Light Show

We were excited about lighting candles in our Sunday service.  “I’ve never seen this done before,” commented Carmen.  Tracey shared the significance of “Jesus, the light of the world.”  We lighted some 60 candles, one by one, while we played and sang the children’s song, “This Little Light of Mine.”  After extinguishing the candle lights, Maria gave a short invitation about accepting “the light of the world” into our hearts.  It was an amazing night!

Lighting Candles for Christmas

We visited our sister church, One in Christ, for an evening candlelight service.  We sang some Christmas songs, heard some testimonies of God’s goodness and enjoyed a delicious meal with our friends.  It was a memorable evening.

An Extra Day of Work

That’s what happened when we had all the youth over for an evening to work on the props for Sunday’s skit.  We’ve been working at practicing the skit for several weeks now, but it was getting close to presenting it, so we decided to ask them all to come over and help build the scenery.  We had an enjoyable time, cutting, painting, talking and then finally eating together.  We expected to be working for about 2 hours and finished with over 4 invested.

The Shoe Shoppe

The youth have worked amazingly long on getting the shoe shop as well as their lines in shape.  They did a wonderful job in presenting a skit that highlights Matthew 25:35-36 “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”  Take a look...

Time for the kids

Our service started off with a stage full of kids and a great staff to lead them from one scene to the next.  It was a traditional play recounting the birth of Jesus.  Julie and Maria did an excellent job at getting the kids on their marks and getting them heard with their lines.  We’ve got some video to show.  Aren’t they cute?

Stocking Stuffers

 

If you think stockings are a common thing in Mexico, they’re not.  But Tracey and her mom, Ruth, with some help from Keila and Kiana stuffed lots of stockings, or “boots” as Mexicans would call them.  The candies were abundant and there were plenty of “boots” filled.  What a great treat for the children.  And what a unique gift!

Any Reason to Celebrate

Our Sunday evening service was filled with some new guests and lots of kids anticipating the plays, piñatas and picadillo (Mexican dish.)  We thoroughly enjoyed the people who came and could see each family do their part to make things such a success.  Tracey commented, “I sure appreciate the way that people just took over…”  A group of believers drew the kids outside for the piñata.  “The ladies took the dishes home to wash,” Tracey said.  “That shows maturity.”

Movies for prayer?

On Wednesdays, we’ve been showing some short movies that we pray through.  A week ago, we watched one of Ray VanDerLaan’s videos on the Promised Land focusing on the subject of “pastors.”  And recently, we watched a Focus on the Family Odyssey video for the kids and prayed about being a good friend during this Christmas season.  The kids did a great job pulling out prayer requests.

The coming of a ghost town…

As we come to the end of this year, we’ve begun to close shop on several of our activities.  The Tuesday evening women’s study had its last meeting last week and this week the Wednesday morning women’s study will have a breakfast to finish up its activities.   The men have been adamant about continuing their evening coffee times.  The youth, while subject to the activities of their parents, will have activities available during the vacation time.   

We have scheduled a movie night in the street along with popcorn and hotdogs.  It will be an exciting night.  

 Because many have families living in Mexico city, they leave our neighborhood to spend the majority of the their vacation times with the extended family.  As a consequence, our neighborhood turns into a ghost town.  Many small stores will shut down and our street will seem deserted.

Just wait a bit…

 ...and we’ll have our service under the stars...

Couldn’t believe it, but without a tent for our Sunday service, things got cool fast and we ended our service with a clear picture of the stars above us.  It wasn’t planned, but God let us have one of our best services yet with a great time of fellowship afterwards as everyone huddled in the tiny house of our friends who graciously let us set up shop at the end of their street.

Without a place to meet…

On Saturday afternoon, I was called to let me know that our rented hall was rented to another party and that we wouldn’t be able to use it.  I rushed out quickly to ask some friends if they’d be willing to host our worship service at the end of their street.  They were welcoming and helpful.  I then went out to rent a tent and was all set for Sunday.  Upon arriving on Sunday afternoon, there was no tent.  Apparently, I got the wrong address and the family didn’t get home until late, so the tent never got set up.  While this could have been a great source of discouragement, the congregation seemed to “roll with the punches.”  We are thankful that God helped us to appreciate everything and everyone that he’s put on our path.  Check out Monday's video to see where we met...

A Song to Sing

 “I really like singing,” Kiana told me the other day, talking about the experience she had on Sunday.  Earlier during the week, I had asked her if she wanted to sing or to play her guitar on Sunday.  She was open to do either.  When I spoke to Jasmin who led the worship time, I realized that she wasn’t real confident to sing all the songs, so knowing that Kiana would do well, we decided to let her sing and I played the acoustic guitar. We had a great time!

Who can sing?

 Our congregation has been preparing two songs for the La Presa event.  Upon listening to the recording made of our participation, I was pleased to see the excitement of the group and a new guitarist – who’s been learning to play guitar with us – play for the group.  It was fun to include those attending the service in the first song that we sang.

