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Has it been three months already? That must mean that it is time for another newsletter! Click on the image above or here in order to read the two page electronic version of our print newsletter.
To open the PDF file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. To get Acrobat, go here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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Remember when you were a kid, wondering what you were going to get for Christmas? You’d found your parent’s hiding spot, and the mounting temptation had brought you, fingers trembling to, ever so carefully, open your packages so you’d be able to take a peek at their long awaited contents. I certainly do. That’s why we’re not making you wait for a print newsletter to arrive here at disciplemexico.org. Click on the image above or here in order to read our winter newsletter now! You won’t even have to keep it a secret from your mom.
To open the PDF file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. To get Acrobat, go here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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Wondering what our itineration theme “Running with the Solution” is all about? Just click on the photo or here, to get up to find out and how you can get involved!
To open the PDF file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. To get Acrobat, go here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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That’s right our newsletter is headed to the printer. But if the wait for our print edition is too much to bear, you can download it now before it hits your mailbox!
Just click on the photo or here, to get up to date!
To open the PDF file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. To get Acrobat, go here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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Our print newsletter is at the printer, but if you’re the type that likes to spring ahead during this season, you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org in advance. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free.
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Here’s something to cheer you up:
Piñatas are a common site these days, cropping up in kid’s parties almost as often in the US as they do in Mexico. But what happens when the piñata is for adults? Take a look at this video from Mérida and see how piñatas have the tendency to bring out the kid, and the competition in everyone of us.
Can’t see the video. Check it out here.
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Our print newsletter is in the mail, but if you’re afraid that it won’t arrive in time for Christmas, you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org in advance. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free.
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Our print newsletter hasn’t yet made to the printer, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org in advance. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free.
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Well, not really, but stops and starts made putting together an introductory video something of a long-term project. Originally started as a response to a request from Glad Tidings Assemblies of God in West Lawn, PA for videos from the missionaries that they support, we decided an intro video could serve our website guests as well. We made two versions, one to be shown on a Sunday Morning for the church and one to introduce our family and ministry here on discipleMexico.org. So here, without further ado, is our very own introductory video. (Click on the flash player to the left to launch it or here if your are receiving this update via email.)
In addition to this new video, we’ve totally revamped our About Us page, adding this video as well as descriptions of our individual callings. And, for those of your who have yet to friend us on Facebook, you can check back to keep abreast of our current status. Just a few new ways that we’re trying to keep you connected to what’s happening here in the Yucatan.
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Our print newsletter hasn’t yet made to the printer, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org in advance. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Our print newsletter is on the way to press, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org in advance. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free.
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We’ve made it back from our second annual Chi Alpha Spring Break Missions Trip in Yucatán. (You can read about the first one here) We are still in recovery mode following 8 days of hard labor and evangelistic services, but we didn’t want to let time slip away without filling you in on some of the details. This post and its companion video speak of the impact that missions trips can have on its participants.
Cenotes are a common feature of the landscape of the Yucatán. Cenotes are created when the acidic rain region eats away at the limestone bedrock. Eventually, water filled caves are created by this continual erosion. When finally the roof falls in, the cenote is revealed.
Cenotes today are a welcome relief to the Yucatán heat. Their cool water and regulated temperatures serve as a refuge and source of recreation for many, but, years ago, cenotes were a primary water source and a site of religious ritual.
Because of the lack of rivers, streams, and lakes, cenotes were the main source of water for the indigenous Maya that populated the region before the Spanish conquest. Furthermore, cenotes were thought to be the entrance to the Maya watery underworld known as Xibalba (prounounced she-bal-ba. For this reason, in many cenotes can be found pottery, jewelry, and other offerings as well as human remains in such cenotes as the Sacred Well at Chichén Itzá.
Why all this talk about cenotes? Well it just so happens that this natural limestone formation, so important in ancient and modern times has just taken on a new significance in the life of one of our team members, Ashley Wall. A return member of our team, she decided to be baptized in a cenote near the city of Muna, where we did the majority of our work.
This cenote is a rather young one; it was uncovered by a family drilling for a well some years ago. So there was little fear of encountering ritual remains as we entered, but still, the connotation cannot be dismissed. This ancient source of life-giving water gave witness to a declaration of dependence on the Water of Life, Jesus Christ. This shadowy entrance into the underworld was converted into a place of rebirth, and this refuge from the heat became a symbolic bath where sins were washed away.
We hope that you enjoy this installment from our Chi Alpha Missions Trip ‘08 and rejoice with us as we congratulate Ashley for taking this step of faith.
