A Beautiful Week!

"All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or dance, just don't tiptoe." Unknown college professor


This week has been spectacular. The year has been full of its downs, but the past two weeks have been ups. We all need joyful times!

Our week was busy and productive. Saturday we spent the day in Irapuato to finish the planning of the theological education program that WGM Mexico is starting here in Central Mexico. Originally Josh was asked to come to help start this program. Another missionary with WGM arrived here at the same time we did and he has been the one that ended up starting the program this year. He and his wife are wonderful Honduran missionaries. While Josh was originally disappointed that he was not asked to be more involved in the program, he has realized this year that God is calling him to other things instead of full-time ministry in theological education. Both of us will however be teaching classes for the program in the Fall. Jennifer will teach World Religions and Josh will teach an overview of the New Testament. Being part of the theological education program will be challenging as our Spanish is stretched in ways it never has been before. We need lots of grace and strength in order to plan and teach these classes. =)

While we are learning that ministry, and life for that matter, is not all roses, we are also learning it can be very rewarding. Saturday evening a VIA (Volunteer in Action) from WGM who has been staying in Irapuato, came to our house for a few days in Leon. She was a huge help to us in planning our English classes for this week and an encouragement as well. We had a wonderful time with her. It isn't everyday we get to spend time with Americans. Sunday we showed her around Leon and then we spent the majority of the day with our small group. In order to get to know one another better we had an activity to create community among the men and women. The idea was to spend time together just having fun. And we did. We talked and talked for hours. Julie, the VIA, said to us afterwards that what we had been hoping to accomplish worked. All of the sudden I realized we had all become close friends. One of the people in our group during our chat at a cafe started to share her story with the other women, one that she rarely shares with anyone. Yesterday, this same person commented that she never knew that other people could really love her and care about her. She said that she feels something that she has never felt before, and she is giving thanks to God for what has been happening in her life. Another friend shared yesterday in group time that she's learned Jesus isn't as distant as she thought he was. And God is doing much, much more. He is drawing people toward him and teaching us more about him as well as we disciple others. We are overwhelmed by the things that are happening around us and excited that we are a part of this great city while we humbly share our lives and God's love with others.

English Classes...
Today we started 5 days of English classes we are holding for children. We are happy to report that our first day went smoothly and the kids seemed to enjoy themselves.

Special Visit...
Last week Jennifer's parents were with us and we had a wonderful time with them and even got to go away for the weekend to the beach, a much needed break. Then last Monday our group held a special dinner for them. Jennifer's parents commented that they know we have a family here now and are thankful for all the support we've found. It was a beautiful evening with some surprise guests that arrived to our group that night.

Big Plans...
This week we are trying to wrap up all that we have to do before we head to the States for 10 days. We leave next Wednesday the 22nd. More to come on our visit soon...