IDEM Dinner

Friday night we had a "farewell" dinner for our IDEM group leaders, Ryan and Keeley Blackstock.  While they're not leaving the country, they are changing churches.  Ryan accepted an assistant pastor position with Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza (New Hope Baptist Church.)  

Stephen's had a really bad cold so he didn't go.  Of course, I went so I could take the dessert!  It was at Salvador and Roxana's house in Santa Techla, not far from where we used to live, so I knew the way.  Dinner was great--grilled steak, rice, beans, salad, fruit and cheesecake for dessert.  

We all agreed that we will work hard to maintain our friendship with the Blackstock family so I expect we'll be having more dinners together in the future.  To end the evening each of us shared how we felt about them and then had a group prayer.  We know that they are following God's will for their lives, but will miss seeing them on a weekly basis.

Farewell Party

Javier, Mirna and their two boys are moving to the states.  He got a job with a company in Columbus, Ohio.  In fact, they flew out this morning.  Both of them have been an essential part of the worship ministry--Mirna sang on the praise team at the hotel and Javier ran the sound board.  We're going to miss them greatly.  

Last night the worship team said farewell to them at Galaxy Bowl--the only bowling alley in the city.  More than 20 showed up to bowl--most for the first time.  Stephen and I decided not to bowl--him because he recently hurt his back and me because I'm no good.  Although, when I wasn't looking he threw a couple of frames.  The night took me back to high school gym and being tested on how to score bowling.  Thankfully, the process is automated these days.

Here's a couple of pictures, but nothing that even comes close to the drama of the event.  Most of the lanes had the bumpers up so a majority of the strikes were the result of random ricocheting!  Needless to say, the lanes took quite a beating, but fun was had by all.