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