there still are details to figure out (I'm still trying to nail down some teachers and dates).  But we are greatly encouraged to be able to move ahead.  Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support!  In exactly two weeks we will embark on another journey with a new group of students.  Pray for the students already as they prepare for their time here.  Pray for wisdom for us as we make the necessary adjustments.  Pray that nothing would impede us in fulfilling our VISION for this coming year.  ¡¡Dios les bendiga!!

Home Sweet Home

It has been somewhat of a quiet summer - not just with regards to updates on my blogsite, but in general it has been, without doubt, a summer like no other. With that said, though, it has not been without its advantages. About a week ago I got back home to San Carlos after spending an extended time in Canada over the summer "inspired" by changes (for obvious reasons) resulting in no immediate need to be back here in Mexico. Many of our regularly scheduled activities were placed on hold and in their place I was able to take advantage of an extended stay in Manitoba, reconnecting on a deeper level with family, friends, and my church family - something that I had not been able to do to this extent in the thirteen years I've been down here. I appreciated very much being able to meet with people, become a "regular church member" again for a while at my home church, while also having a time to rest, read, reflect, and (p)repare (I couldn't think of another r-word...!) for what comes next.

Speaking of what is coming next, (the question that many of us have quit even trying to ask...) we are excited with the prospect of continuing with CEC's course at the end of January. Lord willing (not something that we say lightly anymore!) the conditions here in Mexico are such that will allow for, with some modifications, the next session of CEC to go forward in the New Year. Of all the years, this one just happens to be one where we have had more interest than ever this "early" in the recruitment season. We have officially received two applications but have been in contact with a number of others who are looking forward to coming. Our teachers as well are mostly lined up with a few still to confirm. Since I've been back here, though, it has been exciting to gear up for whatever is around the corner. Of course none of us know, but then we didn't really know anyways - we just thought we knew! So, Lord willing, we press onward!

Please pray for students! Pray also for us as staff as well as we make the necessary adjustments to ensure, as best we can, the success of the coming school year. Pray for a clear sense of direction and unity as well for us. It is an understatement to say that we live in challenging times, but with these challenges are also opportunities to reconsider our "status quo" and perhaps allow us to hone in on what is truly important. There is lots to do in the coming weeks - preparation for the course in general, recruitment, preparation for classes, some course homework I still have to do, and the other responsibilities, but I am glad to be back here, and also glad that people like you (not only read these updates! ;) but are also praying for me and for the work down here. God bless each one of you! ¡Dios les bendiga!

Almost Free!

Day 13 of isolation has kind of blended into the 12 days that have preceded it. What day is it? I have to routinely check my phone to see. I'm sure most of you can identify with this feeling at some point in a state of self-quarantine. Day 13 is special, though, because it means that only 24 hours remain to freedom. (I honestly can't imagine a prison sentence...though this is probably in no ways a fair comparison.) I have enjoyed many "privileges" such as daily walks on the two-acre property where I am staying or access through internet (and limited phone signal) to people "on the outside." Apart from that, I have enjoyed lots of time to work on some homework assignments still due and read. C. S. Lewis, Bonhoeffer, J. I. Packer, and E. M. Bounds have kept me company, not to mention time spent in the Bible; it has made for a physically and spiritually relaxing time. Now all that remains is to find social refreshment!

On July 8th I crossed over into Canada; tomorrow, July 22nd marks the end of mandatory 14-day quarantine where I look forward to getting out and seeing many of you. (I'll be joining my family for several days of camping!) I'm planning on being in the area (Manitoba) for the next month or so. Plans, of course are hard to make these days. Beyond that month, we will see. A number of our regular activies that would take place over summer and fall are proving to be difficult, if no impossible to carry out. Visiting students, making connections with churches across Mexico, a regular missions module, a conference, and also being part of the missions training program Consiervos are all either cancelled, postponed, or under very tentative plans. We are moving forward as well with connecting with students for the coming winter's CEC class of 2021 - Lord willing, all will be back to some sense of "normal" to be able to move forwar. The time that we have now gives us pause to reflect and evaluate what we are doing, how we are accomplishing it, and what we can do better.

In a recent class that I took online, Teaching and Learning we took a look at how Jesus taught and what it might have been like to be one of His disciples. One question among many that rises up is, How does this translate into the Church today? What does it mean to be a disciple today? One of the overwhelming things that jumped out was how discipleship did not only have to do with how one follows Jesus, it was also something that took place within community. I have often thought about the personal aspect of being a disciple, my relationship with God, and what that looks like. But the fact that the disciples were not isolated, neither from Jesus nor from each other, and how they continued beyond His departure to function in community. What did that discipleship community look like? What does community look like today? What should it or could it look like today? This is of course a loaded question, especially when the possibility of "community" in the large-gathering sense, has been significantly limited. What does community look like mid-covid? But I also wonder, What should a community of disciples look like even when we can get back together as we always did? I'm not advertising for CEC here when I say that I (and we as a staff) have seen the power of community when we come together centred around one goal, or maybe better said, centred around one Person, seeking to grow together and learn from each other. There is encouragement and support that one does not find alone. I'm pretty sure God has designed us this way.

For our students, it always is somewhat of a shock to leave the tight-knit community that is formed during the 14 weeks together - this year that was especially the case when things came to a sudden stop and everyone had to go their own way. In talking with some of them, one could see the difficult transition it was for many. For some it took several weeks to find their rhythm again. In a way, this is to be expected. Perhaps CEC is somewhat of a "high" and it takes time and effort to take away from what one has experienced and figure out how to work it into daily life. But this is part of the learning curve as well. One of our students who lives in the middle of Mexico surprisingly just dropped by my house one day for a visit shortly before I left for Canada. He was one of those who really struggled leaving CEC, not being sure what was next for him. Things weren't much clearer as far as future plans go - he was still trying to figure out what the future might look like for him. But there was a renewed sense of peace in his life, a confidence in God, a reminder of what he had found during his time during CEC.

Perhaps the hardest part is trying to figure out what all of this should look like practically, in our lives. There surely is a time to get away and spend time with God alone. There is immense value in that. But there is also a time to do this with others as well. I can attest to that personally after 13 days of quarantine! I look forward to connecting with many of you. Please continue to pray for our students as they serve wherever they are at. Please also pray for us as we make plans as best we can for the future. Thank you as always for your faithful prayers! ¡Dios les bendiga!