This morning after church we were happy to hear that 2 of the children in our younger children's class prayed to accept Christ. Also we have some special news of our own...After lunch this afternoon, Teddy was talking we us, and he prayed and asked the Lord to be his Savior too! He said, he wanted to do it to make sure. Please rejoice with us!
We had a great week. God has been working and blessing here. Yesterday was our monthly ladies meeting, and I had the opportunity of hosting it. 27 ladies showed up! I was very thankful that I had decided to make 2 cakes. A few ladies had told me that 1 cake should be plenty as they usually only had around 10 or 15. We were thrilled to have several new ladies, that have just been attending the church a short time, join us. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
Today is the vote to accept or reject the new constitution, In Ecuador voting is mandatory, and always on a Sunday, so we cut back on our services, and only had our 10:30 service. We still had a little over 60 and were thrilled with that! We also had 3 first time visitors.
This coming Friday we will be starting our first Ladies Bible Study Session. We are planning to have 3 different sessions during the year, with each session lasting 6 to 10 weeks. This first one, will be a 6 week study. I am doing something different this time too, as we have decided to offer it at 2 different times, to try and make it more available to the ladies. It has been exciting to see the response. 33 ladies have signed up, 17 for the evening session, and 16 for the afternoon session. Please be praying for this Bible Studies. We are also working on planning our "Ladies Day" the last Saturday in November. We were excited that we found a restaurant with a large meeting room, that was willing to give us the room for the whole day! They are only charging us $6 per person, and that includes the lunch. We are planning to start around 10:00am and go until 3:00pm. Everyone is very excited about the whole thing.
Pray with us, that we would have the energy and strength to keep up with all the opportunities the Lord opens for us. It is easy to get so "busy" doing the work, that you neglect the important things. God has been so very good to us. We are thankful for each blessing and each new door that he has opened before us. We are thankful too, for the great attitude of unity in our church and for the brothers and sisters in Christ who are growing and stepping up to take some of the load. Thank you for your prayers!
Praying God blesses each of you this week, as you walk with Him!
Joy
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
"Apples of gold in pictures of silver"
Have you ever thought about the words that you speak? Do you take the time to choose your words, or do you just say whatever comes to you mind? I had the opportunity this week to read a devotion about the importance of the words we use. I have been preparing for a ladies meeting that will be here this coming Saturday.
In the devotion I read, it was brought up that we take great care with most things in our lives, but what about the words we use... Think about it, when you get dressed in the morning you don't just go into a dark closet, and pull out the first thing your hand touches and put it on. You think about what you will be doing... going to work, cleaning house, having a meeting, shopping, etc. You dress accordingly. Yet so often where our words are concerned, we just throw out whatever comes to mind, and think it will do.
I am going to be using Proverbs 25:11 as our theme verse. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." The idea is that our words are to be a "beautiful thing".
I would really appreciate your prayers for me this week, as I prepare for this Ladies meeting on Saturday. Also for Tony and I as we work on writing a Bible Study together that I will be teaching in a 6 week session for the ladies, starting Oct. 3.
We had a great day today. 81 were present in church this morning. We had a few first time visitors. Among them was a lady that had accepted Christ through the BBN radio ministry here in Manta. She had called their office in Guayaquil and they had referred her to us. We had talked to her on Thursday and invited her to church this morning. What a blessing to see her arrive! This evening we started a series of DVDs on child discipline. We had 30 adults in attendance for this.
The ladies group leaders are getting excited about the special "Ladies Day" we are planning for the end of November. They have found a place where we can meet, that will provide the food, conference room, which includes tables, chairs, table clothes, etc... all for $6 a person, so we are thrilled about that! We are planning to start around 10:00 in the morning, and go until about 3:00 in the afternoon. We will have 2 teaching sessions, a "Christmas choir", lunch and a Christmas handcraft.
I would like to ask you to pray for Veronica and for Marti. These are two ladies that I have been witnessing to and have invited to church. Veronica and her husband have shown an interest in visiting the church but the last 3 weeks, Satan has put obstacles in their way. The first week Vero, got food poisoning and was very sick over the week-end. Then last week, she developed and inflammation in her leg and is having a hard time walking. Each time I see her, she says one day soon, she will surprise me and show up at church.
Marti has shown little interest in coming to church. She and her husband go out of town most week-ends. I am hoping that I can get her to attend the Ladies Day in November. Please pray for each of these ladies. That the Lord would work in their hearts and draw them to him.
Thank you for your prayers for the ministry here and for our family. It is very exciting to see what the Lord is doing in the different lives of people we work with. But there are days, as you all know when we get tired and with that comes discouragement. Times when we don't always "see" with the eyes of Christ.
Praying that you have a great week serving the Lord, where he has placed you!
Love, Joy
In the devotion I read, it was brought up that we take great care with most things in our lives, but what about the words we use... Think about it, when you get dressed in the morning you don't just go into a dark closet, and pull out the first thing your hand touches and put it on. You think about what you will be doing... going to work, cleaning house, having a meeting, shopping, etc. You dress accordingly. Yet so often where our words are concerned, we just throw out whatever comes to mind, and think it will do.
I am going to be using Proverbs 25:11 as our theme verse. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." The idea is that our words are to be a "beautiful thing".
I would really appreciate your prayers for me this week, as I prepare for this Ladies meeting on Saturday. Also for Tony and I as we work on writing a Bible Study together that I will be teaching in a 6 week session for the ladies, starting Oct. 3.
We had a great day today. 81 were present in church this morning. We had a few first time visitors. Among them was a lady that had accepted Christ through the BBN radio ministry here in Manta. She had called their office in Guayaquil and they had referred her to us. We had talked to her on Thursday and invited her to church this morning. What a blessing to see her arrive! This evening we started a series of DVDs on child discipline. We had 30 adults in attendance for this.
The ladies group leaders are getting excited about the special "Ladies Day" we are planning for the end of November. They have found a place where we can meet, that will provide the food, conference room, which includes tables, chairs, table clothes, etc... all for $6 a person, so we are thrilled about that! We are planning to start around 10:00 in the morning, and go until about 3:00 in the afternoon. We will have 2 teaching sessions, a "Christmas choir", lunch and a Christmas handcraft.
I would like to ask you to pray for Veronica and for Marti. These are two ladies that I have been witnessing to and have invited to church. Veronica and her husband have shown an interest in visiting the church but the last 3 weeks, Satan has put obstacles in their way. The first week Vero, got food poisoning and was very sick over the week-end. Then last week, she developed and inflammation in her leg and is having a hard time walking. Each time I see her, she says one day soon, she will surprise me and show up at church.
Marti has shown little interest in coming to church. She and her husband go out of town most week-ends. I am hoping that I can get her to attend the Ladies Day in November. Please pray for each of these ladies. That the Lord would work in their hearts and draw them to him.
Thank you for your prayers for the ministry here and for our family. It is very exciting to see what the Lord is doing in the different lives of people we work with. But there are days, as you all know when we get tired and with that comes discouragement. Times when we don't always "see" with the eyes of Christ.
Praying that you have a great week serving the Lord, where he has placed you!
Love, Joy
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lord, keep my eyes on you!
Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. (Psalm 66:1)
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. (Psalm 71:1)
He that dwelleth in the secret in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
(Psalm 91:1 & 2)
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. (Psalm 92:1)
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us,and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100)
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. (Psalm 103:1)
As I start this week, I pray that my eyes will remained focused on the Lord. That I will glorify Him with every word that I say and every action that I take. That my steps will be ordered by him. That today, it will not be "me" but Christ in me that others see.
God has been so good to us. Yesterday was another attendance high for our church here in Manta. We had 116 in the preaching service! Tony was able to talk with one lady about salvation. We aren't sure if she accepted Christ, but the seed has been planted and watered. Another gentleman, stayed around after church to speak to Tony too. He wanted to talk to Tony about baptism. He said, "I was baptized in another church, but I don't think it counts, because I didn't know what I was doing. I was there and they get in the water and be baptized, so I did what they said, but I wasn't really baptized, I just got wet!"
We had "sign-up" sheets available for the new Ladies Bible Study session, that will start Oct. 3. 13 Ladies have already signed up! Pray for Tony and I as we prepare the material for this study. This is the first time, we will be writing our own material.
Yesterday we divided the younger children's class, for the church hour. What a blessing to have the workers to do this, and also to see how much better it worked out for everyone. Teddy was even excited about the new class!
I will be meeting with our Ladies Ministry group leaders this week. Please pray for us as we work on continued plans for the new Bible Study sessions, the Ladies Day in November, and other areas of ministry for the Ladies.
Pray with Tony as he meets with men this week. Some for the building, some for leadership roles, some for discipleship.
Please pray for me as I work with Teddy each morning. Also as I meet with different ladies, in mentoring roles.
God bless you as you follow and serve him this week!
Love, Joy
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. (Psalm 71:1)
He that dwelleth in the secret in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
(Psalm 91:1 & 2)
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. (Psalm 92:1)
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us,and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100)
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. (Psalm 103:1)
As I start this week, I pray that my eyes will remained focused on the Lord. That I will glorify Him with every word that I say and every action that I take. That my steps will be ordered by him. That today, it will not be "me" but Christ in me that others see.
God has been so good to us. Yesterday was another attendance high for our church here in Manta. We had 116 in the preaching service! Tony was able to talk with one lady about salvation. We aren't sure if she accepted Christ, but the seed has been planted and watered. Another gentleman, stayed around after church to speak to Tony too. He wanted to talk to Tony about baptism. He said, "I was baptized in another church, but I don't think it counts, because I didn't know what I was doing. I was there and they get in the water and be baptized, so I did what they said, but I wasn't really baptized, I just got wet!"
We had "sign-up" sheets available for the new Ladies Bible Study session, that will start Oct. 3. 13 Ladies have already signed up! Pray for Tony and I as we prepare the material for this study. This is the first time, we will be writing our own material.
Yesterday we divided the younger children's class, for the church hour. What a blessing to have the workers to do this, and also to see how much better it worked out for everyone. Teddy was even excited about the new class!
I will be meeting with our Ladies Ministry group leaders this week. Please pray for us as we work on continued plans for the new Bible Study sessions, the Ladies Day in November, and other areas of ministry for the Ladies.
Pray with Tony as he meets with men this week. Some for the building, some for leadership roles, some for discipleship.
Please pray for me as I work with Teddy each morning. Also as I meet with different ladies, in mentoring roles.
God bless you as you follow and serve him this week!
Love, Joy
Monday, September 8, 2008
Growing pains...
Hey everyone! Hope you are having a great start to your week. We continue to see growth in our church here Manta. The Ladies groups are taking off and over all it has been a very good thing. Ladies have been encouraged to receive phone calls and realize that someone noticed they weren't in the service. They have also been able to share their prayer requests and needs.
As we continue to work and plan, please keep this new phase of the ministry in your prayers. Setting up "networks" for people to be able to stay in touch and encourage one another is a great thing, but also poses the risks of someone using them for things that they weren't intended for.
We are excited that Tony was able to purchase the steel, for the building last week. Tomorrow morning is he meeting with an "earth moving" company, to see about getting the property leveled off.
We had 100 yesterday morning in our worship service! The place was pretty much busting at the seams. We will be trying something new next week. We will be dividing the younger children, 3 years old - 1st grade, into two groups... 3-4 years olds, and kindergarten and 1st grade, for the 2nd hour. It would be wonderful to be able to divide this group for the Sunday School hour, but there just is not another room, to use during that first hour.
Plans are in the works for a 6 week Ladies Bible study session to start Oct. 3. Please pray as we work out all the details for this ministry. Also in the plans are the special Ladies Day, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
I have a meeting Friday morning with a lady that has been attending the church a few weeks. Please pray for Monica. Tony has a couple other meetings also on the schedule for this week. We appreciate your prayers for wisdom as we meet and try to give comfort and help to people. The 2nd Leadership Team meeting is this coming Sunday evening.
God bless you as you serve Him this week!
Joy
As we continue to work and plan, please keep this new phase of the ministry in your prayers. Setting up "networks" for people to be able to stay in touch and encourage one another is a great thing, but also poses the risks of someone using them for things that they weren't intended for.
We are excited that Tony was able to purchase the steel, for the building last week. Tomorrow morning is he meeting with an "earth moving" company, to see about getting the property leveled off.
We had 100 yesterday morning in our worship service! The place was pretty much busting at the seams. We will be trying something new next week. We will be dividing the younger children, 3 years old - 1st grade, into two groups... 3-4 years olds, and kindergarten and 1st grade, for the 2nd hour. It would be wonderful to be able to divide this group for the Sunday School hour, but there just is not another room, to use during that first hour.
