Hello to you all out there, I thought that it was time for me to write again, however I can't seem to find anything special and new out here to tell you. So how about an encouraging idea. Ok, so every morning I wake up and before I do anything, I always spend time with God and his word. Well, having done this for years now, I was trying to think of a new way of doing it, a new way of reading the word. Well, while we were studying Deuteronomy in the school, God spoke to me through a passage.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 speaks about how the king should behave himself. It says some pretty interesting things: He must not acquire much of three things: power (horses are the symbol of power), women or money (gold and silver). And what should he do? Well, the first thing that the bible mentions is that he should write himself a copy of the law and read it every day of his life. Why? 1. So that he can learn to fear the LORD. 2. So that he would follow everything that is commanded in the law. 3. So that he would not consider himself better than his brothers. This action, with those results, allows a king to rule for a long time.
I took this as an idea for any type of leadership. A leader is governing over people, whether he's a cell group leader or Prime Minister of Canada. The best way to know what to do in any situation is to read the law. Well, after all that back up information, I would like to share with you that I have taken the challenge to write the Bible as I read it. I write like it was written in the original: without chapters or verses. (plus it's a lot easer that way) I have started in Deuteronomy and have enjoyed it a lot. I have noticed things that I wouldn't normally notice and the words have begun to stick in my mind a lot more. It's like writing the law on my heart, but in a practical way. So maybe I can encourage you to try it out. It may help you see more truth than you normally do. May God bless your alone times with him. And you if you don't spend any time with God, maybe you can start today.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Saturday, August 12, 2006
I got my passport [Rob]
Hey Everyone,
I have just finished my study of Deuteronomy. That is one great book. I thought that I would get bored by it because of all the laws and stuff, but once I came to realize that it was the written covenant, like a legal document, I began to read it differently. Also, I can understand the Psalmist that wrote Psalm 119 when he said that he loves the law of God. It truly is beautiful once I wrapped my mind around the idea of the heart of the law.
I wanted to share also that I have finally received a new passport. My other one was going to expire on the 6th of December of this year and I wouldn't have been able to plan for Venezuela. However, thanks to a lot of travelling to Santiago and searching for all the information that was needed I have a new passport. Now I can begin to apply for the Thailand visa and travel to Venezuela without problems. I just wanted to give glory to God for that.
Speaking of Venezuela, this is a photo of Caracas. It's the only one that I have. I don't know exactly where it is, but this can give an idea of the city where we will be getting married. I also wanted to continue to bless you guys with some photos. I know that I like them, so I assumed that you like them as well.
May God bless your journey through life. Talk to you all later.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
A quick update [Rob]
Hey everyone,
We just want to let you know how we are doing. I have been studying hard and taking some exams these last few weeks. It has been tough, but very rewarding. I can't believe how much of the Bible I didn't understand. I thought that by reading it I could understand it, but I realized that it all depends how I read. All I know is that I have begun to learn how to read the inspired word of God and how to understand it. I realize that it isn't so hard to understand the Bible when you simply read it for what it is. I have been doing pretty well in my exams. I plan on having better notes this trimester than the last one. Let's just hope I hope I can maintain the pace.
Cy has been teaching in this school and is about to teach in the Discipleship Training School (the one that I used to work in). She will be teaching about holiness. She teaches really well so I look forward to hearing about how it went.
Together as a couple we are doing great as well. Sometimes it's a little hard to plan our wedding from a distant land, but at the same time it's a great adventure. We have been seeing little doors open and close and how God has been standing behind our decision to get married in Venezuela. We are growing closer and closer together and we are enjoying getting to know each other more and more. Just when you think you have found all the good that there is in a person, they show another great side of life. That's how it has been for the two of us. We love each other more than ever now.
Well, we continue with our challenges of finishing well the school of Biblical Studies, getting our way to Thailand and then starting a new family. We're excited about life because God has been speaking to us about various things and we look forward to seeing his blessings flowing through us and spilling over into the kingdom of Thailand.
