CONTEMPLATIONS-Part 1--of the Past

One of this week's memory verses for "Project M" in Saskatoon is Matthew 28:18-20.
"All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me; therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all things I have commanded you. I will be with you always til the end of the age."
It's one of those passages that we've grown up with and can spout off without much thought. Yet, this week, I've seen these words with new eyes:
We live in a world of many authorities. The basic authority of most people is self. We make our own way. We make our own decisions based on our own knowledge and thinking. But, Jesus reminds us that HE has all authority. Whether we yield to His authority or not, does not determine the existence and truth of His authority. As a believer in Jesus' authority, He has asked me to be his representative--not in far away lands, or even in Latin American lands. He doesn't dictate where. He simply asks me to purposefully/intentionally BE his representative. As His ambassador, I don't keep Jesus tucked away in a box for Sundays. He is in my actions in whatever I do. He is in my words in whatever I say. In my relationships at work and play, it is my desire that others will want to know the One I call my Authority. Should others be interested in learning of Him, I am always ready to introduce them to my Master. Some people are interested, others are not--it's only my place to BE...not to force. Those who are interested are made into disciples by falling in love with Jesus as they come to know Him through the Word of God. They come to understand the extent of God's love in His plan to restore our relationship to Him through the sacrifice of His Son. As people become convicted of their need for a Saviour--when they come face to face with such love in action, they grasp hold of the gift offered to them--the gift of coming under a new Authority--the gift of renewed relationship with God. There is nothing I love better than witnessing a new believer die to himself (his own authority), and be raised a new creation under a new Authority in the waters of baptism!!!! But that's not the end of the story. Baby Christians must be further immersed into God's Word to learn more about faithfulness and purposefulness in Christian living. It's so very different from the living that is propagated by the "world". It's not easy "going against the stream" of the world, but we don't do it alone. God has promised to be with us--all the way to the end of this Christian age when Jesus shows Himself to the whole world in His return. Until that time, He asks us to continue being His representatives.

Bernard and I have adopted Matthew 28:18-20 as our mission statement. Wherever we have lived we have tried to be God's representatives. Both of us have been given the gift of evangelism. We have a deep desire to make Jesus known to others. We have lived out our mission statement in various contexts--in secular work, in church work, and in a Christian educational setting. We have come to believe that we are most effective, as well as happiest, when we are living in a full-time supported ministry. We don't want to administrate a mega church. We don't want to maintain an established church. We don't want to create and manage programs of a church. We just want to live among people to give them the opportunity to ask about our Authority. (Of course, they don't ask in those specific words!!) Then it thrills us to introduce them to our Master, making disciples of them, baptizing them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then teaching them all that Jesus has commanded us.

Bernard and I started out our married lives living among the people of Mexico, and we are now living out our later years among the people of Mexico. We have never been more fulfilled in our work!! We have joined a great team of two like-minded couples. We love being able to devote our whole lives to living among the people and teaching those who are interested in tasting the goodness of our Master. We love doing it; and we do it well, not by our own abilities, but through God's power and the talents and weaknesses with which God has gifted us. Talents to converse and teach, weaknesses to bring us back to dependence upon God when we wander away. We are so very grateful for all the events that God has orchestrated to bring us to this point in our lives.

While we were retooling with Gailyn and Becky VanRheenen in the Mission Alive program out of Ft. Worth, Texas, Bernard and I continued to pray that God would lead us to join a passionate team. We didn't care where we would live and minister, as much as we cared about with whom. We walked through the doors of gathering a team to church plant on the prairies of Canada. We investigated opportunities to join para-church organizations. We considered returning to Mexico after being gone seventeen years. The Saskatoon Church, with which we were working, supported us fully in pursuing the work that God was establishing for our hands (See last week's blog.). They lifted us up in prayer and provided our retooling opportunities. Finally the call came as a result of our visit to Mexico in December 2007. Malcolm and Glenn Pointon and their families asked us to consider joining their church-planting team in Lazaro Caradenas, Michoacan, Mexico. How could we join them??? We didn't even know them!!! That would be foreign mission suicide!! Yet in the months to follow, Bernard and I both kept coming back to the offer of joining the work in Lazaro. With a decision needing to be made, we lived one month in the reality of joining the Lazaro team. During that time, there were no burning bushes, no whispers of wind, nor did God speak to us from heaven--but it just seemed "right" to join the Lazaro work. We announced our decision in late February, then began making arrangements to relocate to Mexico. Saskatoon agreed to accept support on our behalf. We began getting the word out for our need for financial assistance. We have been overwhelmed with the confidence so many have placed in us by providing our monthly salary, thus far. We are grateful to our MountainView family in Dauphin, Manitoba and Moose Mountain at Kenosee Lake, SK. The rest of our support, until June comes from the Swift Current family and many, many individual supporters. Before coming to Mexico, we began putting "feelers" out for a supporting congregation. However, we were also being tugged with the need to be with our team for a while to assure we were a "good fit" together. Now after four months, we have no doubt that we correctly heard the call of God for the work He has established for us here in Mexico. Our team doesn't just have a vision for making Jesus known to the people of Lazaro Cardenas, but to those all along the Pacific Coast!! We have a BIG vision because we serve a BIG God!

