Here we are nearing the end of February and I haven't posted anything for this new year! Guess that means life has been busy around our house! :)
We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas vacation. It was nice to have the kids off of school and to enjoy the holidays. We enjoyed hosting a couple parties at our house. One for the deacons and their wives and a dinner for our 3 church staff and their families. Christmas eve was our families "Birthday Party for Jesus", and the kids had a wonderful time.
For our "Old Man" for New Year's eve this year, the kids each made a replica of themselves. Everyone enjoyed playing games and watching movies, etc. to stay up and wait until mid-night to burn them and make lost of noise to say "good-bye" to 2012 and "welcome" to 2013!
The week of 2013, was spent getting the Christmas stuff all packed away and the house put back together. Then the kids and I were back at school.
We finished up our 3rd term on February 8th! That was a big deal, as that means we are 1/2 way through our school year!!
Another big event that happened in January, was that we were able to start the process of requesting visas to travel to the US for Carla and Matthew. That is now in process, and we covet your prayers that this process would go smoothly and quickly. We are hoping to have the visas by June, but earlier would be ok! :) We are thankful that even though there are many "unknowns" for us on this road that God is not taken by surprise by any of it and that He is in control!
The church celebrated it's 8th anniversary on February 3! It seems impossible that it has already been 8 years!! We had a great attendance of just over 200. We are so thankful the many blessings that God has bestowed upon this ministry!
For the anniversary I made a cake to share with the church. It was quite an adventure. It was made up of 12, 9x13 cakes. Here's a layout of the "Cake Adventure". ;)
It is amazing what God is doing here. The Ladies Sunday school class continues to grow. We are presently doing a study based on Beth Moore's book,
Praying God's Word. It has been a huge blessing to me personally and it has also been a blessing to hear the testimonies each week of how the Ladies are growing and how God is working in their hearts and lives.
Schools are out in Manabi at this time for their, "summer vacation"... this year they are taking off until May, so during the next 2 months, we will be having our annual VBS and our Teen Retreat. In March, our Bible Institute will be starting back up. They are going to spend the first month, teaching, Evagelism and Discipleship. Please be in prayer that many will be burdened to get involved and will make the extra effort necessary to participate in these Thursday evening classes.
This year at our church the "theme" or emphasis is on Gratitude. So with that in mind, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the part you have played in our lives and ministry over the last 22 years. I know that the only reason we are here ministering is because there are people back home, "holding the ropes". People praying for us on a daily basis and many people sacrificing to give their Missions Offering each week. We don't take those things lightly. Each victory here, each soul saved and each life changed is all because of the part you have played.
So Thank you!! I pray that God will bless each of you above and beyond anything you could ever imagine.
Blessings,
Joy
(these layouts were done using page kits from the
Digital Scrapbook Place, Inc. )