Thanks for your prayers. We all need them. If you happen to remember us in your prayers, here are some things to pray for:
1. to know God more every day
2. our relationship as a couple
3. leaving behind strong relationships with Pichilemu, our mother base in Chile
4. safety from sicknesses (I have been fighting a cold almost the entire school off and on)
5. our great financial challenge
We will be praying for you. May God bless you and may he keep you, and may his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. And may he give you peace.
We just want to let you know how we are doing. I have been studying hard and taking some exams these last few weeks. It has been tough, but very rewarding. I can't believe how much of the Bible I didn't understand. I thought that by reading it I could understand it, but I realized that it all depends how I read. All I know is that I have begun to learn how to read the inspired word of God and how to understand it. I realize that it isn't so hard to understand the Bible when you simply read it for what it is. I have been doing pretty well in my exams. I plan on having better notes this trimester than the last one. Let's just hope I hope I can maintain the pace.
Cy has been teaching in this school and is about to teach in the Discipleship Training School (the one that I used to work in). She will be teaching about holiness. She teaches really well so I look forward to hearing about how it went.
Together as a couple we are doing great as well. Sometimes it's a little hard to plan our wedding from a distant land, but at the same time it's a great adventure. We have been seeing little doors open and close and how God has been standing behind our decision to get married in Venezuela. We are growing closer and closer together and we are enjoying getting to know each other more and more. Just when you think you have found all the good that there is in a person, they show another great side of life. That's how it has been for the two of us. We love each other more than ever now.
Well, we continue with our challenges of finishing well the school of Biblical Studies, getting our way to Thailand and then starting a new family. We're excited about life because God has been speaking to us about various things and we look forward to seeing his blessings flowing through us and spilling over into the kingdom of Thailand.
Thanks for your prayers. We all need them. If you happen to remember us in your prayers, here are some things to pray for:
1. to know God more every day
2. our relationship as a couple
3. leaving behind strong relationships with Pichilemu, our mother base in Chile
4. safety from sicknesses (I have been fighting a cold almost the entire school off and on)
5. our great financial challenge
We will be praying for you. May God bless you and may he keep you, and may his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. And may he give you peace.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Rob and Cy's Challenge [Rob]
Hey everyone,
Cy and I have begun to count the cost of our plans. We live by faith and believe that God will provide. We also believe that the church is the main source of his provision for us. And so we simply communicate our situation and our personal needs and allow God to touch the hearts of those who He wants to use to help us complete His goals. After a long, calculated process, we have come to see our challenge for what it is. Here is a quick idea of needs:
Flight: Chile-Venezuela $1000 ($500 per person)
Living in Venezuela (December-February 3 months) $500
Wedding: That’s what parents are for.
Honeymoon: Whatever our budget allows.
Flight: Venezuela-Canada $2600 ($1300 per person)
Living in Canada: Not sure yet, depends on many different options.
Flight: Canada-Thailand $3000 ($1500 per person)
In Thailand: Our future leader in Thailand has sent us the following list for a married couple to live and work in YWAM in Thailand. Not all things are necessary for us personally, but just the same, this is what he sent us:
COUPLE’S BUDGET
Based on 40 baht/US dollar (costs are per month)
* - necessary
*Language school (varied by school/tutor/location).....200.00-300.00
*Health insurance ($1270 per year).....106.00
Newsletter postage (.55 per letter to U.S.).....11.88
Income taxes (suggested).....43.75
*Visa trips.....62.50
*Multiple entry visa.....70.00
(this is for a US visa, we aren’t sure about Canadian or Venezuelan visas)
*Food....250.00
*Rent....75.00-125.00
*Utilities (Water, electricity only).....25.00
Phone (based on 3 local calls/day).....10.00
Entertainment (depends on you).....25.00
*Transportation.....75.00
*Toiletries.....25.00
*Staff fees.....37.50
Tithes/Offerings 10%
Savings ???
