Update - Vacation Time!

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the more-sporadic-than-usual blogging...summer has a funny way of making things go off schedule. Stephen and his family are on vacation right now - please pray that God will give them a time of rest and relaxation and keep them safe as they travel. I'm also away - I'm in Canada until mid-July visiting my family and raising support for the coming year. I've never had to do this before, so please also pray for me - that God will give me the words as I speak to people and that I wouldn't be afraid to ask for what I need. If you would like to help me, or would like to donate to the ministry in general, remember that you can donate using the PayPal button at the top of this page, or you can send donations to these addresses:

U.S.A.

Make all checks and donations payable to:
Seedtime and Harvest Ministries
8635 Callaghan Road
San Antonio, TX 78230

Canada

Make all checks and donations payable to:
Shiloh Christian Centre
P.O. Box 158
Fenelon Falls, ONT KOM 1NO

(Please specify in writing the persons or projects to which the funds are designated; all donations are tax deductible)

God bless you as you give to his work. For those of you who are also on vacation or are making plans, we pray that God will bless your time off!

I Can't Do It

For the last month, I've been teaching a children's Bible class 4 days a week at the English school. We're going through the Old Testament, touching on major stories and people, and yesterday the lesson was about the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel. We talked about how Saul didn't understand why he had been chosen by God to be king: "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?" (1 Sam. 9:21). In other words, "I'm not important, I don't have anything to offer, what does God want with me?" This is the same thing that Gideon and Moses said to God: "Choose someone else - I can't do it." I say the same thing as well, especially when it comes to teaching. For me, teaching is the hardest thing I do here, and this Bible class has especially been a struggle because not only do I have to teach, but I have to teach in Spanish. Every day I want to give up before I start, because I think, "I'm going to make mistakes, this is too hard...I can't do it."

"I can't do it" - this is the whole point!!

In every class I give the students a memory verse to learn for the next day. To go with the lesson yesterday, I chose 2 Corinthians 4:7: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." What is the treasure? The Spirit of God and the knowledge of him. And what are the jars of clay? We are. Moses was. Saul was. I am. If we are weak in a certain area, but ask God to provide what we lack, and then go ahead and act, people will see that God is working through us because of our faults, not in spite of them. Even though I'm not the best teacher in the world, if I do my part - preparing for class and showing up every day - God can use that for his glory. Usually only two or three kids come to class, but yesterday three more girls from the church dropped by the school on an errand and decided to sit in the class. Afterwards, one of the girls told me that this idea, this theme, had been running through her mind for several weeks. She said that, although she is a Christian, she has made some mistakes and she and others have been doubting and wondering how God can use her life. We prayed together, and she said that now she knows that God will restore her and use her for his purposes.

Alone, using my own resources, I can't do it. But if I am willing to be used, there is no limit to what God can do through me.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13)

Student Sponsorship

Several of the youth in the church are in the process of writing university entrance exams for September. I'm glad that I'm not the one going through it, but there are many people who wish they could afford the cost of schooling - not just at the university level, either, but for primary and secondary school as well. There is no free schooling here, and this is a barrier for many children and teens who can't afford to pay. Compared to the cost of schooling in the States or Canada, the prices here are very low:

* Primary school: $85 (government school)-$700 (private school)/year
* Secondary school: $105/year
* High school: $310/year
* College/university: between $500-$3000/semester, depending on the school and the program of study

As I've also mentioned, we are starting a missions school here in September. We are anticipating that there will be students who will want to come but are facing financial barriers. If you want more information about how you can sponsor a student in the missions school, email me at sanpedroshm@gmail.com, or the school director, Paul Ellsworth, at paulsworth84@gmail.com. Please pray about how God can use you to help the students here, both in regular school and in Bible school, and give them not just a better future, but the future that God has planned for them.

