First Day of Ministry > Nov 30

Dear Friends and Family
We arrived safely yesterday into Cancun and the weather has been awesome so far, with a beautiful morning, and much of the afternoon was rain free.  So, keep praying for good weather for us despite the stormy weather forecast for the next 7 days.

We had the opportunity to meet the church body last night at CC San Felipe. A sweet body of believers waited for our arrival to greet us in the name of the LORD.  We started with a time of worship, and ended the first night of our mission trip with a special communion, The Broken Bread Meal.   To partake of the meal in remembrance of Jesus and his heart for those who are facing hunger, poverty, aids and a life without Jesus daily.

This morning, two groups went to Tizimin for a Love Out Loud type of outreach led by Jeff Stone.  It is a continuous effort through CC Merida to reach that city in N.E Yucatan.  Only two months old, but growing in fervor and tenacity for the LORD.  Two groups stayed in San Felipe (a fishing town), painted 2 houses and did 2 sports outreach event.  Pastor Sam shared with us that CC Merida came down to this part of the Yucatan to assist in hurricane relief some 5 years back.  Since then, he has the burden to start a CC here.  This year, the LORD brought that vision to past.  We are so encouraged by this man of God, a church planter in every heart, soul and spirit.  Glad that our students and staff got the chance to meet him, and be exposed to what God is doing globally through CCFL.  Many have been touched by our teams today, so be praying for our time of outreach tomorrow.

The local community is starting to warm up to us in both cities, so the LORD is stirring up faith for more salvations to come.

God Bless.

Building the house of God..

Reading Acts 7 again today, v.49 really just jumped out at me.  Appropriate for our trip too, so may I take the liberty to share it with you..SENIORS 2010. "What kind of house will you build for me??" - I heard that still small voice asking me and us.

Well, we are not called to build for our HEAVENLY KING a dwelling place, but we could leave a legacy behind for CCA and for the churches in the Mayan villages and Merida. 

You may wake up questioning your purpose on the trip, striving to accomplish things for the schedule, yet all of that is futile without a a heavenly perspective to leave a legacy of Faith behind.  We will miss the point of this mission trip, and our Father's Heart.

Listen and Seek, he desire to show you great and marvelous things for Now and for Your Future.  It will take full obedience and submission to your Father and his assigned authorities.

Grace and See you tomorrow.

A Word of Encouragement

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." Jonah 2: 8-9.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  I have had some really good and fond memories of Thanksgiving in Russia, not because of the company or the food we get to eat, but it was introducing the celebration of Thanksgiving to a Russian Community of unsaved souls in Snegiri, a village I had lived in.  I felt the LORD inspiring us to invite our farming neighbors and their families to come for a wholesome good meal and a time of sharing.  Imagine our bible college students sharing why Thanksgiving means so much to them because of Jesus.  So, the Thanksgiving of 2005 was special for that reason.

Last night, my eyes caught and meditated on Jonah 2:8-9.  Really, Thanksgiving could be that appointed time of the year to evaluate if we are still living in the Grace of the Living God.  I would check my heart, and perhaps we should all check ours, and see if we had placed other vain things or idols before HIM.  Our goals, lifestyles and directions are such great indicators of a possible meandering or a continuous life of faith.  Can we be living contrary to his standards, to his virtues, and to his life demonstrated by LOVE?  Surely, but maybe subtly. Can we be living foolishly or like a fool?  Is that a hard question for all?  We must ask and evaluate, so that we would not be foolishly forfeiting the grace given to us for our daily lives.  He is our grace and the sacrificial life of Jesus must become that song on our lips.

Finally, to encourage you to pray and give thanks for even the folks we would soon be meeting and sharing Christ with in Mexico, that we will be that agent of life for those who do not know him.  Salvation belongs to Him...

Love and Happy Thanksgiving..
BEL