Changes All Around Us

What's the saying: The only constant thing is CHANGE? We are feeling the impact of these words on several levels. The church has made a move from its original house to a more permanent location, as I had written last week. We are feeling growing pains of leaving the comfortable "known" to create a "new normal" in our present location. The church is very excited about the change.

Our family is also feeling the effects of change. Somewhat suddenly we have made the decision to move from our much loved life in Playa Azul to the city of Lazaro Cardenas. We appreciate the prayers of those of you who were following our decision-making days these last week. It has been a difficult decision for us. However, allow me to tell you how clearly God called us to Lazaro.

As the church contemplated the need to change to a bigger location, Bernard and I both began to think of our family's need to move into Lazaro. The clincher is: neither of us knew the other was thinking of such a change. Our first five months in Playa Azul have been perfect in helping us renew our Spanish, getting Logan used to Mexican life, and forming relationships. However, as our responsibilities have grown with the care of the baby Christians, we have found ourselves making the twenty minute trek from Playa to Lazaro up to ten times a week. We also have had to give up various opportunities within the city because we live "out of town". One afternoon, after touring the new church building, I commented to Bernard, "Maybe we should look at trying to find a house near the building." Bernard's mouth dropped as he said, "That was just what I have been thinking." So, off we went to look at the possibilities. Our dear friend, Daisy, helped us several weeks by calling and directing us to various houses for rent. Unfortunately most were more that our budget allowed, and those that we could consider were "real fixer-uppers". As it seemed that finding a house in Lazaro was not a possibility, we strangely felt relived. We were lamenting leaving our lovely community in which we had fit in so well. We lamented leaving the school and other social activities, as well as the beautiful beaches that were accessible to Logan. We lamented leaving the pool that refreshes us as we continue to adjust to the tropical heat, and where so many of Logan's friends come to play. We were ready to accept the fact that driving would have to be a part of our lives. I continued to pray for God's guidance and began to be quite specific with God in what it would take for me to leave Playa. I prayed that we would make our decision based on what was best for the work of which we have been given the opportunity to join. There were four "requirements" for which I prayed concerning a house in Lazaro: 1) that it be close to the new building 2) that it be within our budget 3) that there be plenty of room for our family and to host groups for Bible Study, as well as for entertaining. 4) that there be an extra bedroom to host visitors from Canada and the United States. We both felt at peace should we need to remain in Playa Azul.
Last Sunday, we decided to take another drive through the area near the church building. We soon found ourselves in a little area we had not yet driven. Suddenly, from the back seat, Logan shouted, "Casa en renta!" (House for rent). Sure enough, directly behind the building there stood the nicest little house we'd ever seen. Stopping to write down the telephone number, we decided that the rent would be more than our budget allowed. However, we called our ever so accommodating friend to ask her to call about the specifics of the house. Daisy phoned right back with the good news that the house was actually cheaper than what we are paying in Playa Azul. Two of the four requirements had been met. Daisy made an appointment for the afternoon to see the house. Trying not to be anxious, I prayed that God would guide our decision. Four o'clock finally came when we met the owners at the house. Walking into the living/dining room, I thought it was a possibility. Then when we saw that it had four bedrooms upstairs, TWO guest rooms rather than just one, I knew God had His hand in this house. Although not perfect, it did surpass the four requirements that I had decided were needed in order to make a move to Lazaro. Because the "find" was so sudden after deciding we would be content to stay in Playa, Bernard wasn't as sure as I seemed to be that this was the house for us. As we tallied the pros and cons, I told Bernard of the prayer I had been praying those last few days. The next day we asked to go back to the house. As soon as Bernard walked in for the second time, he too felt that it was God's provision to us in order to move into Lazaro. We told the owners we would take the house. Our possession date is Feb. 26!

Why do we ever doubt the workings of our God in our lives??? In comparison to what some of our loved ones are having to deal with in their lives, deciding on moving from one rented house to another is a very small decision. Yet, God cares about the details in our lives. We have no idea what plans He has for us in leading us to make this move. We are sad to say good-bye to Playa Azul, but we do look forward to opportunities of being closer to the baby Christians and their friends in Lazaro.

We were again encouraged today as we attended a birthday party for the grandson of our precious friend in Playa, Lena. As soon as we sat down we were introduced to a young man named Jorge. As it turns out, Jorge is a student at the technical school that is down the street from our new church building in Lazaro. He was so very excited when we told him that we planned to make English conversation classes available from our building. We already have our first reader!!!--and we haven't even made the move yet.

We are also encouraged to know that one of our newer Sunday visitors works at the library in the technical school. She has offered to show us around and invite the students to our services, as well as to our English conversation classes. We have to shake our heads and wonder what God is "up to". It's so much fun serving such a masterful orchestrator. He is so very faithful as we pray to come in contact with those who do not yet know Him. I know He is doing the same for you in your corner of the world as you live to represent Him as His ambassador.

As you read this, we are in the Texas. It was getting close to the time when we had to make a border run to renew our visitors' visas. We learned that Bernard's sister and brother-in-law would be in Austin on Feb. 21, so we decided to head that way to see them for a day as we secured new visas. Seeing them will be the silver lining in the dreaded two-day drive to the border. Please pray for our safety and ease of entry back into Mexico.
Until next week...
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard