Pictures from Iquique

Hello

For whoever takes the time to check the blog today, I just thought that I should at least say "hello". Unfortunately I don't have much more time at the moment, but I will try to be a little more expressive soon. Chao!

Prayer for Marichen and Jesus

Marichen is one of the most faithful women of the Grace Baptist family. She has four biological children and one (unofficially)adopted child named Jesus (please note that "Jesus" is a common name in Latin American countries. In order to distinguish between "normal" people and the Son of God, we use "Jesucristo".) Jesus was physically abused as an infant and dropped off at the local hospital for someone else to take care of him. Marichen took charge of him and has been taking care of him for the last 10+ years. Given the special needs of Jesus, Marichen has her hands full.
Early Monday morning Jesus was taken to the local hospital with an advanced case of bronchial pneumonia. The x-rays showed one of his lungs completely filled up and the second on its way. Today I was able to visit him at the hospital and speak with him and Marichen, and pray and believe it or not, even sing! For those of you who have heard my "beautiful" voice, you would know that I am not often invited for special music. However, Jesus actually likes to hear me sing. Well, truth be told, Ruth and I recorded a children's music cd (her singing, me preaching) and he has listened to it probably a 1000+ times. So he probably just gets excited about me singing in hopes that Ruth will join in soon. Ok, back to Jesus. It was a blessing for me to be able to share with him and Marichen. Another example of seeking to minister to others and being the one who is really ministered to. (by the people and the Lord) Jesus is on antibiotics and will be in the hospital for another 4 or 5 days. Please pray for him and for Marichen. May the Lord continue to minister to them and through them for His glory.
Thanks for your prayers!

Prayer and Fasting

Today we were back in Mark chapter 9 and reflecting upon Jesus' healing of the boy with an evil spirit. As the story goes, the disciples were given the first shot at it but to no avail. Jesus said it pretty much boiled down to a lack of faith on their part and emphasized the fact that this was something beyond any earthly powers, this kind of help could only come from above.
We were encouraged to consider the reality of the battle in which we find ourselves; it is a spiritual one and it must be fought with spiritual weaponry. The stakes are high; we fight (spiritually) for the glory of God and for the souls of men and women and boys and girls.
Would you please link arms with us in prayer to see these battles won? Thank you and may the Lord grant you victory in the battles that you are surely facing on a day-to-day basis.
A Dios sea la gloria!

Cheering them on

Today was a big day for Elizabeth and Daniel. They had a basketball game. For those of you who know that we homeschool, you would also realize that even though we have five children, they aren't all old enough to make up a basketball team. But with things as they are, the local school invites Elizabeth and Daniel to play with them. (Kinda like back in the States, right?) Anyway, it was the day of the game and of course I forgot to bring the camera! So please use your imagination. A lot of kids (10) running around, not completely sure of what they are supposed to be doing, but definitely having a great time. In the stands were Rebekah and I (Ruth stayed home with Grace and Tabitha) cheering on our little stars. Of course I tried not to cheer too loud, I didn't want to be like one of those stereotypical way-too-into-it sports parents. I really had to contain myself. Especially since I stand out as the one dad who isn't from around here, I wanted to blend in a bit with the other parents. It was fun cheering them on.
This makes me think of the passage in the book of Hebrews, chapter 12:1 to be exact. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (NIV) In chapter 11 we read about the heroes of the faith and how they served the Lord. And then the idea in verse 1 of chapter 12 that this great cloud of witnesses that has went before us (into the presence of God) is cheering us on to the finish line. That we would press on as the Apostle Paul desired to (Philippians 3:12-14) and as we read later, ultimately did. (2nd Timothy 4:6-8) And I am sure that just as the angels rejoice when an unbeliever puts his or her faith in Christ (Luke 15:7), they rejoice when the believer walks faithfully with the Lord. They are cheering us on too. And then we have the opportunity in the here and now to cheer each other on. We can drop each other a good word like "press on brother/press on sister", "in the power of the Lord you can (and will) make it to the finish line", or just a simple "I'm cheering for you." What a blessing it can be to know that we are being cheered for. Sometimes we may need to put aside our timidity and cheer really loud. Maybe we do need to stand out some and by so doing encourage those around us that the race or the battle is worth winning and to press on to victory.
Please know that I am praying in general for all of you who will read this blog and those to come. By so doing I am cheering for you that you would be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. I pray that you would know who you are in Christ, if you are in Him, and if you are not that you would come to know who He is and who He can transform you into.
Cheering for you.
Daniel

So much for New Year's Resolutions!

Well I'm back at the blogging thing again. It was my New Year's Resolution to blog each and every day throughout the year. Obviously that didn't happen, given that my last post was to wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day. I really did have in mind to at least wish the dads out there a Happy Father's Day. Didn't happen. But why didn't it happen? At least this time I have a decent excuse. Computer problems really have had me down. The envidia card on the laptop went out, and that essentially means that the computer cannot be used. No video. No visual. Can't see anything. Warranty is expired. I am currently using a third-stringer.
The Kennison family is doing well. The family of faith at Iglesia Bautista Gracia is doing well. I will sincerely try to be more consistent with this blog. I really do struggle with how consistent I should be. How often should I post. How many details should I include. I of course don't want to turn our lives into some sort of weird reality show. But at the same time I do appreciate those of you who are interested in our lives and want to know how to pray for us and those around us. So I will be seeking the right balance. Maybe everyday is not a realistic goal or not even a needed one. I will however try to get the next post out before Labor Day. And oh yeah, by the way, Happy 4th of July!