The Impact of the Mundane

I have just enough "spunk or spirit" in me to occasionally like to see people squirm (but just a bit). One way I like to "put folks on the spot" is ask, "Tell me, what has God been doing in your life these past weeks?" or "What has God been teaching you?" Reactions vary from a you- must-be-from-Mars look to the deer-in-the-headlights look. But sometimes, much to my delight, I receive a huge smile and an ear-full of just what God has been doing in my friend's life. I LOVE that!!! One of the perks I enjoy about writing a blog is that it keeps me thinking about what God IS doing in and around me. I can't count the number of times in a week that I mentally write my blog around marvels that God has done in our lives or the lives of those with whom we have the privilege to work. Unfortunately, most of those blogs never get published.

But you know, sometimes our lives go from day to day a bit like the droll reading of the 'begat' chapters. You know the ones I mean. We've all read them in our read-through-the-Bible-in-a- year schedules: Matthew 1:2f Abraham begat Isaac, Isaac begat Jacob, Jacob begat Judah and his brothers, Judah begat Perez...yada, yada, yada.

My personal, all-time favourite begat chapter is Genesis 5: Adam begat Seth and lived 800 more years, and then he died. Seth begat Enosh and lived 807 more years, and then he died. Enosh begat Kenan and lived 815 more years, and then he died. Definitely a cure for those LONG, sleepless nights! Yet, where would WE be without those long genealogies? Mundane? Sure. Important? You betcha!! The Saviour of our souls came from all those begats. He was planned even BEFORE the creation of the world. He was promised even as the pomegranate juice dripped from Adam and Eve's chins. He became God Incarnate lying in a box from which cattle were fed. Had papas not begotten sons, Jesus would have been only a passing thought in the mind of God.

There really hasn't been any monumental happenings in the life of the Krogsgaards these last few weeks. Yes, it's even a bit mundane at times--work with Logan on the computer with his English, cook and eat by 1:30, hustle Logan off to school, do a bit of visiting, run a few errands, prepare the next study, make a few phone calls, wait for the next person to show up for a study, wash a few loads of clothes, clean the floors, mend some skirts, run to help a distressed family, go visit the newly born baby, shop for fruits, shop for meats, shop, shop, shop...etc...SIGH..., and then she died. (Oops, we're not that far into the story yet!!) Mundane? ...Hummm, sometimes. Important? You betcha!!

We thank God every day for the opportunity to represent Him here in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Mexico. We don't live idealistic, utopia lives.-- Who does this side of heaven? But what He has called us to do every day is important. No fireworks, no earth shattering news, no special announcements interrupting the regularly schedule broadcasts...just life! --Life in relationship with our Father, and life in relationship with those He has created. What could be better? Thank you to every church and individual that/who sacrificially gives so that Bernard, Logan and I can live and work on the Mexican Pacific Coast. La Comunidad de Cristo is growing both numerically and spiritually. I have included a short prayer list for our prayer warriors.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the real deal is even better. We would LOVE to have you come visit God's work first-hand. Just let us know!!

Until the next blog,
Alicia, for the Krogsgaards

Thank God for the MANY ways He has blessed us and His work here in Lazaro:

-wonderful team: Malcolm/Tammy Pointon, Glenn/Caroline Pointon, Ivan/Stefanie Ponce de Leon
-awesome church family that is growing numerically and spiritually
-faithful and prayerful supporters

-healthy and happy nine-year old boy, Logan, who is very much a part of our work
-healthy and happy 21 year old adult children in Canada making their own way in life
-experienced a powerful prayer night last Saturday/Sunday

-experienced an excellent marriage seminar-many visitors

-many thanks to Ian MacLeod and Sue Willienic who have handled BIG problems with our house in Saskatoon

Petitions to lay at our Powerful God's feet:
-that Malcolm and Tammy can be back with us on a permanent basis SOON

-that Mexican leaders will be raised up to carry La Comunidad de Cristo to maturity

-that God will continue to give us all physical safety

-that God will touch and heal the marriages and families of the church as a testimony of His power for all those in Lazaro Cardenas

-our next Marriage Enrichment Evening is Nov. 1

-people with whom we are sharing the Good News: Hector, Juanita, Karina, Edy, Luz Maria, Robin, Lupita, Lorena, Zachary, Elia, Beto, Saul, visitors in our groups, visitors on Sundays

-that God will raise up more church planters to plant on the Pacific Coast

-wisdom in making a decision to move to bigger facility or multiply into two services

-that we can rent or sell our house in Saskatoon (We need MUCH wisdom in this area as it is taking WAY too much time away from the work we have been called to do here in Mexico.)

Happy Anniversary to Us!!

The Krogsgaards arrived at our Mexican Pacific "sweet spot" Oct 2, 2008. In some ways it's hard to believe we've been here two years, yet somehow it feels like we've been here much longer!! We thank God daily for the honour and privilege to enhance His reputation here in Lazaro Cardenas. We love the work He's giving our hands to do. Thank you to our oh, so faithful supporters. We couldn't be here without you. We pray God's blessings on you as you bless our lives with yours.

We had an extra special week hosting two lovely couples from Texas. Wes and Ellen Shutt supported by Southern Hills (our supporting church), Reid and Meriden Overall, supported by Richland Hills, and three others have been training to church plant in Concepcion, Chile. We were THRILLED to have two couples from this team walk along with us in our ministry last week. We were challenged and inspired by these godly folks. Their hearts overflow with the love of Jesus. I look forward to hearing the many good things God will be doing through this team. Their projected departure is January.

Reid and Meriden

Ellen and Wes

Our team had a wonderful Wednesday Prayer time. We reserve each Wed. 11:00-1:30 for sharing what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those He gives us to touch. After sharing, we spend time in prayer. Lately, we have all felt the attacks of Satan in our personal lives. James exhorts us to "consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds..." We all feel that we've have reason to have much JOY these days. This particular Wed., rather than concentrate on the lives of those we are touching, we spent much of our chat time transparently revealing the various ways we see the enemy's attacks in our lives. (Now, I'm not saying that any negative we pass through in our lives is from Satan, but when you stack all the things that are happening in our lives at this time, one has to wonder if the enemy doesn't have a bee in his bonnet.) James explains his reasoning as to why we should consider it a joy to face trials: "because the testing of your faith develops perseverance, which leads us to be mature and complete." After our time of reflection and confession, we listed off the MANY blessings that we see from God's hand. What an awing experience. Truly we serve a mighty and powerful God who cares about the tiniest detail of His people's lives. We are so very blessed. In comparison to Satan's blows, God's blessings far out-weigh anything the enemy sends our way. We know we are more than conqueres in Christ Jesus!! Amen!!

This week-end was an exceptional blessing as we hosted 8 representatives from Ivan and Stefanie's supporting congregation, Monterrey Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. Barry Stephens presented three sessions on marriage enrichment, while Ivan translated. The praise team opened and closed each session, then gave a short concert to end the week-end. Many of our family participated, as well as invited their friends and family to attend. We were overwhelmed by the response. It was a fast and furious three days for our visitors. But their time and sacrifice was a pleasing offering to our Master!! We look forward to the next seminar!!! We pray that La Comunidad de Cristo would be a shining example to Lazaro Cardenas of families walking righteously in God's Way!

Thank you to our prayer warriors who bring us before the throne on a regular basis. We could not being doing this work without the power of our Master. The task to too daunting for just our human strength and wisdom. Would you pray specifically for godly wisdom as we train more servants, as well as investigate other worship options/locations to accomodate our steadily growing family!

Until the next blog,

Happy Thanksgiving, to our dear Canadian family and friends!!!

Alicia for the Krogsgaards