Saturday Post -- 17/04/10

This week has certainly been a boost to the old confidence for both of us. Upon entering the Fundación for work on Monday morning, I was asked by Elías, who preaches at our church, if I could cover for him this Sunday as he had to make a last-minute trip to his home town of Sucre this weekend (a most delightful city, I might add). Initially I was doubtful. In order to give my first sermon in Spanish, a few weeks ago now, I gave myself a good two weeks of preparation time. And even then, my notes were in English, which I essentially translated on-the-spot. While my sermon was generally well-received, my delivery wasn’t helped by this approach, so I’d resolved to deliver my next one with a Spanish script.

Therefore, when Elias approached me, I expected that to write a Spanish script from scratch would be impossible within a week. However, against my better judgement I agreed – and I’m so glad I’ve done so. The main focus of the message, based on 1 John 2:28-3:3, is abiding in Christ and this has certainly been an important lesson for me at this time. And as for the script, I managed to have it typed out within three days. I guess it was one of those sermons where you pick the message up as you go along! So I’m thankful to have had this opportunity. Of course, I don’t preach it till Sunday, but for me 90% of the joy in delivering a sermon is in the preparation and the rigorous soul-searching it so often entails.

Amanda has been branching out further in the community. This past Saturday afternoon saw the resumption of the arts and crafts classes at the Fundación for people in our local community. Amanda’s a crafty one herself (as I know all too well) and so was pleased to have the opportunity to enhance her considerable skills while getting alongside some of the local women, all of which gave her further opportunity to try out some Spanish. Language learning reminds one of those old Ulster Tourist Board adverts – “yea’ll neyever know unleyess yea go” chirped the old rascal by the Giant’s Causeway – the dictum proving true as we look for opportunities to take a plunge into the deep end and swim when everything within us cries “sink!”. We’re ditching the armbands and bidding the playpool adieu, that’s for sure.

Amanda will have further opportunity to work on her language with a course in ear medicine which she will be embarking on next week. With the new operating theatres due to open any week now, it’s vital that the Fundación’s health staff be fully trained up in such matters. She won’t have any English speakers alongside her, so it’s somewhat daunting, but it presents an important next stage in our language learning.

Finally, in sport, Maicol’s Libertad team were narrowly beaten 3-2 in their opening match of the championship but played with enough heart to suggest hope for the coming months. Bolivia’s number-one team Bolívar are coming to town on Saturday afternoon to take on Mamoré and I’ll be going along with Farid and Matt (a medical student from Texas who is here for the duration of April). The reverse fixture in La Paz a few weeks ago finished 8-1 to the champions. Meanwhile, Amanda will be forging porcelain flowers with the ladies. A wise move, methinks…

Prayer
• For Amanda’s course next week.
• For Craig’s sermon on Sunday.

Praise
• For yet more opportunities – this time in the shape of community arts classes – for the forging of relationships.
• For the blessing that sermon preparation has proved to Craig.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda