Training Camp Counselors

Many of us grew up in summer camps enjoying warm weather, new and old friends, swimming, sports and those precious leaders, counselors, who helped us grow deeper in our walk with the Lord.  I always thought being a camp counselor was something you just did, as a Christian you instinctively "knew" how to work with your campers.  In my years as a missionary here in Mexico I´ve often been on the other side, as a counselor and as a  director.   Thank God that He uses us even when we do lack experience and training, but how wonderful it is to receive the training and learn better how to plan, lead and implement a Christian camp.
This past weekend we were blessed with the visit of Cliff, Joy, Caley and Jack McCalister.  Cliff is an expert on Christian camping and is receiving a doctorate in this area.  The directors of Camp Kikomar (and my housemates) Mirna and Diana invited the McCalisters to give a weekend training at Kikomar.  We enjoyed the beautiful weather, activities to get in touch with nature,  getting ot know one another, and learning to challenge campers to grow in their walk with the Lord.  We also had to change deeply ingrained ideas that it´s not about "competiton" but "cooperation"!  I include an insert from Diana´s update.

"Last weekend was a milestone for Camp Kikomar, as we held an introductory training for camp counselors, with five churches from Tuxpan represented. It was great to see pastors and leaders, together with some of their youth, playing games, and helping each other discover new concepts. They also expressed the great benefit of fellowshipping together from different churches in a neutral environment.  It was great!

And yet, a harrowing event in one of the churches, reminded us how fragile our lives on this earth are. Part of the pastoral family from the Last Trumpet church, (five people) joined us on Friday afternoon at KIKOMAR, and while doing a trust walk in the evening through the trees, they received a phone call that their 35 year old daughter/sister/cousin had literally dropped dead, while leading the prayer meeting at their church a few minutes before. Those of us who were able, attended the funeral service on Sunday morning. They need our prayers."

Thank God for His control, plan and sovereignty in our lives, over the joys and the heartaches.  Another in-depth training is being planed around Easter next year.  Come and join us if you can! Continue to pray for God´s work through the camp activities and in our lives.  Also remember to uphold this family who lost their loved one and seek God´s grace that we might glorify Him in all we do.

Beautiful feet

"How beautiful upon the 

Are the feet of him who brings good news, 

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

¨Your God reigns¨"

Isaiah 52:7

It has been my privilege to share the Good News of Christ´s love with the people of Mexico for nearly twenty years. I´ve served with colleagues from North America, Canada, and Latin America.  Each one  has enriched my life and taught me something about love and service for our Lord. Mexico still has an incredible need to hear and understand God´s Word.  Praise God for His servants who are faithfully at work in this vast country.

In recent years I have heard much about the need for people to share the amazing truth of God with those in the Muslim and unreached areas.  It is difficult for a North American to enter these places because our speech, looks and culture are so vastly different.  However, many of these problems are not faced by our Latin brothers and sisters.  Last week I met a young family whose goal is to reach out to needy people in a place yet unreached for the Gospel.

They visited the church I attend and shared about their heart´s longing to live in this country and share God´s love as they minister in practical ways.  The husband recently returned form an exploratory trip where he spent time in a refugee camp.  The people he met thought he was one of them..until he opened his mouth and couldn´t speak their language! (Happens to me often...only my looks give me away first!)  They looked at his  hair, skin color and  goatee he wears and were sure he was Muslim.  When they heard his Muslim sounding name they asked, "Are you Muslim...are all Mexicans Muslim?"  The precious children he met in the camp were greatly amused  pointing out things and asking what they were called in Spanish, and then he would try to repeat the words in their language.  He will return soon with his wife and child to begin translating the Scripture into these people´s heart language.
I spoke with his wife later that afternoon and she told me how for many years she has longed to work among the people and children in this country.  However, since women are so poorly valued there, it was impossible for her to go alone. She rejoices that God brought her a godly husband so that together they can purse this dream.
I was greatly impressed with this young family, knowing that they have a challenging and difficult task.  Their mission board has asked them to establish a work there so that later they can send others to join them. That means initially they will be alone.
Prasie God for His call on His servants´ life.  Pray for this young family and other Latin missionaries who are answering the call to shed His light to the unreached.

Baptism in the Sea!

Out to sea to be baptized

Gathering on the shore prior to baptisms

Coming back to shore and praising God after baptisms

Last Sunday dawned hot and clear here in my city.  It was my Sunday to care for the kids in the children home sponsored by a church here in town. I was up early and over there by 8:00 a.m.  It was going to be a big day; all four of the kids were to be baptized along with other folks from the church.  I got them out of bed, a quick breakfast of cereal (not a typical Mexican breakfast but no time for anything more substantial!) and rushed off to the 9:00 a.m. service.  The children warned me that pastor had said it would be along service, no Sunday school today.  After a lot of music, prayer, a stirring message from Pastor Arturo and sharing from a young Mexican couple headed to Bangladesh as missionaries (more on them in my next blog), the meeting was over just as folks were arriving for the 12:00 service.

