One last quick update before we fly tomorrow. Continue reading “Here We Go”
Here We Go
Grace on Display
I will take you to be my wife in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.
~ Hosea 2:20
Grace is not simply getting what you do not deserve, rather, it is getting the good you do not deserve instead of the bad that you do deserve. It is receiving honour and favour when you deserve shame and disdain. It is receiving freedom and life when you deserve bondage and death. Countless times in the history of God’s people we see this definition of grace being unpacked and put on display. The opening chapters of the prophet Hosea are just one example of this. Continue reading “Grace on Display”
Good Goodbyes
We have arrived back in beautiful British Columbia after completing our last week of training at MTI (Mission Training International). It was a bittersweet goodbye. Bitter because we said goodbye to many people we came to love and cherish over the last month, but also sweet because we have gained new friends and because we are now one step closer to moving to México. Continue reading “Good Goodbyes”
Blessed To Be A Blessing
May God be gracious to us and bless us;
may he make his face shine upon us
The opening words of Psalm 67 echo the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6 and are thus familiar to many of us. Over the centuries these words, originating in the tabernacle worship of ancient Israel, have been used countless times as part of the Christian worship service. Perhaps as you read this verse you imagined yourself standing amongst the congregation and hearing the preacher pronounce the Aaronic benediction with uplifted hands.
A Blizzard, A Rebel Army, and A Sabbath
This past week at MTI we touched on the following topics: cultural differences, conflict, transition, spiritual vitality, stress, and Sabbath. The MTI instructors do a wonderful job of keeping us on our toes by switching up both the schedule and the teaching methods. For instance, we’ve had team-building exercises, role-playing, and simulations sprinkled in between short lectures and class discussions. No day is the same. Continue reading “A Blizzard, A Rebel Army, and A Sabbath”
Learning to Learn a Language
Last week at Mission Training International (MTI) we spent more time looking at the way language works and how we learn to communicate through a language. Our main language teacher is both wise and experienced—he first learned and then helped write down the language of the Jeh people group in Vietnam. He has developed a language learning method and during our first two weeks at MTI we got to put it into practice. With the help of native speakers, we went through a few of the many language projects we will be able to implement on the mission field. Continue reading “Learning to Learn a Language”
Do You Doubt The Dawn?
Hosea 6:1-3
His appearance is as sure as the dawn.
Have you ever awoken from a night of sleep and looked outside to make sure a new day had arrived? Have you ever worried whether the darkness of the night would persist and the light of day would fail to appear? Continue reading “Do You Doubt The Dawn?”
The odd Frenchman and a little Russian
After a brief but enjoyable week in Edmonton we have arrived at the Mission Training International (MTI) center and already a week of classes have passed. It is a beautiful part of the country here in Palmer Lake, Colorado, just north of Colorado Springs. The mountains and red rocks provide quite the background for our month of training at MTI. Continue reading “The odd Frenchman and a little Russian”
Bringing a Sword to a Spiritual Fight
Mark 14:43-52
When Jesus came to earth to battle with the forces of evil and put an eternal end to sin and Satan, his choice of weapon is telling. Many in Jesus’ day, his disciples included, were expecting him to wield a lethal weapon and lead a mighty army.
In his gospel, Mark recounts how Judas the Betrayer came to Jesus to arrest him. As his disciple, Judas had been a close companion of Jesus and knew of his “battle-plan” against evil: Jesus had predicted his death and resurrection as the path to victory. Yet, on that dark night, Judas approached Jesus accompanied by a mob armed with swords and clubs, a clear indication of the type of fight they were anticipating. Continue reading “Bringing a Sword to a Spiritual Fight”
One Small Step
The first leg of our move to Mexico is complete.
On the first of February, we said goodbye to Hamilton and five hours later, hello to British Columbia. Many thanks to Burt and Helena Winkel for allowing us to stay at their place for a night so we didn’t have to sleep in an empty house with no beds. We also appreciate the myriad of ways in which people assisted us: cleaning the house, babysitting kids, selling our van, driving to the airport. It certainly takes a village of help. Continue reading “One Small Step”
