Anniversary

This past week-end marked the 6th anniversary of the church here in Manta! In some ways it is hard to believe that it has been 6 years since that Sunday morning that we met in Wilson and Rosalena's living room for our 1st service. That morning about 30 people gathered together. Lexi and I took the children downstairs and met for Sunday School in what was the Gonzalez's little stationary store.

Many things have happened since that first Sunday morning. We met in two rented locations in that neighborhood. The Lord blessed us with a pieces of property and about a year and half ago we moved to start meeting in our own buildings, rough and unfinished though they may be. :-)

Besides the changes in our meeting facilities, the biggest changes have been in the lives of people! We have watched the church grow from around 30 people that first Sunday to consistently averaging 120 for our morning worship services. While some people have come and gone, it is such a blessing to see the Lord work in the lives of people that have given their life to Him. Isn't it wonderful to know that God will take us and use us in his work, so long as we are willing to just turn it all over to Him!

This month also marks a special time in the Anzalone's ministry in Ecuador. 20 years ago, this month, we arrived in Quito, Ecuador with 3 little girls and small mountain of suitcases. What an incredible adventure the last 20 years have been! We are praising God for allowing us to be a part of his work here.

I want to thank each one of you that have supported us over the years with your prayers and your money!

God Bless!
Joy

Here is a link to the pictures of our church's story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Yr8N7h_S4

Are you looking to see what God is preparing?

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I don't know where you are right now. Maybe out in the ice and snow trying to get to work, or home from work. Maybe at home, snug and warm, praying that God keeps the power on and your loved ones safe.

Maybe you are miles away, (a continent perhaps, ;-) from your loved ones, and praying that God keeps his hand of protection upon them.

Wherever you are right now, God has the same promise for you if you love him. He has prepared incredible things for you! Way beyond your wildest imagination. God is at work right now!

I pray that God pours out blessings upon your life today, and that you are in tune with him, so that you can actually recognize them! How many times do I miss God's wonderful blessings because my eyes are focused on some little problem (or big problem!) I'm dealing with instead of just turning it all over to him, and trusting him to work it out for his glory!

Christmas is coming!!!!

Wow, what a busy week we had around here last week! Our trip to Quito and home went well. We enjoyed visiting with our good friends, and were thrilled that the audience with the judge went well. He signed the act, that legalizes the adoptions. Now we just have to wait for the paperwork to make it's way through the system. Our lawyer expects to have it by the 27th or 28th. Then we will need to get their new birth certificates and ID cards. Exciting times!!!

Saturday at the Children's Christmas party at church, we had about 60 kids and probably 25 helpers! What a blessing! Everything went well and everyone had a good time. Yesterday our services were a little done in attendance with 104, but we had a great morning. The children said the verse they had learned at the party Saturday and sang a Christmas song. In the afternoon, we had the Ladies Christmas Party, and had about 35 ladies present. Everyone had a great time, and the best of all, we had one lady accept Christ as her Savior!!!

This week, we have some presents to buy for our family, gifts to wrap and cookies to bake. Looking forward to a wonderful time with the kids. Everyone is happy to be "on vacation" from classes! (including Mom! :-)

I pray that each of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Joy

It's the Middle of December....

It's the middle of December and there's excitement in the air!!!

We are gearing up for Christmas at the Anzalone house. The decorations are up. Classes are winding down. Oh and in the middle of all this excitement we received a call from our lawyer yesterday that our audience with the judge in Quito to finalize the adoptions is set for this Friday at 11:00am.

So today, we are working like crazy, to try and get the school work that needs to be completed this week finished...the candy bought for the Children's Christmas party which will be at the church this Saturday afternoon, and everything else packed up and ready to go. We plan to leave in the morning and head to Santo Domingo, where will be spend the afternoon and evening with our friends the Wells. From there we will head to Quito on Thursday, and stay Thursday night and Friday night with our friends there, Glenn and Sherri McGhee.

We really appreciate your prayers as we make this final step to finalize the adoptions. Please pray for safety as we travel. Tony still does not have a valid driver's license, but he has papers that say that he did have a valid license and that we are working on getting a new one. They told him to show those papers if we have a problem...hopefully that will do the trick. Appreciate your prayers about that, too! :-)

This Saturday afternoon from 3-5 is our Children's Christmas Party at church. Then Sunday afternoon, the ladies are going to have their Christmas Party. Please pray for both of these activities, that God will be glorified and that they will be a blessing and encouragement to others.

Blessings on you and your family as you seek to serve Christ, this week!
Joy