What happens all over during the Christmas season? Baking! So why shouldn't there be some baking going on today here?
Linda baking cookies with here great-niece Tania and her daughter Sophia.
Getting them in the oven.
Back door to the bakery and coffee shop.
Linda's great-great-niece Sophia sifting the powdered sugar.
Tania making something good for tomorrow!
Mrs. Claus in the bakery!
The big dinner for many is tonight the 24th at about 2200. Then presents are opened at midnight. We will be having our Christmas dinner on the 25th while most here are eating left-overs!
Salvadoran Christmas fruit drink.
As I walked into Cindy's house this afternoon I was greeted with a delicious and delightful olfactory bouquet. It seemed somewhat familiar but not quite. She explained that it was a Salvadoran Christmas fruit drink. When I ask what was in it I never expected the list that followed!
Cinnamon sticks, Pineapple, sugar cane, two colors of pears, peaches, tamarind, guava, tejocote, prunes, raisins, two colors of apples, frying bananas and grapes!
Packed full of fruit!
Brothers-in-law José and Ramón enjoying the fruit drink.
I guess you don't really drink it, you eat it! I will be having more of this tomorrow for sure!
José (left) is Cindy's husband. They are the administrators of Cammpestre Maranatha. José oversees the care of the facilities. He repairs electrical and plumbing issues as they arise. If you have been here you know how immaculate he keeps this place. Cindy manages the office, interacts with the RVer's and schedules groups. As you can imagine there are countless other tasks they take care of as well.
Ramón (right) is Gwen's husband. Cindy and Gwen are Linda's nieces. Ramón and Gwen founded and pastor the church in La Paz named Nueva Vida. Their church has been build in a part of La Paz that is in the very beginning of being developed.
Linda and Ramón 3 years ago at Nueva Vida.
Nueva Vida 3 years ago.
Ramón and Gwen are instrumental in the operation of E.B.A.N. (Nayarit Open Bible School) through Maranatha Ministries in Mexico.
The purpose of E.B.A.N. is to empower people who feel they have a calling for ministry. Training to work as a team in the body of Christ. Develop ministries, giving them opportunity to serve in God's work in their local church or wherever God leads them.
Many of the students live in isolated areas of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. Therefore there is a "Meeting of the Students and Teachers" four times annually. They have been meeting in Huajicori, Nayarit.
Sierra Madre mountains in western Mexico.
We joined Cindy and Jose today and worshiped at their church Redes Vida Cristiana in La Paz. The service was held outdoors today being the weather was about 75 degrees! It was held in the covered athletic area of the school that the church operates. About three years ago a group of young people I had brought from Western Mennonite School in Salem, Oregon played some of their students in soccer in that facility.
There was a great time of worship in music and then the overseeing pastor from Cabo, Valdir Corte lead the congregation in communion.
Much of the growth of this church comes from "cell group" interaction with friends and neighbors. A pastor trains 12 people to be cell leaders. These cell leaders are each
responsible for discipling 12 others in a cell group, usually with a
minimum number coming from the community and not from within the church
they attend. After a specified time, and after certain strict
requirements are met, these cell members then become leaders themselves,
and start their own cells. Thus, the membership of the church is
multiplied, and the message of the Gospel is taken into the community.
Currently in this church there are 300 cell groups reaching out and touching lives of friends and neighbors.
Church today at Redes Vida Cristiana.
Genesis 15:5
He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
This scripture is printed on the flyer that is being circulated in La Paz about the service next Sunday.
It reminds me of our last journey driving down the Baja. About midway down away from everything, away from any lights is an old ranch in the desert called Santa Inés. They have made a place for RV's to stay the night. It was a moonless night when we stepped out of the motor home. The stars were so bright. The ones on the horizon were as bright as the ones directly above us.
It must have been a night like this when God spoke to Abraham and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Spiritual offspring is clearly evidenced here in the Baja and in Nayarit. So many churches and leaders are the offspring of the many years of work by families that came here in the 1950's. As Maranatha Ministries in Mexico
continues to serve this area providing a place for retreat and renewal here at Campestre Maranatha
many, many more lives are served. Cindy and Jose Nuñez work countless hours serving those that come here whether RVer's or those using the camp. Groups of youth are attracted to their home as love and acceptance are manifested there.
Next time you look up at the sky and count the stars - if indeed you can count them, will it cause you to think......what am I doing that counts, counts for ever?
Tortas!
Carne asada is only offered on Saturday and Sundays. So tonight I had to have a torta with carne asada!
Ready to eat!
Tonight Cindy, Jose, Linda and I went back to Antojito's. It is the third time for Linda and me since we are here! We had great food and great visit while we were there. This family serves food from a building on their own place. It is two blocks off of the highway and in the community of Centenario. We are so glad that Cindy and Jose introduced us to this place a few years ago!
We gave them warning that all 16 of our family are coming to eat there once this week!
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Yesterday Jeff and Katie and their family took of for San Jose del Cabo for 4 nights. They plan to explore some of the East Cape and to do some snorkeling with the kids. They will arrive back here at Campestre Maranatha on Christmas day. The rest of the family will arrive the next day.
The group of youth that were here for the last several days also packed up and completed their retreat today. There was a lot of energy here over the last few days with this group between class sessions.
Suddenly......it is quiet here. Sort of miss the sounds of the youth!
Youth group during one of their sessions.
Soccer match going on.
Perched!
Gathering for more time together.
What we saw the last few days with this group of young people is an example of much that takes place here at Campestre Maranatha.
Churches come from many parts of the Baja and some from the mainland to use these facilities for retreats and spiritual renewal gatherings. Many baptisms have taken place in the swimming pool.
There is also a Vacation Bible School outreach by the camp every year to the villages on either side, Chametla and El Centenario.
Schools use the camp facilities for school outings. Families use the camp for weddings and other family events.
The lights of La Paz across the bay.
Every time we come to La Paz, Linda and I like to go up to our property and watch the sunset and see the lights of La Paz come on across the bay.
Up on the roof at Rick and Kathy Byers' house.
I took this picture with an eight second exposure and using no flash. It was nearly dark.
Took this with the moonlight and 15 seconds exposure.
We then drove into La Paz to see what was happening on the Malecón tonight.
Christmas lights along the Malecón in La Paz.
Looking along the bay from the Pier.
Entrance to the Pier.
It is quiet here right now except some road noise in the distance, an occasional boom from a fireworks, far away some dogs are barking messages back and forth to each other and in about 6 hours there will be a chorus of roosters.
Christmas time is a time of fireworks like the 4th of July is for us in the USA.
