I have been thinking quite a lot about the very real battle we face as Christians. This battle is that which we fight against our flesh (our own sinful desires), the world (those temptations that are around us every day) and the devil himself (who seeks to destroy us).
Life has its ups and downs for everyone. And you can accept living near the equator in a relatively poor region is going to have its challenges physically and practically, but the more time I spend here in Brazil, the more I see the spiritual aspect. It can´t just be a coincidence that it seems to be a battle to leave the house for church or small group, that my kids always have the worst night´s sleep the day before I need to be bright eyed for teaching kids club, that whenever Daniel goes to pick up the apprentice from the recovery house, there´s some transport delay. The rainfall this year has been way above average. While time is precious, a downpour at rush hour can mean a simple school run takes a 60 minute round trip and activities at the workshop simply can´t continue when it´s a real monsoon. We hear discouragement from people you wouldn´t expect and there are even folks who literally prowl around our apprentices, seemingly willing them to stumble into sin. The Christian walk surely is along a narrow path.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
So if only a few find the way to life, how did they find it? And how do they manage to stay on the path when the going gets tough? The answer is Jesus himself is the way, the truth and the life and only when we depend on him, will we be able to persevere. That, clearly, is easier said than done. The latest song from 20Schemes music (a ministry from our sending church Niddrie Community Church) puts the idea across really well. Excellent job guys, by the way! Praise the Lord we have assurance that God will finish the work He started in us. The war is already won by Christ, even if our daily battles continue, for now.
On another note, it has been a real joy to see the enthusiasm of the kids who come along to our Saturday morning kids’ club. We have a steady group of between 20 and 30 attending every week. Despite there being a lot of rain recently, we have never cancelled a week. We have smaller numbers when it rains and my incling is always to think, “Come on guys, it´s only a bit of rain” but it really can look a bit like this so maybe I am a bit harsh in my thinking (!)
Today we celebrated Easter and taught the kids the true meaning and message of the cross. After some games and songs, the children joined in re-inacting key points in the Easter story and they all loved taking part. We had snack and then made a fab craft representing the empty tomb.
A few snaps from the past couple of weeks:
The workshop continues to offer discipleship and practical training with a wide range of products and services available in metalwork, carpentry and mechanics! We may be a small team, but certainly diverse.
Antonio and Stephanie continue to grow and learn a bit too quickly for our liking sometimes!
For those who pray for us, please do keep on praying. We need and value your support in the battle.
Daniel and Linsey 