Service at Ciudad Azteca

We very much enjoyed preaching at Ciudad Azteca today, in the absence of Chuck and Karla Topp and family, who are in Texas right now.

The church was full...hardly an empty seat. Alejandro Flores directed the service and music. I preached on Matthew 14:1-21, paying special attention to the second part of the text, the feeding of the 5000, the only miracle of Jesus (aside from the resurrection) that is found in all four gospels.

Sunday with the Sandovals

This past Sunday was GREAT! The Fry family left Ixtapaluca around 9:30 and cruised into ELA around 10:45, for Maranatha Bible Church's Sunday service. We had initially planned to go last week, but our time was postponed due to the piggy flu.

The flu, actually, was the theme for my sermon. We all have a virus far more deadly than influenza porcina. We've sinned, and sin brings death, but Christ brings life. He is our divine antidote.

The church is about a year old, but attendance was right around 50, with several families absent. Chalo and Beth's servant ministry there was evident. Because we were visitors, we received a small loaf of bread, representing the Bread of Life, what Maranatha exists to distribute. After the service, we enjoyed coffee and a special cupcake-cake. A cake composed of cupcakes. Unique. It said "Congrats Mamas" on the top.

My kids loved dinner at the Sandoval's house. They like "American" food, we were told. They loved playing with the Sandoval's two dogs, climbing trees, you name it. Aaron and Natalie Sandoval joined us for lunch. What a great time we had!

I gained a new appreciation for Chalo and Beth's commitment to the local church. When you say "Sandovals" you think "ELA." But the Sandoval family is very obviously committed to planting churches...Maranatha is the 4th (or 5th?) church plant they have been involved in. That's HUGE!

Prayer request from Beth Sandoval

Pray for my dad. He has an infection in his left middle finger that has swollen the finger to double the size, very painful and certainly impossible to function caring for my mom and Brendy. The liquid from his top joint has leaked for years, but this time it got infected and has the red moving up his hand hear his wrist. I think I have all that info correct. He is on antibiotics but the meds and the infection are hard on his already tired body. Today Brendy is in what they call surgery…she is in the hospital for an injection of something into her hip to help with pain and movement. That happened at 10 AM today. My mom is barely coming out of her reaction (very early reaction and long lasting, incredible weakness) to the latest chemo. Not an easy time for them. Bobbie and Steve are doing double duty to help them. Thanks for praying.

BETH

Team stuff

A few of you have had questions regarding team responsibilities lately. I am happy to remind you that:

1. Jo Ann Smith has agreed to handle MEERVs for us.
2. I will be handling Absence from the Field forms. Please send them to me. I'll approve them and send a copy to Duke or Lauren so that we know where you are.

This weekend the Cottrills will be visiting the Sandovals, and the Frys will be visiting the Smiths.

A big praise for the successful arrival of people we know in Turkey. Chuck or I can send you their email if you haven't received it yet.

Here's another article on Mexico's war on drugs. Click HERE.

An Historic Day!

Hey everyone, happy...


I guess this is it - everything's official today. So congrats to us - we're an official team with all the power vested in us by CAM International. Go and celebrate - eat a banana or something! Have a great day! :)

The Centre of Christianity 30AD to 2100AD

Hey, look what we're doing - we're moving the centre of Christianity more toward the south! Ok, it's not really us, but thought you might be interested in this map and the paper that goes with it. Don't miss the pdf paper - some interesting stats. And, of course, quite the wide definition of "Christianity"!


The link to the pdf at: The shifting (demographic) centre of Christianity AD30-2100

More Details for our Team

New Details from Team Leader Training March 12-14, 2009

Timeline
Team Covenant due May 15 (ending date January 31)
Work/Ministry plans due May 30 (ending date December 31)
Affinity networks defined and leaders chosen by October 30
Team Evaluations/Metrics to be done by January 31

Individual and Team Evaluations/Metrics
Individual
Personal and Spiritual Assessment. 7-page personal evaluation includes the following areas:
Your Walk with God
Excusing our Time with God
Five Reasons We Hesitate to Pray
Balancing the Demands
Family Priorities
Are you Emotionally Depleted
Conducting a Spiritual Audit

Disciple-Making Assessment: 1 page summary of discipleship as outlined CAM’s ends statement (non-negotiable)
Assess level and give names of your disciples in the following catagories:
1. Missions-focused
2. Discipling
3. Evangelizing
4. Mature Believers
5. Active in Biblically healthy local church

Team
Team Dynamics Assessment: 5 page team evaluation includes the following areas:
Developing a Healthy Spiritual Environment
Empowering Missionaries for Effective Ministry
Providing Pastoral Care and Support
Enhancing Accountability and Metrics of Our Disciple-Making
Fulfilling Efficient, Non-Bureaucratic Administrative Details

Annual Ministry Plan

A 3-page template was given for Annual Ministry (Work) Plans, that includes Goals, Needs, Objectives, Methods and Evaluation.

Standards of Performance follow a SMART criteria:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-related

Other elements in the Ministry Plan: Accountability partner, Disciple, Personal Development and Balance, Spiritual Goals, Family Goals, Professional Development Plan and Vacation Requests.

Finances
Each team will have a budget, but the amount and accounting system behind this is still undefined.