Our commitment to this team and work brings us to the point of preparing for our future years here in Mexico. Next week's blog will continue the theme of "Contemplations" as we voice our visions and dreams for the future work God has established for our hands here in Mexico. Until then, blessings as you contemplate the many events that God has orchestrated to bring you to the work He has established for your hands.

....ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS...

We welcome Mike and Michelle Parker and boys to the Saskatoon congregation. They bring a wealth of experience and a barrel of creative ideas!!! The Saskatoon church has launched "Project M" to help the family commit God's Word to memory this year. As one of their missionary families, we too, have taken on the challenge. This week's verse has made a significant impact on me: Psalm 90:17 May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us, establish the work of our hands for us, yes, establish the work of our hands.



Our drama, The Hands of God

One of the things we love about full-time ministry outside of our own culture is the dependence we have on God that He will put in our path people whose lives we may impact for our Master. Unmistakably God orchestrates these meetings in a "same-culture context". The difference is not God's workings, but our busyness that often blinds us to His opportunities. Here in Mexico we are not yet so crowded with commitments, responsibilities, and "busyness" of living. We wait in expectation each morning of who and what the Lord will bring to us each day. Our weekly planners are not so full of extras, therefore, we are able to engage more people in conversation. We live a fairly simple life of taking Logan to school, buying a few tomatoes and chilies in the centre, greeting new people, and deepening the relationships we have already been privileged to develop. We never know who God will bring into our path each day. But, this we do know: People will be in our path!!! It's fun and exciting to see what work our God will establish for us each day...work that we wouldn't plan on our own.

On New Year's Eve we were invited to Roxana's house for tamales. On our way we ran into Jesus (No, not the One from Nazareth--it's a common Spanish name for males.), the bike shop owner. We pass by his shop many days on our way to and from Logan's school. We stop; we chat about getting Logan a bike when he can speak Spanish well; we invite Jesus to practice his English with Bernard using the LST materials. On this night, with no planning on our part, Jesus stops us and comments that he has been watching us. He wants to know "what makes us tick". He sees something in us that is inviting. He wants to know more about us. We hope to introduce him to Jesus (Yes, the One from Nazareth.). He asks when he can come for his first English session!!! Thank you, God, for establishing the work of our hands!!

Last week at the market we were whizzing through to buy for a few things for our Sunday drama. Interrupting our brisk pace, a needy mother showed me her sick child. For a moment I felt like the Jewish priest who encountered the wounded Samaritan. I was in a hurry, I really didn't have time to listen to her story--after all, I had important things to buy for Sunday's celebration! It would be easier to slip her few pesos and speak blessings that God be with her. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit intercedes when the flesh takes over. I stopped, listened, and told her I would be back. Taking me at my word, she waited for us. She told how she was in the city alone. Her baby needed a doctor. Ashley held the baby, giving him a quick check over and gave her diagnose: He was definitely malnourished. I translated for Ashley as she asked the mother about the baby's diet. We realized the baby had no formula. The mother had gotten sick, and she no longer had breast milk. Formula has been very expensive for her. She undoubtedly, dilutes it beyond its nutritional value. By now, we are all attached to this precious little guy. We found a store and stocked her with a huge can of formula and Ashley bought her a package of diapers. With tears in her eyes, the mom said what luck to have found us. I took her hand and lovingly explained that it had nothing to do with luck, but it was the orchestration of our God who loves her and her baby very much. We may never see that Mom and her baby again, but our God established work for our hands. And knowing our God, I wouldn't be surprised if we do see Mom and baby again.

Lena, our friend from one of the enramadas, has become very dear to us. She wanted to treat Ashley to a shrimp cocktail. Unfortunately our plans fell through, so I popped by to let her know we had to change our date. I explained that we were leading a Bible class in Lazaro. She thought that sounded exciting and 'joked' that she wanted to go too. I told her, better yet, we could have our own Bible study together. We don't yet have solid plans, but she's keen on getting together with me. Thank you, God for establishing the work of our hands!!!

We've been praying for opportunities to begin a study in our home here in Playa Azul. One of the couples in the church asked us if we could continue the study that Billy and Belinda had started with them. When they arrived Monday night, not only did we get to spend time with Ishmael and Gris, but they also brought two other family members!!! We had a great first Bible study here in Playa. Thank you, God, for establishing the work of our hands.

