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.