Maybe it is true with all families with small children. Or, maybe it is just ours. Whatever the case, dinner time around the Coats house has many moving parts. Usually, unless it involves something on the grill or something for breakfast, Nicole cooks dinner. After 2-3 reminders, Kiley, Cailyn and I migrate towards the table from points throughout the house. We then spend 5-10 minutes pouring drinks, cutting and preparing food for Cailyn (she's almost two ...) and locating all the necessary condiments, untensils and supplies. We frequently sit down only to get back up, and rarely do we all sit down at the table at the same time to begin the meal. So, we start eating somewhat in shifts. At some point, though, all four of us will finally be around the table, and that's when Cailyn looks at us, put's her hands together, and says, "Pray."
Kiley filled the role nicely for several years, but it now appears our youngest has assumed the position of prayer police for the Coats clan.
Kiley is an excellent, very thoughtful pray-er, so frequently she'll pray for our dinner, and for all that happened during the school day, and for our family, and for our extended family, and for our friends, and for ... well, you get the idea. It's beautiful. Often, Kiley will finish her prayer, we'll all say "amen," there will be a short pause (perhaps even long enough to sneak in a bite), and then Cailyn will say "pray." As in, she wants to pray again. So what are you gonna do at that point? Of course we oblige. The second prayer is usually one she wants to say. She is becoming quite good at "God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food."
Believe it or not, we do eventually finish our dinner.
I write this partially because I know how fast life moves. Moments and times like these are precious - at least they are for me - and it helps me to take notes. Or write a blog.
I also write it as a reminder of the power of prayer. My wife (also an excellent pray-er) and my daughters remind me of that power not just at the dinner table, but all of the time. For instance, a couple of weeks ago, Kiley and I were chatting on the way to school. Somehow we got on the topic of things we worry about. I asked her what we should do when we worry. Kiley said, "Pray to God." Just as I was about to comment on how praying can make us feel better, Kiley said, "You know, so God will take care of the situation."
And there I was. Schooled in the power of prayer by a six-year-old. I was thinking we should pray so we can feel better, or release a worry or concern to God. Prayer does accomplish that, but it also accomplishes so much more, as Kiley reminded me that morning. Prayer can accomplish anything God can accomplish. Prayer activates God's power, and all things are possible with God. My motivation for prayer was a little too me-centered; Kiley's recognition of the need for prayer was very God-centered.
What are you praying for right now? How can I be in prayer for you?
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Acuña
One of the lasting images/memories from last summer for me is probably the first night of our mission trip to Del Rio. Three of the local pastors and church members that had been working behind the scenes to arrange work for us came to say hello and let us know what we'd be doing all week. After describing the various projects, they then said, "We're so glad you are staying in Del Rio, because most of time groups stay here but go into Acuña. There is great need on this side of the border too."
That statement left an impression on me, and then throughout the week I personally witnessed its truth. There was great need in Del Rio, and it was both saddening and uplifting to be a part of that world.
I am thankful we had that experience. I know it impacted me, and I know it impacted the youth. Now, I do not think we will take anything for granted, even when we return to Acuña.
That said, this winter we are going to return to Acuña. We are going on our annual family mission trip Saturday, December 19 through Monday, December 21. The need is great in Del Rio, but the need is tremendous just a few miles away across the Rio Grande. Some estimates have the unemployment rate as high as 60% there, as maquiladora plants have been closing the last few years as many American companies outsourced jobs not to Central and South America, but to Asia. In the coloñias we work in, most families live in cinder-block shacks. Not all have electricity, and most use latrines for bathrooms. Literally, it is a third-world country with third-world conditions.
So, this December, we will take the love of Jesus Christ into that world. The current plan is to work at an orphanage and in a nearby neighborhood. We are planning on doing evangelism through singing, children's Bible activities and prayer. We'll do some light construction and repairs at the orphanage, and like previous summers and winters, we'll host a fiesta.
