Saturday Post -- 03/11/12

Craig has been working very hard this week preparing his sermon on making disciples, as part of the church’s series on discovering the purpose for our congregation. So, I (Amanda) thought I would give him a hand and write the blog entry today. This is despite me making me a pizza from scratch this morning, which I tell you is a lot of work too…. it had a BBQ sauce base, caramelized onions, garlic, broccoli, chicken and two fried eggs on top. You are all now insanely jealous and hungry, aren’t you? In reality it was too sweet.  I won’t do BBQ sauce and caramelised onions together again.

We’ve been catching up on British television this week and have been watching season 3 of The Great British Bake Off. This show started after we had left Scotland, so seasons 1 and 2 were missed. But watching all these amateurs making cakes and breads, has made me feel motivated enough to try something new that you can’t buy for yourself in Bolivia. I want to make bagels. I love bagels. Apparently, you poach the dough first and then bake them. Though I want to try something new, I have not yet found the time to try it yet. I will keep you all posted.

Our youth group social night went really well last Saturday night. Some of the leaders decorated the stairwell and auditorium with coloured lanterns and verses relating to who we are in Christ. As people walked in we measured and handed out crowns and tiaras, and for those who arrived late, donkey ears. All the young people were put into teams based on stickers they found underneath their chairs and they had to come up with a team name. Munchies were distributed and the main event was revealed: competitive Just Dance III on the Nintendo Wii. Everyone got a turn and there were many laughs, especially since everyone was instructed to arrive with their clothes backwards and inside out. And everyone who arrived late and had donkey ears had to get in a group together and hee-haw their way through Happy Birthday. At the end the youth heard a 15-minute message on who we are in Christ, based on the verses lining the stairwell on their way in. As leaders, we were really excited by how it all went and that the young people seemed to enjoy it so much.

This week, however, there is no youth group…because it is the annual youth group camp weekend. It is organised by another evangelical church in Trinidad and while some of our younger youth leaders attend, Craig, myself and the other missionaries do not. I choose not to go because they have to sleep on the floor and there are possibly snakes on the floor. We are very much looking forward to a Saturday night off, as they generally are non-existent, and we’re going to go out for dinner tonight. I also don’t have to teach my Bible Explorers Club class because all the girls in that class have gone to camp. It was quite the effort, especially for fellow missionary KC, to get all the permission slips and money from the youth in just one week. A large donation comes from Scotland every year to help those youth from poorer families go to camp, and this year was no exception. However, we also felt it was important that the youth take some responsibility for their trip, so money was allotted based on attendance, with everyone having to contribute a little.

Now, we’re looking towards Christmas. Craig is charged with overseeing the Christmas service this year and KC and I, as youth group co-ordinators, are helping as well. Please pray for us as we try to organise all the different ministries in the church for one big Christmas service.

I also have a big month in front of me, as Odalys, the nurse I work with in Audiology, has left for La Paz to help Maricarmen, an audiologist who used to work at FT. I am, therefore, in charge of Audiology full time for one month. I like being in charge of things (and don’t I just know it – Craig).

Prayer

• For Amanda, as she works in Audiology by herself for the next month.
• For Craig, as he preaches on the topic of discipleship tomorrow.
• For the final ‘Kids’ Games’ afternoon of this year, on Tuesday, and that the 120 young people who have heard the gospel regularly over the past months would come to a saving faith.

Praise

• For a really enjoyable and well-organised Youth Group social night.
• For the almost 40 teenagers from our church who were able to go to camp.
• For the relaxing ‘holiday weekend’ (i.e., no youth group!) we are currently enjoying!

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda