Our first visiting professor arrived from Mexico City to teach a week of classes at the School of Ministry.  Dr. Eliud Gómez is not only an experienced pastor, church-planter, teacher, and theologian, he is also a lawyer and physical trainer.  We had alot to learn from him!

In the mornings, he gave a course on Hermeneutics- the interpretation of the Bible and tools to discovering the original meaning of the author. His course was so practical- we were able to immediately apply the Bible study techniques to our daily devotionals.

Over lunch and early afternoon, we would gather around him with tough theological questions and difficult ministry situations for him to advise.  We were so blessed with his wisdom gained from years of ministry experience.

In the evenings, we had class on the beach: physical training!  Dr. Gómez certifies missionaries as physical trainers, as both a ministry tool to form community fitness programs through the church and initiate one-on-one evangelism, as well as a way to financially support one’s ministry.  We were given an introduction to the physical training certification course- both in theory and practice (actually running, stretching, and swimming at the beach!)   All of us ended the week encouraged to work to get more in shape!

Praise the Lord for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Eliud Gómez this week!

           The men of the churches in Boca del Río and   C ompuertas gathered for a day of teaching and fellowship at the local water park.

           The theme of the conference was “Accepting your Responsibility”, and both Pastor Sergio and Paco shared messages on man´s God-given responsibility as husband and father in his family.  The conferences were followed by a time of worship and prayer.

          The men grilled a very “manly” lunch of steaks and beans. And then… to the pools!  These 20 grown men played like boys in the water: diving, races, dunking, breath-holding competitions, and enjoying the water-slides (on their backs, stomachs, sides, 2-at-a-time, … all possible ways!)

          This retreat was truly a blessing direct from the Lord!  A church in California provided the funds for all the brothers to enter the water park (as it would normally be completely out of their financial ability), and the park provided the conference area, stage, chairs, tables, and even grill!  We pray that the men will put into practice their knowledge of how to be family men for the Lord, and continue to meet to encourage one another in the Word in future months as well. 

           Catherine, my sister, came for a short, 4-day visit to Sinaloa!  She arrived the first week of classes at the School of Ministry, and experienced the intense schedule with us hour by hour- waking up early for prayer, cooking meals and doing chores, taking notes in class, visiting families in the village, and church services in Boca del Rio and Compuertas. 

We had awesome sister-time- I think we laughed her entire trip! Catherine slept with me in our tiny dorm room- poor Paco had to sleep on the floor, if he could sleep with our giggling all night J.  I gave her a tour of the whole village (not a very time-consuming activity in our tiny community), and took her to meet all the brothers in the congregation. Everyone received her with lots of love, and marveled to see that I have a twin sister. 

She experienced true Boca del Río life with the heat and bugs!  She finished cooking with us in the afternoons covered in sweat, and ended her trip covered in mosquito bites- 75 after just 4 days!  Though, on the positive side of Sinaloa life, she enjoyed all the fresh seafood from this fishing village, the many animals (chickens, dogs and kittens, lizards…), and the loving church family.  We miss her already!

 The School of Ministry, Boca del Rio, initiated on October 1^st, with 8 students excited to start preparing themselves for full- time church ministry.  The year of training and classes will be intense!- with lots of opportunity for practical application of the truths we are learning. 

 Our basic schedule includes:

Group prayer 5-6am, Facilities cleaning 6-7am, Cooking/Preparation for the day 7-8am, Breakfast and cleanup 8-9am, Classes  9am-1pm, Cooking and/or homework 1-2pm, Lunch and cleanup 2-3pm, House visits and discipleship of people in the village 3:30-5:30pm, Cooking and/or homework 6pm-7pm, Dinner and cleanup 7pm-8pm, Church services in Boca del Rio on Sunday Morning and Wed evening, Church services in Compuertas on Sunday afternoon and Thursday evening.

           Our daily assignments include written inductive analysis of two chapters of the New Testament daily- which has been a huge blessing forcing us to study the Bible more in-depth chapter by chapter.  Each day, two students are randomly picked to give devotionals or sermons on the assigned chapters.  We also have evangelism days,dedicated to visiting, praying for, and sharing the gospel with members of thevillage who we visit door-to-door. (Everyone in the village is so open and friendly- and excitedly receive us into their homes to chat!) Professors from different areas of Mexico and the United States will arrive to teach classes throughout the year, and between the visiting professors the classes are led by the local pastor. 

The school is a lesson on living in community- we cook, eat, pray, study, minister, travel (2 hrs to and from Compuertas twice a week), get up early and stay up late, share a bathroom, and even exercise together!  We feel like one big family already! 

We are very excited about everything the Lord is teaching us, and will teach us, about Himself and His heart for others this year!!

 In anticipation of the start of classes, the church staff and students excitedly worked together to prepare the facilities for the School of Ministry.  The mass effort included:

-Dorm room preparation- moving beds and mattresses, and installing door locks

-Kitchen preparation- installing appliances and counters, washing pans and utensils, repairing the water pump and stove.

-Cleaning out and converting the church office into a classroom

-Spraying insecticide everywhere!

-Purchasing food and cleaning supplies for the first month of classes

We are so thankful forthe school facilities here at the church in Boca del Rio that the Lord has provided for us- so complete with dorm rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, classroom,and visiting-professor’s home.