Just goin’ to a wedding. Be back Monday…
Dear Friends,
Please forgive us for the delay in updating you on our progress. Every time we try to even plan to write, new events take place, there’s more work to do, or someone or something else is calling for our attention.
So, here we go. We’ll hit the high points.
Laurie was going to fly to Michigan for five days to attend a family wedding at the end of April. It was a beautiful wedding! The groom, a nephew and his bride are committed believers and followers of Jesus Christ. What a privilege to be there.
As she was making plans, we received an invitation from Valley Community Church to attend their Mission Conference, and it was the weekend after the wedding. Yeah! We can’t miss that! So now Alvin was planning what to pack. Of course, VCC is in Pleasanton, California and right next to the city of Livermore where Cedar Grove Community Church is, another great supporting church. We’ve known folks in both these churches for over two decades. Plans were made and we were on the agendas. What a great time with added bonuses of meeting with additional friends and supporters, not to mention attending the 50th anniversary of Bob & Angela, some of the best people on the planet.
Speaking of the “Best People on the Planet” list, the young couple that first discipled us, back in the 70’s, invited us to come visit their church. Steve has been the pastor of Grace Brethren Church in Whittier, CA for decades. He participated in the weddings of both of our children and has encouraged us and prayed for us for over 40 years. We are in the ministry because they taught us to love Jesus, the Scriptures and people many years ago. Alvin always counts it a privilege to preach at this church. This time was no exception. While there, we were graciously received at Biola University and are so thankful for all we received there.
At some point in the trip, Alvin knew that this was the opportunity to visit Liberty University, (the largest Christian University in the world with a magnificent online department) to meet with people in LUO, Liberty University Online. After leaving the Los Angeles area, we flew to Lynchburg, VA. In the two full days that we were there, we had 8 meetings with the most gracious and giving individuals. They set aside time from their busy days to provide grace and help to their Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our last stop, Dallas, to meet with the individuals with our own mission, Camino Global, especially in the Obrero Fiel (Faithful Worker) Department. This department publishes resources for Spanish-speakers worldwide via the Internet. They are also partnering with SETECA to provide discipleship materials online. This stop also provided an opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline and Richard, only a week late. We are very proud of them, quite an accomplishment now-a-days!
We are home now after 5 weeks, instead of the original 5 days. We’ve have compiled the information from Alvin’s studies, experiences, meetings, our personal prayers and ideas and Alvin is preparing to meet with the Administration on the next big steps in the development of the Virtual Ed Department at SETECA, possibly next week. A great trip! Lots of great information! And now we need your prayers for this meeting.
Oh, and by the way, last Sunday Stefen, 15 and Liam, 13, grandsons #2 & #4, arrived for a one month stay with us. Tomorrow, June 18, is Laurie’s birthday and we will be spending the weekend in Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. Look it up on the Web. It’s beautiful.
Bless you Friends for your prayers! You are greatly appreciated.
Alvin & Laurie Thompson
SETECA
Central America Theological Seminary
Guatemala City, Guatemala
