Has it been a week since our last update? And even now, I only have a few mintues before bedtime. How full the days are! As the Lord has grown our family and ministry here, how easy it is for us to get overwhelmed or begin to sink. But like Peter, it is only because we have taken our eyes off Jesus and looked toward our own selves. How powerless and weak we are...and how mighty and strong is our God! Each morning, and often throughout the day, we pray together as a family for the Lord to guide and direct our day. More and more, I feel in such desparate need of His wisdom, strength, and realize more and more how desolate I am apart from Him!
As I was preparing for my Sunday night class, I felt overcome with the need to just pray. All the songs, lessons, verses, and crafts are nothing if they are not bathed in prayer beseeching the One who loves the little children to work in their hearts. Often, I do not know what to say or how to help, but He does! And how I have come to love these people here more and more! Thank you Lord for sending us here! As I sang "Jesus Loves Me" tonight to Nehemiah, the words "they are weak but He is strong" set deep in my heart. He is so strong! And has the power to save!
I was thinking that Mondays would be a good day to update you all on the ministry here. I know so many of you are praying and your eagerness to stand along side us here through your prayers has convicted my heart in coming to my knees so much more for our church here in La Toba. As we see our sweet Saviour's work in each heart here, we have joy unspeakable! May He add many, many more jewels to His crown!
Wednesday, we were out of water all day. Cleaning was difficult and wouldn't you know it that an unexpected guest arrived for the night. I'm learning more and more to swallow my selfish pride on such matters and do as the people here do...give each guest the best we have and receive them with sincere joy especially one who is a servant of our Lord.
Pastor Alvero, a national pastor from the state of Sonora, feels the Lord may be calling him to work in our state here and he was surveying the area. He preached in our Wednesday night service and then returned and preached in our service Sunday evening.
Hna. Julia, her daughter Lupita, and Hno. Juaquin gave testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior following Him in obedience by baptism last night.
We've been having growing pains in our little church lately. How wonderful to see each and every pew filled! Last night, we put chairs up front near the pulpit, chairs along the back wall, and there were still people having to stand outside. We're being creative in fitting all the children in my evening Sunday School class and have been brainstorming and especially praying asking the Lord to gives us ideas to best accomodate and work with what we have. May we be faithful in whatever He gives!
Picking up children in the bus
I can only begin to imagine the memories, stories, testimonies that the Lord is DEEPLY planted within your children's hearts. Literally watching, experiencing, taking-part in the simple yet joyous opportunity to see a community transformed. A community foreign to us yet so familiar to God. A community so in need of a Savior! Thank you for surrendering your lives to be nourishing vessel for our Lord! :o)
ReplyDeleteMendi
How I have struggled to want everything PERFECT before people can come to my home in contrast to the nationals who truly understand REAL hospitality and offer theri best with or without water and even borrowing food if need be and they do it with smiles - AMAZING>
ReplyDeleteOne of the advatages to house churches is that when the church GROWS it can also MULTIPLY. It's too easy for people to get lost in large crowds and to become men followers at least that's our thoughts what do you think?
It is very true about crafts, songs ... being NOTHING apart from Jesus. Just this week I heard about another dear sweet family who raised their children in a wonderful church and home-school. Thier momma was very involved in the children's church etc,,, Today, all 4 of their children are living lives walking after the things of this world. She says like so many evangelical parents are saying, "my child has not turned their back on God they just do not attend church, read their Bible and are dating an unbeliever..." If I could change one thing about the years I have spent in overseas children's ministry I would take out the cutesy - the puppets, the crafts, the silliness and instead read the Bible to the children not with watered down text. Amy Carmichal said, beter to have one true follower instead of ten who come for games and mistakenly think they are saved.
Blessings and wisdom to you,
Sj
What a wonderful testimony of God's work. Praise the Lord!
ReplyDeleteWow your ministry is really growing. Praise the Lord. Stephanie
ReplyDeleteGrowing pains are such a testiment to God's faithfulness. May the Lord bless your family for the work you are doing. Our prayers continue to be with you!
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord for Hna. Julia and Lupita and Hno. Juaquin's baptism!! Thank you Lord!!! :)
ReplyDeleteIts so amazing to see the growth in the church from last year, and just before that. God is moving in your town and in the surrounding towns. Gods blessings are very abundent. Thank you so much for doing Gods good work!!
ReplyDeleteJaynee, Looks like you're back in the swing of things :-) Have you even had a moment to unpack ?
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have "pop in" visitors. I use to be sooo worried about that but really my house is normally "in use" and toys and boots and coats lay around. So instead of worrying about how my house looks I just let it go (something had to go) and enjoy my company and my children~
You are such a blessing to us!!
~Cinnamon
Praise the Lord for growing His church, and for answered prayer. :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you,
Jillian
I am so excited to hear that your church is growing and people are coming to Jesus. Praise the Lord that your family has remained faithful to His service.
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ,
Anna M.
Your heart for God comes through so encouragingly in your posts! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI remember shortly after Nathan and I got married, and my grandma was coming to visit. We were out of water for THREE days before she arrived!!! It had been muddy and Nathan ad been working outside. It was incredibly dirty. We washed no dishes and only had enough water to flush once a day.
ReplyDeleteNot quite the way I intended to impress my grandma with my homemaking skills, for sure. But God is good and it was a good lesson. Quite a blow to my pride!
Misty