Happy Anniversary Iglesia Biblica Bautista de Manta!!

Today we will be celebrating the 7th Anniversary of the church here in Manta!  It is pretty hard to believe that 7 years has gone by.  In many ways it seems like it was only last week, that we excited prepared for the first service.

God has blessed us so much.  It is so exciting to look back at the photos of where we were and where he has brought us to.  To view the lives that he has transformed and the souls that he has saved.  What a joy to know that he used us to be a part of this!!

Yesterday afternoon, we had 50 ladies join us for a special "Matinee de Damas"  (Ladies Matinee).  It was such a blessing and we know that 4 ladies that haven't accepted Christ as their Savior were there, and that they heard the gospel message.  God is working in their hearts.

This morning we will be having a special prayer of dedication for Darwin and Jessica as they start their ministry at the church as the Associate Pastor.  Darwin's parents have committed to attend this morning.  He has worked on getting them to church for years now, and they have never come.  Please join us in praying that today would be the day, and that they would receive Christ as their Savior!

God is doing great things!  He is faithful and all the glory and honor belong to Him!

Blessings to you and yours on this Lord's Day!
Joy

Shhh! Currclick has a secret!!!!! (and they want to share it!!!)

--
Joy Anzalone
Manta, Ecuador

Bear with one another, Be thankful!

God has gifted each of us in such incredible ways!  It is a joy to see the diversity with which he has created us.  He has equipped each of us with the gifts that we need to do his work in the place where he has put us.

Col. 3:12-15

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

As God's chosen ones, we are to strive to be holy, merciful, full of kindness, meekness.  To be humble and patient with each other, bearing with one another and forgiving, just as Christ forgave us!  Then, on top of all that, we are to put on love which binds everything together. Oh! and by the way, be thankful! 

I think those verses are so cool.  I was reading them in my devotion time this morning.  I love the idea of love binding everything together.  You know when you bake and mix eggs in a batter, you do it to bind the ingredients together...Love is what holds it all together.  Because of God's love for us, and our love for Him and one another, we can be merciful, kind, humble, choosing to put others ahead of ourselves.  We can be long-suffering, and patient with one another...Bear with one another, forgive one another.  It's all possible because of love.   

Then after we've put these into practice, we are also to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.  You would think that would be the easiest, but I recognize that oftentimes I don't let the peace of God rule in my heart.  How often I get "stressed" by all the things on my "to do list".  Would I snap at my children or husband, if the peace of God was ruling in my heart?  

To close it all off...on top of all of that, Be thankful!!  You know I find when I am filled with a heart of gratitude, the little things don't bother me.  It's all covered.  The focus isn't on me.  It's all about Him and all that He is doing and has done!  The attitude of gratitude will change your life!  

Blessings!

Joy   

What's for Dinner?

This week we have a group visiting us from Battlefield Baptist Church.  I have enjoyed getting to know them all better, and I have enjoyed cooking for them some.  Yesterday for dessert, I made them one of my family's all time favorites. So I thought I would share the recipe with you.  I got this recipe from a friend, years ago in Quito.

Frozen Mocha Cheesecake

24 Oreos, crushed
1/4 cup margarine, melted
combine and press into a buttered 9x13 inch baking dish.  Chill

1 cup of whipping (heavy) cream, whipped and sat aside

8 oz of cream cheese, softened
14 oz of sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons of instant coffee
1 teaspoon of hot water
In large mixer bowl, beat cheese until fluffy, add milk and chocolate syrup.
In small bowl, dissolve coffee in water, (will be thick).
Add to cheese mixture.  Mix well.
Fold in whipped cream.  Pour into prepared pan.  Cover and freeze 6 hours or overnight.

Garnish with additional cookie crumbs and/or chocolate syrup.