.:. The Harer's live journal

Friday, July 03, 2009

Post Script

P.S. – Here are some additional thoughts from last week’s journal On the Move Again.

She was more than a Spanish teacher. She was a cultural informant, an encouragement, an advisor and a friend. We laughed together, read the Bible together, discussed religion, politics and customs. We prayed together, had tea, and wrote Bible studies together. She was kind, patient and understanding. We will miss Claudia.

We now live in Momoxpan. It means the town of Momox. From our house you can see the bridge that crosses the periferico (6 lanes of belt-way traffic). This bridge wasn’t built for cars; it was built for people. Near the end of every July, the residents of Momoxpan form a procession to march their patron saint (San Diego) to the neighboring town of Cholula. San Diego stays in Cholula for a week with the Virgin of the Remedies; then they are both marched back to Momoxpan where they stay together for another week. Then the Virgin of the Remedies in finally marched back to her home in Cholula. In the past the procession stopped traffic on the periferico. Finally after eight years of strong lobbying from the priest in Momoxpan, the local government agreed to build the bridge for the procession.

A few pictures of the home we are renting over the next year:

Friday, June 26, 2009

On The Move Again

It’s 12:25am Thursday night or Friday morning, whichever you wish. I’m listening to “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” and banging away at this old computer to meet a self imposed deadline of a Friday post. We have spent the day packing, transporting, and unpacking with the next two days promising to be more of the same. So, I’m thinking when will there ever be a good chance to write something if not now.

We are on the move again. For two homebodies the first forty or so years of our lives, we certainly have thrown caution to the wind. We are in the middle of our third move in as many years, and the future promises to be more of the same. What’s going on here? Isn’t this supposed to be the time of life to settle down, raise the kids, and get them off to a good start in life?

And here are a couple of interesting items:
Did you realize that the United States is playing against Brazil for the Confederation Cup this Sunday? It’s hardly on the sports radar scene in the US, but in Mexico broadcasting Cup games preempts regularly scheduled programming. On Wednesday we beat Spain who is the number one team in the world and finished ahead of Italy who won the last World Cup. Maybe US soccer is on the rise.

What a crazy night it was! I finally got in bed after 1:00am only to be awakened at 5:15 by a horrendous storm. Fearing that our things were getting wet in the carport I dashed across town to check it out. Outrunning the storm I decided to wait before waking anyone up, and Diana wondering what had happened to me called out the search party.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Preparing Your Heart

Over the last few weeks I have been writing short challenges for worship at El Puente. It gives us a few days to begin to ponder His vastness and prepare our hearts for worship. Here’s a sampling:

Pastor Steve recently told us of a church whose focus is worship. They have no outreach programs but have grown from 17 to 4000 people. The pastor of the church explains it this way, "If 17 people go into the street and look up, what do those who are around them do?"

I can't help believe that if we let the Spirit examine our lives, worship God in holiness and lift Christ up, then He will draw others to Himself. Let the worship begin.....and with passion!

There are many creative ways to give expression to your worship. Just take a look at the songbook Jesus used (the Psalms):
Bow down 66:4; Play skillfully 33:3; Clap your hands 47:1; Lift your hands 63:4; Speak 40:10; Burst into jubilant song 98:4; Celebrate 145:7; Kneel 95:6; Make music 57:7; Meditate 77:12; Say "Amen" 106:48; Sing Praise 7:17; Shout aloud 95:1; Sing a new song 33:3

None are required, and none are a measuring stick of spirituality, but each can be another avenue to express your adoration to the Lord.

Want to receive this end of the week worship challenge to help prepare your heart? If so contact us at ken@kneelingwetriumph.com or though Rope-Holders and we’ll add you to the mailing list.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Questions, Questions, Questions

I hear you are moving, what’s up with that? Yes, and we are really excited about it. We will have twice as much room, be within 10 minutes of work and be able to give more hospitality. There’s the added benefit of having a trampoline in the back yard and a cheerful garden area with plants and flowers!

What are your responsibilities at El Puente? When we came to El Puente six months ago, we were welcomed with open arms. We began to attend team meetings, schedule Sunday services, teach, and disciple the young man who is our worship leader. While Pastor Steve is in Canada for the summer, I have been handed his responsibilities.

What is El Puente like? El Puente is a multicultural, international, bilingual ministry. We meet in Hotel del Molino on Sunday mornings and are currently looking for a more permanent place. It is a gracious community of believers that values team, the process of the Christian life, and Biblical teaching that makes life application.

How’s your Spanish? Well, we’ve come a long way and it’s encouraging, but when we think about how far there is to go it can be discouraging. Carrying on a conversation is one thing; speaking fluently is quite another. Being in a bilingual work doesn’t help, but we rest in knowing God has us here for a reason.

What’s going on this summer? The big event of the summer is the youth group from our home church coming in July. We know most of them already, and it will be fun to reconnect and introduce them to our world. There’s a possibility I’ll make a quick trip to Tennessee at the end of summer, but we’ll see how that goes.

What are your kids up to? They are looking forward to the group coming for sure. Maria and Christina take an art class on Thursday and a craft class on Friday. A big upside is that being at El Puente has opened new doors of friendship for them. It has been a long dry season on friendships.

Daniel continues to play futbol on the cancha most evenings and is preparing to be away for a month this summer. He leaves for Houston to attend Student Life camp then a week with Diana’s family. After that he will be in Kenya and Burundi for two weeks. Thanks for all your letters, encouragement and involvement in his life.

How did you survive the flu? Fine, thank the Lord. We do not know anyone personally who came down with the flu, and life seems to be back to normal. We have heard a lot of conspiracy theories along the way though.

When do you return home? We have less than a year now before we return to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Maria is really hoping to celebrate her 15th birthday on May 3rd in Houston. We are thinking of visiting a Christian college in Colorado, spending time in Tennessee with my parents, and making other stops along the way. West Virginia looks like it will come into sight around the end of May.