October 16, 2009

Well, I get to go home today! It’s been a great trip with lots of things getting accomplished. I was able to do some much needed planning for an upcoming mission trip, worked with Omar on a few things for the seminary, had some excellent quiet times with the Lord, and certainly was able to write a little bit. It’s been a very good week.

But, I’m ready to get back. To that amazing place called home. Where I understand folks when they speak, and hopefully they understand me. Where I am no longer a guest, but a family member. Where a hug has significantly more meaning. A land of hot water, and cool sheets. Yup, I ready to get home.

And, I’m ready to get back to my church home. I certainly appreciate our congregation allowing me to invest some of my time in the work here in San Jeronimito, but I miss my church family. I miss our staff. What a privilege to be one of the pastors that gets to say that and mean it!

I want to come back home to Mustang. As I’ve written about our community for my book, I’ve been reminded of what a great joy it is to be a part of a city with the values, traditions, and commitments of our little burg.

Good stuff folks. I don’t care whether you’re a couple of dogs and a cat looking down on the city that marks the end of your journey, a Marine named Gibbs looking at his battle weary team, or a pastor finishing up a weeks worth of study and retreat in Mexico. It is good to come home!

By the way, just in case you’re interested. We had goat for lunch yesterday. Yeah, goat. Not bad, either. But it did not taste like chicken.

It’s a joy to be your pastor!

Bro. Dave

October 15, 2009

Oh yeah. Somebody’s in trouble.  Big trouble.  I don’t know who.  Don’t know exactly what’s going to happen to them.  All I know is somebody is right in the middle of the worst day of their life.

The brother of a six year old boy raised the alarm by saying the younger one had climbed into a homemade hot air balloon and it had taken off.  For a couple of hours officials followed the balloon, shutting down airports, dispatching helicopters, and generally raising a ruckus for over 50 miles and two counties as they chased the thing.

It finally landed in a field.  And no boy was in the basket.

Someone reported seeing something fall out at some point of the flight.

Now the ruckus backtracked along the balloon’s route.  Again, airports shut down, helicopters flew with their infrared detectors, and patrol cars with their flashing lights and sirens continued their screaming frenzy.  If it weren’t for the fact that it involved the life of a little boy, it would be comical.  Like a scene out of the Dukes of Hazzard TV show.  You can almost hear the banjo music in the background!

Finally, somebody looked in the boys’ attic.  He was hiding in a box.

I don’t know who.  All I know somebody’s in trouble.  And for once, it isn’t me!

And yet, the deadline still looms.

It’s a joy to be your pastor!

Bro. Dave

October 14, 2009

I’ve been coming to Mexico now for over 10 years, and it never ceases to amaze me the new things I discover every time I visit.

For example, let’s talk about lunch today.  Now realize its pretty simple fair around here during the school year.  Nothing fancy, but always something good.  To be honest, to my American palate, sometimes the menu is a bit of a challenge.  But I’ll try anything once, just for the bragging rights if nothing else.

So today, I walk into the Dining Hall.  The aroma is one I know very well.  Something has been fried.  And, could it be?  It certainly seems that way.  Maybe, just maybe, it’s fried chicken.  I mean it certainly smells like it, and possibly they wanted to do something special for their visiting American friend.

Well, it was fried.  But it wasn’t fried chicken.  Instead, a cauliflower floret has been boiled, dipped in batter, and fried in a skillet.  Then, it’s put in a large pot with a semi-spicy salsa type sauce.  Served with rice, beans, and tortillas.  Not exactly KFC, but all in all, not too bad.

As we talked over the meal, I mentioned the Oklahoma State Fair.  I found out Omar and Hortensia had been there last year during their Sabbatical.  Omar proceeded to tell everyone at the table about the turkey leg he had.  (From the way he was talking, it sounded about the size of one Fred Flinstone might have.  Preachers!)  Hortensia shared about the ‘deep friend’ menus up and down the walkways.

Then I looked down at my ‘fried cauliflower in salsa’ dish and thought maybe there’s not too much of a difference between us after all.

We are family in our menus and certainly in our faith.   He died for us all, folks.  Sinners saved by grace.  He is an Amazing God!!!

And yet, the deadline still looms.

It’s a joy to be your pastor!

Bro. Dave

October 13, 2009

What a difference a few hours on a plane makes.  Monday morning I left the cold and drizzle of Oklahoma and made my way down to sunny, balmy, and just a bit humid San Jeronimito, Mexico, the home of STBS, a local seminary that trains students for ministry.  Our church, along with many others, has had and ongoing partnership with this wonderful organization.

I have several things to do while I’m here.  The main thing is to work on a book I’m writing.  The deadline is looming, and I needed to get away for a few days to focus on it.  But, I’m also going to be making arrangements for a College/Career mission trip in the area next year.  And, I’m going to be sharing a sermon in chapel here at the seminary tomorrow and giving the students a chance to give me some feedback on how I can to a better job of preaching in Mexico.  Of course, I’m getting to spend a little bit of time just being around the faculty, staff, and students.

One small picture of what student life is like here.  At lunch today, I noticed some chips, gum, and other assorted snacks set out for students to purchase.  It raised my curiosity a little and wanting to once again display my superb lack of spanish skills, I asked Omar what it was all about.  He explained that the students are raising money for missions.  Places like Africa and China.  They hope to reach their goal by their Week of Prayer for International Missions in February.

Interesting.  While the seminary is a part of our mission endeavor, they understand that they too have a Great Commission responsibility.  It is a privilege to partner with folks like that!

Oh, and by the way.  Their goal? $25,000 pesos.  That’s almost $2,000 American.  In just a few months.  Seminary students.  Some of whom cannot afford to buy their own textbooks.  Yeah, think about it.

And yet, the deadline continues to loom.  Bless you all.  It’s a joy to be your pastor!

Bro. Dave