*Written before the pandemic.
I host a women’s Bible study at our home. We have been gathering each week for three and a half years now, making our way through the Old Testament (we are now just studying Solomon—Salomon in Spanish). About an hour prior to writing this, we had a woman teach who has never led a Bible study before. Last week, as I was exhorting them to be open to taking turns teaching, Maria bravely volunteered. She admitted though, that she did not have a Bible with a concordance or any other such aids and was nervous about tackling a lesson. I encouraged her with some tips and ideas. Immediately after the ladies’ departure, I quickly ordered a concordance in Spanish for the group to share and use when they prepare for the study.
Maria did a tremendous job today! She related how she spent several hours at the library studying in preparation. I love how she used a completely different format for leading the study than I normally use. I was able to encourage her and praise her methods before asking for the next volunteer, Rosa, to prepare the lesson next week. Go Maria and Rosa!
My husband Cuco, meanwhile, has been enjoying his weekly trips to Tijuana where he started TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) classes with two pastors. Cuco is encouraged by their progress in the course despite not having any prior formal education. In addition, he is hoping to start more satellites in partnership with Pastor Mark, who was recently ordained through his church with the guidance of World Impact.
Providing leadership opportunities and encouraging people to guide others is at the heart of World Impact’s mission: World Impact empowers urban leaders and partners with local churches to reach their cities with the Gospel. Please pray for open doors for Cuco and Mark to connect with more pastors in Tijuana and start more satellites there. Cuco has been excited about expanding our mission south of the border for some time now and is eager to see more churches send leaders to take TUMI courses.
Pray also for the women to continue to grow in their teaching abilities and that they would spur on each other to develop in this area. And finally, please pray with us for a new location for our congregation. Puente de Vida is extremely grateful for our current location, but the facility has no Sunday school rooms, thus, classes are held outside each week.