Good Morning-

Yesterday was an eventful and busy day as lengthy and productive conversations in establishing a training strategy took place, fish tacos were consumed for lunch and a visit to Ron’s favorite taco stand – Tacos el Poblano…. another Ensenada jewel. The food at the stand was delicious and the ambiance, well, let’s say it was unique.

Doug Shiplett from BILD International was extremely helpful in help us formulate a training strategy. One of his concerns throughout the day was that the Mexicans take ownership in this project and whether or not certain techniques would function well within the Baja culture. The last thing we want to do is replicate an “American” program within a culture that has no chance of working. Our goal is not to “Americanize” their ministry (much like the colonial missions of the 1800s and1900s), but to give them quality biblical tools that will transcend the Mexican culture and further establish and strengthen churches in Ensenada. On a couple of occasions, these pastors help guide us over some of the cultural hurdles to give us better clarity as this strategy was being developed. It was pretty awesome to see this unfold. I will avoid the details of this strategy in this blog, but a detailed written report will be made available to the congregation at Grace Church, Lord willing.

As a side note, over the past several years and now with my second visit to Ensenada, I am now more convinced that “missions” is best conducted by indigenous leaders/trainers rather than sending someone foreign to the culture and language. The sooner a work can be transferred into the hands of local pastors, the better. That is why I like this set up we have here in Ensenada. We are in for a week or two, couple times a year, to work along side of the Mexicans, who have a better understanding of their culture and language than I will ever have with my two years of high school Spanish language.

Today, we begin our training in Becoming Established in the Gospel and this afternoon we will present each pastor with four MacArthur books, in Spanish of course, as a gift from Grace Church congregation. I definitely will post on this.

Grace & Peace-

Scott