Weddings, Funerals and Festivities

Over the last month we've had the privilege in participating in three of the most significant life events in Mexican culture, all of them taking place in the context of our small church here.

Mayra and I have been getting to know Isaac and Gabriela much better over the past several months, helping them with a premarital study every Thursday evening. It was fun helping them understand each other a bit better, helping them work through their relationship. So neat to see two Christian young people committing to each other in Christian marriage. Congrats to them! Cathy and Hannah were part of the wedding party.

Andrea celebrated her 15th birthday, a quinceños party is a BIG deal here in Mexico. And yesterday, Marta's mother, Estrella, passed away yesterday after a prolonged period of suffering following a severe stroke about two months ago. Mayra and I were able to spend some time with Marta and husband Ismael and some of their family members in downtown Mexico City last night from around 11 p.m. till 3 a.m. this morning (we're still recovering from that!). We praise God that Marta's mother did trust Christ during these last two months of life here on this earth. 

Thanks to Tina for keeping watch over our kids last night.

Can we seek to see and communicate the gospel of Jesus in the midst of these joyous and sad events? I've seen several reflections recently as to how our hyper-materialistic Christmas celebrations lack the sobriety and contemplation of yester-year. May God grant us the sensitivity and counter-cultural courage to find Jesus in the midst of all the Santa-dominated nonesense this holiday season.

Quote of the Day: ...between one’s doctrinal beliefs and ministry practices should be a well-conceived vision for how to bring the gospel to bear on the particular cultural setting and historical momento.
Keller, Timothy J. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City