BENDICIONES DE DIOS EN MEXICO

"Heavenly Father, what are you doing?"

On April 19, a couple (Joe and Carmi) attended the morning celebration of La Comunidad de Cristo. (Carmi has just returned to Lazaro Cardenas to be with her recently widowed mother.) I was curious to know how Carmi and Joe (whose spiritual heritage is with Churches of Christ) had been able to locate the church. They said that Carmi's mom had told them where we worshiped. When I asked how she knew where we worshiped they indicated that Carmi's mom had visited with our family. Amazingly, when we step out our front gate, turn left, take twenty-three steps, turn right and walk another forty steps we reach the entrance of Carmi's mother's house. We simply never know how God works as we go about being light and salt in our community.

Such occurrences force me to stop and ask, "What is God doing?" It was only two months ago that Comunidad de Cristo moved down the street from Carmi's mom, and our family relocated just around the corner.

"Okay, what's up?"
Carmi-middle in white shirt
Carmi attended last Thursday's small group. Yesterday (April 26) she joined us for worship along with her brother, sister-in-law and their five children. WOW! Then, last evening while Logan and I were out for a stroll, we met Carmi and Julia (who also worships with us and attends Thursday's small group) visiting at the entrance of Carmi's mom's house. They were discussing details from Malcolm's April 19th sermon, and they had questions. Carmi's mom came up from behind with a chair and for the next thirty minutes we sought spiritual guidance from Carmi's Bible. Julia & girls

Upon arriving at home I shared with Alicia the joy of our circumstance when God provides us opportunities to help searchers on their spiritual journey. With a spark in her eye, Alicia then turned to Logan and asked, "What was our devotional story about today?" Logan smiled and said, "Philip, being led by the Holy Spirit, stopped the chariot to talk to the Ethiopian (he had trouble with that word). Alicia then asked, "Does anything like that happen today?" "Yeah", he replied, "it just happened to Daddy."

"Thank you, Father! What a blessing that I just "happened" upon searching believers.
OH BY THE WAY...Carmi and Julia, acquaintances from the past, have been reunited because of Jesus.

ADDITIONAL BLESSINGS...

Following our encouraging Sunday morning worship, our family enjoyed an afternoon of Mexican hospitality (barbecue) in La Mira with Maria Socorro and her husband, Martin. We were accompanied by Rodrigo and Kenia (Maria Socorro's daughter) and Blanca. Before we knew it, the evening hours had arrived, and we began our trek home via Playa Azul.

While the world was dealing with the stress and concern of swine flu, we had been graced with hours of building relationships and meaningful conversation - much of which was focused on God.

Martin has only once visited Comunidad de Cristo, yet he willingly talked about his spiritual journey and various life struggles.

"Thank you, Father. April 26 was a sweet day. Thank you for counting us worthy to such meaning interaction with your child, Martin, who struggles to know you."

More Visiting Adventures With Socorro

How I wish you all could be with me when I join Socorro for our weekly visiting!! In Spanish we say, "Ella es una guerrera!" (She's a warrior)--and THAT she is! As I mentioned last week, we have started the holidays of "Semana Santa" so many have the next two weeks as vacation. Socorro has no plans of sitting at home eating bon bons; instead, she made plans for us to visit in the morning, as well as our usual afternoon visits on Monday. After fervent prayer we headed for her co-worker's home (also named Socorro). Unfortunately she was not at home, but not a shred of disappointment crossed Soco's face. She knew of someone else she wanted to visit. We headed off to some obscure part of Lazaro. We turned down a dirt road that appeared to go nowhere (but I've learned that looks can be deceiving as to where streets may end). Dodging rocks and holes, she mentioned, "I haven't seen Julia in ten years." I wondered if she could get to Julia's house after such a long time--but no worries, she'll just ask. And ask she did! Every "neighbour" had his/her own thought of where Julia lived. Off we went on our proverbial rabbit trail. Finally we stopped at a wooden shack that Socorro thought may be Julia's house. She knocked, or I should say, yelled. An older woman, cooking her day's meal in the firepit in front of the house, stopped her cooking and walked Socorro the two blocks to Julia's house. (Oh, how I love the fact that the Mexicans always have time for such things.) We stopped at a house that looked abandoned. Without fear, Socorro left her purse with me and headed to the front door. She heaved out of the way the wad of fencing that acted as the gate and headed around to the back of the house. Meanwhile I took in the surroundings: four pigs stare at me from the neighbour's yard, a little nude boy peeks around the corner, I'm sure, wondering what this white senora is doing in his part of town. (He's probably never even seen a real live white woman!!) Music blares from the other side of the street. Wonderful smells of delicious Mexican cuisine wafts from the makeshift, outdoor kitchen of another neighbour. I smile and again thank God that He has given us purpose here in Mexico. About ten minutes later Socorro finally emerges from behind the house. She shares the news that Julia no longer lives there, but that she has met a neighbour who would like to study the Bible with us!!!! "Let's go around the corner and I'll introduce you to her." So off we go to meet Lucita. We made a date for Saturday and asked her to invite any other friends she would like to be a part of the study. Unfortunately I already have a study at that time, but Socorro is very willing to lead the study on her own. She's such a "Guerrera"!!! Please keep Lucita in your prayers. She lives an obviously hard life with her husband and two little children in a little one room cynderblock "cuartito". It is our desire to introduce her to Hope.
A few hours later Soco met me at my house for our six o'clock study with Concha. I asked,"Did you call Concha as she had asked?" Shaking her head, Soco replied, "Oh, no!! We won't call, it gives the enemy too much of an opportunity to put into Concha's head excuses for us not to come--no, we'll just go." So, we prayed fervently that Concha and her daughter, Lety, would be at home and ready to open God's Word. When we arrived, not only were Concha and Lety there, but part-way through the study her husband, Jose, arrived and joined us. The daughter-in-law also came in and out of the study. We had many interruptions and "rabbit chases", but we got through the first study. They were keen on having us back next Monday, but a little latter in the evening so that Jose could join in on all the study! Socorro was sure we had caught the enemy off guard, having four join us for our study. She sang the praises of God all the way home.
I look forward to Mondays as much as I look forward to Sundays now. I know it will always be an adventure with Socorro and God!!! I am, indeed, a most blessed woman to have such a mentor. Soco gives me a big hug and always thanks me for our time together, stating, "I've been praying for such a friend for so long--one with whom I can work in the kingdom." I have a feeling that whether I had come along or not, God has already been using this "guerrera" in His kingdom.

