Lighthouse To Uruguay

Update on the Cisler Seven

Erika — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:53:08 +0000

We watched that movie Courageous. It was really good. It sure gets you on the edge of your seat at the very beginning! Chris is amazing with technology. He was able to purchase the movie online, download it, and then hook up his computer to the big flat screen TV they have here in the living room. It was great! : )

We are closer to narrowing down a location in which to live and minister. We are down to two areas. Chris has been researching the various areas, i.e. population, churches already in those areas, etc.

Right now we are enjoying the churches we are attending here in Montevideo. The one we attend on Sunday mornings (Tres Cruces, which is Three Crosses) is a very small group but very sweet group. The building they use is nice and open. There is one large classroom that the boys from Josiah down go to that is a classroom/nursery right now. There is only one other child the boys’ age, a little 4-year-old autistic boy. Starting in the next week or two, his mom will be teaching the little guys during Sunday school. (Right now, we have just been having a playtime during SS and church, and some of the ladies have been alternating helping with the boys so I can be in either SS or church.) She also talked to me about teaching Jeshua’s class (every other Sunday) which consists of Jeshua and one other boy who is about 10 I think. I’m excited! I get to practice my Spanish and teach God’s word and help Jeshua with his Spanish all at the same time! Chris will be teaching SS the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month. Thankfully, for right now, all he has to do is translate all of the lessons he already has in his repertoire. Otherwise, he would have to be preparing new lessons AND translating them. A lot of work!!!

On Sunday nights, we will be attending a different church, since Tres Cruces only has morning services. It’s called Redeemer Baptist Church. It was started by a national pastor over 30 years ago. It’s a beautiful building! Jeshua, Josiah and Jonathan go to a room with toys in it and play during the service. I go upstairs to the nursery with Jason and Jeremiah, from where I can see (and somewhat hear) the service. It’s really nice, and it has A/C. : ) I sat and talked with another lady in there last night. She has been in that church since she was 6, and she’s now 30. She has a 3-year-old boy and a 16-day-old baby girl. Precious!!! It was such a blessing to sit and talk with someone in my stage of life…and in Spanish! : ) As far as what we will do Wednesday nights, we are still not sure. Still deciding. There is another church that is a little farther away, but we really felt a great connection with the people there, so we’d really like to get involved there. Unfortunately, it’s a little house church and it’s not quite conducive to all the boys!

We found a very nice playground for the boys about 10 minutes away. It’s well shaded and they had a great time there this past Saturday. What a blessing! It is also right next to a mini-amusement park that costs about a dollar per person per ride.

Today we went to Interpol (all seven of us!) so they could make sure we are not criminals. : ) Just another step in the residency process. Later, we all went to get individual photos of everyone, which are required for our Uruguayan IDs and some other documents.

Well, I guess that brings us up to date now. Chris will be heading out tomorrow morning for some more adventures in this long process of being approved as legal residents of Uruguay. More to come later!

Erika Gets a Taste of Heaven

Chris — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:57:22 +0000

For the last three and half years Erika has heard me speak of the mighty Chivito. I have told many people that this “sandwich” is the reason we are in Uruguay (joking of course). Well, tonight, Erika was able to experience this great joy. She was impressed, but not as smitten with it as I am. How can you not love a steak and ham and bacon and egg and mozzarella cheese sandwich? For those of you who have not seen the video of the Chivito, check it out here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk_-198EuSg.

Here are some pictures of Erika’s experience:

Investigating Cities – Help Needed

Chris — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:49:21 +0000

Over the next 6 months we will be praying and investigating various cities in Uruguay to seek where God would have us settle our family and plant a new church. It is my plan to take the next two weeks to talk to Uruguayan missionaries and local pastors about where they see a need for a local church. It is my hope that I will be able to compile a list 4 or 5 cities/areas in the next two weeks.

After I have my list of 4-5 I am planning on taking one at a time to pray about and investigate. I am looking for some ideas from others as to things we should do during this investigation period to help us make a decision. We are planning on visiting each of these places a couple of times during the period we are investigating them and talking to the locals about our desire and their interest. Is there anything specific we should ask the locals about? Anything we should look for in the communities? Anything else? I am also hoping to get in contact with a real estate agent to find about housing options in the various areas.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. You can email me, leave a response on the blog or private message me.

Thanks in advance for your help.

“And, lo, I am with you alway…”

Erika — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:25:33 +0000

Christ promised to be with us always when we go forth to carry out His commission. I thought about that promise this morning as I read Genesis 46. In verse 4, God said to Jacob, “I will go down with thee into Egypt.” The people of Israel were to go to Egypt “according to the commandment of Pharaoh” himself (45:21). I’m sure there was some fear and uncertainty experienced by the Israelites at this time. A new land with new people, a new language, new gods, a whole new culture! At least they had their family with them, right? Yes, they did. However, I have learned that it is still possible to feel lonely, even when surrounded by family. I needed to read this today, as God already knew! : ) He helped me to realize that, even though everything around me is new and unfamiliar, He is still with me, as He promised He always would be. Even when the busyness of the day keeps me from spending the time I would like to with my husband and kids, I can always go to Him because He will never leave me nor forsake me.

