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Showing posts from 2011

Dietrich Bonhoeffer to His Parents - The Mystery of Holy Night

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor, theologian and martyr who participated in a resistance movement against Nazism. He was imprisoned and executed because of his involvement. "I don't have to tell you how greatly I long for freedom, and for all of you. But for decades you gave us such incomparably beautiful Christmases that my grateful memory of them is strong enough to outshine even this rather dark one. It is times like these that show what it really means to have a past and in inner legacy independent of the change of times and conditions. The awareness of being borne up by a spiritual tradition that lasts for decades gives one a strong sense of security in the face of all transotory distress... From the Christian point of view, spending Christmas in prison dosn't pose any special problem. Most likely, a more meaningful and authentic Christmas is celebrated here by many people that in places where only the name of the feast remains. Misery, pain, poverty, lonelines

Fighting the same Battle

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This past month was quite busy but full of exciting times. It has been our privilege and our honor to be able to spend sweet time with great friends and their XA groups. Many of the people we attended XA with when we were students are now pioneering campus groups all over Texas, the US and the world. We are truly God's army fighting a battle that will have eternal consequences. Two weeks ago we spent several days in Huntsville, Texas meeting with students and interns from SHSU interested in giving some time on the mission field. Many of these young people are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives and are ready to go where the Lord calls. Amen! Several years ago we were just like those students and it was exciting to encourage them and share our experiences in this great adventure of serving the Lord. Last week we were on the campus of UTSA with our dear friends Johnny and Amy Hauck. Amy was my college roommate 10 years ago and one of the key people in my young

Naomi's First Prayer

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Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 These past few months have been quite challenging when it comes to parenting. Naomi has hit a huge developmental stage and we are trying to keep up with her! We have realized consistency (as much as our busy travel schedule allows) and repetition are very essential. She is literally like a little sponge soaking everything in. So we have been challenged to spend more time instructing her, teaching her and of course modeling for her. Thanking God for our food is something so simple we have began to teach her. After months of holding hands and praying at the table she finally got it! We were on a trip as usual and we stopped at Subway in Waco to have dinner. We were all pretty tired and trying to make the best of our pit stop. As we sat down to eat Josh asked Naomi to pray. She bowed her little head, moved her lips as if she was saying something, there were no words just lip moveme

This is my anthem

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He's always been faithful by Sara Groves Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine. Season by season I watch him amazed, in awe of the mystery of his perfect ways. Chorus: All I have need of his hand will provide. He's always been faithful to me. I can't remember a trial or a pain he did not recycle to bring me gain. I can't remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting his hand. Chorus. This is my anthem, this is my song, the theme of the stories I've heard for so long. God has been faithful, he will be again. His loving compassion, it knows no end. I absolutely love this song, especially in times of transition and change. It truly is our anthem of God's faithfulness in our lives. It has been 3 months since we transitioned back to the states from Chile and our support raising is well underway. Being away from Chile, the place God has called us to is hard. Our work is there and the people we love, BUT bein

Who will go?

Itineration begins...NOW!

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Exactly one month ago we left La Serena, Chile to come back to the states for itineration. We will spend the next 12 months or so visiting churches sharing about the work we did in Chile these last 3 1/2 years. As hard as it was for us to leave, we have to be faithful to this aspect of our call. We are grateful to be part of a team that is working together to further God's kingdom on this earth. If it wasn't for the churches and individuals that support us we couldn't do what God called us to do...reach university students. So we are here to tell them thank you and share the stories and miracles God did in Chile! We are also here to share the new vision God has given us to extend CONEXION across the nation of Chile. The work is not over it has just begun!

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!

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Isaiah 61:1-3 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Good News. Freedom. Release. Favor. Vengeance. Comfort. Provision. Beauty. Gladness. Praise...is what the students can bring to their campuses. This month thousands of university students began a new school year. Just the other day one of our students was a able to minister to a classmate who was hurting as she remembered the death of her mother, w

University Student Retreat

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March 11th and 12th we will be having a university student retreat in Rancagua for students all across Chile. This March students return to class and we want to equip them to begin the school year. Not just any school year but a year they can demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthian 5:10). We want to teach them how to stand up for their faith and stand strong with the truth. The retreat will consist of Apologetics workshops and we have the privilege of bringing in campus pastor Ronnie Hoover from Arkansas to challenge the students. We pray for a powerful and fruitful time. And we believe God is going to raise up an army of students to change and impact not only Chile, but the world!

STEPS

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Last month Noami took her first steps and by the end of the month she was on her two feet conquering the world! I know it sounds cliche but they do grow up too fast! As much as I am proud of her reaching this milestone I feel sadness because in a certain way she won't need me anymore. I want her to succeed yet not forget me...the one who gave her life. Wow! Do you think God feels the same way about us? God the one who gave us life and the steps to conquer it. He still longs for us to need Him...to continually look back at him as we take steps forward saying, "look at me father, I can do this...thank you for what you have given me and taught me. I am doing this all by myself yet I am doing it for you!"