Hi, everyone! We wanted to let you know that we're getting closer and closer to completing the New Site! It's so exciting to go back and look through the pictures, from a grassy field... until now. God is faithful, and our Construction team has been just amazing. Please check out the New Site tab to see some pictures of the work inside.
We give God all the glory for His provision, and we want to be faithful to use this space in His name. Please join us in praying, even now, for those who will come to the Site to learn more about Jesus. What a privilege to serve Him!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Manualidades y Más
Hola from El Callejon! We pray each of you had a great Easter! Here’s a bit of what’s been happening this week at the Site:
The angels climbing Jacob's ladder |
One of the things we’ve tried to do is have manualidades (crafts) which help our groups remember the lessons. This week was no exception. We read Jacob’s dream to our Little Girls (from a colorful Spanish Children’s Bible given by some of our wonderful outreach participants!) and to compliment the story they made ladders with angels.
It’s amazing how creative one can get when there aren’t easily found supplies! The angels were makeup applicators that have been in the Site for a few years, and foam circles cut in two. The ladder, popsicle sticks.
Our Treces hard at work |
With our Treces (thirteen year olds) we wanted them to have a place to post their memory verses, so after talking about Jacob and his perseverance in working for seven years (plus another seven!) for Rachel, the girls made cute holders out of foam pieces with foam letters and stickers (we’ve got lots of foam… and everyone loves it!)
The Pre-teens show off their manualidades |
We talked with our Pre-teens (11-12 year olds) about Semana Santa (Holy Week), how we celebrate it, as well as what happened during the ‘first’ Semana Santa. The girls decorated foam crosses (told you we love it!) with their names to help remember that Jesus died for them, as well as a sticker with Juan 3:16 on it.
Earlier in the week we tried to help the Women and also our Teens understand a little bit more about what happened on the cross. We wanted them to realize that while the physical pain was terrible, it was the separation from His Father that made what Jesus suffered so horrible.
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Jesus was with the Father and the Spirit ‘por siempre’ (forever) and now, the Father turned from Him. And why? Because on Jesus was all of our sin. God hates sin, and so, by becoming our sin, He took on all that our Holy God cannot abide.
Jesus did this for His Father’s glory, and so that we will never, ever have to be separated from Him, if we only accept His gift. It’s almost beyond our human comprehension!
With our Young Women we talked about Mary and Martha, and making time with Jesus each day a priority. Several had excuses (not so unlike many of us!) for not reading their Bibles or praying. There are many pulls on these women, but we truly believe that when we make our first priority spending time with God, the other things will fall in place (or stop seeming so urgent!).
We’re continuing to pray about our schedule, and how we might make changes, especially with the new Site’s larger space (check out a few new photos under New Site!).
While we want to have more activities to reach more of El Callejon, we also want to keep our primary focus on teaching the Word of God to those who come. At times, it may seem naïve, but we truly believe that without the hope of Christ, nothing we do is going to truly make a difference.
The Gospel can transform lives. In the Holy Spirit’s power, people living in darkness can see the Light. How to do this in practical and effective ways continues to keep us on our knees, seeking the wisdom of our all-powerful, all-loving God.
We invite you to join us in prayer. For the people of El Callejon, for those who have come down on outreaches, for us.
Holy Father, may Your kingdom come, may Your will be done, in El Callejon, and throughout the earth, as it is in Heaven.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Feliz día de Pascua
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
(Matthew 28:1-10, NIV)
We have heard the good news, Jesus, our crucified Savior, has arisen! He has conquered death. He is alive, and in Him, we, too, have life.
Come and see the place where He lay. We have seen, oh, we have seen! It happened, just as He said. He was dead, now He is alive. We, too, were dead, but in His resurrection, we also live.
Then go quickly and tell… The command rings out yet today. We have seen, and our hearts fill with joy, our mouths with praise. We worship, clasping grateful arms around the One who saved us, Jesus, who alone is worthy of our worship, of our lives.
Go and tell… We have seen, and in that sight, everything must change. We cannot stay put, keeping this news to ourselves. We must go out, quickly, and tell.
We must tell, in our homes, in our countries, in places beyond our borders – borders of language and culture, borders of comfort and earthy prosperity. Go and tell so others may see.
Do not be afraid… the God who was, and is, and is to come, is with us. What have we to fear, when the One who broke death’s chains holds us? What can separate us from His love, from His grasp?
Just as He said. Just as He said, Jesus arose. Just as He said, the Holy Spirit came with power. Just as He said, He is at work in us. Just as He said, He will return.
Today, as we celebrate this day of days, we pray that our hearts will once again be turned to completing the work our risen Savior has given all believers. In our lives, in our world, that all may know, that all may see.
Just as He said, He will come back in glory. Oh, what a day that will be! Until then, the task is before us. We have seen, now, let us go!
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