We also wanted to share pictures from this Sunday in El Real. Thankfully we have been having good attendance despite being in winter months. One picture shows the whole group; both children and adults. The other picture shows one of the Sunday School classes - ages 9 through 11. This class has been growing very rapidly lately. We are so thankful for the Lord blessing this ministry of the church annex. We are also very thankful for Pastor and Ruth opening their home week after week for our use as a 'church' body. This commitment requires them to open not just their great room, but their kitchen, and at least 3 other rooms for SS class use. For 4 years they have made this sacrifice to allow us to meet at their house week after week, and we praise the Lord for their commitment to His work.
Every Saturday afternoon we have youth meeting at church. But this past Saturday we did things a little differently to make things more interesting. We had game time at a nearby park first, where the teens could enjoy basketball, soccer, volleyball, and several other sports. Then, we went to our house for the meeting and pizza afterwards. As the pictures show, the schoolroom was full of teens - 53 of them in all - we couldn't believe how quickly the place filled up. Pastor Perez preached to the teens and then we all enjoyed pizza, juice, and cake. What a blessing to see so many young people desiring to seek the things of the Lord and have Christian fellowship with their peers.
Baptisms in the River
Not only was this weekend an exciting one for us as a couple, but also for our church as a whole. We celebrated our 11th anninversary with cake on Saturday. And as we usually do, we had baptisms the same weekend. 14 new converts followed the Lord in believers' baptisms (in the river here in Colonia) on Sunday as the rest of the church (and some others) looked on. Gaby was able to baptize 8 of them, several youth and a few new Christians from the Annex in El Real. We were thrilled with the privilege of being part of this important step in their Christian lives. And we are even more excited about continuing to serve the Lord here in Colonia where He has placed us.
Kids' Activity
Saturday was a beautiful day both for its weather and for its activity. Near the church annex, we invited all the neighborhood children to join us for the afternoon. We had several sunday school teachers and helpers in charge of organized games. And we can't forget the trampoline! The Perezes graciously loaned us their giant trampoline - much to the kids' jumping pleasure. After a while of play time, we had songs and a Bible class for the 40 children in attendance. Many of them were new and we pray this will be an open door into their homes and the lives of these families here in the neighborhood. We finished the activity with cake and juice for everyone, before heading home.
4TH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY 8/17/08
Incredible! Our church annex is praising the Lord for four wonderful years of existence. On Sunday, the 17th we celebrated our anniversary as a 'church' group. After a special service and church program, we enjoyed lunch together with the other pastors and staff families. What we have seen during the past years is much growth in the number of people, but more importantly spiritually. The Lord is blessing this church work, and we are extremely thankful for it.
New Record
Praise the Lord for record attendance in the Annex last Sunday! We are thankful for 60 people that decided to assemble in the Lord's house to worship Him. There was a good group of children as well since we had "The Olympic Games," a special activity of games specifically for them. Mark Perez had planned and set up all the races and competitions, and the kids loved the games. We are thankful for the great attendance, but at the same time we realize more and more the urgent need for our own church building. Please continue to pray for God's direction in finding and buying a property for our church annex.
