Over the Horizon

Sandy's Thank-You Letter

Sandy has been on staff six weeks now, and she is finding it fulfilling and challenging. There is definitely a huge learning curve for her in many areas, but she is not backing down and she is finding her strength and her rest and comfort in the Lord. It's so exciting to hear her relate how the Lord is speaking to her and moving in her life through her experiences on staff over the last six weeks. Thank you for your prayers and financial support for her!

She has writtne her own thank-you letter, and I'm posting it here for you to read for yourself. If you are interested in joining her personal support team, then you may donate here. Please just email me or write her directly to let one of us know of your decision to support her, whether it be with a one-time gift or monthly support. Thank you!

Sandy's Personal Support Letter

Well, we have a start date for Sandy: June 23!!! However, she'll be taking over the local church's finances effective June 1. Since she was already managing those of the Arrayanes facliity, this means she'll be managing both now as a combined account! Very exciting!

Since, we have a start date for her, she has written her official personal support letter. I have posting it here for you to read and to pray about. Please keep her in prayer as she walks through this process. It's so exciting, but it is so intimidating! Please pray for grace, strength, patience, and an open mind and heart as she goes through a load of changes in the next few months.

She will start with a three-month internship. At the end of that time final decisions will be made concerning her permanent position and roles within the missionary staff team.

Please also pray about joining her personal support team. She will be living on support just as the rest of us do, so if the Lord is leading you to partner with her financially, then please just contact me so that I can make sure you have instructions for how to set up your monthly giving.

Regardless, please enjoy her letter and rejoice with all of us over this great harvest of glory for the Lord!

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Sandy's Mentoring Report Part 1: Gabriela

A couple of months ago, Sandy was asked by her cousins Gabriela and Diana, separately, to mentor them in Bible study.

I am so excited about this because both Gabriela and Diana have been tough nuts to crack. They have basically grown up in Christian families, they both claim Christ as their savior, and are both baptised. However, when it comes to allowing Christ to be Lord and His teaching to truly permeate them to their depths and then affect their way of living out their lives.....well, that's another story. In the past, when I lived in Cofradía, I often felt I was in the middle of an undeclared game of "Hot & Cold" with them: they would be upset if I did not pursue them, but then when I pursued them they would push me away or act like they weren't interested. So, by the time I moved back to the US, my strategy was to simply continually make it clear that I was interested in them and available to them, and then let them set the tone of our interactions.

They had both participated in the Navigators 2:7 course, but I'm not sure they completed it; personal study has never seemed of high importance to either. So, when Sandy shared with me the frequency of hang-out time with both and their expression of a desire to know more and their requests for her to help them, well I was ecstatic!! Ever since she began with each one, her reports have been positive despite frustrations. The girls are responding well to what they are reading and they are opening up in discussions.

This was one of the visions the Lord had given me in 2007: to invest in and equip Sandy and Mily to equip them to do the same in the lives of the other local girls, since those younger girls responded much better to Sandy and Mily than they ever did to me. It is exciting to see that vision bearing fruit!

Sandy recently completed the first study with Gabriela and is almost done with the first one with Diana.So, I asked her to share about this experience to poast here on my blog. Enjoy and PRAISE THE LORD!!!

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English Report

About one month ago, I began meeting with two gals that are part of the church and the youth group here in Cofradía, and it has been wonderful to fellowship with them surrounded by the love of God

Gabriela (Gabby)

God has blessed me greatly by allowing us to meet because it is not something we were accustomed to doing. God moved us to begin studying His word together with the purpose of challenging one another to continue living in obedience and love. Today, we finished reading a good of the Bible, one that was a good choice for our first; it is Galatians. This book teacheds us he truth of the gospel, causing us to remember the mortal danger of the mentality of salvation by works. I believe that this was good because it laid a strong foundation from which we might continue securely on together into what lies ahead, since God reminded us one more time that the only way a perso can be justified before God is through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16). In our last meeting of the study, we were in agreement that we should continue meeting together until God places something else before us. So, we decided to real the Old Testament book of Ruth, which surprised me because Gabby chose it and because it is a book of history in which we see once again faith and salvation demonstrated, but this time in action (put into practice by Ruth and I hope it will be that way with us as well).

Seeing the surprising wonders of how the Lord is moving makes us rejoice and encourages us to take more steps of faith because He shows us His great faithfulness and because we know that He will continue to surprise more and more. It has been such a treat to share about the wisdom and knowledge that CHrist is pouring out in our hearts, and I hope that it has been a blessing for you to hear it. Please keep interceding for us so that God will continue to cover us with His lordship.

Spanish Report

Hace aproximadamente un mes empecé a reunirme con dos muchachas que forman parte de la iglesia y del grupo de jóvenes acá en Cofradía y ha sido maravilloso convivir con ellas rodeadas del amor de Dios.

Gabriela (Gabby)

Dios me ha bendecido grandemente a permitir que nos reunamos porque no es algo que acostumbrábamos hacer. Dios nos movió a empezar a estudiar su palabra juntas con el propósito de retarnos una a la otra a seguir actuando en obediencia y amor. Hoy en día, ya terminamos de leer un libro de la Biblia, uno que fue muy bueno para empezar y se trata de Gálatas. Este libro nos enseña la verdad del evangelio haciéndonos recordar el mortal peligro de la mentalidad de salvación por obras. Creo que fue bueno porque puso un cimiento fuerte para de ahí partir juntas a lo que sigue con seguridad, ya que Dios nos recordó una vez más que la única forma en que una persona puede ser justificada delante de Dios es por la fe en Jesucristo (Gálatas 2:16). En nuestra última reunión de estudio estuvimos de acuerdo que deberíamos seguir reuniéndonos hasta que Dios nos diga otra cosa, así que decidimos leer el libro de Rut del Antiguo Testamento, lo cual me sorprendió porque Gabby lo escogió y porque es un libro de una historia en donde vemos una vez más demostrada la fe y la salvación pero esta vez en acción (puesta en práctica por Rut y espero lo sea o será también por nosotras).

Al ver las sorprendentes maravillas de cómo está actuando nuestro Señor, nos hace regocijarnos y nos anima a dar más pasos de fe porque nos muestra de su gran fidelidad y porque sabemos que nos seguirá sorprendiendo cada vez más. Me ha dado gusto compartir acerca de la sabiduría y conocimiento que está derramando Cristo en nuestros corazones y espero que haya sido de bendición para ti el escuchar esto. Por favor manténte intercediendo por nosotras para que Dios nos siga cubriendo con su señorío.

Sandy's Report: Stepping Up

We finished the Beth Moore study Stepping Up: A Journey Through The Psalms of Ascent this week, and I asked Sandy to write me a report expressing her own experience with the study -- what she learned, what most impacted her, how she's been changed, etc. Now, you can read from her own words how the Lord has touched and changed her through this study. Enjoy!

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English Report

Stepping Up: A Journey Through The Psalms of Ascent
(a study by Beth Moore)

This is a study of a group of psalms known as the "Psalms of the Stairs" or the "Psalms of Ascents" (Psalm 120-134). This who journeyed on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship God during the three annual feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and the feast of Tabernacles) sang this group of hymns. Since the families of these pilgrims also made the arduous journey to the holy city for the festal worship, they sang these psalms as symbols along the way.

In each one of these psalms, I saw expressions of those pilgrims toward God and toward others, and that made me remember that I am in the middle of a pilgrimage also. However, in the midst of those various expressions, I had the opportunity to see the grace of God poured out on those who seek refuge in Him.

Stepping Up has presented to me through the expressions of the pilgrims a banquet of biblical attitudes that I can use when I need to express my feelings and attitudes to God and to others. In short, the teaching that has most stuck with me through this study is a much closer relationship with God through teaching me that the more I lay bare my soul to Him in worship, freedom, joy, and even in complaint, the more secure and near to Him I will be.

It has also taught me that in the midst of our pilgrimage we run into limitless obstacles and discouragement that want to lead us to make bad decisions which will lead us astray from our path to the Holy City. It is for that reason that we need to put our hope in what the Word of God says so that we can then look forward with total expectation that God will respond from His unfailing love and show us mercy (Psalm 130:7).

Never forget that all of us, including you, are in a race, the goal of which is Jesus, and that we are heading to a great feast that awaits us in the Heavenly Jerusalem. But also, don't forget that you are in the company of brothers and sisters who cheer you on and encourage you so that we may all arrive together at the finish line, being always mindful that there are also observers that only what to take you out of the running. So, put your hope in Jehovah, meditate on His Word, and hope in his mercy so that you may see His work realized in our lives.

Spanish Report

Peregrinando: Un Viaje Por Los Salmos de Ascensión
(un estudio de Beth Moore)

Éste es un estudio de un grupo de salmos llamados "los cánticos graduales" o "los salmos de ascensión" (Salmo 120-134). Quienes peregrinaban a Jerusalén para adorar a Dios durante las tres fiestas anuales (la Pascua, Pentecostés, y la fiesta de los Tabernaculos) cantaban este grupo de himnos. Como (ya que) las familias de estos peregrinos también hacían este arduo viaje a la ciudad santa para la adoración festiva, cantaban estos salmos como símbolo a lo largo del camino.

En cada uno de estos salmos, vi expresiones de los peregrinos hacia Dios y hacia otros que me hicieron recordar que yo estoy en medio de un peregrinaje también. Sin embargo, en medio de esas expresiones mezcladas, tuve la oportunidad de ver la gracia de Dios derramada en quien busca refugio en Él.

Peregrinando me ha presentado un banquete de actitudes bíblicas por medio de las expresiones de los peregrinos las cuales puedo usar cuando necesite manifestar mi sentimientos y actitudes a Dios y a los demás. En resumidas palabras, la enseñanza que me ha dejado este estudio es una relación mucho más estrecha con Dios al enseñarme que mientras más desnude mi alma ante Él en adoración, libertad, alegría, y aún en quejas, más segura y más cerca estaré de Él.

También me ha enseñado que en medio de nuestro peregrinaje nos topamos con un sin fin de obstáculos y desanimo que nos llevan a tomar malas decisiones que logran desviarnos del camino que nos lleva a La Ciudad Santa. Es por eso que necesitamos poner nuestra esperanza en lo que la Palabra de Dios dice para después esperar con toda la expectativa de que Dios responderá con amor inagotable para mostrarnos su misericordia (Salmo 130:7).

Nunca olvides que todos, incluyéndote a ti, estamos en una carrera en la cual nuestra meta es Jesús y que estamos yendo a una gran fiesta que nos espera en La Ciudad Celestial. Pero tampoco que olvides que vas acompañado de hermanos que te echan porras y te animan para llegar juntos a esa meta tomando en cuanta que también hay observadores que simplemente te quieren sacar de la competencia. Así que pon tu esperanza en Jehová, medita en Su Palabra y espera en su misericordia para ver realizada Su obra en nuestras vidas.

Adding Sandy To Our Staff!!!

I have exciting news!!! We are going to add Sandy to our full-time missionary staff!!!!! I have mentored her for the last five years and watch her grow and flourish with every challenge and step that has come her way. We all believe that she is very ready for this step. She has expressed a call to missions since I first knew her, so it is exciting that she will have the opportunity to step into that call full-time at home with us rather than have to see her go far away!!!

We have written a letter seeking support INTEREST. Please note that this is not her official support letter. At this time we are seeking out whether or not there is enough interest in supporting her monthly in order to start the process of moving her to Cofradía and putting her on staff.....as a confirmation, if you will. So, please read the letter, and if you are interested in participating with her, then just let me know by clicking the "Email Me" link on the left. That way when the time comes I can make sure that you receive her official support letter directly from her!

Please continue to keep Sandy and the onsite staff in your prayers as they move forward with this step!

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Youth Discipleship: Half Day of Prayer

Every year we offer the Navigators 2:7 Discipleship Course to our youth. The full course consists of an introductory book (not Navigators) that outlines the basics (doctrines) of faith in Christ (salvation, the three persons of the Trinity, baptism, communion, etc.), and then the students start with the three books of 2:7. All in all it takes about 8 months to a year to complete the course, depending on scheduling and how many weeks they miss for breaks between books and/or rescheduling, etc.

Our Youth Leaders (who have completed the course previously) teach this course now instead of the missionary staff, and they do a great job. They take turns in pairs teaching each book, and we usually aim to have the pairs consist of one guy and one girl when there are any girls in the class. That way everyone has someone they can relate to during and outside of class time. Especially when personal conversation points come up or when make-up attention is needed.

The current course has just completed the second book of the 2:7 series. The final requirement for this book is to participate in a half-day of prayer and meditation. Sandy and her cousin Ruben are teaching this book, and Sandy has provided me with a report and pictures from their half-day of prayer this past week. Enjoy the read, and continue to keep these youth in your prayers, mostly that the Lord will really impact them and ruin them for anything less than Himself as a result of this year-long endeavor!

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The group playing in water after their half-day of prayer:
(L-R) Sandy (teacher), Diana, Ruben (teacher), Yito, Karolina (hiding behind Yito)

"Growing Strong in God's Family" is a class that is offered to the youth group each year and whoever has the desire to complete it may attend. The half-day of prayers is a requirement that consists in spending half of a day in communion with God praying, reading the Word, meditating, listening, and interceding.

This time around it was Ruben's and my turn to take the three students who are taking the course on their half-day of prayer. It was a very good experience. This past Monday (July 26, 2010), we went to a river named "El Tenamache" that is about 1.5 hours from Cofradia heading east toward the mountains. There we were able to achieve perfect harmony with God because it is a great place for prayer. Once we were done with the portion of our day in which we spent time alone in prayer and meditation with God, we came back together and shared about our time with the Lord...truly, this time was very special because the students shared about the great blessing they received from God as a result of having this encounter.

The road, on our way to El Tenamache

 

Pics of El Tenamache, swollen and muddied from recent rains

 

Waterfalls around El Tenamache

This course is covered in three books; and with this very activity of a half-day of prayer, we have finished the second book. The third and final book will start soon, but there will be different teachers. I ask that you please pray for the new teachers and for the students because it requires a great deal of time and effort at this time in their lives for them to complete this course.May God bless you and may you receive our affection from Cofradia, Mexico,

...Sandy...

Sandy's Oaxaca Report

Sandy wrote a report about our Oaxaca trip to send to those who supported her. I thought you might enjoy reading about the trip from someone else's perspective!

If you click on the arrow in the top right corner, it will bring up the document in full screen which is easier for reading. Enjoy!

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Sandy's Thoughts on Advent

I asked Sandy to share her thoughts on Advent for all of you to read and enjoy. I've been trying to encourage her for a while to start a blog, but she's been reluctant. However, she has enjoyed our advent devotions so much that she was very excited to share how the Lord has impacted her heart during this time. SO....her post is below in Spanish (en espanol para los que lo ocupan) first in RED and then follows the translation in GREEN. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!!

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Hola. Quiero compartir con ustedes como está siendo mi vida en este tiempo de “Adviento”. Pues, primero los saludo en el nombre de Jesús y les deseo una feliz Navidad y año nuevo en compañía de sus seres queridos…

Bueno, el Adviento es algo nuevo en mi vida. Es por eso que quiero compartir con ustedes este tiempo que estoy pasando, ya que lo estoy viviendo conciente de lo que realmente significa (ya que Ambar y yo decidimos hacer devocionales relacionados con tal en nuestro curso de mentoreazgo).

Cuando ella me hablo de esto yo estaba realmento ignorante de lo que significaaba, pero cuando me explicó fue muy impactante en mi porque en esta temporada del año obviou festejamos y celebramos el nacimiento de Jesús (Navidad) pero con una mentalidad muy lejana a lo que relamente significa.

Adviento significa “venida”. Historicamente relaciona el primer adviento (la primera venida de Cristo en  el pesebre en Belén) con el Segundo Adviento (la venida de Cristo otra vez a la tierra en Apocalipsis 1:7, 19:11-16). Ok…cuando me di cuenta de estas relaciones, tuve que ponerme a reflexionar mucho! Cuando lo supe entró una sensación de temor en mi ser…y es porque realmente entendí lo que celebramos. Pero fue un temor no de cobardía pero uno de esperanza y sensación de que así cuando celebramos el primer adviento debemos festejar, esperar, y considerar el segundo.

Hoy en la actualidad es muy difícil ser concientes de lo que celebramos en la Navidad aquí en los pueblos de alrededor, ya que las culturas y costumbres son tan “importantes” que se pierde el verdadero valor y significado del ADVIENTO en las vidas de las personas olvidandose y perdiendo la esperanza que se encuentra en Jesucristo.

Para mi y mi familia nuestra esperanza es encontrarnos un día con Jesús entre las nubes. Es por eso que en mi corazón y mente el segundo adviento ha venido a quedarse muy grabado trayendo esperanza, paz, amor, y gozo en mi y mi vida. Estoy muy emocionada con eso porque nunca antes me había sentido como este año. Hoy me siento que realmente estamos en el tiempo de la Navidad ya que puedo verlo con el Espíritu y no nada más con la mente de tener diversión solo por tenerla.

¡¡Feliz Navidad!!

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Hello. I want to share with you all how this time of "Advent" has passed in my life. Well, first, I greet you all in the name of Jesus and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in the company of your dear ones....

Well, Advent is something new in my life. It's because of this that I want to share with you all this time that I am passing, especially since I am living conscious of what it really means (since Amber and I decided to do devotions related to this in our mentoring study).

When she first told me about this I was really ignorant of what it meant, but when she explained it to me it was very impacting in me because in this season of the year obviously we celebrate the birth of Jesus (Christmas) but with a mentality very far from what it really means.

"Advent means 'coming'. Historically it relates the first advent (the first coming of Christ in the manger in Bethlehem) with the second advent (the coming of Christ once again to the earth in Revelation 1:7, 19:11-16)." Ok...when I realized this relationship, I had to really reflect a lot! When I realized it, I felt a sensation of fear in my being...and it's because I really understood what we celebrate. But it wasn't a fear due to cowardice but a one of hope and a sense that when we celebrate the first advent we ought to celebrate, hope for, and consider the second.

In this day and age it is very difficult to be conscious of what we celebrate at Christmas here in the surrounding towns, since the cultures and customs are so "important" that the real meaning and value of ADVENT gets lost in the lives of people forgeting about and losing the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

For me and my family our hope is that we will find ourselves one day with Jesus in teh clouds. It's because of this that in my heart and mind the second advent has come to be etched there brining hope, peace, love, and joy in me and my life. I am very excited about this because never before had I felt like I do this year. Today I feel that we are truly in the time of Christmas now that I can see it through the Spirit and not just with the mentality of having fun just for the sake of fun.

Merry Christmas!!!