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March 27, 2005
ALPREPA prove to be a family
Four Presbyterian churches in Palenque (Presbyterian Alliance of Palenque, called ALPREPA) gathered togather once again to prove their familyhood in Christ. About 350 worshippers praised, prayed, and participated in Lord Supper during Good Friday service. The service was held in an open playground. 4pm was very hot. Everyone grabbed a bottle of water and tempted to hide under trees surround the place. It sounded almost impossible to convince them to get closer to the stage and think of the suffering Christ in burnning sunlight. At that hour, God answered our prayer sending clouds to protect us from the sun, just like the very afternoon Jesus died on the cross, and soon happened the sunset arresting us in darkness. God's glory was felt every second as we proceded the service.
We all have greatly enjoyed to be a part of this magnum service: Elaine played piano, Abe preached, and NANANA exploring bush with other kids. Thanks to pastors Adarcillo, Pedro, Alejandro, and a handful of elders who humbly served during the service. God bless their ministries.
Posted by nanana
Chol wedding
The other day I preached at a Chol wedding ceremony. The service lasted about two hours following a regular service. I found it very authoritative. All church elders decided to sit on the platform and the couple in lower level. In addition, music band, invited for the event, occupied little space left on the platform placing their instruments allover in front of church elders. Plus, they sang a selection of none-related titles to the event including some about the Second Coming of the Lord.
Not much attention has been given to the couple, at the end. In the beginning, the bride's mother sat in between the couple. Their godmother of wedding rings, during the service, approached closer to put the rings personally on the couple's fingers. It was quite a cultural shock for me. I questioned whether it was for the couple or for the church. Anyway, in the midst of everyone doing his/her part, Roberto (28) and Magdalena (16) succefully made a covenant before God placing themselves into the LAZO, which symbolize a bondage of love to unite in marriage. They promised to make a Christ-centered home.
Posted by nanana
Mayan Identity or Beauty?
What a parental conviction to squeeze their son's forehead! The Mayan parents dedicated some time for such activity to give their children an identity and/or beauty. Should we learn it from them? I mean the principle...
Posted by nanana
Why Easter Eggs?
HAPPY EASTER, Dearest friends!
It could be your interest.
"The Easter egg is venerable indeed. While the gaily colored cardboard ones and rich chocolate ones that we enjoy are quite recent in origin, the real egg, decorated with colors or gilt, has been acknowledged as a symbol of continuing life and resurrection since pre-Christian spring celebrations. Given as gifts by the ancient Greeks, Persians, and Chinese at their spring festivals, the egg also appears in pagan mythology, where we read of the Sun-Bird being hatched from the World Egg. in some pagan customs, the Heaven and Earth were thought to have been formed from two halves of an egg. Even as early as the Middle Ages, eggs were colored to be given as gifts at Easter; Edward I's accounts for 1290 include the expense of purchasing hundreds of eggs to be distributed to his household. In the 17th century, pope Paul V blessed the humble egg in a prayer to be used in England, Scotland, and Ireland: "Bless, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this Thy creature of eggs, that it may become a wholesome sustenance to Thy faithful servants, eating in thankfulness to Thee, on account of the Resurrection of Our Lord." Forbidden during the solemn fast of Lent, eggs were reintroduced on Easter Sunday, both as part of the feasting and as gifts for family, friends, and servants." -- Anonymous (1913)
Posted by nanana
March 24, 2005
Who is missionary?
A missionary needs
the wisdom of an owl,
the tenacity of a bulldog,
the daring of a lion,
the patience of a donkey,
the versatility of a chameleon,
the vision of an eagle,
the melody of the nightingale,
the meekness of a lamb,
the tack of a politician,
the hide of a rhinoceros,
the disposition of an angel,
the resignation of an incurable,
the faithfulness of a prophet,
the tenderness of a shepherd,
the fervency of an evangelist,
the devotion of a mother,
the sacrifice of a martyr,
and the loyalty of an apostle.
But missionaries are not born.
They are made.
They are made out of the ordinary run of individuals.
The basic qualification is not intellectualism.
But a yeilded spirit,
a devotion to the will of God,
and a deep sense of call.
-Author Unknown
Posted by nanana
March 19, 2005
Guestbook Update
We've finally installed GUESTBOOK and CONTACT links. You may drop any note or message at any time. Please do so by way of encouragement.
Click Guestbook or Contact to write an email.
Posted by nanana | Comments (0)
Long Overdue Update
Wow, it's been a long time since the last update. Our apology. How time flies...!
Ever since we let our local pastors know about our leave in December 2005 (we will wrap up our service in Chiapas and move on to Cuernavaca, Morelos to work with another presbytery), our schedule fills up fully. We are again entering in another big season: SEMANA SANTA (the holy week).
Mexico celebrates it religiously and, at the same time, takes it as a long vacation. All schools are closed for 2 complete weeks. Many people vacation at beaches in Cancun or Acapulco. Apparently, they are very committed but wrongly address their faith by making a chaotic spiritual climate. Roman Church is encouraged to promote and obligate her followers to forcefully practice misguided faith during this season.
We are scheduled to lead and give studies to different youth groups, beside celebration of an united Good Friday service among the Presbyterian Churches in Palenque area. Please pray for us that Jesus alone will be praised in this important season.
Posted by nanana