....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.