After a painfully long silence, here is a brief family/ministry update:
1) Following a stroke about two weeks ago, My grandfather, Clyde Chynoweth passed away on Sunday morning. He was over 90 years old and thankfully knew the Lord. I will be flying to Midland TX for the weekend to attend the funeral and be there for my dad.
2) My mom, Lynn, was diagnosed with breast cancer the same week that my grandpa had his stroke two weeks ago. She started her chemotherapy today and we are praying for her healing and for strength and grace for her and my dad during these tough weeks and months.
3) My job as the Director of Spiritual Wellbeing continues to be a complex one. I am juggling establishing corporate policies regarding spiritual topics, overseeing the development of the School of Practical Ministries (a christian leadership course for lay leaders), planning and coordinating the first CDA student mission trip for later in May, launching a new community outreach plan, transitioning three CDA congregations to the care and leadership of other churches, organizing corporate devotionals and a myriad of other activities. The most challenging part of this role continues to be working with other leaders within the organization.
4) Together with the CDA head of marketing and public relations I am planning and coordinating a de-worming campaign for the city of Cartagena. On April 26th 500,000 people will receive an albendazole pill, a short class on promotion of healthy living and prevention of disease, and some literature including a clear presentation of the gospel. We are coordinating the logistics for the whole event and will be training 1,500 volunteers from the local pastors organization, 1,000 volunteers from the department of health and working together with the Office of the President, Mayor's Office, the Departmental Ministers of Education and Health, the Bible Society and the National Evangelical Colombian Pastors Association. Needless to say this is keeping me very busy. I was in Cartagena for a week a little while ago, I travel there tomorrow for several meetings and I will be traveling back and forth quite a bit more in the coming weeks leading up to the event at the end of April.
5) Last weekend, we moved from our house in Tenjo to an apartment that CDA owns here in Bogota. While we will miss the beautiful views, the convenience of living in the city will be worth it especially since my work responsibilities are keeping me in the office much more than in the past. It will also make it much easier and more convenient for Jessie to get out and about (though a lot more complicated for the dog)
Thank you so much for your prayers - please continue fervently. We really need them as we pass through these challenging family times and in the midst of growing responsibilities and a hectic work schedule.
Blessings,
Jim
2 comments:
I'm praying for you, my friend.
If you can get your hands on a copy of "Streams in the Desert" by L.B. Cowman, I'd do it. It has helped me tremendously in challenging times.
This is a Puritan prayer that has been turned into a song called "The Valley of Vision" (song has same title). May God use it to encourage you as it has me.
"You have brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see you in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Your glory.
Let me learn by paradox,
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells, the deeper the wells the brighter your stars shine.
Let me find your light in my darkness,
your life in my death,
your joy in my sorrow,
your grace in my sin,
your riches in my poverty,
your glory in my valley."
Trusting Christ with you,
Karin
Hey Jim. Please know the Meles are praying hard for you all.
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