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When one thinks of the needs that arise after a major natural disaster, several things come to mind. In the case of floods, for example, I think of material possessions being ruined or swept away by flood waters, no clean drinking water for awhile, unavailability of food, loss of homes, and possibly the loss of life – both people and animals. Recently, the state of Tabasco was hit by major flooding. Thankfully, several people came to their aid, both from the government and through organizations. However, when we inquired concerning the needs of the people, we were told that they had received a lot in the way of provisions, but that medical attention would be needed down the road. That’s where we come in … Last week our family had the opportunity to join with fellow missionaries Paul and Sandy Kazim, medical professionals and Bible school students from the state of Yucatan in order to go to meet the medical and spiritual needs of their fellow Mexicans in Tabasco. We were hosted by pastors and church members during the 4-day trip while we focused the outreach on 2 towns that had requested help in these areas. Not only was medical help available, but our team also provided ministry for the children, youth, and adults through skits, songs, balloons, sharing of the Word of God, door-to-door evangelism, and prayer.
Upon returning to Mérida, I reviewed some of the videos and photos from the trip and would like to share a short film that hopefully captures the essence of our visit. You won’t see me since I was behind the camera, and you won’t see Dave, either, since he along with some of the Bible school students visited homes, meeting the spiritual needs of those who couldn’t come or who hadn’t heard about the medical outreach. But you will see our kids involved in ministry as they played an important role and were a blessing to many. Also, the film is set to music, a song done in Spanish. The song speaks of being available and ready to be used by God for the things He wants us to do, giving Him our time, our hands, our voice, not wanting Him to pass over us because we are available for His purposes. It is sung by Jesus Adrian Romero from his album, “El Aire de Tu Casa.” My prayer is that this short film serves as a reminder of the needs all around us and that we, through the help and grace of God, are the answer to those needs. May God bless you as you allow Him to use you.
You can view it in this post above or on GodTube.
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Our print newsletter is on the way to press, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org before everyone else. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free.
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Our print newsletter is on the way to press, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org before everyone else. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free.
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Our completely redesigned print newsletter is now in the mail, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org before the rest. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free here.
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Following our series on the Muna Missions Trip, things have been pretty quite here on disciplemexico.org, but that is not to say that we’re without things to write about. If you’ve been watching our sidebar events calendar, you’ve seen that the Godzwa family has been busy. We’d like to catch you up to date on all of the information with a round-up post:
Evangelism Series
To start, Dave has been teaching an ongoing evangelism series at the Golgotha Christian Center in Mérida. Each Thursday night for the past month, we’ve been meeting to discover the God’s heart for evangelism, returning to the Bible to discover the guidance it gives to those who would join in His search for the lost.
Beyond the teaching, we’ve also been offering opportunities for the members of the church to involve themselves in practical forms of evangelism. The last Saturday in March, we joined with the children of the church to celebrate the arrival of Spring. In the 90 degree heat, the evangelism team handed out bottles of water along with cards that read, “Do you feel dry? Jesus is the Water of Life!” We also handed out copies of Luke’s gospel to those who received the water. It was quite a site to see so many neighbors receiving and reading the information.
Preaching Engagements
Our family was invited to three separate preaching engagements. The first was Palm Sunday with Pastor Natanael Ku. We traveled about 30 minutes outside of the city to spend the day with his family and celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the official start of the Holy Week. We were able to share with the congregation as well as spend time with many in the community, Christian and Non-Christian, coming face to face with many of the needs that Pastor Natanael faces on a daily basis.
Beyond our time in the country, we were also invited to discuss, at Golgotha Christian Center, an interesting teaching of Jesus during the traditional Tuesday of Controversy. This evening we considered the passage in Matt. 22:15-22 where Jesus displays the conflicted righteousness that man uses to justify his actions in contrast to the freedom that following Jesus brings.
In addition to these events, we spent time in Mount Hermon Church, which sits to the south of the city. There we were able to observe Good Friday with the members of the congregation, observing the work that Jesus did for us on the cross.
Water Baptism
This past Saturday, a highlight of our busy weeks, we were able to witness the baptism of 6 members of our home congregation. With the whole church traveling to the Gulf of Mexico to to take part, the baptismal candidates received their charge, waded into the waters and one by one were dipped below the waters, symbolizing death to their old life and their rebirth with Christ to life anew. We’re including a video attached to this post to for those who visit the site.
Of course, none of this activity would be possible without your prayers and support. Thank you for being involved in what God is doing here in Mexico!
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Tonight, the Chi Alpha missions team is back reporting about their experiences in their Thursday Night Worship Service. Here as well, on disciplemexico.org, our time-delayed report continues:
Tuesday, March 13th
What do you do when you don’t know the language and you want to convey the love of Jesus? You spend time with people. And that is exactly what our team did during our special children’s service on Tuesday.
After a few hours of painting, we headed out to hand out fliers announcing our children’s service. Using the back of a pickup as our transportation, we went from house to house, meeting kids and their parents, dressed in our work clothes, inviting them to come and see what these crazy Americans were doing. And came they did, at first only a few, but in time, the stands began to fill with curious kids and their relatives.
