The Life of Jesus-- Logan Version

Late greetings to all of you in blogger space. I'm a little behind with this week's blog. It's been a crazy week--but a good kind of crazy. We're getting a drama together for this Sunday. We're refining the process by which Bern and I will be training emerging leaders to take over our cell groups while we are away from Mexico this summer. I'm working with Logan in trying to plan a birthday party for him that doesn't include 100 of his closest friends, plus their families. (Believe me, the parties are HUGE here.) We've finally decided that he will invite three of his friends from school to a local water slide park. It's quite the ordeal trying to get in communication with the families. I'll drop by the school today and try to get some information from the teacher. AND---certainly not least, Logan is coming to the end of his homeschooling. The little boy in him is happy to see the final exams, but the tiny scholar in him is sad that he won't be "book learning" anymore. I think I'll have to find some "computer learning" for him to fill in the spaces of time for him. He's done very well in his studies. He's highly motivated. I've had to scold him a few times for running ahead in his books without my instruction. He is in the transition from printing to cursive, as well as from writing simple answers, to sentences, to creating paragraphs. He said he would rather talk than write, so coming up with answers to "fill up all the lines" he is given for some of the answers can be a challenge for him.
As I was checking his work the other day, I burst out with a "rolling on the floor" kind of laugh. Bern came running. I shared with him Logan's "creative writing" activity for the day. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did:

Imagine that you lived in Jesus' time. You and your friends go to hear Jesus teach. Tell what you would see and hear. (Following this question there is a daunting space of ELEVEN lines for him to "fill up". I have instructed him that he may not use Ashley's old trick of filling up the spaces with two lines of the word "very"---example: I am very, very, very, very happy to do my work.) Here is Logan's response:
I would see Jesus talking and helling people. I cude hear Jesus say good thengs to people. love your nebor like a bother. And your sins are forgiven git up and wake. and people are siting on the grass. He tells people of God's word. and people mite be hungre and theasty. And Jesus mite also be hungre and theastry. he mite tech till the cows com home.

So, there you have it folks--the life of Jesus, Logan version. Here's praying that the cows will never come home. We all have so much more to learn from our Master. What a blessing our children are to us. No wonder we are to be like these little ones--so pure, innocent, and full of fun and wonder.
May blessings be yours as you continue to envision Jesus and His teachings in your lives. Until next blog...
Bernard, Alicia and Logan

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways...

Does anyone know how that poem continues?? (I can just hear G'pa (Ellis Krogsgaard) and Ian MacLeod quoting it now.) I'm sure Elizabeth Barrett Browning was not thinking of me nor the lives we live here in Mexico when she pinned the words of this beautiful poem. However, as we become more involved in the lives of those around us, I have often thought of the first lines of this sonnet. We love our lives here in Mexico. We love what we have been called to do. We love the One who has called us. We love the joys and the problems. We love the day-to-day life, as well as the serendipitous moments. We love the people and the place. We love the church. We love our community. How did we come to be so very blessed by God? Have you read Max Lucado's The Cure for the Common Life? For those who have, we are definitely living in our "Sweet Spot".
Living and ministering in Mexico--How do I love it? Let me count the ways:

1. Oni, Rigo, Jessy, Salvador, Georgina, Angeles, Edgar, Gabriel, Rosi...and the list goes on. These are the baby Christians who are growing in their dependence upon their new Master. They are growing in their passions and gifts that they give toward the kingdom. They are growing in their love for each other. "Father, continue to mature them so that they, too, encourage and feed the many more You are leading to your family."

2. Socorro, Blanca, Rosy, Fransisco, Marco, Juneun, Mariana...and others. These are Christians who have come to us in their hunger and thirst for genuine Christian fellowship and living. They worship and serve with their whole hearts, souls, minds. "Thank you, Father for their contagious attitude toward You."

3. Malcolm, Tammy, Caroline, Glenn, Angela, Bryan, and of course Bernard and Logan. These are our team members who minister with us here in Lazaro Cardenas. "Father, continue to give us wisdom. Use us to help mature your church so that we may plant churches in 20 other coastal cities."

4. The Saskatoon Church, Mountain View, Moose Mountain, Swift Current, and the many individuals who are giving/have given toward the Pacific Coast vision. Thank you to each one who makes it possible for us to be in full-time ministry here in Lazaro. "Father, bless each sacrificial giver."

