Sunday is not a day of rest

Abraham and I decided almost as soon as we were married that Saturday would be our day of rest.  The Bible is quite clear that we should take time off to recharge; God set the standard when he rested on the seventh day of creation.  He didn't need to, but we do.

Sunday certainly wouldn't be the day to chose for rest in our schedule, or in the schedule of anyone who has a leadership role in church.  We hit the ground running as soon as we leave the bed.

Jose and Flor working on scarves

At Dios es Amor, Abraham helps with the Powerpoint for songs, the children's class,  and the sermon.  It's not a difficult job, but it does mean we should arrive a few minutes early so he can set up the projector and check the songs and notes.

Once the church service ends, we eat as soon as possible if someone will be driving us to Huejotzingo or set off for the bus stop right away if we don't have a ride (and eat on the bus - always interesting).  We try to be in Huejotzingo by three o'clock, although that does not always happen.

Naty working on her scarf while I read to Gus - too young to make one

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Yesterday the kids came at varying times and immediately began working on their scarves.  With the exception of two of the boys who still struggle with the pattern, the kids are making steady progress and enjoying the work.  One of them begged me to tell him what my PCS students will be making for the gift exchange, but he's just going to have to wait until April 30 (Dia del Niño) to find out.

After they had worked for awhile, we sang some songs and then played Sword Drill.  Next Abraham told the story of the siege of Jerusalem when God saved Israel by making the Syrians hear the sound of a large army marching to attack them.  He told the story twice and then we broke into groups to tell it again and discuss some questions.  One child from each group stood up in front to tell the story one last time to everyone.

Abraham told the kids that the people of Israel were faced with a danger from the army outside and from starvation and that today many people are faced with eternal death because they don't know Jesus.  Those of us who do know him have the responsibility of telling people the good news of salvation, just like the four lepers outside the city gate told the people inside the news that the army had left.  He said that if any of the children wanted to know Jesus, they could talk to any one of the adults.  Naty chose to talk with Leo, the man from Dios es Amor who had driven us to Huejotzingo.  She asked Jesus into her heart, and the angels rejoiced.  Please pray for her, that she will grow and that we will be able to help her in her new walk.

The kids left after their snack, and Abraham and I went to visit one of the families briefly.  It was near eight o'clock when we all left to visit Marta and Jorge.  Ever since accepting Jesus into her heart, Marta has suffered one trouble after another.  Last night when we arrived, she was in bed, unable to get up because of an injury to her ankle.  She was preoccupied with how she would take care of her diabetic and almost blind brother Jorge and how she would earn money to pay the rent.  We stayed and talked and prayed with her.  Please pray for healing for her ankle, for encouragement, for the income she needs, and for help for her brother.  They are both elderly.

We did not return home until 10:30, and then Abraham had to work on homework.  He is taking an interterm class on the Minor Prophets.  Last week he did not get to bed until after 1 any night, and he got up at 6 to keep working.  This week looks like it will be more of the same.  The last day of that class is Thursday.  On top of the class, he also teaches PE at PCS, tutors two teachers twice a week in Spanish, goes out to Huejotzingo (this week on Friday), and helps with AWANA on Wednesday.  This is a heavy, exhausting schedule, and I will be glad when the class ends.