Catching My Breath

Our 14-week marathon came to an end just over a week ago as our students took off for the respective homes.  On one hand they were sad to leave CEC behind but on the other excited to take back with them all that they have learned and experienced during these intense 14 weeks together.  The other day I had the opportunity to accompany one of our students, Juan David, to his home up in the outskirts of the mountains east of us in Sonora, about a 6 hour journey from San Carlos.  He had gone through CEC several years ago and decided to come back not only to refresh what he had learned but to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible.  He comes from an indigenous group, the Guarijio - you might recall a student from last year who also come from this area, Jesús (you can read about him here.)  Spanish not being their first language, not to mention significant cultural differences, made for a steep learning curve the first time through CEC.  Yet in spite of those obstacles, both Juan David and Jesús left CEC energized and excited to share what they had learned with their families and communities, many of whom have not heard the Gospel presented clearly.  Upon returning from his first time through CEC (in 2019), Juan David would spend hours, even days, walking to neighbouring villages, praying as he went, in order to share the Gospel.  Though the first villages can be arrived at by vehicle, from there it is anywhere from a three hour to an entire day's journey to reach neighbouring Guarijio villages.

This year, the transformation that we saw take place in Juan through his first time at CEC picked up where it left off.  At first being quite reserved, we began to see a whole new Juan David this time around.  Finding his place as part of the CEC family, his smile, laughter and joking demeanour came to the surface more and more.  As he would share about what he was learning in the classes and as he prayed and studied the Bible, it became more and more evident that his demeanour was anchored in something deep - in the joy that he has found in knowing God more and more, as well as his appreciation for studying the God's Word.  Repeatedly Juan would talk about "God's Word" (a phrase that often came from his lips) as he shared something that he had discovered through study.  What shone through too, though, was his simple and sincere faith in God seen in his powerful and simple prayers, as well the burden that he had to share the Gospel with others in his home villages.  What struck us particularly as we took him home yesterday was that, along his joy in seeing his family again, he had a new sense of confidence in heading back - not a confidence in his abilities but rather in the greater understanding he had of the Bible and how to share it with others.

Though we only had a couple of hours that we could spend with him at his home as we dropped him off had the added treat of seeing Jesús as well who had travelled from his village to meet us.  It was a treat to see him especially since it is relatively difficult to stay on contact, there being very limited cell service in the area where they live.  We are praying that Jesús would come back next year, this time with his family (wife and two teenage/adult children), so that he too could, along with his family, deepen his understanding of the Bible to be even more effective witnesses to their community.

Juan David and Jesús have been a tremendous answer to prayer and fit into something greater that God has been bringing together far beyond CEC.  Local ministries (Casa de Esperanza, where I spent my first five years in Mexico) and churches have been investing time and energy into this area, organizing missions trips to share the Gospel in this area.  While there are churches established, there is still a great need to bring the Gospel message to villages where there is little or no church presence.  The existing churches too have great needs too to be encouraged and strengthened.  While the missions trips could help someone in both of these areas, to have two young men like Juan David and Jesús, men who spoke their language and understand their culture, will be the greatest "missionaries" to their own people.  So, through prayer and help, especially by Casa de Esperanza, these young men have had the opportunity to be even better equipped and grounded in the Bible to help strengthen and grow the local church.  Please keep both of these young men in your prayers!

I'll post some updates intermittently of some of our students as they are back at home serving in whatever way they can - thanks for your continued prayers for them.  As I make plans for the rest of the year, I am looking forward to spending some time in Canada (hopefully in the month of July) followed by resuming some travels throughout Mexico in August and September in order to visit past students as well as make some new connections for CEC.  Other opportunities over this coming year will include, Lord willing, participation in the Consiervos missions program (with the English program starting in just over a week and the missions training program taking place in October and November).   As we make plans also for next year while continuing to encourage our past students (hoping that we will have a good group for 2nd year this coming school season), it almost seems like 2023 is just around the corner!  Thank you for your continued prayers...  ¡Dios les bendiga!

Halfway Home

As we reach our halfway point (7 weeks done, 7 more to go...) I would like to share with you about one of our students - Elias (or Elijah in English).  Coming from a background of drug addiction, Elias came to know the Lord 4 years ago through a drug rehab center.  He came to CEC with the desire to learn more of the Bible for the purpose of sharing with others, through teaching and preaching, the Word of God.