Plans are in the works for a 6 week Ladies Bible study session to start Oct. 3. Please pray as we work out all the details for this ministry. Also in the plans are the special Ladies Day, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
I have a meeting Friday morning with a lady that has been attending the church a few weeks. Please pray for Monica. Tony has a couple other meetings also on the schedule for this week. We appreciate your prayers for wisdom as we meet and try to give comfort and help to people. The 2nd Leadership Team meeting is this coming Sunday evening.
God bless you as you serve Him this week!
Joy
Monday, September 1, 2008
Happy Labor Day!
I want to wish you all a wonderful Labor Day! Hope you enjoy the day off from classes and work.
We have had a great week-end. God is blessing the work here in Manta, and we are thrilled to be able to be a part of it.
This past week-end 14 ladies from our church went to the Ladies Retreat in Santo Domingo. We were thrilled. We have 16 signed up and only 2 that weren't able in the end to make it. They had a wonderful time of fellowship and fun, but also gave wonderful testimonies yesterday of how the Lord used the Bible teaching to work in their hearts.
Another special blessing to me, was the last session of our Teacher Training seminar. We had 25 sign-up and start 5 weeks ago, and I am praising the Lord that 21 people completed the program! We will be handing out certificates on the 14th. It is so exciting to think of what can be done in our Children's ministry with so many trained and dedicated workers. Please pray with us and we plan for monthly kid's nights, the Children's Christmas party in December, VBS in March and then the possibility of Neighhood Bible Clubs as a follow-up of VBS. We are so thankful to see how the Lord is working and bringing people along side to minister with us!
Some upcoming events we would really appreciate your prayers for...
This Wednesday, Tony will be starting a new series in our CODA meeting, (this is our weekly small group/prayer meeting time).
On Sunday evening, September 21, we will be starting a class on "How to Discipline" for parents, "want to be parents" and even grandparents. Please pray with us. Tony will be using a video series we purchased while in the US as a springboard for the sessions. Each video segment is about 10 minutes and then he will be teaching. This is a huge need here as we are seeing more and more problems in our Sunday School and when we talk to parents, the answer is always the same, "I don't know what to do" or "I don't know how".
Wednesday afternoon, I will be meeting with our Ladies Ministry Team to start planning some special events for the Ladies. Please pray for wisdom and direction as we go forward with these plans.
We appreciate so much your prayers and concerns for the ministry here. I would love to hear from you, whenever you have a chance.
God bless you as you serve him this week!
Joy
We have had a great week-end. God is blessing the work here in Manta, and we are thrilled to be able to be a part of it.
This past week-end 14 ladies from our church went to the Ladies Retreat in Santo Domingo. We were thrilled. We have 16 signed up and only 2 that weren't able in the end to make it. They had a wonderful time of fellowship and fun, but also gave wonderful testimonies yesterday of how the Lord used the Bible teaching to work in their hearts.
Another special blessing to me, was the last session of our Teacher Training seminar. We had 25 sign-up and start 5 weeks ago, and I am praising the Lord that 21 people completed the program! We will be handing out certificates on the 14th. It is so exciting to think of what can be done in our Children's ministry with so many trained and dedicated workers. Please pray with us and we plan for monthly kid's nights, the Children's Christmas party in December, VBS in March and then the possibility of Neighhood Bible Clubs as a follow-up of VBS. We are so thankful to see how the Lord is working and bringing people along side to minister with us!
Some upcoming events we would really appreciate your prayers for...
This Wednesday, Tony will be starting a new series in our CODA meeting, (this is our weekly small group/prayer meeting time).
On Sunday evening, September 21, we will be starting a class on "How to Discipline" for parents, "want to be parents" and even grandparents. Please pray with us. Tony will be using a video series we purchased while in the US as a springboard for the sessions. Each video segment is about 10 minutes and then he will be teaching. This is a huge need here as we are seeing more and more problems in our Sunday School and when we talk to parents, the answer is always the same, "I don't know what to do" or "I don't know how".
Wednesday afternoon, I will be meeting with our Ladies Ministry Team to start planning some special events for the Ladies. Please pray for wisdom and direction as we go forward with these plans.
We appreciate so much your prayers and concerns for the ministry here. I would love to hear from you, whenever you have a chance.
God bless you as you serve him this week!
Joy
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