I know there are some parents and some families that remain rightly concerned about the reports of violence in Mexican border towns. Indeed, it was because of those kinds of reports that we stayed in Del Rio in July. However, three First Methodist mission groups have been to Acuña this year, and their trips have been incident-free. This afternoon, I spoke with Moises Reyes, the mission director at First Baptist Del Rio, the church we stay at when we go down. He said the church is once again encouraging groups to go into Acuña. He also said he has not heard of any problems.
"Everything has been great," he said. "There have not been any issues - even the border crossings have been fine."
Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, of course, but we are doing due dilligence to monitor the safety in Acuna, and we will continue to do so right up until we go in December. If safety is a big concern, please keep in my mind that the winter trip is a family mission trip. I encourage you to go together as a family. We will leave Saturday and get settled in at FBC Del Rio Saturday evening. We will be in Acuña all day Sunday, and return to Del Rio that evening. Monday morning we will return to Houston. Hundreds of First Methodist adults and youth can attest to the blessing of spending time in mission the weekend right before Christmas. If you've never been and you mulling it over, I invite you to chat with them about the trip.
Often in Acuña we partner with WIDE Ministries, which is led by Dana and Liz Sweet. Describing summer 2009 events, they wrote this on their website: "The week that we were leaving for Zambia, we were blessed to have a team from Houston. This church has ministered in Acuña for years, and their love for the Mexican people is profoundly evident."
That's us they were writing about. Join us as we take that love back into Acuña. It is needed - to say the least.
That statement left an impression on me, and then throughout the week I personally witnessed its truth. There was great need in Del Rio, and it was both saddening and uplifting to be a part of that world.
I am thankful we had that experience. I know it impacted me, and I know it impacted the youth. Now, I do not think we will take anything for granted, even when we return to Acuña.
That said, this winter we are going to return to Acuña. We are going on our annual family mission trip Saturday, December 19 through Monday, December 21. The need is great in Del Rio, but the need is tremendous just a few miles away across the Rio Grande. Some estimates have the unemployment rate as high as 60% there, as maquiladora plants have been closing the last few years as many American companies outsourced jobs not to Central and South America, but to Asia. In the coloñias we work in, most families live in cinder-block shacks. Not all have electricity, and most use latrines for bathrooms. Literally, it is a third-world country with third-world conditions.
So, this December, we will take the love of Jesus Christ into that world. The current plan is to work at an orphanage and in a nearby neighborhood. We are planning on doing evangelism through singing, children's Bible activities and prayer. We'll do some light construction and repairs at the orphanage, and like previous summers and winters, we'll host a fiesta.
I know there are some parents and some families that remain rightly concerned about the reports of violence in Mexican border towns. Indeed, it was because of those kinds of reports that we stayed in Del Rio in July. However, three First Methodist mission groups have been to Acuña this year, and their trips have been incident-free. This afternoon, I spoke with Moises Reyes, the mission director at First Baptist Del Rio, the church we stay at when we go down. He said the church is once again encouraging groups to go into Acuña. He also said he has not heard of any problems.
"Everything has been great," he said. "There have not been any issues - even the border crossings have been fine."
Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, of course, but we are doing due dilligence to monitor the safety in Acuna, and we will continue to do so right up until we go in December. If safety is a big concern, please keep in my mind that the winter trip is a family mission trip. I encourage you to go together as a family. We will leave Saturday and get settled in at FBC Del Rio Saturday evening. We will be in Acuña all day Sunday, and return to Del Rio that evening. Monday morning we will return to Houston. Hundreds of First Methodist adults and youth can attest to the blessing of spending time in mission the weekend right before Christmas. If you've never been and you mulling it over, I invite you to chat with them about the trip.
Often in Acuña we partner with WIDE Ministries, which is led by Dana and Liz Sweet. Describing summer 2009 events, they wrote this on their website: "The week that we were leaving for Zambia, we were blessed to have a team from Houston. This church has ministered in Acuña for years, and their love for the Mexican people is profoundly evident."
That's us they were writing about. Join us as we take that love back into Acuña. It is needed - to say the least.
Monday, October 12, 2009
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