Another school term has come and gone. It has been exciting to see God at work and hear from the students as they are back in their homes and communities. Pray for them! Read below about the past four months and how God has been at work. If you cannot see the update newsletter below, click here.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Week Four
It's hard to believe that week four is quickly coming to a close...that means that we are almost a third done the course. In some ways it feels like we've had these students for months already. Though the honeymoon period has long worn off, we are still excited, as the students are as well, with what God is doing amongst us. Wednesday was such a day.
As part of the Spiritual Disciplines class that focussed on Solitude, we discussed and put into practice the experience of silence - reflecting on how we use our words and also by being in silence for a day, learning to listen for God's voice more clearly. Beginning with the first class at 9:00 all took part in a day of silence - no use of the voice with the exception of the teachers, of course, during their class. Meals were interesting, and of course eaten rather quickly as there was not much else to do but eat! The whole day was spent in silence until after supper when we celebrated communion together.
As leaders we met during the day for our weekly staff meeting (yes, we did break our vows of silence for that period!) to cover basic issues that come up, share with each other things that are going on, etc. We noted some particular concerns concerning some students, areas where we saw needs for growth and healing, etc. In particular we noted one of the students, whom one of our teachers has known for years, and has come through some very difficult things in his life. We had seen him in the last couple of days especially putting up barriers in various ways, in classes, and in relationships, and just in general. Knowing a little about his past we could see that there were some deep hurts that were causing these barriers to come up, especially as certain classes started uncovering some of these areas. We mentioned it in our staff meeting and a couple of people expressed their desire to talk with him sometime during the week, asking prayer for that, to see if we could work through some of these issues.
During the Santa Cena (communion) in the evening we reflected a bit on the power of silence using the verse Psalm 46:10 as a guide, "Be still and know that I am God." Several of the students shared about their experiences. Some were just some practical insights about realizing how much we talk sometimes, trying to be the center of attention. One student shared about how he was impacted we ought to need there is to use our words for sharing the Gospel, the importance of evangelism. One of our older students mentioned how he just enjoyed the day (probably the only one who actually enjoyed it!) Another student shared how sometimes we use words or activities to cover up things we are dealing with but in the silence we are forced to face some of these things as we are "alone" with our thoughts. One student's thoughts, though, were a particular highlight. The very student that we were praying for and had expressed concern for, shared that he came to realize some of these very things that had been weighing him down for a long time, and how God spoke to him powerfully through the day, bringing freedom and joy where had been chains for so long. The very things that we were praying for, God brought about in his life without needing our personal intervention at all!
I could share more about our day yesterday for the purpose of evangelism, one of the main themes over the past two weeks here taught by Benito (whom many of you know, is working up in Arizpe with the church and future Rehab Center), and some awesome ways in which God moved. But I think we'll save some of these stories for later.
Please keep praying for us. "For the word of God is alive and active," says Hebrews 4:12. As the students continue studying the Word, pray that there would continue to be soft hearts as they respond to it. Pray for us as well that we would have the wisdom, discernment, and energy to keep building into their lives! ¡Dios les bendiga!
As part of the Spiritual Disciplines class that focussed on Solitude, we discussed and put into practice the experience of silence - reflecting on how we use our words and also by being in silence for a day, learning to listen for God's voice more clearly. Beginning with the first class at 9:00 all took part in a day of silence - no use of the voice with the exception of the teachers, of course, during their class. Meals were interesting, and of course eaten rather quickly as there was not much else to do but eat! The whole day was spent in silence until after supper when we celebrated communion together.
As leaders we met during the day for our weekly staff meeting (yes, we did break our vows of silence for that period!) to cover basic issues that come up, share with each other things that are going on, etc. We noted some particular concerns concerning some students, areas where we saw needs for growth and healing, etc. In particular we noted one of the students, whom one of our teachers has known for years, and has come through some very difficult things in his life. We had seen him in the last couple of days especially putting up barriers in various ways, in classes, and in relationships, and just in general. Knowing a little about his past we could see that there were some deep hurts that were causing these barriers to come up, especially as certain classes started uncovering some of these areas. We mentioned it in our staff meeting and a couple of people expressed their desire to talk with him sometime during the week, asking prayer for that, to see if we could work through some of these issues.
