Saturday Post -- 12/03/11

This time last week I had to make like a tree and leave, with the Carnaval event for the young people at the church about to start. I'm pleased to report the day was a great success, enjoyed as much by leaders as the younger participants.

The day started with a bumper-sized worship time, which I really enjoyed leading and planning and the young people really responded to it. Kenny then gave a talk on Hebrews 12:1-2, on running the race and throwing off everything that hinders. An important message last weekend -- most young people would return to households where Carnaval chaos and its associated temptations would be in full swing until Tuesday.

We then had lunch, followed by a huge game in which the teenagers had to complete 64 mini-challenges in their teams. But what they were really waiting for were the traditional Carnaval water-balloons and water-fights which they heartily indulged in at the end of the day. Kids like nothing better during this time of year than hurling water balloons at unsuspecting strangers in the street -- white people are a favourite target. But, in a way, by providing our own, clean water, we were still providing them with an important service; many 'water' bombs in town contain either the assailant's urine, or the contents of the nearest cuneta (open sewer). Isn't Carnaval wonderful?!

It does have its benefits for non-participants, however, namely that we get the Monday and Tuesday off work. We would usually take advantage of such a break to get out of town for a bit, but this time we were quite content to bum around the house.

On Sunday afternoon, we touched base with Farid for lunch. You may remember he was our language teacher last year and someone with whom we have maintained a close contact. When Jessica came, she brought with her a Spanish-English Bible which we had bought for him as a thank-you gift for his work with us and it seems he is already reading it with interest. Encouragingly, without prompting, he told us he was really interested in reading John's gospel, which, unbeknownst to him, we are about to begin a series on in the church in a couple of weeks' time. He seems excited about learning more and we're praying that this might be a way to further minister to him and encourage him to make a decision for Christ.

That said, he's facing certain discouragements at home. Being the eldest brother in a home where the father left long ago, he is very much the man of the house and feeling the burden that comes with that in regard to his younger brothers, who are having, let's say, responsibility issues. Please pray for Farid.

We're also excited to have a couple more visitors here this week. Greg Jaffe, a medical student from the US, arrived on Monday for around six weeks. Besides his medical interests, he's a guitarist, photographer and has brought with him an external hard-drive laden with great music. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Additionally, here for a shorter time is Steve Connor of Sports Outreach, with his son Harrison. Steve, also American, is director of Sports Outreach International. He's now based out of the US but British readers might remember him from his time in Scotland a few years ago when, as well as his Sports Outreach role, he served as chaplain to the now-defunct Scottish Claymores. He's certainly hard to forget: a giant of a man who also had a brief NFL career with the Chicago Bears and the L.A. (now St. Louis) Rams. Naturally, his primary goal in his ten days here is to encourage the team responsible for the Sports ministry at FT, but we're certainly looking forward to his input at church over the coming week. He speaks not a word of Spanish, meaning we get the added bonus of a sermon in English (translated, of course).

Prayer
• For our friend Farid, as he explores God's Word and deals with domestic issues (he's going to a Mamoré game with, among others, Steve Connor and me this afternoon so pray for our witness there).
• For the development of the FT website, which has been largely on hold for the past few months, but which Craig is keen to get up-and-running again.
• For Amanda's mum, who is currently serving with a missions team in Uruguay.

Praise
• For the short break we enjoyed at the start of this week.
• For a great time with the young folk last weekend.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda