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January 25, 2005
"Ali" on our knees
A year ago, Ali (2) was taged along with hemophilia. The doctor told his parents to have a very special care of him and, if possible, never have him bruised. Ever since they had to be literally stuck on him. Whenever the boy bump against something and earns big bloody lumps on his body, Esmeralda unbearably cried out for her little son. His father couldn't concentrate on his taekwondo business during all this time. Of course, there were occasions for us to present the gospel message desiring for them to hold new hope but the eternal one in Jesus Christ. A while ago, Esmeralda has been attending Adventist Church in town. On the other hand, Miguel her husband has never improved from being a religious. We'd definitely ask your prayer for Ali's healing experience and the entire family's salvation. May they be enlightened by the touching hands of God and come to taste heavenly peace and comfort.
Posted by nanana
January 24, 2005
A 'never-mind' Church
In mid 2004, a Presbyterian church was built in Colonia Los Robles a suburb Palenque where our Bible Institute locates. In this part of the city almost every habitant is from Chol background making a community among more or less 100 families. There are already a couple of churches around: Presbyterians and Pentecostals. However, another church was suddenly added to the town but a very tiny small church (4mX6m). Two elders-Juan and Miguel-are the key founders. Their families of 20 people get togather almost every night singing and praying. Sometime they invite a preacher over from remote villages.
Saddly, no neighbors at all attend their services because these two elderly men are very rude and vulgar. They seemed to have lost in gaining any respect on their ecclesiastical authority, at least. Rather, locals make joke out of them on their personal lifestyle, personalities, and parenting style, etc. Anyway, this church has been built exclusively for their families (its building size proves it), and the two fathers are likely 'never mind' persons in leading a people of God or their own families. 'What would be God's missions out of this church?' questions my mind.
Posted by nanana
January 18, 2005
CRWM Mexico Team Retreat '05
All of CRCNA Mexico missionaries and their families, except Elaine and Nathan, gathered together in Telchac Puerto, Yucatan, to get spiritually renewed. In encouraging and motivating our field Bill Vanden Bosch's study on Walking in Grace ensured our missions commitment and ministerial efforts. Surely, we have been called to go into the chaos (the world), so to bring into it the message of grace. The study has been reflected throughout the retreat. In addition, a lot of ceaseless laughs and touching tears bind us in brotherhood and friendship. Especially, the ongoing prayer session after session for each other's ministry was able to lift all of us up. At the end, we joined with some gifts to God's merciful ministry to the victims from Tsunami. May the year 2005 be a year of fruitful ministry for all of us! Pray that the actual 8% of Christians in Mexico will reach up to God's % in 2020!
Posted by nanana
January 12, 2005
3rd Commencement
The church was packed for a special service. This year Instituto Biblico Reformado de Chiapas (IBRC) has decided to celebrate its 3rd commencement service at Filadelfia IPRM church in Nueva Galilea during the annual Presbytery meeting. The presbytery elected its new directives (Pdte. Antonio Sanchez, Vice-Pdte. Jeronimo Penate, Sec. Antonio Gitierrez, & Tres. Eduardo Mendez) for the next 2 years of service. May these pastors be encouraged and responsible to what they have been given today.
Luis & Cesario (and Juana in absence) have been so happy to get all the focus in the party. They have been so faithful to school requirements and are ready for the ministry. On behalf of all the pastors with their hands extended toward two graduates, I prayed to charge them with spiritual authority. An advice was given to them emphasizing on their present emotion and attitude-excitement, humbleness, fear, etc.-as they will become a part of the presbytery. The very feeling of today may always be kept in their life. God bless them and all upcoming ministries ahead of them.
Posted by nanana
January 11, 2005
ALPREPA in circle of prayer
Bethesta RPCM hosted delegates from Palenque Presbyterian churches to open up ALPREPA's first meeting of the year. The alliance, namely Alianza Presbiteriana de Palenque, has functioned nonformally rather personal-relationship-based in the last 3 years. Since last year it started to be the formal header of all Presbyterian churches in town. It allies two Presbyterian churches: National Presbyterian Church of Mexico(NPCM) and Reformed Presbyterian Church of Mexico(RPCM). Though small yet its size, we seek to promote the importance of unity among the evangelical churches in Palenque and furthermore in the world. We did plan together several annual activities to be held by the alliance. Also prayed from the bottom of our hearts for two churches in Palenque (Assembly of God and the Nazarene) which experienced a painful robbery during the Christmas season. They lost most of their sound system and music equipments. In addition, our prayer extended to Asia for those who have greatly suffered by the natural disaster, Tsunami (Pastor Pedro praying). We blessed them in the name of our ultimate Comforter, so we believe in Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV) which reads...
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work."
Posted by nanana
We are back home
Following 3 weeks visit to Keith who has been hospitalized since last Thanksgiving Day, I am back in Chiapas with Naomi and Nahum. On the way, it was good to stop by and have worship service at Gethsemani Reformed Presbyterian Church of Mexico (RPCM) in Mexico City. This church survived 100 years, since 1904, from many challeges and stands up vigorously today in downtown Coyoacan area, the cultural center of Mexico. It is a symbol of Mexican Evangelical churches. The pastor Moises Brito welcomed us and blessed us on our journey to Chiapas.
However, we had a minor problem, after all, with our car. A front tire got unexplainly twisted at about half way. I was wondering what has made the handle shake unusually. At moment, a truck-driver flashed high-beam right behind and taught me the problem. It caused by ditches on Puebla-Veracruz highway. It had been rained a lot here too. In the end, it took us 13 good hours to get back home. Nonethless, GRACIAS to God that He kept us to have a safe journey.
Posted by nanana
January 10, 2005
Sent by Onnuri CRC
'One at a Time' was the title of my sermon (Gen. 18) for Jan. 7th Friday service at Onnuri CRC (All Nations). On that night, many people came for our commissioning service over the heavy rainstorm. She has been our home church since 2003 and now is our sending church for foreign missions. The church has decidced last year to partner our missions effort in Mexico. Already deeply involved in Mexico missions with an interdenominational seminary in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, the church desires to reachout every soul in every corner of this nation. We're so blessed and grateful to work with this missionary church to accomplish the ministry of "One At a Time," the CRWM motto. The greater vision starts with 'one person at a time' step by step.
Posted by nanana
January 07, 2005
Reunion at Cafe
Four big pots of icecreams with black beans brought us closer this night. Though troubles on the road we made to spend some time with 2004 Mexico summer team of Global Mission Church. Our car suffered replacing tire and front rim due to a big ditch on freeway. Big impact caused a tire loose completely its air in less than five minutes and the rim got deformed. Unexpected expense is required. We got late to the reunion. However, we've had good fellowship and fine meal after all. Thanks you all so much for such love. We bless you all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Posted by nanana
January 05, 2005
Daddy's bday & our friendship
NANANA: While daddy is having fun with his friends, we met our long time friends, too. Today is daddy's birthday. We didn't miss to congratulate him at the very first hour of the day. He was happy though he is getting a bit older. We put three beautiful candles on his cake. Just three. So he won't feel old. We love you, dad. Thanks for our friendship.
Posted by nanana