The Vision of the Pacific Coast

We hear of many of our friends and acquaintances taking off for Mexico vacations. I always feel a little tug on my heart wishing they would make their way to our part of Mexico, then I look at the map and realize we are WAY off the beaten path of where most folks go to vacation. Mexico is a big country with lots of coastline. I begin to wonder, "Wow, wouldn't it be nice to be near Cancun." Then I remember what brought us here. It was Malcolm and Billy's vision of the Pacific Coast. Last week Malcolm again reminded the baby church of our vision: to plant churches in 20 of the Pacific Coast's major port cities. Big cities are often the target of church plants, but Malcolm believes the port cities of Mexico need to be on our radar screen as well. The baby church in Lazaro Cardenas understands that we are just the beginning of what God can do here on the Pacific Coast. We dream of raising up leaders who will take on the challenge of church planting in places like Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and others. It's an exciting dream; it's definitely a God-sized dream.
As we look forward to the future, it is the day by day living of walking shoulder to shoulder with the baby Christians that God will raise up the church planters needed to fulfill the Pacific Coast Vision. God continues to shape and mold the baby Christians as they continue to grow and tell others of their new Master.
Blanca and Socorro continue to invite their neighbours and friends to home groups and our celebration time on Sundays. On Monday afternoons, Socorro and I visit friends and neighbours, as well as visitors who have come on Sundays. I never have to worry about who we will visit; she always has a list. On one of our visits, her former neighbour, Concha couldn't come to the Tuesday study so Socorro said we would come to her. The next Monday, off we went to Concha's house. Unfortunately, Concha was not there. We spent time chatting with her 19 year old daughter, Lety. After deciding that we could no longer wait for Concha, we said our good-byes. Lety leaned over to Socorro and said, "You come back next Monday. Even if my mom isn't here, I want to learn from the Bible." God orchestrates in ways that we can never imagine. Socorro can hardly wait until tomorrow evening. In fact, she's so eager in having holidays that she's booked us visits for the morning, as well as the evening!!! I'm praying for energy to keep up with her!!! What a blessing she is to my life and to those who do not yet know her Master.
The Ladies' Tuesday night study is growing as we search the scriptures for the Seed of woman that will crush Satan's head (Gen 3:15). I love watching these ladies sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation as we cover another chapter of the Seed-Line Story. Nothing thrills me more than being used by God in this way. As woman talk about the study, more make plans to attend; as more come, the more Blanca and Socorro pray! It's amazing to be working with them.
Our Thursday Feliciano study takes a huge chunk of our time because of the travel involved, but I love working with the children. Last week I had an activity of cutting and pasting. It was great fun watching Delfino(5) learn to cut with his scissors. He was so proud of his efforts. Of course, you could hardly tell what his picture was supposed to be, but to all of us, it was a masterpiece. The children continue to work hard to earn enough stickers to receive their Bible Story Books that await each one of them.
The Thursday evening study is growing in spiritual depth. Bernard led a study on the humanity of Jesus and its importance, as well as its implications on man-kind. You could see the "light-bulbs" click on as God used Bernard to teach this important concept.
Today, we had a guest speaker at our Sunday Celebration. Ivan Ponce de Leon, Malcolm and Tammy's son-in-law, spoke on the topic: Jesus is light. He was received very well by the congregation. It is Ivan and Stephanie's plan, along with two-month old Ethan, to join the work here in Lazaro Cardenas toward the end of this year. After today's reception, we can hardly wait until they get here. Having a Mexican preacher will be a huge step in fulfilling the Pacific Coast Vision. Ivan is a humble, gifted speaker. Stephanie completed her AIM project in Mexico so she's fluent in Spanish. They will be a great addition to the team and church. October just won't get here soon enough as Ivan completes his preaching studies in Texas.
Would you continue to pray for the Pacific Coast Vision? We have spoken with many who have an interest in church planting, and some thinking of Mexico. We have the places, we are praying for the planters. We look forward to watching God raise up leaders from the congregation, as well as others coming from Canada and the US.
Enjoy the following photos from our Thursday night study that took place in our house. Until next blog,
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard