Saturday Post -- 03/12/11

Partying it up with the Friday Community class kids!

First up, a big thank-you to all who got in touch, from Scotland and farther afield, with their expressions of sympathy and memories of Grandpa C. For me, the initial sadness soon gave way last weekend to joy as the great tapestry of those whose lives had been touched by him became ever clearer in my mind. Such reflections only confirmed my suspicions, that his was a life well lived.

Not being home for the burial and thanksgiving service wasn't ideal (our Virginia-based relatives, a single Newark layover away from Glasgow, may as well live in Edinburgh compared with us!) but we got a pretty decent substitute, my cousin uploading the audio from the service online, and we were able to listen to it last night.

Most of all, though, given his passion for world missions, we knew that pressing on with our work here would be something of a tribute in itself, and this week has once again provided opportunities to serve others.

The Bolivian school year came to an end this week and with it have ended several church- and Foundation-based activities. One of these is the classes for needy children in the community which Craig teaches (for newer readers, kids from poorer backgrounds -- some from local prisons -- come to the Foundation to receive a weekly diet of English and Bible teaching). Thanks to a generous donation from one of Amanda's relatives, we were able to mark the week with a party for each class. Cake was devoured, games were played, party bags distributed. These bags contained, among other things, a New Testament. A lot of the children already have Bibles, so we encouraged them to use their NT to share the Word with friends and family.

Thrillingly, one of the kids received the best present of all. Yoselin, (pictured here) approached Amanda last Sunday morning at the Sunday school's very own end-of-year celebration, telling her that she hadn't yet accepted Christ as her saviour and wanted to talk to her about it. Amanda eventually guided her through the sinner's prayer and we gained a new (much younger) sister in Christ. Yoselin comes from a very needy and extremely fragile family situation. Both of her parents are drug dealers and she and her sisters come under a lot of pressure to take part in the 'family business'. She needs a lot of prayer.

Personal relationships are key in this work and Amanda has been nurturing another friendship with Mary, a mother of two in her early-30s, who first made contact with us through the English classes. Mary came to the church a few weeks ago and announced at the communion service that she too had given her life to Christ. She is another with very little domestic support, and Amanda has been in touch with her this week with some discipleship materials, in the hope of meeting regularly. It was especially encouraging for us to know that people were getting more than present-tense-conjugations from the English classes.

Amanda managed to fit all of this into a week in which she also received minor surgery for some moles that we have felt for some time should be removed, just to be on the safe side. Diego wielded the knife in what proved to be his last surgical procedure here at the Foundation, and judging by how the scars are healing, did a typically excellent job.

A busy week, then, and more to come, now that we're three days into December. Last weekend, we were able to get the show on the road in terms of carols, as the band had its first Christmas rehearsal and we began to sing some of the music in church -- perhaps a little early compared to other churches, but, as alluded to a couple of weeks back, last year we sang a single carol on Christmas Eve. A little musical acclimatisation, therefore, is required. The church's theme for the month is 'Immanuel' and we pray that the music and various other elements will help the locals to see past the cutesy stable pictures and appreciate (to the extent that it's humanly possible) the meaning of Christ's incarnation.

Prayer

• For new believers such as Yoselin and Mary, that we would be well-equipped to support them as they set off on this journey of faith.
• For safety over the holidays for kids who attend the Community classes, Sunday school and various other activities.
• For the message of 'Immanuel' to take root in the hearts of all those -- believers and otherwise -- who darken the church door this month.

Praise

• For a real sense of comfort this week despite Grandpa being buried many miles away.
• For the visible growth of Christ's church in Trinidad, as seen in cases such as Mary and Yoselin.
• For safety for Amanda as she underwent surgery.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda