One month to go!

Tomorrow marks one month to go of classes - where has the time flown by?

The group of eight students, who come from 6 different states across Mexico continue to show a hunger for the Bible, and a softness of heart in responding to what God is showing.  It is neat to see how it is in fact God Himself who does the teaching, who organizes not only the content of the course (something that we as teachers attempt to do) but both the students and ourselves are always amazed at how God coordinates it all: the classes, though taught by different teachers on different topics, end up being one united voice.  This doesn't include only the classroom times but experiences outside of the class as well, as though God helps us move beyond merely the "theory" to the actually living out of what is being taught.  There's one particular experience that comes to mind (among a number that have happened so far).  A little while back as we were looking at the Spiritual Discipline of Solitude and Silence, learning to value time spent alone with God, we had arranged a time of silence to begin on a certain day from the moment the students woke up: the day was to be spent in complete silence, not speaking to each other whatsoever with only minimal "communication" where it was absolutely necessary.  It just so happened that in this particular day several events transpired that resulted in one of the students having to leave.  This all came to a culmination in the morning of the day of silence.  Many of the students had questions and no doubt wanted to ask us what was going on, expressing their thoughts and feelings.  Do we postpone the planned day of silence? Or is this another opportunity to that God is presenting to lean on Him and trust Him alone?

In the class that morning we began (the students being in complete silence) with Psalm 139, how God knows us so intimately, and knew us so even before we were born. We heard from the testimony of someone who walked through several years of silence, being unable to talk (thanks Char!) and how one of the things that impacted her was coming to the deep realization of how God alone truly hears us and knows what is in it hearts. In silence the students had no option but to go to God with every question, doubt and feeling, with the assurance that He heard them better than any person ever could, GOD truly hears us.

Later that day we all met together to break the silence and reflect on the day. We wondered (or at least I did...) how the students would respond to the day and its events. After sharing a little bit on our behalf, each one of the students shared with how they were impacted by the experience and were completely at peace with everything that had transpired, including understanding why the student had to leave.

It's encouraging to see the continued hunger that the students have for God's Word and that it is God Himself who is doing the work in them, as well as in us.  In a sense, we are just along for the ride!  Pray that the students would finish strong and as they start to think about going back to the churches and communities, that they would have a deeper sense of how to go back and what to do with what they've been learning.  It's always a mixture of feelings, sadness that the time together is coming to an end but an excitement as well, not only to return home but with the purpose of serving and being a blessing.  Thanks for each and every one of your prayers!  ¡Dios les bendiga!

The Countdown Begins

Instead of snow falling, it rained for several hours yesterday - it's been 10 years in Mexico, and probably for about 7 of those, I've spent Christmas in San Carlos - however, there's still something about not having snow at Christmas time that is hard to get used to! (No, I'm not complaining about not having snow, in case you're wondering! I know there's probably many who would gladly trade places with me...)

 Christmas time fast approaching does mean that our new school year is just around the corner as well with January 15 being the first day of classes. But before we get to that, I wanted to give a quick summary of the conference we had on November 25th. Close to 50 people, pastors and church leaders, gathered here from the area and other parts of the state of Sonora for a day of classes and fellowship as we explored the theme Adornos de un Siervo (Adornments of a Servant), looking at the list that Paul gave Timothy in 1 Timothy 3 about qualities that leaders need to have. We discussed each one of these qualities to get a greater understanding of what they ought to look like in our lives and how these will make us more effective as leaders: being changed first before being instruments of change in other people's lives. It is always a unique dynamic when people gather together from different Christian backgrounds and church denominations but it is also an encouraging and powerful experience, seeing the body of Christ fellowshipping in spite of the divisions that sometimes do exist between us. Thanks for your prayers as we had an excellent day and everyone when away encouraged.

Speaking of prayers, it would seem that there have been many who have been praying for the upcoming school year. I think we probably have a record of students all-but-confirmed for being one month out of classes starting. Often, at one month out, we are wondering "Is there going to be school this year?" as there are people interested but virtually no applications in. It's often not until the week before that we have a good idea of the students we will be working with. This year, we have 9 students pretty much confirmed, some having already filled in and sent their applications, others already having paid their tuition fees! We are super excited with the group that is forming, coming from 5 different states from the north to the south of Mexico.

