2006...

We've reached the end of the year. Today is the last day. It's a special day because it's the last of the year. There is a verse from the Bible that has really amazed me and caught my attention: Psalm 90:12. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. I agree with someone that once said that living is an art. Indeed, it's an art because we ought to learn how to live. In this particular case Moses was asking the Lord to teach him how to live, and how to live one day at a time. It's interesting to realize that today is a gift from God. Yesterday is already gone and we don't know if tomorow we're going to be alive. We don't eve know if there is going to be a tomorrow. So the point is how to live in these 24 hours that the Lord has given. Had you ever thought that this could be our last day? It's interesting that Moses didn't ask for direction on how to live his years, months or even weeks. Our days. This is God's gift to us: today.

So, how can we live today that we may acquire a heart of wisdom? Here are some ways I can think of... perhaps you can think of more and let us know...

1. Live according to priorities. What's more important for you? What is it that God wants you to focus more on?
2. Plan according to priorities. Once you've identified what God wants you to focus on it's time to start acting that way.
3. Change your yearly-perspective to a daily-perspective. Not that you don't have to plan for the future but start living one day at a time.
4. Recharge your batteries everyday. You'll need supernatural power to live this way. You need God's love and power everyday to keep up the pace.
5. Live for the glory of God. If you want your life to count for eternity, seek and live everyday for the glory of Gos. There's no greater purpose in life.

Please let us know how this truth has affected your life. You may leave a comment.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas! Wow! another year has come to an end. What are your plans for Christmas Day this year? It's interesting to remember what Christmas is all about. Let me tell you what it's like here in Honduras. Usually it's the time for people to go shopping, buying new things; it's the time to prepare nice food and a have a nice dinner and also to get together with family and friends to celebrate... yes, but to celebrate what?

Christmas is the time of the year when we remember Jesus' birth. Along with his death this is the most amazing event in history. It changed the course of humanity forever. Our Savior was born. The greatest act of love was performed when God became a man and lived among us. And then He died volunteerly to pay our debt. No one will ever love you more than what God loves us. God cannot love you more than he does because He loved us so much that he gave what was the most valuable to Him: his own Son. Wow! What a gift! Indeed, we are valuable because of Him. God wanted to show us how important we are for Him and how much He loves us by sacrifying his own Son. This is Christmas. It's all about Him! It's his birthday!

So we wanted to wish the best Christmas ever. We especially hope you are closer to God than ever before and let us gather with family and friends to celebrate Him! Merry Christmas everyone!

A special thank you!

We're about to end another year and soon begin a new one. We hope God will use you in many powerful ways during this next year. Today, we want to give a very special thanks to all of you who have been close to us either physically, emotionally or spiritually. We want to thank all our friends for their incredible support on our way to Monterrey. Thank you for your prayers, for your care, for your encouragement, for your financial support, for your friendship and especially for loving the Lord and expanding His kingdom here on earth. You are so special for us and we pray the Lord will provide you with all you need and use you in your communities to transform them. Thank you for allowing us to fulfill the Great Commission. We feel closer to Monterrey than ever before.

Facts about Monterrey (Part 2)

In Mexico...

• 25% of Mexican women have suffered or are suffering from domestic violence
• 15 % of the population suffers from depression
• Monterrey has one of the highest suicide rates in Mexico among teenagers and young adults
• Car accidents due to alcohol is the 1st cause of death among teenagers under 20 years old
• 76% of the population affected by illegal drugs is between 15 and 29 years old.

One major conclusion: Mexicans are in desperate need of God's love and salvation

Facts about Monterrey: "The City of the Mountains" (Part 1)

Monterrey...

• The city is a major industrial center and produces 25% of Mexico's products
• Mty's major industries are: Steel, glass, aluminum, auto parts, machinery, electrical wiring, telecommunications, processed food...
• It is known as the industrial capital of Mexico
• In December of 1999, It was recognized by Fortune magazine as the best place in Latin America to do business
• The city has the highest GDP per capita in Latin America
• It's one of the most important educational centers in Mexico and Latin America. There are over 30 universities in Monterrey.
• The TEC of Monterrey is one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America with more than 40,000 students both local and from abroad.

The end of the year: a time to examine ourselves...

The year 2005 is reaching its end. One more year... so, how did it go? What was this year like? Was it a good year? Or maybe a year to forget? What made it great? Or what made it so bad? I could even ask: what made it the same as last year? Do you wake up every morning excited about God's plan for that day? or do you just wake up, do your job, eat and then go to sleep? I believe the end of the year is always a good year to make a pause and evaluate your whole life. It's a great time to ask the Lord, yourself and other people to examine what you've done this year. However, the idea is not to feel guilty or miserable... I don't think God wants you to feel that way. Even if we've messed up. It's just a time to make changes and to make them happen! It's a time to straighten your path. A time to humble yourself before God and seek Him.
So I wanted to have you consider four different aspects of your life:

• Your personal relation with JC (Psalm 25:14)

Has it been regular? Do you feel closer to Him than any other time in your life? Do I have time for Him? Or am I too busy? Do I know him better? Not just know stuff about him, but to actually know and trust him, the way He is. Please, let us not feel down... the only purpose of this is to make the appropraite changes.

• Your family life (1 Tim. 3:4-5 ; 5:8)

How's your relationship with your spouse? Is he or she your best friend? Are you a servant in your house? Do you spend enough time with your children? How often do you pray together? Is your family growing stronger?

• Your character (1 Tim 4:15-16)

Is it better? worse? or the same? Are you still growing spritually? Do other people see your progress? It's OK if we struggle sometimes but the most important thing is our attitude. Are we conscioussly fighting to improve?

• Your work (1 Tim 4:6,10)

Are you doing the right thing? Are you doing it well? Are you constantly improving? Are you working as a team?

These are just some areas we can consider. I bet there are many more we can think about. So again, let's throw ourselves into God's open arms and let us rest in his grace and love.