MexSonShine: Being Transformed

Can you imagine how shocked God's people were when Moses came down from "God's mountain" and he was glowing from being in the presence of God's glory? What a concrete visual that is for us as we too, continue to "glow" and "shine" as the Holy Spirit transforms us. I love it when I see this transformation taking place in the lives of those who make up the baby church in Lazaro. It is a testimony to God's great power!! Three of the new Christians have made the decision to completely stop their consumption of alcohol by this time next year. In a culture where alcohol is abundant, THIS is a huge commitment!! Their decision has not come as a result of "holy fingers" being shaken in their faces, but by the conviction that God has done so much for them and has called them to lead a holy life.
These three decisions convict our team even deeper that we are called to walk shoulder to shoulder with those whom Christ brings to us. We take people where they are and invite them to walk along with us as we imitate the actions and attitudes of our Saviour. We have heard that many of the evangelical churches here in Lazaro impose hard-nosed rules and regulations. Our fellowship of love and relationship is a breath of fresh air for those who have been stifled by the religious legalism set up by man. In fact, the contrast between the two paradigms is so stark that we have had "long-time Christians"who have visited us to be "a bit concerned" because people were not in coats and ties, or the neighbour who was known to "drink too much" was participating in our times of celebration. "La Comunidad de Cristo just doesn't seem to be following in the holy steps of Christianity as they should be." (Ummmm, reminds me of several stories about Jesus doing the same--eating with sinners and the such!!!)
Man-made rules and regulations did not bring our three brothers and sister to their decision to leave the way of their former life; rather the Holy Spirit has convicted them of a better way, a holy calling to which they have committed. We are keeping them in constant prayer, as well as accountability as we all continue to travel this road together. Old habits are hard to break, but He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world!!! Would you, too, bring Oni, Rigo, and Jesi before THE THRONE as they fight the temptations of the enemy?

So many of you sent sweet birthday greetings to Logan. He had a wonderful 8th birthday on June 5. Eight of us packed our pizza, pastel, pinata, and presents and headed for the water slide park. A great time was had by all. Logan enjoyed most of the day until his fateful catapult off the water slide and onto the cement. It was a scary moment for us all, but he has mended well and is now showing off his "war wounds" with valour. He has decided that being eight doesn't feel much different that being seven--how disappointing! Perhaps he'll think differently as he heads into his more difficult grade three school work in the Fall. Logan ended his grade two year well. He finished with high A's in every class except one of his Math classes (Singapore, which is on a much higher level than the Alpha Omega Math) in which we received an 89. He still continues to finish the year at Mexican school (when they have class, which isn't very often-tongue in cheek). He spends lots of time outside playing with the many children on our street. Spinning tops are the latest craze so he spends lots of time perfecting his throw. Next Monday is his first Karate-Do test, of which he is feeling confident. Perhaps he'll exchange his white belt for a yellow one.
Until next blog,
Alicia for the Krogsgaards