Recently a letter came from Shelley and Rob Chapman, telling us about the development of their outreach café:
Greetings from Mexico! The main focus this year has been on getting our café “Playa Coyote” firmly established. We open for 16 hours a day, which has been draining, but seemed the right thing to do...it’s an exciting place to be, as each day brings new events, opportunities and challenges…
By the end of the semester there were about 15 of us working serving between 1000 and 2000 people throughout the day…
So we feel that our vision to create a bridge between the Christian community and the university is becoming a reality; …its not uncommon for people to ask what it is that makes us different, and its not hard to explain the hope that we have in Jesus when the students have asked us.
We have seen a very positive impact of the café on the student staff. As all of them are Christians, they have the opportunity to meet and talk things over with other Christian students. They have a regular source of income, which gives them the freedom to contribute to their families, their churches and the Compa (Their University Christian Union). We are taking more of a back seat at Compa and the students often organise activities before, while, or after they work at the café.
We have been encouraged to see students mature through their Bible study groups on campus. The students organised an event in April for fellowship and teaching on such subjects as apologetics and life after university – it was completely student led, with much organisation and preparation – more students attended than ever before.
Shelley has other irons in the fire, giving two writing classes at the university and she ran a writing workshop for a week. These gave her opportunity to share her faith.
They give an update on their twins: Luis and Tom have now completed grade 2 and both did very well, with Tom dux of the class. They both have blue belts in Tae Kwon Do; and are on to their third series of X-plore the Bible. During Easter they went on their first church camp for kids.
They conclude: It hasn’t been an easy semester. We know your prayers for our health, provision and work have helped us to continue, and we continue to give thanks for you. Keep fighting the good fight.
Greetings from Mexico! The main focus this year has been on getting our café “Playa Coyote” firmly established. We open for 16 hours a day, which has been draining, but seemed the right thing to do...it’s an exciting place to be, as each day brings new events, opportunities and challenges…
By the end of the semester there were about 15 of us working serving between 1000 and 2000 people throughout the day…
So we feel that our vision to create a bridge between the Christian community and the university is becoming a reality; …its not uncommon for people to ask what it is that makes us different, and its not hard to explain the hope that we have in Jesus when the students have asked us.
We have seen a very positive impact of the café on the student staff. As all of them are Christians, they have the opportunity to meet and talk things over with other Christian students. They have a regular source of income, which gives them the freedom to contribute to their families, their churches and the Compa (Their University Christian Union). We are taking more of a back seat at Compa and the students often organise activities before, while, or after they work at the café.
We have been encouraged to see students mature through their Bible study groups on campus. The students organised an event in April for fellowship and teaching on such subjects as apologetics and life after university – it was completely student led, with much organisation and preparation – more students attended than ever before.
Shelley has other irons in the fire, giving two writing classes at the university and she ran a writing workshop for a week. These gave her opportunity to share her faith.
They give an update on their twins: Luis and Tom have now completed grade 2 and both did very well, with Tom dux of the class. They both have blue belts in Tae Kwon Do; and are on to their third series of X-plore the Bible. During Easter they went on their first church camp for kids.
They conclude: It hasn’t been an easy semester. We know your prayers for our health, provision and work have helped us to continue, and we continue to give thanks for you. Keep fighting the good fight.
Shelley and Rob
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