Fourth Week: Counseling

We continue our weekly schedule of Bible studies and counseling. Except that now we have a new couple, not part of the Bible studies, that wanted counseling (we feel so inadequate for this, but rely only on the Lord). This couple is also in a big crisis. Again, only the Lord can work in their hearts and save their marriage. The husband is Walter's boss. After noticing the changes in Walter, he wanted to know what was happening in his life, so Walter told them about us, the couples' bible studies and counseling. They want to try to save their marriage. More about them later.

Warry, Debora and their two daughters arrived Friday around noon. They were on their way back from a country to the North of us where they had a CIMA conference. It is similar to Urbana in the States. They work for a para-church organization called MOVIDA that mobilizes the youth to serve the Lord. There is a heavy emphasis on missions, but the approach is to serve the Lord wherever you are. Warry is the director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. He is training leaders  to work in each country; at the same time, they put large conferences all over the place. They stayed with us until yesterday, Tuesday. It was their short break after two conferences in two different countries. We live about two hours from the border, so they stopped here before driving all the way home.

We met at the beach Saturday night. The couples collected money, bought meat and everything else that was needed. They brought a BBQ to the beach. The menu was simple: meat, chicken and tortillas. That's it. They had ice cream, and I had baked chocolate chip cookies. John shared about love on 1 John 4:19. We stayed on the beach until about 10:00 pm. It was a great time.

Gardy had never watched American football, so he wanted to come and watch the Superbowl with us. I printed out a diagram of the field with all the positions and their function in Spanish. Gardy came over with his wife and daughter, of course, but I had told Debora that I wanted to watch the game and asked her please to entertain Paula and her daughter. The game was at 5:30 pm here; therefore, there was still some daylight left for the girls to go to the pool. One drawback was that we had to watch the game in Spanish, which meant that we did not get to see the commercials. The commentators are all Mexican. It is FoxSports in español. So, Warry, Gardy, John and I watched the game upstairs in the loft where we have the TV. Warry and Gardy got a kick out of the commentators' Mexican accents. It was nine of us for dinner, but we managed. I had made spaghetti and meat sauce for lunch, so I used the same meat sauce for tacos! (I can see some of you rolling your eyes) Hey, they don't know the difference and said it was delicious.

Last night the couple I mentioned at the beginning came over for counseling. We asked them the same three questions:"Do you believe in God? Are you willing to apply Bible principles to your marriage? Will you pray that God will strengthen your marriage?" They agreed. Now this couple has not accepted Jesus as their Savior. The first interview is just intake for us to see the problem, but we will work on one issue at the time for the next three weeks, and then we will be gone. The Lord needs to work fast in this situation! After they left, I said to John, "I need a hug right now." So thankful to the Lord for our marriage! (Pastor D, your material is still giving fruit)

Prayer Requests:

• For the two couples struggling with their marriages
• Safe travels for Yesenia coming home with her daughters
• For Irene to make wise choices
• For all the couples - that their marriages will be strong and that they will walk with the Lord
• Wisdom as we counsel and teach
• Safety as we travel back and forth
• Protection for mosquito-related diseases and other insect bites
• For our family back home

Until next time...from the beach...