Believe and Do Not Doubt

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
(James 1:5-8)

Last night Stephen shared this passage of Scripture with the young adults group. Many times we ask God for things and then wonder why we don't get them (and I'm speaking from experience!). Sometimes we ask with wrong motives; other times our motives may be fine, but we lack the faith to believe that we will receive what we ask for. One argument that I always have with myself is that, "Well, I try to take a realistic view of the world. I know God can do anything, but how do I know that he will do what I'm asking? Sometimes the answer is 'no'." I asked Stephen about this, and he reminded me that our view of reality is not necessarily God's reality:

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." (1 Cor. 13:12)

" 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'."
(Isaiah 55:8-9)

Even if the answer is "no", we won't know this unless we ask in the first place - and we definitely won't receive anything if we don't ask at all!

Many times we don't receive what we ask for because we are indecisive and undetermined - as James says, "a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Pretend you're on the beach right now, standing on the shore with the waves coming in around your feet. They come in...and then they go back out. In again...and back out...in...out...the only constant thing about them is that they keep going back to the place they started. Even in violent storms like hurricanes, when there is massive flooding and water comes deep inland, what eventually happens? It goes back out - it never stays in its new place. What good is it if we ask God for something, but later take it back or change our minds? Jesus said the same thing over and over again in the Gospels:

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
(Matt. 21:21-22)

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
(John 14:13-14)

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." (John 15:7)

"If you remain in me...". First, we need to seek the will of God and then we will ask for things according to his will, not carelessly or selfishly. This is why James says that we should ask for wisdom - if we seek God and simply ask for the wisdom to know his will, and then obey, all the rest will follow.

To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

Outdoor Evangelism

Last night the youth group traveled to a nearby town to do outdoor evangelism. We arrived at about 6pm and went door to door inviting people to come to the presentation. The service started shortly after 7 in the town's central square. We sang two or three songs and then the drama team performed 5 skits. There is no speaking in any of the dramas, but the message of the Gospel and salvation is conveyed with great impact. After the dramas, Stephen spoke for a few minutes, emphasizing that only in Jesus can we find fulfillment and peace. Several people from the audience came forward for prayer and to give their lives to the Lord. The simplicity of the whole event was what stood out for me - we didn't spend days or weeks planning this, we didn't pass out flyers or take out newspaper ads - we just hopped on a bus, knocked on some doors, and presented the Gospel to those who came. God had already done the hardest work, preparing the hearts of the people who came and who responded to his call; we just had to be there, willing to serve him.

Día de los Niños

In Mexico, the month of May is full of holidays: Mother's Day, Teacher's Day, Worker's Day, Student's Day and, yesterday, Children's Day. Kids all over the country receive candy and gifts and numerous parties and celebrations are held. We made a special trip to Cartonlandia, where we give out the Saturday breakfasts, to give out chocolates to the children to celebrate this day.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matt. 19:14)

Oasis

I mentioned in an earlier blog that recently we travelled to Poza de la Becerra, an spring-fed lake in the middle of the desert, about 2 hours away from San Pedro by bus. To get there, you have to drive through a long stretch of desert – rocks, sand, scrubby plants, and mountains. Then, a quick left turn and suddenly…trees. And grass. And a lake! In the most unlikely place imaginable, there is an oasis, actually a series of waterholes fed by an underground spring. Each is home to a species of fish that isn’t found anywhere else in the world – if you stand too long in the shallow water, though, they tend to bite your ankles! Ever since I arrived here, people have been telling me about this place and saying, “You have to go”, but honestly, when the day of the trip finally came, I didn’t want to go. It was two days after youth camp had ended; that weekend we had also gone on an all-day trip Saturday and had a full day of Sunday services. I really just wanted some downtime, not another trip. However, it turned out to be one of the most relaxing, fun days I have had in Mexico. The weather was perfect, there were no crowds to speak of, and for a while we could forget about the work waiting for us at home.