Having gotten to know Elias over these past weeks, I have rarely met someone who is so genuine and sincere in his love for God and his desire to serve Him in everything.  A week ago as we were celebrating communion together, he shared in reflection about how for the past number of years he lived with the fear of condemnation as a Christian.  Much of what he had heard about the Christian life was based on following rules - you must do this - you must not do that, or else...and the stakes were apparently very high.  He shared during communion about this weight that he had carried for a long time, always worried about committing mistakes and losing his way.  However, with a huge smile coming from a heart evidently full of joy, he shared how now he understood more fully the incredible Gospel message of Christ's completed work on the cross, and that nothing, in fact, can even be added to it.  He shared how this incredibly heavy weight that he had been carrying  has been lifted off of his back.  He understands it not as a freedom not to do whatever he wants, but to serve God now in joy and gratitude, not in fear.  He is not the only one who has been impacted profoundly by the study of the Bible - each one could tell of their own Aha! moments as God continues to reveal Himself to each one of the students being in the Bible day in and day out.

Speaking of serving Him, the other night it was Elias' turn to lead a study in our weekly Men's Night.  For him this was a big deal - though his desire is to share with others the truths of the Bible, he has expressed on many occasions his fear of doing so and his limited understanding of the Bible itself.  Having dropped out of school at a very early age, reading was difficult and he has expressed frustration at various times in not understanding many things in the Bible.  As the weeks have progressed, however, being immersed in it in and out of class, his mind has been absorbing its truths (even if slowly), and they have simultaneously been sinking into his heart.  It was evident as he shared the other day on the top of betrayal, looking at Judas' example of betraying Jesus.  In "fear and trembling" he lead us both from his own life and in reflection on the story of Judas and Jesus - it was a joy to see him rise to the occasion, and, in his own words, depend on God to work through him.

What has been exciting as well, is how God is working in his life to bring his family back together.  For the years of drug abuse and neglect, he had virtually lost all relationship with his wife and two kids.  The Lord had put it on his heart to seek reconciliation with them and he has been praying to that end.  During the weekends when he is able to talk to them, he has seen more and more of an openness on his wife's part to see reconciliation, with hopes that this will become a reality.  It is exciting to see how fully and completely God can transform, slowly and surely, the life of someone who had literally lost everything.  

He is just one example of the transformative work that we are seeing God do in each one of the students.  It definitely doesn't come without challenges, but with each challenge we have seen the students respond to God's work in their lives.  This doesn't even mention the work that God continues to do in our own lives as well!  I have finished my first section of teaching on Spiritual Disciplines - in a couple of weeks I'll begin a course on the topic of Grace and how to live in environments of grace where others can grow in maturity.  Meanwhile we continue to see God's patient work in each one's lives.  Sometimes I want to see things change faster, but then I just need to take a look in the mirror and see how slowly (but surely) God's work has been in my own life - and continues to be!  One of the first verses we look at in Spiritual Disciplines is Psalm 1:2-3, where growth, anchored in faithful meditation on God's law, is like a tree - slow, even excruciatingly slow growth! But a tree is not easily uprooted.  Thank God for His patient but sure work in each one of us!  ¡Dios les bendiga!

Covid, Classes, and Cambios (Changes)

 Every year brings with it something new, something unexpected.  After ten years here at CEC, that has been the one constant!  As a scheduler, it can be frustrating - but I suppose something needs to keep me up at 3am from time to time!  In reality, though, as the years have progressed, expecting the unexpected takes the edge off.  More than anything else, though, knowing that God works out His plan even when they aren't according to our plans brings ultimate rest.

While this year's plans have already been derailed, we are still encouraged with this coming school season.  Perhaps I need to explain a little...  Yesterday was supposed to be our first day of classes, but as you can probably already guess, our plans have changed.  A week ago several of us staff members tested positive with Covid - nothing serious, mind you, just the typical strain that seems to be making its round now more as a bad cold.  As it turned out, several of the other staff members have also developed symptoms and so we decided it would be best to hold off on week before we bring our students on site to begin another school year.  Fortunately all were able to readjust their arrivals to accommodate this change.  In reality, this has given us all a chance to breath a little deeper, catch our breath and be ready, Lord willing, for CEC's 2022 class.

We have eight students lined up, with another one or two possibilities.  We are excited as well about a number of students wanting to return for our second year.  While last week served as a had a chance to catch my breath being confined to my house, I had some opportunity to prep some of my classes, going over past material and re-envision how to stimulate the students in growth.  The first weeks I'll have the chance of working through Spiritual Disciplines with them - pray with me as we explore these themes together in way that, I hope, encourages them in their own relationships with God and with each other.

Fortunately I am doing much better - a few of our staff are still battling some cold-like symptoms.  Please pray for us as a staff that we will be healthy and ready to go by this weekend.  In one sense, it is a blessing to have this behind us before school begins.  Please continue to pray for our students - already having been in contact with them we can see their desire to learn, hearing some of how God has already been at work in their lives to this point.  This year already feels like we will need an extra spirit of flexibility - not always the easiest thing for a scheduler - but I know it will be a good year.  Thanks for your continued prayers!  ¡Dios les bendiga!