First Sunday on our own property

Today we met together for the first time as a church on our own land.

It was a very warm Sunday morning and we still don't have a roof over our heads,

but like Daniel said this morning, 

"Many here use to spend all day Sunday sitting in the sun to watch a soccer game.

Today we sit here in the sun to hear the Word of God preached."

Many were out of town as clam season opened up last week and many move out to the beach for the next few weeks as they make over double killing clam than they do working in the fields.

But it was still a sweet service with those who were able to come.

Brother Juan, his wife, and their four children got up early hoping to be able to hitch hike/catch a ride (a very common form of transportation here) into town at least in time to come to the evening service.

A man hitch hiking next to them told them to not bother that it would take a family their size 4-6 hours to find a ride.  Leticia told me that a couple minutes later, someone stopped, picked them up, and dropped them off right near our church.

Daniel and Timothy got home after midnight last night.

They were so hoping to finish at least the roof yesterday, but went home thankful for all that they and the group who came yesterday were able to accomplish.

Walls put up, trusses built and put up, front doors built and hung, pews moved inside our beautiful dirt floor, and one outside wall painted.

As I sat next to Nehemiah in church this morning, he began swinging his feet back and forth kicking up dirt/making a cloud of dust arise.  I patted him to sit still and thought of when God said to Moses, "Take off your sandals for you are on holy ground."

I told the ladies this morning as I taught how this land itself isn't special.  It is just like any other plot of dirt here in our town.

But it's purpose is VERY special!  Either a dirt floor or a lush carpeted building, the Lord Jesus Christ is in our midst as we meet together in His name!

 Hopefully the roof will get put on tomorrow or the next day and by next Sunday, we should have some shade over our heads.  By the end of second service, my head was "boiling" (to use an exaggerated word as my children would :) ).  My dark brown hair readily absorbs the sun and heat.  I touched Eliseo's blond head and it was hardly warm.  

The sweet dark headed children in front of me must have been "boiling" too. :)

But I didn't hear any complaints, although I know we will be all the more grateful for a tin roof next week.

Want to meet our "guard dog?"  

This is Licorice.  He's been a "part" of our family for the past few years.

He was getting into quite a bit of mischief at home.  He like to fight with other dogs.  He's as nice as can be to all people.  He'll let anyone come into our yard with "open arms".  But many people, who don't know us, don't walk into our yard because he "looks scary".  

With all the material and building supplies out at the property, we decided that for now, Licorice could live out there to protect everything.  He wouldn't hurt a fly (unless the fly happens to be another dog), but his "looks" help keep the place safe. 

 We had a bit of paint left over from painting our house, so right now, one wall of the church is yellow. :)

 Right now we don't have anything for our children's classes, but since the bathrooms and storage room aren't finished yet, we are using them right now as classrooms for our children's classes and ladies class.

And since I've updated two days in a row (that's a new record I think!),

I'll end by sharing a neat opportunity that the Lord gave me yesterday.

Karla is a young lady/college student in our church.  Her sister had a baby boy, Mateo, last month.

Her mom asked if I would come to his baby shower and give a devotional.

Karla's family is very well known as her father is a very well to do business owner.  

Several ladies came to the shower....maybe over 60.

A doctor's wife, the principle of the junior high school, several girls from the local high school...of all the ladies there, I only knew a handful.

And as far as I know, only 5 of them know the Lord.

 I don't speak perfect Spanish.

I didn't feel at all able/qualified to speak to them all.

But I knew that the opportunity was given to me and I don't know that these ladies have ever heard the gospel.  I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to tell them again.

I called Daniel and asked him to pray and then I simply asked the Lord to help me to fear not, but to know that He has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

Power/authority of His Word.

Love because He loves every one of those ladies so much.

And a sound mind that knows the truth of His Word.

I spoke for about 15 minutes.  It was sure different than teaching a group of ladies who all know and love the Lord.  But they all listened.  I wanted them to all know that today they could come to Christ.

I wanted them to know that the price has been paid!  Jesus has done it all!  There is nothing that they can ever do or have ever done that can bring them peace with God.

But HE DID IT ALL!

I wanted them to know that this life is so short.  What we can see...the material...the physical...is so fleeting and of little value. 

The eternal...their souls...have such an immense value.

 That the Lord would use us here as inadequate as we are.

We are weak but He is strong!