Thank you to all those who have made it possible for us to be here in Mexico. We are so very grateful for our families at MountainView in Dauphin, Manitoba; Moose Mountain in Kenosee, Saskatchewan; and the congregation in Saskatoon. Many other individuals are giving to us so that we may minister here in Mexico. It's a very humbling position. We are very grateful for the many sacrifices/gifts from so many. We have had inquiries concerning our future support/plans. We will dedicate our next blog to this subject.

Until next week...we would love to hear how God has been establishing the work of your hands in your corner of the world!!!
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

PS. I'm gaining the reputation of being the "drama queen" within our church family, so this week I incorporated two others into a drama, The Hands Of God. Rosy and Jeny narrated the truths of how sin separates us from God because we no longer are pure; then how God sent Jesus as our substitution to clean us so that we can again have relationship with God. As they made each point, I acted it out with white gloved hands in front of a black background. It was a great feeling to hear the audience clap as the old stained glove was removed and the new clean glove "danced" with joy after "becoming a new creation". It's just another example of God establishing the work of our hands.

Medical Mission

We had a full and wonderful week of medical ministry in the little town of Los Llanos, an hour out of Lazaro Cardenas. Southern Hills Church in Abilene sent one doctor, one nurse and five helpers to join our nurse, Tammy Pointon, in ministering to 284 patients. Ashley was thrilled to use her paramedic skills in taking each patient's blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, as well as measuring and weighing the children. Bernard and I were able to mingle with the patients while they waited to see the doctor. We had opportunity to explain who we are, and privileged to pray with many. Bernard also became Logan's primary teacher for the four days. Several other "gringos" from the area helped us. Colleen, who lives in the town, has been instrumental in bringing in the first two medical missions. Others hosted the team in their homes. Our family is especially grateful to Phyllis who had us stay in her lovely Miramar home. We ended our four-day mission with a supper celebration on the adjoining beach of La Saladita. It was a time for the baby church in Lazaro, along with the medical team and hosts to celebrate the success of the week. We thank Malcolm Pointon and Jack Walker for organizing all the logistics of hosting the medical team. There is talk of hosting another team in July. Many people were in need of an optometrist (most needing glasses), and some for a dentist. Perhaps we can expand our services in the future. As we serve the people in this area, we pray that they will see Jesus in our hands and hearts. We continue to pray toward the vision to plant churches along the Pacific coast, just like in the little community of Los Llanos. We are grateful for the generosity of Southern Hills Church and the workers that were sent to labour with us.
I've included a slide show so that you can get a flavour of our week. To see the pictures one by one, and with the captions, click "view all images". Until next blog,
Bernard, Alicia, Logan and Ashley Krogsgaard

HAPPY 2009!!!!

This is the easiest blog yet... Here's the highlight of our week:

Ashley flew in on January 1. It was a great way to begin our new year. Ash's three weeks here will fly by, so we want to enjoy every minute of every day. She was quite tired when she arrived because she had to spend the night in the Minneapolis airport, but she was a trooper as we dragged her to Miramar and enjoyed a BBQ with Malcolm and Tammy. The rest of the team joined us later, and we enjoyed another night of fireworks, much to Logan's delight.
What better way to introduce folks into the Mexican culture than to take them to a fiesta. Our neighbours invited us to Pedro's 78th birthday party, so Ashley got a good dose of Mexican song and dance. We had a great time!!! We felt so honoured to be a part of our new friends' special day. The music was loud, the food was hot and the breeze was cool under the enramada. Welcome to Mexico, Ash!
Saturday, Ashley joined us for our home study at Hector and Rosy's. She got a good dose of two hours of Spanish. I saw her nod off a few times. She claimed it was jet-lag. We had to explain that the time zone is the same for both Playa Azul, Mexico and Regina, Saskatchewan; so there is no jet-lag when traveling within the same time zone. When that excuse was crushed, she decided it was the heat that made her so sleepy. We chuckled to remember how much we slept when we first arrived in Playa, back in October. It does take time to adjust to the 30+ degree temps when one has just come from -30 degree temps. I think she's really enjoying the warmth!!!
Sunday was a special day as we celebrated with the children of our little church family. The big holiday for Mexican children is Jan. 7- Three Kings' Day. Games, gifts, and a pinata were planned for the children. The hot dogs were a big hit, too. We also welcomed several folks from Abilene and San Antonio who have come to participate in the annual medical mission that our team hosts. Our family will be gone all week helping these good folks as they see patients who do not have access to doctors and nurses on a regular basis. We're hoping that Ashley will be able to put into practice some of the skills she has learned from her paramedic courses earlier this Fall.
Thank you to all who took a minute to let us hear from you during these holidays. We love all the ways our little computer friend allows us to keep in touch with all our human friends. Thank you for your comments and encouragements concerning our blogs. Facebook is also a great tool for keeping in touch. We will not have computer access this week; so until next week...
Bernard, Alicia, Logan and Ashley Krogsgaard