La Presa’s 10th Anniversary

 Our congregation entered in on the festivities going to the Bread of Life church to celebrate with them.  It was great to see 4 churches represented.  Several of the churches participated with songs.  It was inspiring to have the meeting in the new structure that the Canadian team from Byron help build and fund.  The company was great, the food tasty and the outing inspiring.

Galatians 4:4 “The Christmas Story”

 

I’ve begun to preach on Christmas beginning with the concise verse in Galatians.  After having several in our congregation preach in November giving me a short break, I’m back at it again sharing God’s word.  I’ll be sharing once again next Sunday and then we’ll switch to some special meetings. 

I guess we're all looking ahead to the New Year's activities.

Looking for a Change

Our men’s meeting on Thursday is looking for a change.  We meet in the evening and discuss a proverb a week.  The discussions have been good and the stories even better.  But as we invited other men connected to our church, we realized that there are a few who can only meet on Monday evening.  So I went around to them to see if they’re interested in attending.  So far we have one solid “yes” and a maybe.  Now it’s up to the group to determine whether we move our Thursday meetings to Mondays or open up a new group.  Help us pray for this decision.

English Club?

Kiana and I have been attending volleyball class in the neighborhood.  She’s been training for several months now and I’ve been going since we first arrived.  We’ve moved from outside courts in the morning to a gym playing nights.  Aside from getting exercise, we’ve made some great new friends.  To our surprise this last week, we’ve met some people who are Mexicans, but learning English.  Little Valeria studies English in a private elementary school.  Each moment she gets, she like to try out her English with us.  She accompanies her dad who plays and waits for him to take her to get tacos after the practice.  On the other hand, Val and Alex are sisters who grew up in the States and were taught English.  They both speak quite well and we enjoy helping them to continue using their English.

Youth Set

 

With the preparation by the youth to do a Christmas play, I challenged the young people to help create props.  So I gave them some basic supplies to build a scaled down set for the skit.  I think they did a great job given the time restraints.  And best of all they gave us a better idea of how to capture the setting of the play.  What do you think?

Kids Cookie

About 2 years ago, we started getting to know people in the area by offering a Kids’ Club in a nearby park.  We met and still have many friends through that adventure.  But this year, with guitar and English classes, along with a worship service, we haven’t been able to resurrect the Kids’ Club.  With all the attention that we are showing the youth, the kids have been jealous. 

So Tracey and the girls organized a cookie baking class on Saturday.  We had 15 show up to make and bake.  While waiting for the baking, they played badminton and blew bubbles on our street.  Several asked, “Are we doing this every week?”  I answered, “Ask your moms to see if they would like to get involved.”  Pray with us for willing hands to run a Kids’ club.

Praying 10-4… oops 40

 

Keila was in charge of leading this last prayer meeting of November.  She wanted to share about her missionary vision for Africa with the group.  She began with a broad picture of the 10-40 window.  Many in our group had never heard of that term and were struck with the tremendous need in the world.  Thanks Keila for your vision.

What do I Do?

The women continue to have their Bible studies in the living room of a tiny house.  They manage to make due with the space as we add a few extra folding chairs to the area.  But the kids that show up have to meet outside.  Lately, it’s been too cold to meet on the street, so we’ve converted our 86 Nova into a classroom where 5 of us were doing crafts together.  This last week, with our van out of the shop, we folded down the bench seat and with only one child that showed up, we did our craft in it.  I guess it’s our van Classroom.   

Thanks for praying with us for facilities and for a new vehicle.

Giving

On Thursday, our fellow LAM missionaries gathered for the last time under the Latin America Mission name during Thanksgiving.  We met at the Vivanco’s home for a wonderful meal of thanks for all that the Lord had done this year.  The food was great, the company was inspiring and the news was hopeful.  Kevin gave a small devotional. And our family, well, put together a song to present.  God is so good!

A Bold New Future

Tracey and I along with many Latin America Mission missionaries met with our new mission, “United World Mission.”  I was anxious about the merger of the two missions and the resulting feelings to this new organization as the LAM closes its doors.  It was a wonderful introduction by its president and staff to a new partnership that will benefit us all and give us a new and long future reaching the world for Christ.  The LAM will close up at the end of 2013, but UWM will not lose a beat in the transition.  Those giving can continue to give to the LAM and UWM will get the funds to the right place.  Thanks for your prayers and we appreciate your faithfulness.

On her own…

 

Due to some important meetings that Tracey and I had this week, María was left on her own to lead the women’s Bible study as well as visit some of the families we usually meet with on Wednesday.  While I’m sure it was a busy day, I’ve heard back that many were pleased with the outcome, the conversations and the encouragement.  Thanks to both Maria and Jasmin, our partners in the work, people have felt cared for and listened to.

Preachers of the Month

Finishing off this month of invited speakers, Tracey shared about God’s handiwork through his description of “bread.”  She began with “manna” in the Old Testament and then went to the “bread of life” in the new.  It was a whirlwind adventure through the scriptures to see how God has provided for his people through the ages.  Thanks Tracey for your hard work and your continued dedication to the growth of the congregation.

