It is always so amazing to see God work among you. It's something so unexplainable but so real and vibrant! We had one of those times this weekend. There ended up being exactly 50 people by Sunday and we are excited and blessed to tell you that two of them put on Christ in baptism this morning! Marta, a lady who has come for quite some time and actually only showed up Sunday morning because she had to work the rest of the weekend, and Marco, the adolescent son of Ofelia and Angel, a family Sam has been visiting, along with other members of the church, for a couple of months now, both decided to dedicate their lives to Christ and receive the hope of heaven. I know you are all rejoicing with the angels and with us on that one!
We had a great weekend overall. The weather Friday night was a bit damp and cold, but Saturday turned into a beautiful day and Sunday followed suit. The church was greatly uplifted by Walter Leonard's talks on what is means to live in Christian community. He challenged us to really discover what Christ-centered community means and how it looks different from the world’s view of community. We had several people in attendance that have just recently started getting to know us as a church family. Lalo and Esther and two kids first came to the convivio in September and also came to Friend's Day. They are friends of Miguel and Morelia, for those of you who know them. Arturo and Elsa were also there, who are neighbors of Sam and Ann and have been attending cell group for the past few months. Actually, they've been around for a while (they attended our first ever convivio two years ago) but have really been seeking the Lord more in the past few months. Even though Marta couldn't attend the entire retreat, her 26-year-old daughter, Karla, was there, along with her boyfriend, Lázaro. His first exposure to us was also Friend's Day a couple of weeks ago. Ofelia, Marco's mom, arrived on Saturday and stayed through Sunday, as did Guillermo, Adriana, Abdiel, and Adisara (she is the same school as Victoria). We had lots of really great praise times together and also played some fun games on Saturday and enjoyed a campfire Saturday night. The highlight for the kids was a toss up between the pool and the trampoline. I’m going to put some pictures up, just to give you an idea of all that went on while we were there. Enjoy!
L to R: Karla, Lázaro, Blanquita and Blanca eating breakfast
Top: Esther and Lalo; Bottom: Morelia, Miguel, Ann, Walter Leonard, Sam
One of the praise times on Saturday
The kids helping with praise time
Getting ready for games
Wheelbarrow races (L to R: Sam, Leo, Karla, and Lázaro)
Water balloon toss
Adriana & Summer teaching the kids during one of the sessions
Sam baptizing Marta
Marco getting baptized
6 comments:
WAY WAY WAY COOL!!! THE COOLEST!! We are so thrilled and excited!! Praise God for answered prayer!! And what great pictures, too! WOW!
love you Sara,
~mom
Well, once again we see that God answers prayer. He also blesses good preparation. You guys obviously did a great of getting prepared so that Lord could work through you. Two more added to the Kingdom - what a blessing! Good report. I love blogging.
- - Ron
This is so exciting! I am so thrilled for you and for the Kingdom of our Lord! He is most pleased.
I can tell everyone was having a blast! You are now enjoyng the fruit of hard work and feeling the blessing of the Lord working through you! I am so proud of each one of you.
I was working on some CBW things when you message came...we leave for Germany on Nov 3rd...we will count on your prayers...blessing...suzyj
Hi Sara and all those with you.
Your mom gave us this connection and it is great to see what the Lord is doing with you all there.
The pictures are great and down load easily at this size. I opened a blog account too after your dad sent his first, but I haven't had time to get familiar with it. I will try to forward our address as we get it up to speed. Any recommendations are welcome. It is great to see how that the church is progressing there and your joy in ministry.
Andrew and Katie and Anna just finished the World Missions Conference at Harding this weekend.
Anna coordinated, and she and Andrew were on a panel on missionary kids. Rebecca's mom and Andrew had classes and some future workers for planned work in Istanbul surfaced. It was a really encouraging time for them.
It is great for all of us missionary parents to see the way our kids respond to God's call! You are a great example of that!
love and prayers,
Tim and Rebecca Brinley
Moscow, Russia
tbrinley@yahoo.com
It is hard to believe the church has grown so much in three short years. God is doing great things through your team. We rejoice over the new births.
Grace and peace,
Don Ferrill
Felicidades!
We were VERY excited to hear the news and see the photos. Praise God! We've been waiting for Marta to take that step. Ami is elated! It was also great to see Karla there, and Arturo and Elsa, M&M's friends, more of Rosa's family, etc. Really, really, REALLY exciting news!
!Viva! this blogspot!
Sigue proclamando el reino de Dios,
Steven and Ami
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