In case you missed the 3rd Mexico Meeting, or lost your packing list, here is a suggested list to get started:

You can expect good weather, lots of wind, low humidity, and warm temperatures. Pack wisely. You can probably wear some clothes more than once. Here’s a list to check off as you pack.

Clothing:

• Work clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/painting in
• Work gloves
• Lightweight shirts & shorts
• Sunday clothes (nice casual, no jeans in church!)
• Jacket, sweater or sweatshirt (it gets chilly at night)
• Modest sleepwear
• Sandals or flip-flops for the shower
• Hat

Other Items to Bring:

• Bible, Journal, Pen
• Camera & batteries
• Toiletries – shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer/lotion, deodorant, etc.
• Eye drops if you need them
• Chapstick
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Any medications you may need – Tylenol, aspirin, Advil, Immodium AD/Pepto Bismol
• Sunscreen (at least 30 SPF) if you are easily burned
• Antibacterial cleanser for hands (Purel or similar)
• Sleeping Bag or Bed Sheets (twin) & Pillow
• Towel
• Cell Phone & charger
• Flashlight (with batteries!)
• Cash for snacks in the airport

What to Leave at Home:

• Ungodly books, magazines, or music
• Valuables
• Shirts with questionable slogans or advertisements (e.g. beer or band T-shirts)
• Hairdryers/curling irons
• Immodest clothing, including short or slit skirts, Sleeveless sundresses, halter or braless tops. Tank tops – GUYS: this includes you!

Remember that you represent Christ and the church.

IMPORTANT: Don’t pack any more luggage than you can carry through the airport!

Categories: Mx08
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This should give us a good feel for what the weather will be like at the Ranch.  Please note the cool evening temperatures and plan accordingly.

Categories: Mx08
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Mark sent me this quote last week. This is very provocative.

From Screwtape Letters chapter IX (remember that this is one demon talking to another, so everything is backwards):

“Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasure in its healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are, in a sense, on the Enemy’s ground. I know we have won many a soul through pleasure. All the same, it is His invention, not ours. He made the pleasures: all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures which our Enemy has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees which He has forbidden. Hence we always try to work away from the natural condition of any pleasure that in which is is least natural, least redolent of its Marker, and least pleasurable. An ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure is the formula.”

Your Affectionate Uncle, Screwtape

Categories: five15 blog
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Here’s something you guys might enjoy:

The 10:31 Youth Ministry of Covenant Life presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a Broadway musical based on the biblical story of Joseph. Performances will be held on the following dates and times (doors open a half hour before showtime):

• Friday, March 28 – 7:30 p.m. – Buy Tickets
• Saturday, March 29 – 2:30 p.m. – Buy Tickets
• Saturday, March 29 – 7:30 p.m – Buy Tickets
• Friday, April 4 – 7:30 p.m. – Buy Tickets
• Saturday, April 5 – 7:30 p.m. – Buy Tickets

Use the above links to purchase tickets: $6 for adults; $3 for students age 18 and under. All tickets purchased online will be available for pick up at Will Call before each performance.

Categories: Announcements, five15 blog
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So much fun getting to interview Dean tonight. Thanks for coming, thanks for listening, and thanks most of all for your generous giving. This is amazing:

we together gave just over $5000 to the Ranch.

How can we not think of:

“For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Cor 9:12)

Many thanksgivings to God for you all, my friends!

Categories: Mx08, five15 blog
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five15 BIG MEETING tomorrow night!  I can’t wait.  A couple important things to keep in mind:

1. Dean Adamek will be visiting with us to tell us about Rancho 3M.  If you have questions about life at the Ranch, leave a comment.
2. A five15 first: we’ll be taking a special offering for Rancho 3M.  If you want to participate, please plan ahead.
3. We’ll be praying for the students and parents going to Mexico next week.

See you Saturday night.

Categories: Announcements
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Nicole read this line to me the other day.  I really like the connection between God’s grace and our action:

“After grace there must be obedience, through which grace reaches its goal.” Ian Duguid, Living in the Gap Between Promise and Reality, p. 89.

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Categories: Mx08
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Next Saturday at the five15 BIG MEETING, we are going to host Dean Adamek, the Director of Rancho 3M. I’m going to spend a chunk of the meeting interviewing Dean about what life is like at a Mexican orphanage and how five15 makes a difference every time we go and serve the Ranch.

I want you guys to be able to participate in a meaningful way: I’d like for you to be able to ask Dean any questions you have about life on the Ranch. It will help if we can get those questions in advance.

So what are your questions? What do you want to know about life on the Ranch and about how groups like ours make a difference in the lives or orphans?

Categories: Announcements
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