Settling In

Erika — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:56:05 +0000

Well, here we are in Uruguay…finally! It seems we have worked long and hard to reach this point, though God truly did speed the whole process along when compared to the time most missionaries need to get to the field. Now what? Chris and I were just discussing this very subject. Now we have to shift gears a bit and set new goals. I know there will be challenges, as I have already experienced a few. Last night, I headed to the garage to retrieve some laundry and was met by a posse of some of the largest roaches I’ve ever seen (or heard, yes I said “heard”!)…and that says a lot considering I grew up in Florida! We have dealt with some consecutive sleepless nights, due to jet lag and some difficulties the children have had with whatever new allergens might be floating around. These things just amplified the homesickness we were already experiencing! However, I must say that these things seem so minor when I compare them to the reason we are here.

I have been contemplating the lives of two people over the last few days. First, I think of how Paul described his circumstances as “light affliction.” He endured so much, yet he stayed faithful! I know if God’s grace saw him through such trials, surely it will do the same for me. Then I must think of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He left His heavenly home and sacrificed more than I could ever imagine. He stayed faithful in spite of severe opposition because He knew it was worth it all. Chris and I have both said a few times that we have felt like saying, “Ok, let’s go home. I don’t think I really want to do this anymore.” It’s a weird feeling, wanting to do God’s work, but not feeling “at home” yet. I am so glad that Christ didn’t give in to the many temptations He faced to throw in the towel and go home. I was sharing with a friend recently the unique opportunity we missionaries have to live as Christ lived. He had no place to call His “home” on this earth. He just stayed busy doing God’s work, knowing that He would only be here a short time to do so. We will eventually feel “at home” here, yet we will always have a “home” in the states. Yet we are always going to be busy about God’s work so that we never really feel attached to one place or another. So as much as I want to FINALLY settle down into my own house, I pray that I will never sink my roots in too deeply because this world is not my home. I always want to be available to say, “Here am I, Lord. Send me!” because we never know when or where He may want us to go next.

Divided Documentary

Chris — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:27:06 +0000

A few thoughts regarding this video

I agree with the premise that the modern way youth ministry is run is very damaging
I agree that parents (fathers in particular) are neglecting their duty and the kids are suffering
I agree that churches must do a better job of equipping parents to fulfill their God-given responsibilities and challenging them do do so.
I disagree with the Biblical arguments for the premise of eliminating all age-segregated classrooms.

Argument from Silence – The Bible does not mention youth groups or youth pastors, therefore they are unbiblical. If we are going to apply this principle to youth groups, we must apply it to everything in the church. No more ushers, choirs, song leaders, pianist, missions conferences, padded pews, sound equipment, suits and ties the list could go on. Just because the Bible does not mention them, does not make them unbiblical. It’s building a straw man.
Paul’s letters to the congregation – While I agree that the whole church family was there to listen to the reading of Paul’s letter, this does not mean that youth groups or family friendly (churches that do have Sunday School, Nursery, Youth Ministry) churches are wrong. Maybe it was a cultural thing. Maybe the fact that an apostle, their church founder had written a letter to them was such a big thing, that they decided to bring the whole church family together. The fact that they gathered together for the reading of that letter does not make churches with youth ministries wrong.
Children coming to Jesus – Do I really have to show the shallowness of this argument, that this proves that there should be no children’s ministries?

In my opinion, the reality of the matter is this; the way churches are being run today is failing the youth. The question that I have from this video is this; is the way to solve this problem by eliminating all children and youth activities? I personally believe that this is not the case. I think that the way to solve this problem is equipping a training dads to do their jobs at home. I view Sunday School teachers as an asset and help to the work I am doing. My children have the opportunity to hear from someone else, who they learn to trust by being with them every week, who agrees with what I believe and what I am teaching them. They reinforce what I am doing, not taking away from it.

If parents are not doing the work at home, I do not think that any church model will be successful. It is really up to mom and dad, the church is a help to them.

What are your thoughts?

Uruguay Video

Chris — Sun, 22 May 2011 03:29:05 +0000

Check out this excellently done video that gives a great overview of Uruguay.

Samson Skit

Chris — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:16:08 +0000

Check out our newest video, http://lh2u.org/videos. It is a modern day skit of the story of Samson in Spanish. Subtitles are included for our Spanish impaired friends.

It’s A Boy – Again!

Chris — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:06:01 +0000

We just got back from the doctors and have learned baby number 5 is another BOY!!! We are very excited and thankful that the Lord has given us another young man to raise for his glory.

Check out his 4D Picture Here!

The Big Picture

Erika — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 04:09:07 +0000

Do you ever get the sense that you are part of a bigger picture? I have become increasingly aware of this fact over the last two years of my life. Since God has given us a burden for the Uruguayan people, He has done things that can only be described as miraculous. I constantly stand in awe of His work in my life and in the life of my family. We are so abundantly blessed in so many ways, more than I could possibly count!

Since coming to language school, I have noticed that the burdens seem to have increased upon us. We have dealt with repeated sickness with our children, very determined bugs (mostly ants) in our home, discouragement, frustration, discontentment, loneliness and EXHAUSTION. And yet, in all of this, God is STILL blessing! It seems to me that the closer we get to Uruguay, the stronger the oppression becomes.

One other thing I have become aware of is God’s hand specifically upon the lives of my husband and me. We have had different people here come to us and say that we are an encouragement, a blessing, etc. I just think to myself, “Me?!” My desire is that others will look at me and see Christ emanating from my life. If others see something special in us, we know it is only because God put it there.

The blessing of the Lord, the feeling of being “oppressed” at times, and the fact that we seem to stand out from the crowd…God is at work. He has something He is trying to accomplish and He seems to be using us to do it. It is a great experience to step back and watch Him work…through us!