I took my charges back home, got lunch ready and even had a quick nap before the ladies arrived who wanted a ride to the baptism service at 4:00.  Shorts and t-shirts were donned, lunch packed and we all piled into "Vikingo" (Viking) my red, Nissan truck.  We arrived at the beach and found the pavilion where the church brethren were gathering.  There was a big crowd present with the 38 youth, children and adults to be baptized, plus family, friends and church members. Another short service with more singing, prayer and Scripture reading followed until Pastor Arturo invited us down to the water.

Everyone gathered on the shore while the pastor, an elder and the folks to be baptized headed out into the waves.  We couldn't hear what was said to the people, but we continued singing and clapping as we watched each one go under the waves, burying a former way of life, and come back up a new creature in Christ! I did notice a few of the youngsters, recently baptized, having a fun playing in the waves while the rest were baptized.  Kids will be kids! After all had been immersed under the water, they walked back to shore together holding hands and praising God.  Those of us on shore gathered around to give hugs and congratulate them for their decision to publicly follow Christ.

Once back in the pavilion, Pastor Arturo asked family members and church leaders to gather around the newly baptized and pray for them.  He asked us to specifically pray that they would faithful to Christ and follow through on the commitment they had just made and never turn back. I prayed fervently for the four precious young ones from the home, knowing that life is full of difficulties and challenges, especially for these who come from such difficult backgrounds.  God will keep them true to Him!

With the baptisms done and the service over, it was time for lunch. Everyone pulled out the food they had brought and lots of goodies were shared.  Finally it was time for ...swimming in the ocean! Some of ladies were fearful of letting the kids go into the water, but I'm a veteran swimmer from childhood so I promised to keep a good eye on them.  We spent an hour or so in the warm, salty waves, splashing swimming, dumping sand on one another and having a blast.  Finally, as the sun was going down, I dragged those children out of the waves and back into Vikingo.  We finally arrived home around 8:30 for showers, supper, a devotional time and bed.  The kids were pretty wound up so it took a lot of scolding and nagging before they settled down.  At last, I took my shower and collapsed into bed also, praising God for a blessed and fun day and for His many mercies and kindnesses to us His children.  God is good!

Mom

The years have indeed brought changes to the mother/daughter relationship.  I admit as a kid I didn´t feel really close to my mom.  Of course there were things that she did that drove me crazy and I rebelled against or even resented.  It took me many years to understand that her way of showing love is by service, doing things for her family; like making sure we ate balanced meals, were well clothed and active in church.  Words and touch do not come easy for her and she expresses love through her actions.  In recent years we have developed a friendship, especially as my father suffered from his illness and in February, his home going.  We have been spent more time together, enjoying one another´s company and doing things together...like watching a movie, going for walks and church being involved in church activities. Since dad passed on, I realize just how much stress she was under to care for him, and I admire  her dedication, love and faithfulness to him over more than 61 years.  I see my mother now as the faithful servant she is, serving the Lord and her family through the many challenges, stresses and joys of her 82 years.  Perhaps we don´t always connect on a deep level, talking and sharing things of the heart, but we love one another deeply and are thankful to be together when we can, talk often and pray for one another.  My mom is indeed a prayer warrior and her prayers have sustained me not only over my nearly 20 years of ministry, but throughout my life.  I appreciate her concern for the people and activities I am involved in and her support through her love, prayers and even financially.  I pray the Lord

gives us more years to strengthen our friendship as we each deepen our walk with Him.  I love you mom, Happy Mother´s Day!

Library on Wheels

How to get kids to love reading?  By reading!  Children spend hours in front of the T.V., computer and video games.  Although in and of themselves these activities are not harmful, the best way to increase reading abilities and academic skills is to get kids into books. With the help of Elianet (from Arca de Noe church) we visited a local elementary school with a box of books and a plan to get the students to dig into them.  In each classroom we read a story about the little bear Corduroy, who always wanted a "friend".  The kids are fascinated by his adventures in his search and the little girl who finally takes him home and they become "best friends forever."  Afterwards the students came up with some interesting pictures of their best friend   At the end of our session we give the youngsters time to read the books we brought in our box, always encouraging them to really read, not just look at the pictures! We plan to visit the school twice a month.  The adventure continues!

Reading to Kindergartners

Helping with their drawings

Rebe reading to student

Hard at work

Kids and books!

Reading and more reading!