Several songs, skits, a project, and a couple of football (soccer) games later, they had passed from a group of curious onlookers to a bunch of new friends, and it wasn’t because of our mastery of the language. It was because a group of university students decided to take a week’s vacation and give themselves completely to showing the kids of Muna the love of Jesus, no matter how silly that they looked trying!
Speaking of silliness, take a look at the attached video. Here, Mike, Helmer, and I are leading the crowd in the song “Trading my Sorrows.” We’re thankful that the phrase “la, la, la” works in Spanish and in English!
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If you’ve been looking at the Upcoming Events module, We’re nearly set to embark on our first missions team project. We’ll be headed south from Mérida to the small city of Muna. There, Kelly, the kids, and I, along with a group from America University’s Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship (led by my twin brother, Mike), will be building, painting, and evangelizing. We’ll be partnering with the Lilly of the Valley Church, pastored by Julian Puc Tum to raise a column to support the second floor of their building, painting in the newly constructed pastoral home, and holding evangelistic services for kids and youth.
We ask that you would join with us in prayer as we work with this group. We would ask for your prayers concerning our safety during the construction, our health, especially for those adjusting to the new environment and foods, and our outreach. Also, we would ask that you would pray for the team members. Many future missionaries are called during missions trips like this one. Pray that God would not only touch hearts in Muna, but also those of our group, that they might be open to His call to “Go!”
Needless to say, this one week trip will see me away from the computer for a while. So, although you are always free to drop a comment, it may be held in moderation before being published. While you are waiting for the comment to go, why don’t you head over to our photo album to view shots of Muna and the surrounding area.
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Our latest print newsletter is now in the mail, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org before the rest. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.
Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free here.
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Our latest print newsletter is now in the mail, but you can get the electronic copy here at disciplemexico.org before the rest. Just click here or on the photo to get up to date.Remember, in order to read the newsletter, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available for free here.
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We had the opportunity to travel to Tortuguero last weekend to celebrate Kelly’s 30 something birthday. While we were on the trip, we realized that, besides the green sea turtles, there are other natural wonders that grow to become quite large. Spiders were certainly in that category as was this elephant beetle. Take a look at Kelly’s hand in the video if you think this is just an extreme close up!
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We’ve just redesigned and renamed the Mexico Missive to more accurately reflect our ministry and this website. Best of all, those of you who have been tracking this site regularly get the first peek! So if you just can’t wait for the mail to get your copy, you can download and print it the new discipleMexico here now or click on the picture.
You can download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat reader, the software required in order to read our newsletter, here, or pick up an alternate reader (one that I use) here.
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Well even though I have missed video blogging week, as mentioned on Missionary-Blogs.com I thought it was appropriate to put up a video of another visit a volcano, since we seem to be keeping a pretty good catalog of trips to these wonders of nature which you can visit here (Irazú) and here (Arenal).
The day below Poas, which sits above the central valley of Costa Rica, was sunny and bright. But when we reached the park entrance, we were told that the crater was completely clouded over, and at the time of the day that we were visiting, probably wouldn’t be visible. However, with Kelly’s family visiting, and the remembrance of 2 other failed attempts to view the second largest volcanic crater in the world, we were determined to try.
When we arrived, it was as we were told. All we could see was a wall of clouds. But almost as an answer to prayer, the clouds parted, and we were able to see Poas in all of its magnificence. Allow us to show you. Click on the player above to view a Google video file of the appearance of this, one of the most frequented tourist sites in Costa Rica. Note: What looks to be the lake in the center of the video is the principal crater.
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Last Saturday, we had the opportunity to visit the volcano Irazú. This volcano, located directly east of San José is most generally known for it’s eruption of March 19, 1963, the day the President Kennedy visited the country. At the summit of this now dormant volcano, one can find a strange, cold and almost moon-like surface. As well as a temperature has been known to create frosts in this tropical country. However, few of the group of students that traveled to visit this natural wonder were expecting to see this placard of US culture waiting for us when we arrived.
It appears that the US Department of the Interior once had an earthquake monitoring station here at the summit of Volcán Irazú, and this metal plate was a remnant of their operations. What at one time may have served as a tool for scientists served on Saturday as a reminder of the thoughts and prayers of family and friends back home for a small group of missionaries. And to those who continue to show their love and support we say, “Thank you!”
We felt no “temblors” while we were exploring the terrain, but we did get some great pictures. Take a look at them now by clicking on the picture to the right or by clicking here.
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Being the adventurous type, as most missionary families are, we decided to spend our Christmas vacation at one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Volcan Arenal. We drove for about four hours by van over less than perfect roads in order to reach our destination, and what greeted us was nothing less than majestic.