Total monthly budget (estimated).....1,100.00
God has been faithful so far and I don’t believe that he will let us down in any way. Well, don’t feel pressured to do something, but if you want to help it will be well appreciated. There are some of you who desire to give wedding gifts that are beneficial to the bride and groom. Sadly, kitchen utensils just aren’t practical to us as we have to do a lot of traveling. However, maybe an option would be to donate toward one of the things on these lists. Any donation to a specific cause will be used in that way and not in another. Also, if someone finds better flight prices (without having to go through the US – because Cy is Venezuelan and isn’t allowed) your suggestions will be well accepted. Also, if you don’t want to give money but have airmiles that you would like to donate, they could end up being more precious because of all the flights we have to take. If you live in Abbotsford and know of someone who would allow a newly married missionary couple to stay in some sort of basement suite or apartment for cheap or even free, please pass on our names and my email address. Or maybe you could pass on their email address on to us. (We plan on being in Canada from March-June 2007, a three month period). Thanks for your patience and support. May God bless you. And of course all your prayers are more than welcome.
Rob and Cy
I have constructed another webpage connected to the first one, just click on "Donate Today" under the links column.
Cy and I have begun to count the cost of our plans. We live by faith and believe that God will provide. We also believe that the church is the main source of his provision for us. And so we simply communicate our situation and our personal needs and allow God to touch the hearts of those who He wants to use to help us complete His goals. After a long, calculated process, we have come to see our challenge for what it is. Here is a quick idea of needs:
Flight: Chile-Venezuela $1000 ($500 per person)
Living in Venezuela (December-February 3 months) $500
Wedding: That’s what parents are for.
Honeymoon: Whatever our budget allows.
Flight: Venezuela-Canada $2600 ($1300 per person)
Living in Canada: Not sure yet, depends on many different options.
Flight: Canada-Thailand $3000 ($1500 per person)
In Thailand: Our future leader in Thailand has sent us the following list for a married couple to live and work in YWAM in Thailand. Not all things are necessary for us personally, but just the same, this is what he sent us:
COUPLE’S BUDGET
Based on 40 baht/US dollar (costs are per month)
* - necessary
*Language school (varied by school/tutor/location).....200.00-300.00
*Health insurance ($1270 per year).....106.00
Newsletter postage (.55 per letter to U.S.).....11.88
Income taxes (suggested).....43.75
*Visa trips.....62.50
*Multiple entry visa.....70.00
(this is for a US visa, we aren’t sure about Canadian or Venezuelan visas)
*Food....250.00
*Rent....75.00-125.00
*Utilities (Water, electricity only).....25.00
Phone (based on 3 local calls/day).....10.00
Entertainment (depends on you).....25.00
*Transportation.....75.00
*Toiletries.....25.00
*Staff fees.....37.50
Tithes/Offerings 10%
Savings ???
Total monthly budget (estimated).....1,100.00
God has been faithful so far and I don’t believe that he will let us down in any way. Well, don’t feel pressured to do something, but if you want to help it will be well appreciated. There are some of you who desire to give wedding gifts that are beneficial to the bride and groom. Sadly, kitchen utensils just aren’t practical to us as we have to do a lot of traveling. However, maybe an option would be to donate toward one of the things on these lists. Any donation to a specific cause will be used in that way and not in another. Also, if someone finds better flight prices (without having to go through the US – because Cy is Venezuelan and isn’t allowed) your suggestions will be well accepted. Also, if you don’t want to give money but have airmiles that you would like to donate, they could end up being more precious because of all the flights we have to take. If you live in Abbotsford and know of someone who would allow a newly married missionary couple to stay in some sort of basement suite or apartment for cheap or even free, please pass on our names and my email address. Or maybe you could pass on their email address on to us. (We plan on being in Canada from March-June 2007, a three month period). Thanks for your patience and support. May God bless you. And of course all your prayers are more than welcome.
Rob and Cy
I have constructed another webpage connected to the first one, just click on "Donate Today" under the links column.
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