Prospective students currently coming from these five states

Continue to pray with us as we make final preparations and confirm with students. There are a couple of details that need to fall into place with regards to teachers but almost everything is set to go. Thanks for your faithful prayers! We look forward to what God is putting together for this coming school year and I look forward to sharing it with you. ¡Dios les bendiga!

A November Update

It's been a little while and I wanted to share several things that have been going on and what's coming up in the next little bit down here in San Carlos.

Millar Missions Module

We had the chance to host for the second time a missions module for a Canadian Bible school, Millar College of the Bible's campus in BC.  Nine students joined us for a week and a half as we looked at various topics related to missions work and also spent some time in ministry and connecting with local churches and ministries.  This time around we had the pleasure of having with us a missions team who serves here in Mexico in the mountains, reaching a remote indigenous tribe with the gospel.  Various members of their team shared from their hearts and their experiences as missionaries as we covered topics such as cross-cultural issues, language barriers, one's personal walk with God, the call to missions, and much more.  What a pleasure to learn from those who are literally on the front lines, bringing the Gospel message to an unreached people group.

A neat mix of people: the students from Millar College, the group of missionaries, and also some of the indigenous people they are working with were able to come along as well.

Conference

As we look forward to the coming new year, getting teachers in place while connecting with prospective students, we're also planning a day-long conference here at CEC for the end of November.  It's a chance to reach out and encourage past students as well as local people in ministry.  It also provides an opportunity to give people a taste of what CEC is all about.  We will have two of our teachers sharing on the theme: Adornments of a Servant (It sounds better in Spanish!)  Based on 2 Timothy 2:1, we will be looking at what it means to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."  As Christian servants, we are called to be before we are called to serve; we want to take a look at both sides of this in a day of teaching and fellowship.  This theme really ties into what CEC is all about, not simply equipping people with tools but being transformed by them as well.  Pray for us as we prepare, and that this would be a significant time of fellowship with local church leaders.  There may even be some prospective students that come from this!

If you're interested in coming, let me know ASAP! ;)

School Season

Every year looks so different with students who come and even changes in staff.  Pray for the right students to come as we look ahead to January 15's start of the new school year.  At this point we have about 6 or 7 very interested students (which is perhaps ahead of schedule!)  We're not looking for quantity as much as wanting to have those students that will truly benefit from this time of studies.

Pray for us as a staff as well.  We have a great group of teachers and leaders.  The transient nature of our schedules and responsibilities brings its challenges as many of us are scattered across the continent for the majority of the year and only come together for the four months of the school term.  This always presents its difficulties as we make plans but we are excited for what God has in store for another year.  Please pray for us as we prepare!  We know that the stronger we are as a team, the greater our impact will be on the students.


Back in School

I'm not sure if I figured I had too much time on my hands (trying to remember when that was last actually the case...) but this fall I figured I'd try something new and different: go back to school!  More and more there is schooling being offered online and I wanted to see if it would work to take on one class at a time alongside of my current responsibilities.  So, this past September, I enrolled in Briercrest's Seminary class of Advanced Hermeneutics.  It has been very interesting and challenging but also an enjoyable experience to get back into the role of student (it was over 15 years ago since I was in Bible school...)  It has been a challenge to balance this along with everything else but it has also been very rewarding as well.  I just finished writing an exegetical paper this past week on Romans 6:1-11, looking at how Paul instructs us how to think as a believer: as someone who has already been fundamentally changed being united with Christ in faith, having our "old self" crucified and buried together with Christ, resulting in new life.  How we think about sin and how we live our lives ought to be completely different because we have been radically and fundamentally changed, being brought from death to life, just as Christ was.  (If anyone has some spare time and wants to read it, you can do so here.


Continued Prayers

Thanks so much for your continued prayers.  I'm looking at ways to keep you all better informed and would like to begin a Facebook group in addition to this blog, to be able to better keep you updated with quick little notes and prayer requests.  If you want to be sure to be a part of this group, please send me a note and let me know!  God bless you for your prayers and continued support!  ¡Dios les bendiga!