Off and Running!

We are approaching the end of January! I know I'm always saying I can't believe how fast time is flying by...that must mean I'm getting old! :-) I remember as a kid, thinking time just stood still!

We have had a great start to the New Year! The church is growing. We've had some new families coming and are excited to see what the Lord is going to do this year. We are praising the Lord for a special offering from Battlefield Baptist Church toward the construction of our building. At this time we are meeting in the unfinished 2nd floor of the education building. Our contractor is working this week on getting the electricity in up there... then we hope to get the small bathroom put in the "nursery" and that room tiled, and our other bathrooms and small kitchen in the ed. building tiled. After that we are planning on starting the main auditorium! Goal for getting that under way is March! Thank you for your prayers as we continue with this.

We are also in the process of planning our VBS which will be the last week in March, and because of the cost of youth camp this year, have decided to do our own thing near by...so that is also in the works. You ask, how much youth camp is costing this year...well it's $50 a camper, plus about $10 in transportation. I know you are thinking that is a really good price, but when you consider that that average salary is $300 a month, you realize that it is a lot of money for the people here, especially those with more than 1 teen! So we have found a few alternatives that will make it more reasonable, closer to $25 a camper. Please make this a matter of prayer as we iron out the details.

At this time Tony is meeting with 2 different families for discipleship classes. We are also getting ready to start Bible Institute classes up in February. There will be classes on Tuesday night and Thursday night. We have been having a Wednesday night Prayer meeting, that although not as well attended as we would like, is steadily growing. I think we had about 20 out last week.

This Saturday afternoon we will be having our monthly Ladies meeting. I appreciate your prayers as we get ready for this.

On February 7th the church will celebrate it's 5th anniversary! Cliff and Neoma McGhee are coming down to be our special guests. The women are planning a meal to serve after the service. God has been so good to us! What a blessing to see the work He has established in the last 5 years here in Manta!!!!

On February 14th, we will be adding our Sunday School hour again to our Sunday Morning Schedule. I have been working on getting the worksheets ready for the adult classes. So far I have the first 9 weeks done! YAY!!!!! We are using some basic discipleship lessons. This book, is called "Fundamentals of the Faith". Also on the 14th, we are planning to have an adult fellowship that evening. Still working on the details for that. :-)

I appreciate your prayers for me this week. I have meetings every afternoon we different ladies. Yesterday, the meeting was about our plans for VBS. Today, I'm not sure what it's about, :-)...Tomorrow, will be meeting with the director of a children's home in our area to find out some ways that the ladies and the church could be more involved in this ministry. We would like to be a blessing to them, but not cause them more work! Also tomorrow we will be meeting with a young single mom. Then on Thursday or Friday, I will be meeting with our Children's Ministry leader to discuss some things with the Sunday School....plans and problems. :-)

Well, I should post this. It is getting late, and I need to get breakfast on the table and school started with Teddy.

Thank you so much for your interest in our ministry and for your prayers!
God Bless you and you serve Him this week!
Joy