The Journey Continues...

God has been some amazing things during the last two months.  And the exciting part is that He's not finished yet!!! 

If you haven't seen it yet, follow the link below to watch a brief video with testimonies from WE SPEAK ENGLISH.

http://vimeo.com/27683664

God is Doing More Than We Asked!

Written by Sharon:

Many of our students are at a conversational level in English because they have taken classes at Colombo-Americano, a school that teaches only English.  Yesterday, one of my students called to ask permission to bring one of her teachers to class.  So, her teacher, Belinda, from Colombo sat in on our class.  Belinda is from Ghana, Africa and has lived in Cartagena one and a half years.  As our conversation began, we learned that she had been hearing her students talk about the English classes and she was interested.  But she was even more interested when they told her that we were studying the Bible.  She told us that she misses her small group Bible study back in Africa.  Belinda can speak three African languages, English and is learning Spanish.  She said that she has been to some Spanish churches here, but has a hard time enjoying them because she doesn't understand Spanish very well.  So the idea of finding an English Bible study was very appealing to her.  After a wonderful time together, she rushed off, trying to make it back to her own class at Colombo on time.

Then a surprise - we were at the Wednesday night worship service when suddently Belinda showed up and sat down beside me!  She said the electricity had gone out at the college, she sent her students home and decided to come check out the church! 

God is opening doors in Cartagena.  We praise God that our students are so excited about the classes that they are talking even to their teachers about them.  We are so thankful and thrilled that our students are not only excited about learning English but also that they have been given an opportunity to study God's Word!

What God is Doing!

It is truly amazing when we get to see and hear about what God is doing.  Here are just a few things that we want to share with you...

Yesterday, Sharon had a reader come to class eager to tell her about an experience he had on his way there.  On the street, a young girl walked up to him and said, "Jesús le ama. (Jesus loves you.)"  Then she walked away.  Enough said.  Wow!  That has never happened to him before and it DEFINATELY got his attention!

Another reader excitedly told Sharon that she was sure these classes where provided by God at exactly the time she needed them.  She works at an international company and English speaking auditors came this week.  She has recieved comments from both the auditors and her coworkers about how well she speaks English.  She knows that if they would have come 3 weeks ago (before she started classes with We Speak English), that would not have been the case.  She is SO thankful!!!

Other readers are enjoying the classes so much they are wanting to invite their friends.  Four new readers started last week and there are two more who want to start next week!  Praise God!

Lynette's Arrival!

Wednesday, Lynette arrived safely!  Thank you God!

Lynette, Sharon, Schalee
Iliana and Alicia

PICTURES! PICTURES! PICTURES!

Bethany has done a great job of creating an album of pictures (along with descriptive captions)!  You can look at them here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100287815936590.2612818.23901341&l=5f62ebdcea&type=1

Thanks, Bethany!  These are wonderful reminders of the awesome things God has done!!!

Catchin' Up

Let's catch up a little on the things God has been doing...

Last Saturday, we had a Going Away Party for Dewanna and Bethany.  Their readers have grown to appreciate them very much and it was a fabulous time together.  As they shared their last words and hugs, they also gave each reader a gift.  Dewanna and her husband, Dennis, had bought Easy-To-Read New Testaments to give to each of the readers.  Praise God!

Then on Sunday, we had NINE visitors with us at worship who have been participating in the We Speak English Project (2 from beginners classes and 7 conversational readers).  And two of them brought a guest!  It was great to eat lunch with several of them after the service and enjoy one last time together before Dewanna and Bethany flew back to Dallas on Monday!

We are SO thankful for Dewanna and Bethany!  They have been a GREAT blessing to our family, the church and the readers! 

Sharon's Arrival!

We are so thankful for Sharon's safe arrival and anticipate Lynette's arrival next Wednesday!


Bethany, Alicia, Emilie, Sharon, Iliana and Dewanna at airport yesterday!



Something Really Special!

Dewanna had one of her readers share something really special with her yesterday!

 "He has been without a job. Several weeks ago he was walking to the unemployment office which is not a usual traveling route for him. He said he looked up & saw the banner advertising free English classes on the church building . He has been a tour guide in the past so speaking English is very important for him to get a job. He thought "Free English classes? No way" but he called anyway. Then when he found out the classes were really free & he would be studying the Bible, he thought that was good too. He said he came to improve his English, but now what is important to him is to learn more from the Bible. He believes that is why he saw the banner!"

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  John 4:13-14

A Great Weekend!



Dewanna and Bethany continue to be such a blessing to the 26 people they are studying with. 

We were so excited to get to worship with two of them Sunday morning, who came for the first time!!!!  And one brought his mother with him!

Praise God!

A God-send

Although we can never know exactly what to expect in this life, Christ gave us a pretty good heads-up: He said we would have trouble.  Okay.  That's not encouraging news really.  But thankfully that wasn't all He said.  In Him, even with the trouble, we can have peace and take heart because He has overcome this world.  Now that is good news!

