7th Annual Youth Conference – CC Boca del Rio
Several pastors taught on the theme: Challenge Yourself – With God, all Things Are Possible. Braulio, who is the administrator and one of the teachers in CC Boca’s School of Ministry, exhorted the youth to stand up for what is right and what the Bible teaches. Even though there may be some really tough things in our lives, God gives us the ability to face those things and overcome them through Him. Matt 14:28-31
Verses of challenge and encouragement were posted all over the walls of the church. Pray that the lives of these kids would be touched and that they would discover the purpose God has for them!
Pastor Tom has been in the States for the past few months helping a church in the Sacramento, California, area. He arrived in Mexico the same day we returned from our short trip to Arizona. In fact, he and the Bible students he brought with him arrived at literally the same hour we did. When we pulled into the parking lot at KM21, Tom’s van was parked there – full of dozing missionaries! While our family had passed through all the checkpoints with no problems, Tom’s team had been sitting at this office for hours battling with paperwork problems. That sometimes happens here. We all finally crossed the border at 11 p.m.
[Bunny Trail: Traveling in Mexico is sometimes very interesting – especially for Americans, since it is very different from anything most of us have ever experienced. The roads have been getting better and better over the past two years, but Mexican road construction is still very different than American road construction. Mexican rest stops and bathrooms, also, are different and of course there are the ever-present, but often poorly-announced topes (pronounced TOH-pays, but usually yelled out frantically as the driver slams on his brakes. It means “speed bump”.) Years ago, traveling in Mexico was more dangerous. Banditos prowled the highways, and especially the side roads, and many policemen were as crooked as the bandits. This too is improving, but once in a while a crooked policeman will pull over some un-suspecting traveler to extort an extra $5 or $10 or $100 tip. It’s generally better to travel during the daytime and not look too “conspicuous”. I think that two white 15 passenger vans with big loads and US plates traveling at 3 in the morning through an otherwise-deserted village came across as conspicuous to a couple of crooked traffic cops in Navajoa, Sinaloa. Doug and the other driver, Sir, were pulled over and the police demanded a $100 “fine”. Doug told him he didn’t have any cash, but we could go to the office and use his Visa. Sir (who speaks almost no Spanish) just kept saying, “I don’t understand. What do you mean?” The incident ended when both drivers (out of earshot of each other) said the word biblia. Sir had pulled out his Bible and the officer asked if it was a dicionario. Sir said, “Biblia!” The officer told him to have a good evening and sent him on his way. Doug had been repeating the words “office” and “Visa” while his officer kept saying (in English, no less), “Give me $100! Give me $100!” When Doug, in frustration blurted out the word “biblia”, the officer threw up his hands and walked off. I guess that if you travel enough in Mexico, you’re going to gather some interesting travel stories. We certainly have our share! End of Bunny Trail.]
What were we talking about? Oh, yeah! Youth conference!!!
Between the teaching sessions and during free time, kids would group up to sing all over the school campus. Caleb found himself in the middle of one group playing (and sharing) his bongos. Sarah was fighting off a nasty cold and didn’t feel much like singing, but she brought her guitar to share and joined in where she could.
The band OACA led worship during Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s sessions. During his free time, Sergio spent time with the young percussionists of the group.
