Exciting Times for the Baby Church of Lazaro Cardenas

Today was our last celebration time in the house located at 169 Calle Melchor Ocampo. We have officially outgrown our present facility. Three weeks ago it was suggested by several that we begin looking for another meeting place for our Sunday Celebrations. Within days a possible location had been found. Wanting the majority's input, the church met at "Santa Sed" (Holy Thirst) Restaurant/Grill after our service on Sunday, Jan 18. We decided to pray for guidance during the week and make a decision the following Sunday. Last Sunday it was decided that "Santa Sed", although not perfect in all ways, would be a good move for La Comunidad de Cristo. It is located on one of the main streets in Lazaro. It is easy for newcomers to find. It gives us plenty of auditorium space. Because it is close to the Technological Institute of Lazaro Cardenas, it would be a great location to host FriendSpeak and Let's Start Talking sessions. After a bit of paint, some work on the children's class area, new signage, and the installation of air conditioning, we are hoping to meet together for the first time next Sunday, Feb 15. There is excitement in the air, and it's a good time to remember who we are and for what purpose we exist.
Today we had a bit of a smaller crowd, but we counted 35 teens to adults and 15 children. Many of those were visitors. There have been several Sundays when we just didn't have enough space nor chairs for everyone. Our cell groups are growing and visitors are looking for ways they, too, may fit in and serve in this baby church!!! We continue to be amazed at the workings of God in so many lives. What a privilege it is to be ambassadors among these beautiful people!!! We can hardly wait until some of our supporters come to visit. We are profoundly thankful for each individual and church that makes it possible for our family to be here in Playa Azul/Lazaro Cardenas. We love what we are doing at this stage of our lives!

Not only are things changing in the church, things are changing in the lives of team mates, Tammy and Malcolm Pointon. Great news came on Wednesday as they learned that they had become grandparents. Malcolm insists that he's too young to be a G'pa, so he says he just became a "tio" (uncle). Their daughter, Stephanie and her husband, Ivan, welcomed their first child, Ethan, into the world a week earlier than expected. Tammy didn't make it to Lubbock, Texas before Ethan was born, but she is now enjoying taking care of her daughter and grandson for a few weeks. Grandpa, I mean TIO, will join the family Monday, then he's off to New Zealand for a five week business trip for his Mexico real estate/construction company. We look forward to Stephanie, Ivan, and baby Ethan joining the work here toward the end of this year. It will be a great advantage having a Mexican preacher for our congregation. Malcolm communicates extremely well (for a gringo), but a Mexican will always relate more effectively to the Mexicans. While Malcolm is gone, it will be a great opportunity for several of the baby Christians to prepare and deliver a portion of God's truth to the congregation. No doubt it will be a time of growth and maturation as the Mexicans take more ownership and responsibility in the existence of La Comunidad de Cristo.

Decisions are also needing to be made for our family. As I have mentioned before, we are toying with the idea of moving from Playa Azul to Lazaro Cardenas. Our hearts are torn in two directions. We love our living situation and the community of which we have so easily become a part. However, as cell group leaders/trainers, we find that we miss being close to our church family members and visitors. Now with the church building being more accessible to the people of Lazaro, we would love to be available for FriendSpeak sessions at the building. We've put out the fleece by perusing the neighbourhood around the building. We have viewed several houses, but have found the rent to be too high. We continue to ask for guidance and wisdom concerning this important decision. We want to be accessible to the the church and visitors, yet we want to continue with the good we are doing here in Playa Azul. We also want what is best for Logan. He is such a trooper that he's in agreement with whatever decision we make. What a great kid he is!!! Would you join in prayer with us concerning our future location?
We love hearing from you. Until next week's blog,
Blessings from the Krogsgaards,
Bernard, Alicia, and Logan