Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Success?

"God is not looking for leaders who move multitudes, but rather SERVANTS who are ready to give their life for them." Rodrigo Aguilera Often when we think of change, transformation, or even church we tend to think bigger means better. The more obvious the change, the bigger the transformation, and the larger the church are proof that God is at work and that ministry is successful. However, many times that is not true. Recently we have been studying the gospel of John with our church group and last week we studied John 6. Toward the end of chapter 6 many of Jesus' disciples told Jesus that his teaching was too difficult and so they turned back and no longer followed him. What? Jesus' followers stopped following him? Later we see that Jesus' own family didn't believe him, Judas betrayed him, and Peter denied him. Do we think Jesus' ministry was successful? According to what standard? Our ministry is not large, it is not flashy, and to some it may not seem successful, but we aren't concerned about that because we believe that God has called us here to be faithful in our daily lives in Mexico and with what he has for us. Whether that be teaching a Bible study, working at the orphanage, having deep conversations with our neighbors, teaching ballet, or teaching someone about physical fitness, we pray that we will be the servants God desires. A very wise mentor of ours told us "Find a few families in Mexico and pour your lives into them and disciple them." That is exactly what we are doing! Some days the changes are big, the transformations great, and thus we feel successful. Other days we watch people turn their back on Jesus and walk away while they make destructive choices. That is the nature of ministry and Jesus must have encountered the same joys and sorrows that we do. "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" Jn. 6:35 Today we are called to trust God whether we seem successful in the eyes of the world or not remembering in him we find all we need. Pictured: -Remodeling the space for the gym. Hooray! -Friday night group.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Exciting News!

We have some exciting news to share with all of you. We have payed the deposit for the locale for the gym and the remodeling of the space will start Saturday! Thank you for those of you who have been praying and for those of you who have contributed to this project! If everything goes smoothly we will be able to open in July. Stay tuned for more details. You might be wondering why it has been so long since our last post. One reason is that Jennifer went on a last minute trip to the US for several days in order to see her father who is recovering from surgery, her friend who is ill with cancer, and to help another friend. We are thankful for several people who gifted her with the funds needed to make the trip possible. She regrets not being able to see most of you while she was there, but she hopes to return in July to see her brother who will be in Kentucky visiting. He lives in Cambodia and is going to fly her home to see him. Josh will most likely be here getting things ready for the gym and continuing with the rest of our ministry responsibilities, but if you are in Kentucky maybe Jennifer will get to visit with you. Josh took a trip to Mexico City and is returning this weekend to visit with our ministry partner, Rodrigo, and to get CrossFit certified. Since the gym will be a Crossfit gym. This week we have been busy having some counseling sessions with our friends, spending time with our neighbors, and getting all of the paper work and funds in order for the gym. How can you pray? -That we will have all the funds we need for the equipment we need for the gym and for the first few months rent -That God would guide us as we balance all of our ministries and relationships -For our friends who are having family problems -For the spiritual maturity and growth of people in our church group -That Christ would be glorified in our marriage, our church group, the gym, and all we do! To Him be the glory!!!!!!!!! Pictures: -A Crossfit gym in Mexico City -Jennifer with our Mexican friends in Kentucky -Us at a quince años party. They are very special and elegante occasions here in Mexico. A quince años is when a girl turns 15 and becomes a woman.