In Matthew 11, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." He knew what it was to be weary and in need of rest, and he offers himself as an oasis for our souls, a place where we can go and be refreshed with living water. A church service, your time alone with God, reading the Bible, prayer – all these things can be oases, springs of life in the middle of whatever desert we are going through. BUT, we do have to make the journey! I could have stayed home and rested, but I would have missed experiencing the poza, something I could only do by making the journey. Sometimes when we’re tired, the last thing we want to do is go to church or read the Bible – but if we don’t, we will miss the chance to have a closer encounter with God. And just like the water in the poza is continually renewed from the underground spring, each time we seek an oasis with God, he will bring something new into our lives and spirits.

They will neither hunger nor thirst,
nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them.
He who has compassion on them will guide them
and lead them beside springs of water. (Isaiah 49:10)

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Prayer Request

Please pray for Gerardo, the man who runs our rehab center in Torreon, as well as his family. Last week his daughter, who had been sick with a kidney condition for several years, was hospitalized suddenly and died early on Friday morning. She was a Christian and so we know and are glad that she is in the presence of Jesus and that her suffering is over. It is a difficult time for her family, though, and we ask that you pray for peace and comfort for them.

Vacation?

We've just reached the end of Easter vacation, although I don't know how relaxing it was - I don't remember being this busy since I arrived! The day after camp finished, we went to Monterrey to visit an amusement park...but it rained the entire day (it was awful, like the worst November day you could imagine), so we headed off to do some shopping, instead. We had our regular services on Sunday, and then Monday we travelled to Cuatrocienegas, about a two hour bus ride away. Just outside the city, in the middle of the desert, there are a series of small lakes, each containing a species of fish unique to that spot. About 20 youth and others from the church went and enjoyed swimming, volleyball, and soccer. We also had some visitors from Tennessee staying with us this week - when they planned their trip, I don't think they expected quite so much activity! Two bus trips, camp, tours of San Pedro and Torreon, and two days of repairing roofs - did I say this was a vacation??

Campa 2007: Wrap-up

So, I didn't quite reach my goal of posting every day of camp...but almost! The final day, Friday, we had an excellent Praise and Worship workshop in the morning - God's presence was very tangible among the young people. After another full day of activities, we wrapped up the camp with an awards ceremony recognizing the best overall group and the king and queen of the camp, as voted on by the campers. After the service 7 people were baptized, all of whom had attended the camp, and some of whom had just accepted Jesus in the Thursday night service. Of these people, one was a soccer player for El Calor, 3 were from the Torreon rehab center, and two were friends of Elisa's from school. I was amazed at how God was able to bring people from different areas of outreach together in this one place and time, and how their hearts were opened to receive him.

Camp 2007: Day 3

The late nights and early mornings caught up to everyone today as we started almost half an hour late! After running the obstacle course and relay again, we ate and headed to our classes. First, everyone attends an hour-long worship workshop, and then we divide up into teams for the next 3 hours. Each team rotates between 4 40-minute workshops: drama, crafts, team dynamics, and Bible study. After lunch, we have competitions and games. Today, each team had to race the other to fill up a pop bottle with water from a bucket, using only a sponge. They filled the sponge with water, ran to the other side of the yard, and squeezed it into the bottle, which was resting on the forehead of another team member.

Thanks - updated

A huge thanks to Mark for the sound equipment and instruments that he donated to the church, as well as the soccer balls and other items you brought. You and Jordan were a blessing to us while you were here, and we hope to see you back soon!

Thank you also to Earl Stone for his generous donation of a portable generator. We'll be using it on outreaches and trips around the country.

Camp 2007: Day 2

Day 2 of camp came much too early, as we woke up to the sound of blaring sirens - good morning!! I will never complain about my alarm clock again...we met in the church at 7am, had a brief service, and went right into the day's first activity, the most involved and dirty obstacle course I have ever seen. Each team had to run through tires, crawl under logs, clamber around a nearby playground, and jump off the water tower using a zip line...but I'll let you see for yourselves: