It's all about LOVE...

As I was about to begin this letter I was going to start by saying “Happy Easter,” but I then began thinking about what that means and implies…..so instead I would like to say “May you be able to remember the true reason for the season, that Christ not only was crucified, but the best part, that HE ROSE AGAIN and is living today!”

Last night we celebrated the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. We read verses from the Bible talking about light and that when Christ is real inside of us, when we are walking with Him and enjoying a relationship with Him, light shines through Him out of us! WOW! I don’t know about you, but I have met many people whom I know are Christians and living out their faith because I see it in their eyes! I've also met people for the first time and seen a spark in their eyes, a joy….wow I want to be like that! I want Jesus to be so real to me, so vibrant in my life that it can’t help but shine through all my faulty cracks. To be known as someone who glows for Jesus!

We have a full weekend with our students coming up, and then our last week with them. It’s crazy how 14 weeks can fly by! I am sad to see our time together coming to a close, but I am excited to see how the flame is going to catch as they leave this place…..just like last night. 

We as staff are busy as we get ready for the small graduation ceremony we’ll be holding on Friday, and all the ending activities and classes we have this next week.  We’re also thinking of our next term that we’re already starting to plan and thinking how we can better do what we do. How we can better facilitate those the Lord brings to us at the school. Pray for us as we have evaluation meetings after school ends, as we seek the Lord and what HE has in mind for next year! Exciting times, and yet a huge responsibility…..we don’t want to take it lightly but be wise with the positions God has placed us in for such a time as this.

May this find you blessed in remembering the sacrifice the Son of God made on our behalf….humbling Himself to death, not just any death, but death on a cross. Oh how He loves YOU and ME!

A scripture that has been repeatedly stuck in my head these days is the following….well known, but are we living it? Do we love others like Christ loved us?

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end."

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

I Will Never Forget THIS for the Rest of My Life

Date: January 19, 2012

Place: CEC classroom/living room area

Preface: Class on Spiritual Discipline of Service

Previously that day, in class, Eric and Roxana (our head teachers) shared from Matthew 13:4; 13:14-15 on Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. They shared how he did not come to this world to BE SERVED but to SERVE. Eric and Roxana showed this example like Jesus did, putting on the towel then washing the feet of two students. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. The impact of this class will forever change the students and will forever be remembered by all who were there.

Present/Evening Class: Sharing the Lord’s Supper

If one was looking in from outside you would see people gathered together in a small living room. You would see what looked like a large family, even though different cultures are represented. You would see joy, tears, sorrow, and especially a light shining in the eyes of each face.

This is what was experienced from inside the room.

Jesus Miranda spoke first, which is different because he's usually really quiet. But he went on to say that when Eric and Roxana were washing Mary and José Luis's feet, he was changed. He saw this action at this time for what it really meant, how Jesus at one time had performed this same service and humbled Himself with a towel around him, washing his disciple’s feet. Jesus Miranda said that he sees people in a new light, that he saw how much the Father loves his people, and that he (Jesus Miranda) will love people in a different way because of today. “I will never forget this for the rest of my life.” 

Then Beny shared that this last week has brought to his attention the need to forgive people in his past. Family members and close friends who have hurt him incredibly. He started contacting them, letting them know that he's forgiven and loves them.

Luis shared that he was touched by the feet washing, and that for him was special, that these teachers would lower themselves in this way....he went on to say that it brought an even clearer perspective on Christ lowering Himself and how much He went though, and what all He did for him.

Noé, another student, through tears and sobs led the Lord's supper. He was so broken, humble, and in agony over the pain Christ went through on our behalf. I have never seen a more broken group remembering together what Christ did on the cross for OUR sins. The price of HIS perfect life paid for OUR sins. I will forever remember this sacrifice, and forever remember the night we shared with these precious students.....a night of openness, honesty, brokenness, humbleness, and joy.

This is what we're experiencing here at CEC...God is doing awesome things and I count it a privilege to be a part of training up missionaries and workers to head out into our world to share the life-changing news of what Christ did for each and everyone one of us.

-katie

Katie...Her Journey to Canada, Guatemala, and Home Again! 

Ready or Not

It was the night before departure and Katie was madly packing for her week-long stay in Canada and then her three week-long stay in Guatemala. Her mind was fuzzy with tiredness and kept going back to her office at the school, wondering if she had forgotten anything. She had been busy preparing for a pastors seminar that would start three days before she returned.....yes, she had everything done.....except for her packing......“focus Katie,” she thought. Finally, not nearly finished, house not nearly cleaned up and straightened, a deliriously tired Katie fell into bed and slept, only to wake up tired in the morning, but ready to embark on a new adventure that would first take her North and then South to Guatemala! So ready or not, she was driven to the airport and flew out, heading to Kelowna, B.C.

Orchestrated Meetings

Now the average person will talk a bit to the person next to them on the flight, do the “where are you from, and where are you going?” thing, but Katie this October 21^st met and talked with people ALL DAY! Her first flight, from Hermosillo (MX) to Phoenix (USA), she met an interesting gentleman who worked for Ford as a consultant, he was very nice and was heading back to Chicago to his family. The second flight Katie took, from Phoenix to Seattle, she sat beside a woman who works for Microsoft and a young man who is in the Army and is a parachutist is a special unit that goes around training men in other countries military building foreign relations. The four hour flight was quickly taken up with stories or places and adventures, ALL three talking equally and enjoying each others company. And lastly, on the lay over in Seattle Katie ran into a business woman twice and sat down to talk to her. She had recently gone back to church with her husband after not attending for 20-some years and she was very excited to hear about the ministry going on in Mexico! As Katie reflected later on all the people she had talked to and met, she knew that God had orchestrated each meeting and that the tapestry we call life, had somehow been added to. What a trip!

Oh Canada!

Upon her arrival in Canada, Katie was greeted by the mission's trip leaders. They were very down to earth and the three of them hit it off right away! (To all their relief!) So though the visit short, Katie's time in Canada was very good. She was able to catch up and visit with her beloved grandparents, visit with friends, enjoy some good Canadian food, and prepare for her time in Guatemala!

Guatemala

As Katie arrived to the meeting place, Anchor Academy, others too started to trickle in.....the team that would be spending three weeks together in a foreign country were meeting face-to-face for the first time! All were excited, nervous, and ready to head out on a new adventure, a rented bus took them to the Vancouver airport. After two long flights, an already long and then delayed layover, Katie and the team arrived in Guatemala City at 9am the following morning! Katie's thoughts upon arrival were something to this affect, “I am getting too old for these kinds of flights!” The exhausted team was met by missionaries who would be their leaders and guides. They went for breakfast and then made their way to the mission base which was about a 2 hour drive. (Longer because the main highway had a washed-out bridge) Katie realized the humidity was a little higher than Mexico had been when she left, and the heat was up there as well, but compared to the cold Canada they had just left....it felt good!

Drive. Eat. Orientation. Rest. After an early bedtime, the next morning most were feeling refreshed and ready to begin! So begin they did with planning a children's outreach. The team went out on visitation in the neighborhood inviting children to come later that afternoon for a Bible story, songs, games, memory verse, and crafts. And thus closed their first “actual” day in Guatemala.

Casa de Esperanza

FeViva (the mission organization) has a home for children taken from their own homes by the government. Most of their situations are extremely sad, but they have a good Christian home now at FeViva where they learn how to behave, obey, love and be loved, and most importantly they learn about Jesus and what He did for them on the cross. The children are happy and LOVE to sing and hang out with people who come to visit them! They also enjoy soccer, riding their bikes, and swimming. As Katie and the team worked in the home, called Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope), they were able to get to know some of the children and love on them a bit as well. While at FeViva Katie and the team were able to paint 5 rooms, sand the rust and paint off 3 metal doors to be re-painted, and remove the paint from cement walls and flower beds in order too re-paint. They quickly found out that Guatemalans are always needing to re-paint because it is so humid there and mold grows abundantly and paint chips quickly! One could have spent days painting and there would still be more to do! Thus the team became quite capable with paintbrushes, rollers, ladders, and grinders!

Friends of Jesus

The women/girls on the team were invited to a breakfast called, “Friends of Jesus”. This breakfast was put on by a couple who do ministry with people who are alcoholics, street people, and prostitutes. The breakfast that Katie attended was for women who have been caught in the horrid work of prostitution and who can't escape. As Katie sat at a table with two of these women, visiting with them and translating for another woman at the table, she couldn't help but be grateful for the life she was leading, and the path she had not only taken, but been born into. Her heart broke for these women as they shared their stories of coming from other countries to work and make a living in order to feed their families.....NEVER expecting to get into prostitution. The women were trapped into contracts, sleeping in the back of bars not allowed to leave freely, and made to feel like there was no hope for them to ever leave or get their lives back again. The service and breakfast shared together was beautiful. There were two testimonies, Katie and the women from her team sang two songs, and there was a message from the Bibles that was powerful. A heart full of love and brokenness for these women is what Katie left with....that and the thought that, “they never chose this, these women as little girls didn't dream of becoming this.” As Katie left them standing on the side of the road, after hugging them and saying her goodbyes, she realized all the times she had unconsciously judged, and God opened her eyes to see that we're all equal in His sight.....He loves those woman as much and He loves everyone else......may we never forget that.

Go Deeper

During the three-week stay in Guatemala there were many outreaches, youth events, and visitations done. Katie felt a real burden not only for the Guatemalan people they were ministering to, but also for the youth on the team. The Lord opened her eyes to different needs the young women had and gave her the burden of not only praying for them, but mentoring them. She came to realize that she also needed to change. God began to give her a desire to go deeper, to learn more, love more, feel more, and do more! She prayed for wisdom, patience, and love for the girls she was mentoring and God did a work in and through her for which she saw some fruits but is praying that seeds will continue to grow, and that God will bring other people to continue the work HE started.

Don't Get Comfortable

As Katie sat alone, waiting for her plane to leave in the Guatemala after she'd seen the rest of the team off who were heading back to Canada, she thought of the trip. She thought on how she had gone into this trip with experience, the knowledge on missions, the Spanish expertise, and how her goal had been to help others along as much as she could. Oh how God has a sense of humor and oh how much Katie had learned in return! God used this experience in her life to show her how much more He had in store for her, how much deeper she could go with Him. He didn't want her to be content in her experience or knowledge, but to seek and ask for more. May that be a motivation for us all...don't get comfortable....go deeper!

and this is how it went...a true story.

April-August 2011

“Her shoulders slumped and she took in a big breath and breathed out slowly.....NOW it was time to relax a bit, NOW there was nothing on her agenda that couldn't wait a few days, NOW she could breathe.....” The thoughts of Katie Friday evening, August 19^th. This is a true account of the lives of Howard, Susan, and Katie Dyck.

Really, the craziness goes back to the start of our second session ever at CEC, which started in January! We came out of a busy, awesome, session of school only to enter more craziness! Mum and Dad headed off to a “Refresher Course” with New Tribes Mission that was help in Missouri while I held down the fort, finishing the website for CEC. (www.centroeducativocristiano.com) God has awesome timing with certain events, even the hard ones which brings me to my Grandads heart attack. God was in control and he “just happened” to be in the hospital getting tests done and on an EKG machine when he had his attack. He was rushed to emergency and taken care of immediately, my Mum flew from Missouri to Tennessee to be with her parents while my Dad drove back down to Mexico from Missouri. Now came the packing up and getting ready to leave Mexico for 6 weeks! YIKES! Oh, and did I mention last minute planning a Bible seminar at the school 4 days after we were to get back? Yes, that too! My dad and I started planning, calling teachers, visiting pastors, and designing posters. (Two days before heading out!) You may be thinking we were CRAZY and wondering why we were doing this, well it's really a simple answer.....some Mexican pastors had requested that the seminar take place while their kids were still out of school for the summer so those that came from farther away wouldn't have to leave their children, or not come because of their children being in school.....thus the mad decision to continue with the planning and just do it! So we got things in order as much as we could and then left for Phoenix where we were not only meeting my mum, where she came directly from Tennessee, but where we were flying out for Canada! (breath)

“Oh Canada!!” One would think that 5 weeks in Canada was TONS of time, right?? (At least that's what I thought!) I was wrong....because what I didn't take into consideration was all the restaurants and food I can't get in Mexico that I needed to eat in that time! Ok, so not just that, but all the people I wanted to catch up with, all the churches we wanted to share in, and especially, all our family that we wanted to spend TIME with! We were privileged to celebrate with my grandparents their 60^th wedding anniversary! WOW, hey? We had a mini family reunion where all the “kids” of my grandparents came and some of the cousins and most of the in-laws. This was a special time for us as family because we're so spread out! We're talking opposite sides of Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Mexico, and both sides of the US as well!! Oh! And Indonesia too! Yes....talk about difficult getting our family together! But many came and it was a joy to catch up and fellowship with one another! And then there were friends as well! I personally, have an AWESOME friend group who took their vacation time during my stay in Canada so we could get together! So 14 of us friends from Bible school were able to get together and catch up! I felt VERY special in that they got together when I was able to attend, very cool!

Our time in Canada was also good in the way we were able to share in 5 different churches, 7 different services. It is always special to be able to share the passion God has placed in our hearts for the Mexican people, and for this Bible school that God has placed in our charge at this point in time. We count is a privilege to be a part of HIS work here at CEC and LOVE sharing with others so they too can be a part of the work here.

Now, for the most recent part of the story, the 5 day seminar that we just finished! WOW! As I mentioned previously, we had just begun planning two days before we left Mexico....YIKES! So of course when we got back there was much to do! The day after we arrived my Dad and I went out visiting pastors again to remind them and ask if they knew numbers as to who would be coming from their congregations. In Mexico though you never really know how many people you're going to have until they show or don't show. Monday morning arrived and we had 8 people. To say the least, we were all a little disappointed. We knew it was kind of last minute, but at the same time we were expecting more people. But as everything, it isn't OURS, it is GOD'S plan and HIS work, so we reminded ourselves of that I realized that HE was going to bring who HE wanted, and if it was only a small group, well that's the way it was supposed to be! But low and behold the Lord did have others in mind to come and Tuesday we had about 20 people in attendance. Wednesday it went up to about 25! Number aren't everything, but it was so awesome to see who God brought to the seminar and to see people truly impacted and changed through the subjects God laid on our hearts to be taught which were: Spiritual Warfare, Leadership in the Church, and Marriage Workshop. God orchestrated the teachers He wanted, and the subjects all went together so well and everything was just really well done. We were so excited to hear how impacted the “students” were, and how excited they were to keep on going in their ministries! We are VERY encouraged and see the need there is for more of these seminars! Everyone was like a sponge, soaking up all the information and wanting more! Many of those that came had never been to anything like this before, had no classes of any sort. God is using CEC for His glory, and for the furthering of HIS kingdom and in training His laborers.....very exciting! For those of you who have prayed with us for this seminar, THANK YOU!!! And keep praying not only for us, but for those who have come through our doors, that they would continue to allow God to teach and change them from the inside out to be more like HIM. I think that's something we can all pray for in our lives! Thank you so much for being a part of the work here in Mexico, and we look forward to sharing more the next time! Our next seminar will be in November and we're already excited about it and thinking on how we can do things better for the glory of God! Keep us in your prayers.....until next time!

-Katie

for Howard and Susan too!

PS. We're resting up a bit.....taking a few big breaths.  

a little at a time...

Wow....a week from today is the "graduation" of another first session. The students have completed three and a half months of INTENSE class, practicum, and all around life change! Now what? How do you start to put into practice and change your way of living when you get home? A little at a time....we tend to try and fix so many things at once in our lives and we try to "measure up," but we have to remember not to get ahead of ourselves.....don't set yourself up for failure. Start with one little area and work your way up.....a little at a time. I have to force myself to breathe and not freak out at all the work I have on my desk (andall the work in my head that hasn't quite even made it to my laptop or and prioritize starting with one thing at a time. :) YIKES!!! It makes it easier tho....and I know we all "know" this, but we still tend to freak out at times and loose focus. It's a good reminder for myself, anyways!

Ok....back to the students! They are excited and nervous about the path the Lord

is going to lead them to from here. But they are eager and willing to serve the Lord in HIS work here on this earth! How exciting! I included some pictures this time....don't know why I didn't last time, but anyways....as you can see the students are diligent at their desk, they spend AT LEAST 6 hours a day there, if not more! Talk about committed! They have an evening class and and morning devotional time, but those are spend in the living area on the couc

hes. :) A little more relaxed and comfortable.

It is bitter-sweet arriving at the end of our time...even tho most of the students are older than me, I feel like "my kids" are leaving the nest and heading out into the real world! Now we can only pray for them, support them through prayer, and hope that what the Lord has taught them during their brief time here will come to mind and be put into practice. Let go.....

We have been reminded of something continually this session and that is that it is not OUR job to change hearts.....that is the Lord's work. We can teach, show, help, encourage, counsel, and so on until we're blue in the face, but each and every person has to make a choice to ALLOW God to work and make changes to the heart and mind. That is not our responsibility! (Thank goodness, hey?) Anyways, that just comes to mind as we're getting ready for our goodbyes.....we've done what the Lo

rd has called us to do, now it's up to them.

I am going to miss the smiling faces around here, the school always feels so empty and desolate when everyone leaves.....sad day. But now for some recoup time and start planning for next year and the events to come in the meantime!

Please pray for us as we send out these 11 students to different parts! Pray that they won't get discouraged with all the work ahead of them, but that they stand strong and take one day at a time. It is overwhelming.....we've got to rely on God to give us strength and keep us going where we need to go.

Thank you for yours prayers and support. It has been a crazy session and busy, but rewarding all at the same time. God continues to amaze us and we're privileged to be able to be a part of HIS WORK here in Mexico! What a joy to be able to be a part of equipping believers to reach out, so head into the white fields that are ready for harvest.

I'll close with this:

"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it we're called children of God! That's who we really are." 1 John 3:1

Don't be like the woodpecker!

I have to laugh every morning because i wake up and first thing head down the stairs to my parents house and what do i hear EVERY morning on my way??? Yes, you may have guessed, none other than a silly woodpecker! :) But this isn't your "average joe" woodpecker, this dude likes to peck on METAL! I just imagine his whole little body vibrating away from there.....every bone jarred....and I wonder every morning why he goes back to that post where there isn't even a dent for all his efforts! This morning as I was chuckling to myself upon the sound of the little woodpecker i began to think....there is a lesson to be learned from our little dude! How often to we go back, time and time again, without thinking, to an issue that we're trying to deal with ourselves instead of giving over to God. It's like a woodpecker pecking away at a metal pole......pointless. We keep going at it in our own strength and we get nowhere.....not even a dent! The Lord has a lovely tree in mind for us to rest in, and a soft wood to make our home in.....why not rely on HIS strength and leave the metal up to Him??

We were in a small fishing village this weekend with our students and it was very humbling for me to see Pastor Guillermo and his wife Carmen EXCITED about a ministry opportunity in a AWFUL place. Many of us would consider there current residence quite rustic, they don't have running water in their whole house yet, and they are one in a few that even have a toilet in there town, and yet compared to this new village, Sahuimaro, El Choyudo is luxurious! Guillermo and his wife are going to take their vacation time in Sahuimaro living in a little hut or tent in a town that doesn't have water or electricity. In a fishing town that is so infested with flies in summer that if you leave any kind of food item alone for a minute it will not only be cover with flies, but with maggots left by the flies! The beaches are in constant motion because of all the maggots in the sand.....boats head for open water just black with flies.....this is a place where no one wants to go, yet Guillermo and Carmen have a PASSION for the people and they are willing to go because God has called them! I don't know about you, but I am humbled....am i willing to go WHEREVER the Lord leads?? He may be calling me to a small task that isn't in any way uncomfortable, but am I doing it or am I being lazy?

So all in all, don't be like the woodpecker who pointlessly pecks away at metal.....even if God's will for your life is uncomfortable, or full of flies.....the Lord has a PURPOSE and PLAN for your life, and you know what? It's going to be AWESOME because He'll not only be with you every step of the way, but He has blessing beyond your wildest dreams waiting for you if you're faithful. :) Guillermo and Carmen know that they're going to be uncomfortable, but they are excited to see what God has in store for them, but especially that little village! They have a love for the people and a desire to reach them with the Gospel! I know that the Lord is going to bless them in a special way for their faithfulness....they are an awesome testimony to me and I hope to you as well as you read this....

"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." Matthew 9:37

CEC's Second Year!

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass- it's about learning to sing in the rain!”-Author Unknown

We are in the process of our second day of school! (First real day of classes.) Yesterday we had a wonderful time of getting to know our students and of course had the lovely practical “not-so-fun” topics of rules and orientation to get through as well! Everyone ist still here and so the fun begins! Classes have officially started today and we are excited to have commenced this new year at CEC! I as the secretary have been having some difficulty with the printer/copier, so I thought the above quote was pretty appropriate! Talk about technology frustrations!!! So here I am stepping away from the problem for a bit and breathing deeply! It always seems to be the smallest things that can really get you down when you're busy, hey? Not that the BIG things don't either, but we sure have a lot of small things happen throughout the day that we can either let effect us in a bad way, or we can choose to keep smiling and be conquerors! As you can see I am mainly telling myself this right now! :) “I will not let the printer get the best of me and ruin my day!”

Yikes...back to the update! So we currently have 13 students and 1 more on the way! We're very impressed with our class this year and their excitement for learning and being in ministry! We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for each of them and what He'll do in their lives during the next three months!

Ok...many things to get done, so I will have to leave it at this for now! I will keep you all posted though! Thank you for your prayers and keep up the good work!