MIA Parents (Who knows where we'll be next)

Hello from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada!!!

We have been on the road for about three weeks, and been settled here in Regina for the last week. I've not blogged since we left Mexico, so thought I would give you a quick glimpse of our travels. We left Lazaro in a caravan with Tammy and Malcolm to visit a few pueblitos on the way to Morelia (3 1/2 hours from Lazaro). We also had the privilege of taking our teen-aged friend, Perla, to visit her Mom in the big city. It was a fun day!! We enjoyed a short evening with the Gonzalez family, then headed off early the next day for the border. We drove about 17 hours and hit the bridge just before dark. A night's rest and seven more hours of driving led us to Abilene where we spent four wonderful days with Bobby and Gail Lawson whom we have come to love and respect from the medical missions in Los Llanos. We had the joy of meeting about 30 folks from the Southern Hills congregation who had gathered at the Lawsons for a BBQ to hear about the work in Mexico. We continue to pray for God's guidance as the mission's committee meets and decides if Southern Hills will become our overseeing congregation!!! There are so many good works from which they must choose. Gail spoiled us and sent us on our way to San Antonio. Our first stop was the Toyota dealership as Bern checked out a truck. (You can ask him my opinion of owning a big, white truck--wink, wink.) Needing a more rugged vehicle, we checked out the great incentives Toyota was offering in July. Our next stop was Schlitterbahn Water Slides Park. We had a blast enjoying Logan's birthday gift together!!! This time, I'm glad to say that Logan was NOT catapulted from the water slide!! The next day led us to our faithful liaisons, Patty and Bob Grigg. They do so much for us by accepting mail and packages, as well as providing our housing, storage for our vehicle, and a ride to the airport. Thank you, dear friends and fellow workers!!! You are such a blessing to us!!

A full day of flying landed us in Regina, Saskatchewan where we were happily greeted by G'pa, Ashley, Uncle Dave, as well as friends, Candace and Andrea!! The next day Kresten arrived home from his camp counseling duties, so we were overjoyed to be with both of the twins and lots of other family for our traditional "Happy Birthday to Alicia and Uncle Dave" party. Sunday we headed to Kenosee Lake to share our work with the Moose Mountain congregation. We left Logan to enjoy a week of camp at Clearview Bible Camp. Reports were that he had a great time. (Not sure how the counselors fared for the week.) Another five hour drive got us to Dauphin, Manitoba where we were able to share the work with Mountain View Christian Assembly and the Dauphin Church of Christ. It was a wonderful time of visiting, although way too short!!!

Five more hours of travel got us to Saskatoon where we stayed busy with doctor, dentist, and optometrist appointments. We were again spoiled-this time by Auntie Jean, who shared the fruits of her garden--strawberries, saskatoon berries, raspberries, carrots, lettuce, and much more. Our renters were not in town so we decided to head back to Regina to spend time with Bern's sister, Wendy, and Bill before they headed back to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Another trip to Saskatoon will give us opportunity to share the Mexico work with the congregation. We hope to rent out our house again since there will be little time for getting it up for sale at this point. We still have some hope that it will sell through word of mouth.

The plan is to be back in Abilene the end of August as we head south in our U-Haul truck to take our possessions into Mexico. We miss our lives in Mexico and look forward to being back the first of September. We look forward to our LST couple that will be joining us for three weeks in Sept.

Until next blog,
Bernard, Alicia and Logan

Breakfast of berries
every morning with
Auntie Jean.

Bern
and
sis,
Wendy





Spending time with
our twins.











G'pa watching
his grandkids

Poor Loggie--
He holds his
own with his
big bro and
sis!!

Raising Leaders

We are in an exciting place in church planting here in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan. Each Sunday Celebration time is a wonderful experience. We have new faces every week. Sometimes we wonder where they all come from!! We do know that God is blessing the work here as we bathe our efforts in prayer. Bernard and I have been spoiled to join a work that has had four years of foundation already laid. Those first few years can be slow as the language is learned and roots are being put down. Now, almost five years into the work, La Comunidad de Cristo is being known throughout the city as a group of God's people who are REAL-who dedicate themselves to the work of God-who live and preach the pure Word of God!!! No doubt we continue to have those who are curious as to what we are doing here in Lazaro; but what excites us most are those who are rising in leadership. As church planters we always have our eyes open to those who have a heart for God. It's not always the most talented, most articulate, or most knowledgeable of God's Word who rise to leadership. As we study the life of David, we become aware that God doesn't demand perfection but progression. The first step in raising leaders is identifying those who are being molded by the Spirit-those who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God with humble hearts.
Bernard and I are privileged to work shoulder-to-shoulder with such servants. Knowing that our time out of Mexico was coming up, we have been praying and seeking for rising leaders who could be trained to take over the leadership of our Life Groups. We hand-picked three couples, of which two took on the challenge of meeting together weekly to learn principles and study techniques of leading a small group. We have been guiding the two couples through the book of Luke to follow up the seed-line study with, "Who is this seed of woman, Jesus, who crushes Satan's power?"
Monday nights have become one of my favourite times of the week. Francisco and Rosi, along with Blanca come to our group excited about the things God has taught them throughout the week. They dedicate themselves to a short passage in Luke which they study through the use of homiletics and three to four pages of questions that guide them into truths of that passage. They literally buzz as they chat about the many things they have gleaned from the passage. Their humble servant hearts are evident as we spend the first 45 minutes or more in prayer. We are always wanting for more when we end, knowing that we have much material to cover before our evening is depleted.
Bernard and I have no doubt these two couples will continue to grow and learn as they shepherd and teach those in their groups. We feel honoured and blessed to be a part of their growth. It's so fun watching them bloom and grow!!! Please keep the baby church in your prayers as many grow in their faith and leadership. We will miss our dear family and friends while we are away from Mexico this next month and a half, but what a joy we feel to know that others have stepped up to the task of continuing in our stead!!! We will be missed, but we are not irreplaceable!!! What a joy to know and understand that truth!! God has been good to us and we feel His blessings all around us.
Until next blog,
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

Rosi, Francisco, y Blanca join us each Monday evening








Our first forty-five
minutes are dedicated
to fervent prayer.








Rosi and Blanca are both prayer warriors!!









A testimony to God's
power!!!








Blanca has overcome many
obstacles in her life. Her faith
is strong because of it!!










Mati lives his testimony as he
teaches many people in his place
of work. He is a living testimony
of how God transforms lives...from
drunk to servant!!