The volcano towers over the town of La Fortuna and dominates all of the surrounding landmarks. But there is much more to this volcano than meets the eye. During the day sounds that can only be described as roars emit from within the mountain as rocks the size of cars are spewed from the cone to tumble noisily down the active face. The nighttime, however, is when the show really begins as the volcano treats visitors to the sparsely populated and rugged west face to a light show that needs to be experienced in order to believe. The molten rocks, which look gray in the daylight, now glow a bright orange and leave trails like rivers of fire as they roll down to be extinguished hundreds of feet below the cone. It is a sight that forces you to appreciate the amazing creative power of God!
Of course, we did more than simply watch the mountain during our vacation. Take a look at our pictures of the trip here.
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The 10th Annual Festival of the Lights was held in downtown San Jose this past Saturday. Knowing that this was an event that families travel from miles around in order to see, we felt it worth 15 minute trip to experience, and wow, what an experience!
By the time that we made it to our spot, about 15 minutes before the 6:00 start time, both sides of the street were packed. We had to pick our way through the crowd in order to find a spot to stand. Few were available but we were able to fall into line with some very gracious families. In, fact. One group gave Rebekah a front row seat while others helped us by giving us water and catching candy for Jonathan and Joseph. We had planned to sit with another missionary family, but we were unable to find them. The funny thing is that we found out later that we were probably only a matter of yards from them, but unable to reach them through the sea of people
The parade started promptly on time, around 6:45, and after one group filed by, it ground to a halt. It stayed that way for another half hour as a generator had to be replaced in one of the floats. After the repairs, the parade started rolling, and it was a sight to behold. I’ve added some pictures in order to convey the idea. Unfortunately, our camera doesn’t do the best in the dark. Still, click here or on the picture in this post to view the shots we were able to capture.
We made it back to our apartment around 9:30 exhausted, sore, and ready for bed, but certainly enriched by the experience that we had standing shoulder to shoulder sharing a moment with the culture to which God has called us!
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There is no word for Thanksgiving in Spanish and no holiday either. So while most of the people in the US have the day off, for the people of San Jose, today was business as usual. The Gringos among them were celebrating though. We’re planning for a holiday complete with the turkey, the cranberries, the dressing, and, of course the running.
Here is a shot of field of the Inaugural San Jose Turkey Trot, 3.5 miler. We even had a total crowd of spectators of 5! Not a bad turnout if I say so myself.
There are more pictures of the run, along with shots of all of the festivities available by clicking here or on the picture to the right.
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The popsicle stick that is! We’ve been subjected to some strange exercises in order to get our mouths into the correct condition for speaking Spanish, but none have been as odd or humbling as the popsicle stick.
English speakers don’t open their mouths habitually as they speak. Therefore, we have trouble with several of the Spanish sounds that require an open mouth. The popsicle stick helps us “feel” the way that our mouths should be positioned. Of course, both the look and the sound produced by this practice were absolutely hilarious. Click here or on the picture to hear a sample of what we were doing in the classroom. In case you can’t make it out, I’m reading 1Tim 2:5,6 in Spanish
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God has called us to go “into all the world,” and if we are to fulfill his mandate, we are certainly going to need some help. How will we get it? Teach missions!
We were blessed to be a part of a missions outreach in the countryside north of San Jose last weekend. Here, we were able, through songs, skits and puppets to teach missions to the next generation of Costa Ricans. We believe that you are never to young or too old to respond to God’s call. Click here or the picture to view our album of the event.
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Many of us would be able to finish that verse from the book of Zechariah from memory, and it is a comforting thought that this task of saving mankind has not been left to human devices. Of course, many of us draw strength from a much more earthly source of power as we begin our mornings. That morning motivator, coffee, is in abundance here in Costa Rica, and they don’t just sell it here they grow it here.
We recently had a chance to take a side trip to the Tres Generaciones coffee plantation, and I had a chance to snap some pictures. Click on the picture to take your own tour and sample the latest feature to our website, photo albums! Hopefully, you’ll never take that morning cup for granted again!
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Ready for anything has long been the motto of the missionary, and the folks here at CINCEL take that motto seriously. Here we are at Colinas del Poas, about an hour and a half drive north from San Jose, receiving instruction, with fellow Mexico missionaries Ryan and Christy Thomas, about how to cross from treetop to treetop during our rainforest canopy tour.
No roads? No problem. We’re trained to cross any terrain. You know, there might be something here for Speed the Light! Want to see what the experience was like? Click on the picture and hang on!
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Here in Costa Rica, September 15th is the day that the Ticos celebrate their independence from Spain. The festivities began last night with the singing of the national anthem at 6:00 in the evening. Today, a day off for most Costa Ricans, the celebration continues with a parade and other activties to mark the event.
We thought you might like to experience a bit of Costa Rica for yourself so we have included this short video clip of a trip to the Plaza de la Cultura, located in central San Jose. These guitarists play most days in the plaza. If you take a close look, you might notice that they are all blind.
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