So even though this week has brought fever, coughs, congestion and discomfort to five out of seven in the Sanchez home, we are still of good cheer and very thankful for the remarkable way that God is taking care of things.

Since Bethany was unable to give her classes for 36 hours due to a sore throat and fever, it was such a God-send that Linda Henry is in town to substitute.  Now really it is amazing enough that she arrived in town the very day Bethany got sick.  However, it goes beyond that.  Her willingness and joy to help out have been such a blessing to the project! 



Linda and Dewanna



Yes, God continues to give us lots of reasons to stay cheered up!  More people continue to call.  More conversations continue to lead to a deeper search of the truth.  More seeds are being planted.

I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of Me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.  John 16:33 (CEV)

A Better Future

The Cartagena Church of Christ has two mottos.  One is "A Church for the Whole Family."  The other is "Constructing a Better Future."

In regard to the second motto, there is no doubt that people like to see things get better.  They like the idea of improvement.  There are two ways we see this English project giving people a "better future."

First, in a city where tourism is prevelant, English opens many doors.  It equips people to serve others better, get jobs and advance in their careers.  This provides opportunities to live a more fulfilling, comfortable and maybe even exciting life in this world.   Although these are positive benefits, they are still only temporary and unfortunately, without the second part of this project, will not be coupled with true happiness.  Which is why the second part of this project is so important.

And the second part is that all of the lessons are based out of God's Word.  They are stories from the Bible.  The textbook is entitled "The King Has Come."  So people are not only being given a better future for this life, but they are also being given an opportunity to have a better eternal future.  A future that gives them real hope - a hope that won't disappoint them.  A hope that is better than anything we can imagine in this life!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!"  Ephesians 3:20-21

When the Ordinary Becomes Spectacular

We are often drawn to the things in life that we label "spectacular."  The things that impress, are large-scale, dramatically daring or thrilling.  

Is it possible that something ordinary can become something spectacular?

Filling jars with water was an ordinary task.  Changing it into choice wine was spectacular.  Having fish and bread for lunch was ordinary.  Using it to feed over five thousand people was spectacular.  So what made the difference?  Or rather, who made the difference?

The presentation is simple - black words on white paper.  Ordinary.  The place is a white and orange painted building.  Ordinary.  The people are sitting in plastic chairs at a plastic table.  Ordinary.  What God is doing is...SPECTACULAR!

"...My word that goes out from My mouth...will not return to Me empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:11

Yes, They are Here!

"If you build, it they will come."  Famous line from a famous movie. 

"Ask, and it will be given to you.  Seek, and you will find.  Knock, and the door will be opened to you."  FAITHFUL PROMISE FROM OUR FAITHFUL GOD!

Six months ago, we asked God to prepare a team for Cartagena to come and share the Good News of His grace by teaching English classes. 

Yesterday, at 12:35 pm they landed (safely) on the runway of the Rafael Nuñez Airport.  They arrived with willing hearts, bright smiles and excitement for the great things God is doing and going to do!

We are SO thankful that Bethany and Dewanna are here!!!  It has been a true blessing to spend the past 30 hours sharing time together, preparing for the English classes and getting to know the city.

WOW!

We are less than a week away from Dewanna and Bethany's arrival!!!!  The Introductory Meeting will be a week from today at 3:00pm!!!  God has already blessed us with 85 participants who are signed up (19 for conversational classes and 65 for beginners classes) and there are still more calling.  We are SO excited about the wonderful things God is doing!!!  Please keep us and the participants in your prayers over the next seven weeks.

God is working!!!

Hello All!

I went to one of my doctor's last week for a routine visit. I was talking about our upcoming trip, and the nurse told me her uncle lives in Cartagena! She said he is like the governor or something similar to that. Artemo Delafuente is his name. Her name is Eva although Penca is the name he will know her by. She wants me to try and contact him while we are there! Now, how awesome is that? She did not have his address so I'm not sure how to go about contacting him though. It seems to me that this is just another example of how God is way ahead of us on ALL the details!!! I'm confident that a method to contact Artemo Delafuente will be provided as well if God wants that to happen!!!!

Love and Hugs!

~~Dewanna

Answered Prayers!

In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. (Romans 8:26, CEV)

Just to make sure that GOD is the ONE who is praised in this mission, I recognize that even the ability to know what to ask Him for in prayer comes by the leading of His Holy Spirit.  So when I was praying for SIX people to form the team for Cartagena, it was not some bright idea that I came up with.  This was His plan from the beginning.  And it was so evident that He truly is in control when those SIX people that HE had chosen were all sitting together for the first time!

God!

Ephesians 3:20-21 in the Contemporary English Version says, "I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen."

That is what this blog is all about...God being forever praised!  I could not have imaged 6 months ago that this blog would even exist, which is what makes it so evident that it is God's power that has made this all happen.

In November of 2010, God gave the vision to take a team from Dallas, Texas to Cartagena, Colombia to share the Gospel of God's grace.  And that vision is now becoming a reality...