Meet two of my dearest friends in Mexico!!!

I wish you were all here to meet two of my dearest friends in Mexico. I've known these precious sisters about three months. I've known few who have more fervor for telling others about their Master.
First, allow me to present to you, Blanca Estela Martinez. Blanca is pictured on the left. I first met Blanca when she visited the congregation. A friend of hers, Richard, had told her that he had come across a group of mission-minded Christians--a group that was more concerned for "souls than rules". She quietly took in the morning. The next Thursday she appeared at Jessy and Rigo's cell group with five others with her!!! She could hardly contain her excitement that we served refreshments, that we were informal, yet intimate with each other, that we spoke straight from the Word of God (We later learned she had been a part of a strict, rule enforcing, prosperity preaching group). Her smile told us that she would be back. The next Sunday Blanca brought my soon-to-be second dearest friend,
Maria Socorro Corona Gonzalez (Soco, for short-thankfully). At the end of our celebration time, we offered to pray with people who wanted individual prayer. I slipped over to Soco and asked her how I could pray for her. With tears in her eyes she said, "I just want to be used by God. Please pray that He would lead me to the work He wants for me." I was immediately touched; we prayed. Afterward, I asked her what her passion was. Without having to think very long, she responded, "I love to write and I love to tell others about our powerful God." I responded with a huge grin, "I'm writing a play and I need help with my Spanish. Would you help me?" Her eyes sparkled as we made plans for me to meet her at her house the next week. She was a great help. We had such a fun time writing and getting to know each other. Afterward, she told me how wonderful it would be to have a cell group in her home. She had a perfect spot outside (which she had built just for the purpose of having Bible Studies), so we began dreaming of what God might do. It was set; we would begin a Ladies' Study on Tuesday evenings. She got right to work making invitations and listing women she wanted to invite. "Alicia, we must pray about our study and those we will be inviting," she said, "and when will we go visiting my neighbours?" The next Monday Blanca, Soco and I gathered for prayer, then set out to ask the neighbourhood to come to the study. I can tell you, I have never seen two women more at work in God's Kingdom than Blanca and Socorro!!! I chuckled as I thought to myself, "Okay you English-speaking missionary, who's teaching whom?" It's great to be mentored by these two "Guerreras" (warrior women). We have had two studies so far. We have started out small in number, but through prayer and invitations, we are growing. Through that study, God has given Bernard and me the opportunity to help Soco's daughter, Kenya, and her husband, Rodrigo with marriage counseling as they pass through a difficult time in their relationship. Kenya and Rodrigo also joined us for our celebration time on Sunday!! They mingled very well with the family at La Comunidad de Cristo.
Rodrigo (right)-------------------------------------------------- Kenya









We never know who will walk in with Blanca or Soco each Sunday. They are so excited to be a part of La Comunidad de Cristo. They are tireless and I truly don't have enough hours in the week to do all they want to do for God's Kingdom. Monday afternoons Soco and I visit those who have visited on Sundays or those of our family that we haven't seen in a while, or one of the hundreds of people she has on her "list". Her love oozes out on everyone with whom we visit. We passed by her neighbour's house of years gone by. Concha couldn't come to the Tuesday study, so Soco proceeded to find out what evening we could come by instead. As this exchange is going on, I'm realizing that I don't have a free evening. Meanwhile, Monday evening is decided upon and I quietly tell Soro that I already have a study that night. She was so very disappointed, then her face lit up, "Oh well, I'll come by myself and teach her what I learn on Tuesdays!" What a warrior!!! Later I spoke to Soro about mentoring another young woman in the congregation--taking another along with her as she teaches Concha. Soro thought that was a splendid idea. The woman has no fear or intimidation when it comes to bringing God's truth to others. On our way to her house, Soro quietly said, "I'm so very happy. I have been praying for so long to have someone to walk along side me visiting others and telling them about God." We do have a God who answers prayers. I have no doubt many will learn of His grace and mercy through these two women.

A Wonderful Day Of Family Worship

My day started around 3 am as I awoke to water pouring off our roof. Coming out of my sleepy daze, I soon realized that our water tank on the roof must be overflowing. I surveyed the situation and decided that I needed to put the wasting water to good use. Rather than have the water spout out of the too-full reservoir, I began filling the downstairs "pileta" which holds hundreds of liters of water. After three hours the downpour off the roof has subsided and I am still wide awake. It's unusual that I am up before the tortilleria opens, but this morning I'm even up before the "rooster crows"...6:20 and my feathered friends are well into their chorus of crows. It's 6:21 and the first worker at the tortilleria has just arrived. It's a holiday today, so they are arriving a bit late. The machines have begun their mixing and screeching. The cackles and songs from the workers will start soon. They are certainly a happy bunch over there!!!
Yesterday was a beautiful day of family worship as about 50 of our family and visitors gathered to give honour and praise to our God. We are feeling comfortable in our new building and loving all the space we have. Our theme for the day was "LIGHT". The music team led us in meaningful reflection as we sang: Let us be light. We can't hide it, nor can we be silent. The need is so great. We must be light. Afterward our Thursday cell group put on a drama about four candles that refused to shine. I had written the play based on a story in one of Max Lucado's books. The little candles had all kinds of excuses as to why they couldn't shine. One didn't have the talent, another just didn't know enough, a third was too scared, and the last was more talk than light. It was a time of laughter, yet the meaning was poignant: A Christian who fails to live as light is like a candle that refuses to burn. The Lord's supper was centered around lighted candles as families shared the emblems together. Bernard presented an excellent lesson: God is light, Jesus is light, and we, too, have been declared light. I continue to be amazed as how God is using Bernard as an effective and capable communicator of His truth. Twenty years ago Bernard stumbled and fumbled over his Spanish words. It was never easy for him. NOW, however, he hardly refers to his notes. His words seem to effortlessly flow from his thoughts. He causes us to reflect deeply upon the truths of God's Word. There is no doubt that God is using Bernard in a mighty way here in Lazaro Cardenas. It feels good to be ministering in our "sweet spot" (Refer to Max Lucado's book, The Cure for the Common Life.) Our children are blessed with excellent teaching. Tammy has developed an exciting and effective children's program, and she continues to mentor the Mexicans to take over the responsibility of the teaching. The children love Tammy as she overflows with love for, not only the children, but for anyone who walks through our doors. We are constantly reminded how blessed we are to be a part of this wonderful church-planting team!!!
After our celebration time a neighbour from Playa Azul dropped by the church building to see us, so we had Holly over to the house for Stir Fry and a visit. Later, I met Soco at her house and we did some visiting, inviting friends and neighbours to attend our Tuesday night cell group. Logan and Bernard took in a new park. Logan thoroughly enjoyed beating his dad in several games of basketball. Logan and his dad have met some kids at the area soccer field and basketball court, so Logan has enjoyed having a few boys from the neighbourhood over to the house. Logan is excited to start school tomorrow (Tuesday). Again, his good attitude shines in that he's not afraid to get out there and meet people.
So that's our news. We would love to hear about your news. Make a comment or e-mail us a short note. As always, we would love to have you come see what God is doing here in Lazaro Cardenas. Blessings as you SHINE in your corner of the world!!
Bernard, Alicia, and Logan Krogsgaard