A Special Guest…

 

Liz came and visited us this weekend.  Stopping over in Mexico City, Tracey took her to the church she helped start.  Bet-lehem Baptist Church is the one we’re working with to start new churches.  After that she joined us in our service in 1 More 4 Christ.  Finally we went out for some locally made burgers and then took her back to her hotel in Mexico City.  It was wonderful to see her and the pics she brought of her family.  Trust she has a safe journey home.

What’s left?

Our youth went out on a local scavenger hunt with their cameras looking for the old and used in groups of 3.  Here’s our partial list: a man with gray hair, a woman with wrinkles, shoes hanging from wires, broken toy, flat tire, graffiti on a wall, brown grass, puddled water, old coke can, old glass bottle, oxidized metal, dead plant, discarded food, broken plastic, faded sign, weathered wood.  And here are some of their pics.

Preachers of the Month

With very little experience, Jasmín is willing to learn how to share God’s word with a larger group of people.  She once said, “I don’t mind teaching one-on-one, but when it comes to larger groups, I get flustered and lose concentration.”  She’s been working hard on a message from Exodus 14 dealing with the God who protects us.  And I trust that she’ll learn how to let God use her to share his word to his people.  She did!

Youth Actors

 

So we’re getting a bit of a late start on this, but the youth are participating in a Christmas skit that just began its practices.  “We need to schedule more practice dates,” Keila pulled me aside to comment.  She’s directing the play.  Amidst overgrown grass and its mosquitoes, a cool breeze and the background noise of a freeway; we pulled off a quick practice at the tail end of youth group.  While the lighting was interesting, I can’t help but think that it would be an interesting effect to have “on stage.”

Taking Note

We had two guests this weekend.  The daughters of the pastor of the Bread of Life church in La Presa hung out with our daughters.  They visited our youth group and enjoyed the activities.  But after the games, the play practice and our Bible study; one told me, “I’m going to take this Bible study sheet to our youth leader to see if we can study this too.”  It was good to hear a positive note from them as well as from our own daughters.  “It was fun tonight,” they said.

 Bible study in the park

Men Back on Track

Last month, due to work schedules, we were only able to have one meeting.  But, we decided to set the time on Thursday evenings in order to bring some regularity to our group.  So this time we had 6 in our home eating some sweet breads and drinking coffee as we discussed the next in our series of proverbs.  It was great to see how God led us to a practical and understandable conclusion to the verse we studied.  There were lots of stories told to make us think.  And this time we finished under 2 hours!

Worship Team

Last week was our first shot at beefing up our worship time.  With three people on microphones and two instruments, I enjoyed hearing the lyrics clearly and watching some in the congregation close their eyes to worship.  I think we’re making inroads as to being an instrument in the overall service to open people’s hearts to listen to God.  We’ve still got some barriers to overcome: the lack of song books – we had 14 for over 40 people, and giving people a chance to participate in worship.

`“I was deceived!”

I shared with the congregation at the end of the service just before the offering that I had been deceived.  Last week, I was told that there weren’t enough chairs for everyone, so we decided to use the accumulated offerings to buy new chairs.  We bought 12 more.  And confident that we’d have extra chairs for visitors, we welcomed each family to our worship service after our music classes on Sunday. 

Well, when all was said and done, we filled up the chairs once again and were left with not a single chair available.  “I was deceived!”  God brought in several new families and our congregation is growing. 

You’ve been praying and God’s been answering.  I challenged those giving offerings to consider the need and give accordingly.  Hopefully we can buy some more chairs as we accumulate more funds.

Preachers of the Month

This week, Pastor Ignacio from our sister church “Bread of Life” joined us and spoke on the topic: God of Promises.  He challenged the congregation to a holy life.  We were glad when he accepted the opportunity to share with us and can see how God is touching our lives to be like his.  Here’s a short video of the pastor’s sermon in Spanish.

He invited us all to join him at Bread of Life’s 10^th anniversary on December 1.  Many are excited about going.

 

Sharing some eats

After some games and activities in the park, the youth came over to our home to study the Bible and prepare for some Christmas activities.  In the midst of all the fun and work, we managed to blow out some candles and “wolf-down” some cake.  Keila is a year older now.

Pyramid adventure

What do you say to an invitation to climb the highest climbable pyramid in the world?  Tracey and the girls journeyed out to our local pyramids and went up and down in the ruins.  They managed to make a space to visit the artisan shops and do some serious shopping too.  Listen to what they said of their adventure…

An Unexpected Guest

This last week as we prepared to celebrate her birthday, Keila was joined by her teammate from Malawi.  Tracey managed to secretively invite Kayla down to surprise her.  They spent several days together touring through the city and meeting with some friends.  It was a joy to have Kayla in our home and to share our activities and our culture and especially our local foods with her.  She left today for her home, but the two hope to meet up again next summer for another Africa mission adventure.