Furlough, or “home assignment” is a time for a missionary family to get to do some things that they don’t necessarily get to do while on the mission field. Yesterday was one of those days.
We’ve been Tampa Bay Rays fans since they came into the Major Leagues, and this year, they are playing really well. So I decided to take Nathan to his first baseball game yesterday. We got some cheap tickets on StubHub and took off for the day.
Our tickets were 2 rows behind the wall in left-center field, and every Sunday at Tropicana Field, they have Family Fun Days, with all sorts of fun things for families with kids to do. They also happened to be giving out Super Hero Capes (which is why Nathan wanted to go, I think).
So, we ate peanuts, got a foot long hot dog, ate some Carvel ice cream, and watched baseball. It was fun to hang out with my big guy all day.
Check out all of our pictures on Flickr.
I have realized that I am better when I set goals that are pretty challenging. So, I’ve set a few goals that I’m hoping to finish at least by December 1.
- Read the Bible in 90 days. I’ve been following the B90X plan and should be done by October 20, 2010.
- Train for a 5K I’m thinking about running the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day if I can get up that early.
- Eat healthier. I’ve been writing down everything I eat, trying to make better eating choices.
- Run 100 miles. In September, my goal is 30 miles. In October, I’ll run 30 miles. In November, I will run 40.
- Reach 75% of our final support goal. As of right now we’re at 55%.
So those are some of the things that are occupying my time and thoughts right now. It’s going to be challenging.
Edgar, Karyna, Areli, and Chaire will graduate tomorrow with their degree in youth ministry from the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary. This is our largest graduating class, and it has been a pleasure to be their professor. I know that God has great things for each one of them, and I am excited to see how He uses them to impact young people all over Latin America.
Posted via email from Life and other things…
I'm taking two summer intensive courses at Columbia Seminary. One is on Missional Leadership (I have to read 1200 pages pre-class), and the other one is called, "Doing Theology Contextually." Here is my PRE-course reading list. I started last week. Let's see if I can finish them in time. I also have to write a report on each book, but that is not a very big assignment. Oh, did I mention I'm finishing up another online class this month, too? And they don't call this full time.
Doing Theology Contextually (June 7)
Strange Virtues: Ethics in a Multicultural World (http://amzn.to/d43XJv)
Jacob and the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel's Story (http://amzn.to/aFam8h)
Models of Contextual Theology (http://amzn.to/cpoScR)
Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on the Culture (http://amzn.to/cDJll7)
Missional Leadership (June 14)
Church 3.0: Upgrades for the Future of the Church – 304 pages –
FINISHED last week (http://amzn.to/bUVWYg) Off Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders – 240 pages –
FINISHED May 9 (http://amzn.to/cgQxYR) Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading – 252 pages (
http://amzn.to/bpvBhj)
The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church – 176 pages (
http://amzn.to/cjCuvs)
The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church – 304 pages (
http://amzn.to/9sOanq)
Posted via email from Life and other things…
After last week’s whirlwind trip (I’ll write more about that later), we finally got around to turning in an overdue report to Youth Ministry International for the first quarter of 2010, which gives an overview of our ministry activity.
Here are some of the things that were accomplished in the first quarter of 2010, either by our family or a part of our YMI team in Latin America:
- Met with a pastor in Cuernavaca about youth ministry training in his city, taught his youth group, and preached in his church (watch the video)
- Taught an evangelism conference to a youth group in Toluca, Mexico
- Participated in 2 city-wide youth leaders conferences in downtown Mexico City
- Preached at a local church youth camp for Spring Break
- We’ve published 38 articles on
- Received over 4800 visits and more than 11,000 pageviews on our ministry website. We receive emails from people all over Latin America asking for training because of the articles, resources, etc, that we put on the site.
- Participated in a regional youth leaders conference in Cuba, teaching 2 training sessions and preaching in the opening service
- Taught Contemporary Communication at the Bachelor’s level in Mexico
- Taught Professional Orientation to Youth Ministry at the Bachelor’s level in Mexico
- Taught Contemporary Communication at the Diploma level in Mexico
- Taught Troubled Youth class at the Diploma level in Mexico
- Taught a mentoring class in a local church (based on material used in Youth Discipleship)
- Taught an informal YM philosophy workshop in Sonora at a regional camp
- Taught an informal YM workshop in Toluca to youth leaders
We are excited to be a part of what God is doing in Latin America. Who knows what the next quarter holds!!!