During the Santa Cena (communion) in the evening we reflected a bit on the power of silence using the verse Psalm 46:10 as a guide, "Be still and know that I am God." Several of the students shared about their experiences. Some were just some practical insights about realizing how much we talk sometimes, trying to be the center of attention. One student shared about how he was impacted we ought to need there is to use our words for sharing the Gospel, the importance of evangelism. One of our older students mentioned how he just enjoyed the day (probably the only one who actually enjoyed it!) Another student shared how sometimes we use words or activities to cover up things we are dealing with but in the silence we are forced to face some of these things as we are "alone" with our thoughts. One student's thoughts, though, were a particular highlight. The very student that we were praying for and had expressed concern for, shared that he came to realize some of these very things that had been weighing him down for a long time, and how God spoke to him powerfully through the day, bringing freedom and joy where had been chains for so long. The very things that we were praying for, God brought about in his life without needing our personal intervention at all!
I could share more about our day yesterday for the purpose of evangelism, one of the main themes over the past two weeks here taught by Benito (whom many of you know, is working up in Arizpe with the church and future Rehab Center), and some awesome ways in which God moved. But I think we'll save some of these stories for later.
Please keep praying for us. "For the word of God is alive and active," says Hebrews 4:12. As the students continue studying the Word, pray that there would continue to be soft hearts as they respond to it. Pray for us as well that we would have the wisdom, discernment, and energy to keep building into their lives! ¡Dios les bendiga!
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Week Two
Week 2 has officially begun...it's hard to believe that week one is already in the books. I know it's a little premature to be thinking about the end of the course, as we've just begun but that first week went by like a whirlwind!
In all honesty, it has been one of the hungriest groups of students that we have seen. Last week we had the opportunity to hear their testimonies, after we as staff shared our own - seeing God's hand in each one of their lives as many of them came from unspeakable pasts and have seen God's transforming power. The result has been a group of people hungry to learn from God's Word. As a teacher, there can't be a greater audience to cater to when those listening are sitting there like thirsty and hungry sponges. We've just got to keep on our knees so that the supply can keep flowing from the source!
We have been blessed with a great group of 12 students, coming from a variety of places - one local student from the neighbouring town of Empalme, a number from the city of Hermosillo, a little more than an hour away, a couple from Veracruz (the complete opposite end of Mexico), and the rest from somewhere in between.
Another neat dynamic is that we have 4 people from a Venezuelan tribe who have come and are working together with an New Tribes Mission missionary checking over the translation of two books, 2 Corinthians and Colossians into their own native tribe. They are staying in the dorms with the students and spending the next number of weeks working on the translation.
We desperately covet your prayers not only for us as leaders but also for the students. More than just classroom learning we desire to see change in their lives as God works in them, speaking Truth and revealing Himself. You throw into the mix all of us, students and teachers, from different backgrounds, experiences, denominations, personalities, etc. spending a majority of their time together in limited space and well, you get the idea where this goes! Opportunities for character building!
Personally, I have had the opportunity to teach some of the material that I have taught in the past, teaching three or four times a week. I covet your prayers that God would speak through these classes - that it would not be my words but His.
Keep on praying! We have sensed the prayers of many as this semester has begun. ¡Dios les bendiga!
In all honesty, it has been one of the hungriest groups of students that we have seen. Last week we had the opportunity to hear their testimonies, after we as staff shared our own - seeing God's hand in each one of their lives as many of them came from unspeakable pasts and have seen God's transforming power. The result has been a group of people hungry to learn from God's Word. As a teacher, there can't be a greater audience to cater to when those listening are sitting there like thirsty and hungry sponges. We've just got to keep on our knees so that the supply can keep flowing from the source!
We have been blessed with a great group of 12 students, coming from a variety of places - one local student from the neighbouring town of Empalme, a number from the city of Hermosillo, a little more than an hour away, a couple from Veracruz (the complete opposite end of Mexico), and the rest from somewhere in between.
Another neat dynamic is that we have 4 people from a Venezuelan tribe who have come and are working together with an New Tribes Mission missionary checking over the translation of two books, 2 Corinthians and Colossians into their own native tribe. They are staying in the dorms with the students and spending the next number of weeks working on the translation.
We desperately covet your prayers not only for us as leaders but also for the students. More than just classroom learning we desire to see change in their lives as God works in them, speaking Truth and revealing Himself. You throw into the mix all of us, students and teachers, from different backgrounds, experiences, denominations, personalities, etc. spending a majority of their time together in limited space and well, you get the idea where this goes! Opportunities for character building!
Personally, I have had the opportunity to teach some of the material that I have taught in the past, teaching three or four times a week. I covet your prayers that God would speak through these classes - that it would not be my words but His.
Keep on praying! We have sensed the prayers of many as this semester has begun. ¡Dios les bendiga!
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