5. Ashley and Kresten who have accepted the sacrifice of being separated from their parents...of missing the opportunity to watch their little brother grow up. "Father, bless them with the comfort that comes only from you. Parent them to continue to walk in your ways. Thank you for "surrogate parents" who love and support them while we are so far away."

6.I love:
-seeing the spark in Perla's eyes as she understands the social implications for Mary when she accepts God's blessing to become the mother of His Son, Jesus. All of our FriendSpeak readers are a real joy!
-hearing Logan speak Spanish as he plays up and down the street with the neighbourhood kids.
-listening to Bernard teach and preach. I witness God's power in Bernard's ability to speak Spanish. He has an amazing command of the language. Twenty years ago it was the hardest thing he had ever done. Now, although he would disagree, it seems to come so naturally. Indeed, God is strong in our weaknesses.
-living in a smaller city. It doesn't take long for others to know who we are...and what we are doing here.
-Sunday Celebrations. God's music team is AMAZING at La Comunidad de Cristo. They lead us with worshipful hearts through music and song. I love standing at the back and watching the church sing praises to our God.
-today's technology. I love getting comments on my blog and Facebook and e-mails in my box. I remember feeling so "forgotten" in Mexico City when we had no phones, no computers, and slow to no mail service. Thanks for all the reminders that so many continue to pray for God's work here.
-learning so many things from my best bud, Socorro...visiting, Bible studies, cooking, buying fish and shrimp at the river fish market. She teaches me so many things.
-praying with our team on Wednesdays. I've truly never seen the power of prayer the way we see it here from week to week.
-working along side with Bernard and Logan. Although we have our separate activities, we also enjoy several Bible studies and counseling sessions together. Logan always finds something to do (Thanks, Sue W., for the Nintendo DS. The Brain Age feeds his mind during these sessions.)
-that Logan is enjoying simple things in life. TV is limited to Spanish cartoons and our well-used DVD of old Dick Van Dyke shows. Logan just cackles at the good clean fun of the ancient show!!
-going to Miramar. Getting away from the city is only 20 minutes away. When the heat is unbearable, we know the breeze is cool at Miramar. We dream of our house there one day.

NOW, don't go thinking that we live in a little Eutopia. My list would be just as long of the things that offer me my most difficult challenges (such as roosters and other noise pollution in our neighbourhood), but in everything there is joy. To end, with the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life." We live our lives to the fullest here, through the wonderful things and through the things that bring us to our knees in tears and prayer. We look forward to the many visits we will have from so many of you in the upcoming years. We look forward to counting more reasons for loving our life and ministry here in Mexico. Until next blog,
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

Overwhelming Gratitude

We've all been there--a month's paycheck that comes to an end long before the month does, the car that breaks down at the worst possible time--usually the same time that the fridge AND stove go on the blitz. But, how many of us know the anxiety that comes from our loved one needing health care that just is not offered by the public health system; yet knowing that we have no means to pay for private health care? Such has been the case for two of our precious families here in Lazaro Cardenas. Carmilita and her daughter, Lulu, were two of the first Christians in La Comunidad de Cristo. Husband/Father, Eliseo, had been diagnosed with Cancer many months ago. The doctors said his body was full of cancer, and was sent home to die. The family has been managing his care from home--a difficult situation, for sure. In desperation, they recently took Eliseo to a private doctor in Cuernavaca (near Mexico City). After a few tests, the doctor declared that Eliseo was not full of cancer, but that his cancerous prostate was in immediate need of removal. Sunday evening the operation was declared a complete success. The family attributes the good news to God's love and mercy. They were preparing for a funeral, now they look forward to a "welcome home" celebration for Eliseo.

Little Alex had a difficult time breathing. He contacted a cold, which suddenly turned deathly. He could not breath. He began turning purple. Deysy and Alejandro rushed Alex to the medical clinic. Tests began to point to a serious illness--Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, a heart condition??? Alex's parents drove the three hour trek to Morelia for more tests. The medical bills began to pile up. Although Alejando is a hard worker, his salary was not a match to the mounting medical costs. Deysy began taking Alex to Morelia by bus so that Alejandro could stay home and work. More tests point to severe Asthma and a heart condition that does not allow for sufficient oxygen to get into his bloodstream. Thankfully, Alex is responding well to the treatment. Still, they came to a point where there was no food in the house; they had spent the last of their money on Alex's medicine. Where does a parent look for help for their little one? From where will the food come where there is not a peso left to spend?