BACK TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING

So we thought we were a novelty in Playa Azul--it's nothing compared to the reaction we get around our new neighbourhood. I'm guessing most of our neighbours have never had "guerros" (white folks) living among them. Yesterday we explored our new neighbourhood for the first time. As we approached most groups, the people literally stopped their conversations and stared at us, I'm sure, wondering what those "guerros" were doing in their neighbourhood. It takes a bit of adjusting, but it also gives us a great opportunity to meet many people. As we greeted many in Spanish and stopped to chat with a few, the delight shone in their eyes. Now they are REALLY wondering what these "Spanish-speaking guerros" are up to!!! We live in front of the local tortilleria so we get to daily see most people who live in the vicinity...and they get to see us. No doubt, we're the talk of the neighbourhood. We look forward to meeting our neighbours as we strive to shine for the Son in this part of Lazaro Cardenas.

It has been a long adjustment getting normalized to our new house and neighbourhood. Amazingly, we don't really miss visiting the ocean, nor the pool, but we do miss the peace and quiet, as well as the soft, constant sound of the ocean waves crashing as we drifted off to sleep. Because we live among the hustle and bustle of a busy street and neighbourhood, we see and hear people, music, traffic, and most of all the squeak and squeal of the tortilleria. I did break down into tears the first night we slept in our house. It was about 3:00 am, there had been hours of music and loud visiting in the streets. After a few hours of restless sleep, I awakened to a familiar sound from Playa. You guessed it...cock-a-doodle-do. Paralyzed, I told myself I was dreaming. Silence was again broken...cock-a-doodle-do. Tears streamed down my face as I had a little pity party. I couldn't believe it. We had roosters living right behind us. I thought I was escaping that horrible sound, and now I have loud music, a noisy tortilleria, AND roosters, to boot. WHAT HAVE WE DONE????? HOW COULD WE HAVE THOUGHT THIS WAS FROM GOD??? THIS IS A NIGHTMARE!!!! But, as usual, things looked brighter in the light of day. The noise means that there are lots of people to get to know, and the rooster didn't crow very long because there don't seem to be many fellow roosters around to answer him. We have made the decision to love our new area, despite the noise. How can we shine in a quiet, secluded area void of people? This house is a gift from God, and each person we meet I wonder if we have been placed here just for him/her!!
Of course, Logan continues to be a great tool by which we meet many people. After a few days of boredom, he decided he wanted to put up a lemonade stand. He rummaged through our moving boxes and found just the two he needed. He made his sign, his lemonade, bought his cups, and away he went. He planted himself on the corner by the tortilleria and sold about eight cups his first day. He's well known around these parts by now. He also makes daily visits to the ice cream shop, the local "abarrotes" (misc.) store, and of course the tortilleria. Today we went to visit the area school to ask if Logan would be permitted to attend a few hours each day. We go back on Friday for the answer. Logan is such a trooper. His attitude is hardly that of a seven year old. He endures difficult situations as if they are no challenge at all. He is one of our greatest blessings. God uses him in wonderful ways. The plumber who installed our hot water heater, among other things, slipped into our Sunday Celebration. Logan got up from his seat to welcome Severo to our celebration. The smile on Severo's face was as big as they get. He grabbed Logan and gave him the biggest hug ever--and all that because of a seven year old with a heart full of love and service. Just imagine what other things God has in store for that little boy!!!

Now that we live in the city, we don't have palm trees or a view of the ocean to offer to our visitors, but we continue to have the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful baby church. We would love to have you come see what God is doing here in this friendly city. Tonight I will start another cell group as I teach the seed-line to women. Yesterday Maria Socorro, Blanca and I went out "visiting" in the neighbourhood where the study will be hosted. These two older warriors have a deep desire to make known Jesus to those who do not yet know Him. Did I think I was moving to Mexico to teach??? I'm being taught and mentored by these women in ways I could have never imagined. We would love for you to come and meet them personally.

It's great to be back in touch. A week without technology makes us appreciate our tools for close communication. Our vonage phone is now connected. Our number is the same Texas number: 1-806-853-9935 Many blessings as you continue to shine for the Son in your corner of the world.
Bernard, Alicia, and Logan Krogsgaard