Today was one of those days you suspect you will never forget! This was our first church service in our new building and it was electric! We had over 50 people in attendance which is mind-boggling when you know where this tiny village was just one year ago. They are learning how to live as a family and it's very neat to watch. Today, before service, they held two meetings that had the potential to be very explosive. They were talking about the monies available, or not available in the Patronato (village committee) and the Junto de Agua (the water committee). I was there simply as a adviser and observer and I can tell you they are a totally different group of people than they were one year ago...God has changed minds, hearts, and souls!
The church service got kicked off by Mauricio and his "back-up" singers creating an atmosphere of praise and worship that was filled with the Spirit! After the praise & worship time we went into our prayer and praise time and, again, it was electric. Great testimonies were given and prayer requests were received. One of the requests prompted one of the village leaders to ask me if we could take a love offering for a woman who was out a lot of money from taking care of a sick child. This was immediately after we had taken our usual offering. I explained tithes, gifts, and offerings and then ask them to allow the Lord to direct their hearts. This is a village that has had to fight for food and clothes all their lives...and now, they were participating in a "love offering"! It was amazing!
We have named our church "los Discipulos de Jesus"...the Disciples of Jesus...and that's exactly what they're becoming!
Gathering for our first service in our new building!
This is who we are!
A great turnout of more than 50 people!
What a thrill to work with Mauricio as my translator!
Mauricio and 'his women' get things cookin'!