Acts Chapter 2 tells us how the first century believers took care of each other and gave to anyone as he had need. As our team gathered for our weekly Wednesday morning prayer, we shared our concern for these two families. As we prayed, the thought came to me, "There are people that we know who would LOVE to help these families if they knew of the need." Later, I sat at my trusty computer and typed an urgent need letter. Within five minutes of sending the request, my mailbox showed a response--"Thank you for letting us know of this need. We will be sending money for these families' medical costs." Within another two minutes there was a second response. By the next day, God had used his family to raise $4450!!!! How do you express in words the overwhelming emotions I experienced as I witnessed e-mail after e-mail of God's family caring for one another? I am humbled. I am amazed. I am blessed to be a part of such love. We have been praying for wisdom in sharing the love gift with these families. Because of the overwhelming generosity, we will be able to help meet the needs of these two families. Remaining funds, if any, will be put aside for future benevolent needs.

The families are more than grateful. Deysy, after praying for God's provision for her family, clung to me as if she would never let me go. Unable to speak for a very long time, she finally uttered, "Please tell your friends how much they have helped us, even though they don't even know us."

Deysy, Mauricio, and little Alex




Carmalita and her daughter came to Sunday Celebration selling tickets to help raise money for the cost of Eliseo's operation. (We still don't know what the tickets were for...or what they were selling.) What an admirable thing. They have exhausted all their resources, yet they continue to be inventive in thinking of ways to cover the medical costs. When Carmalita was told that the medical costs would be covered by brothers and sisters in the US and Canada, she had the look of: "surely I didn't just hear what I thought I heard". It took her a full minute before she processed the information. The relief and gratitude was visible. What a burden has been lifted from her shoulders.
Carmalita hears the good news of her love gift.

I wish you all could have been with us as we shared the news of the gifts to these two families. We are so very blessed to be a part of their lives. Thank you for your prayers and financial assistance. We would not be here without many generous hearts and the prayer warriors that daily bring us before THE Throne. Thank you for loving us and the people we love here in Mexico!!!

Until next blog,
Bernard, Alicia and Logan Krogsgaard

Are We There Yet???

"If I never again hear the word "influenza", it will be too soon!!!" Between the precautions of the WHO, the exaggerated US media and the natural human tendency to panic in the face of the unknown, Mexico has become an incubator of varied thoughts and emotions, ranging from conspiracy theories to end of the world predictions. The inconsistencies are confusing. Bible studies and music practices are canceled for fear of contacting the flu, yet these same people leave their residential businesses open, which exposes their whole family to handfuls of people every hour coming in and out of their home. Report after report states the ineffectiveness of paper-thin cloth masks, yet taxi drivers refuse to accept clients who do not don such a mask. Nation-wide, schools are closed and all public gatherings are banned, including religious services, yet people gather at grocery stores, banks, and other necessary places of service. Growing a bit tired of the masquerade, I was pleasantly surprised at the "almost" normal attendance we had for our "banned" Sunday Celebration this morning. We had a wonderful morning of worship to the One who is in control!! Malcolm was able to express the importance of obeying the laws of God over the laws of man. Fittingly, our guest speaker, Pedro Morin, an old friend from our Mexico City work 20 years ago, spoke from the book of Revelation chapter 6. Wars have always been, and will continue to be. Sickness, hunger and injustices have always been and will continue to be. Death, famine, plagues and earthquakes have always been and will continue to be. BUT those of the Lamb can take heart. We are not without hope. We are not walking in despair. We are represented by the ONE who can stand before our God. As our representative, we are able to stand firm in the face of all that may befall us--Truly, it was a morning of encouragement as we professed our faith in the One who has control.
...So, how has your week been in your part of the world??

My skepticism is a bit "tongue in cheek", but good things have come out of the "world-wide" panic. We have continued to have several of our studies. Our Tuesday evening study was full and lively, as always. We have gotten to enjoy a few impromptu visits through the week as all teachers are enjoying their "crisis holiday". God has given us several situations where we have been able to minster to the hurting. We have also enjoyed several afternoons out at Miramar soaking up some sun and enjoying the beauty of God's peaceful creation. Logan has continued his home schooling, but loves to spend time at Miramar. There is so much for an "almost eight year old" boy to do there. I think he's hoping that things will never get back to normal so that he can have more time at Miramar!!!

We appreciate the many e-mails voicing your concerns for the health of our family. It's nice to know we are being thought of and prayed for during this time. We hope that we are on the decline of the panic. School is scheduled to start again on the 6th. Hopefully that will not be postponed. We trust that you and your families are doing well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Until next week,
Bernard, Logan and Alicia Krogsgaard

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