New Venue

Last weekend we had visitors. Carlos and Rosario came from the capital. They have helped us with this ministry since the very first event, so they are well-known and appreciated in town. They always like to sing along with Carlos as he plays his guitar. Saturday night we had again our couples' Bible study. We had our usual BBQ, Carlos taught about communicating as a couple, and we sang a few songs. They stayed until 11:30, so it was midnight by the time we got home.

Carlos and Rosario leading the singing

Some of the couples. You can see Luis Carlos and Irene in the center with their youngest, Hernan

The other side of the porch. We had three men without their wives who did not come for different reasons. We are glad the men came.

Next day we had our first meeting in the new location, which is also at Luis Carlos and Irene's, but it is a separate rental house next door to their residence. Carlos led an inductive Bible study, which is the format we want now for this little group. It is a very small room, but we have air conditioning. :)

Carlos leading the Bible study. The kitchen is right behind him.

The adults met in the living room and the children were in one of the bedrooms. The pastor and his wife are in the center of the front row.

The children joined us at the end, and we snag some action songs with them.

We all sang with the children.

All of us singing

 After the meeting at our little town, we went to the "big church" across the river, except that the river is completely dried! They are experiencing a drought just like in California. Carlos preached at this church, so we really put him to work while he was here. He really doesn't mind, since he doesn't get to preach and teach much any more in his administrative position.

We enjoyed a nice lunch at the Beach Club after church. You can see how dry it is in the background.

Wednesday we had lunch with the Pastor an his wife to talk about the new venue. He liked the Bible study format because it leads itself to small groups. We are literally starting over in this town. Please pray that the Lord will give us direction and good fruit.

Yesterday we had another prayer walk around town, just John and I. I prayed to meet a specific couple who are Christians, but who can't attend church much since he is a night guard here. The Lord granted me the request as we walked by her house, she was by the front door. She invited us in, and her husband was still awake, which was unusual. They are Julio and Rosie. She is eight months pregnant. She is having high blood pressure and swollen ankles. We prayed for her pregnancy and delivery.  It so happens that they are having a sort of baby shower Saturday, so she invited us. We will go for a little while, but we will leave early because we are showing a film this Saturday night and need to go back home to get the equipment. We will have a movie, hot dogs and pop corn. The movie is The Son of God. Pray for good discussions afterwards.

Tonight we are going to a pizza restaurant in the crazy surfing town to meet with Bianka, Arleth, Randall and Yirardi.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for the couples' Bible study 
• For the new venue for our Sunday mornings meetings here
• For Sergio and Bianka, healing and forgiveness
• Eduardo and Arelys, the couple with the nine month old baby who moved to another town.
• Gardy and Paola's marriage
• For Rosie's pregnancy
• For a good response after the movie on Saturday.
• Wisdom for Pastor Alejandro and his wife, Alba
• Pray for Luis Carlos, Irene and their children
• Wisdom for us: here we are doing marriage counseling, church planting, pastoral counseling, etc. It is overwhelming! Only the Lord can do this.

Thank you for your prayers!

Until next time...from the beach...