We were blessed to participate in the first men's prison class', Authentic Manhood, graduation this month at Centro de Correcion y Rehabilitacion Rafey --64 men graduated---the administration has been so pleased with the signs of "transformation" that they are seeing that they allowed the men to invite their families to attend...
Looking out at the audience felt like one of those "standing on holy ground moments"
-the men sitting next to their families enjoying the moment!!...
Both the assistant director and the psychologist spoke praising the men for their efforts and results and encouraging them to continue in the process...
Two of the men acted as spokespersons for the group and read a very warm thank you to all who helped make this course possible...
Then the "knighting" of each man started...
It has been amazing to see the soft hearts of these "tough guy" men...
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43: 18-19)
The highlight of the event was when Pastor William spoke a message on "EL PERDON" (FORGIVENESS) and then asked for some "brave volunteers" to put into practice what they had been learning and "publicly ask their loved ones to forgive them"--what followed really can't be adequately conveyed here but it will be forever remembered in our hearts and the hearts of all who witnessed "God's mercy" that afternoon...
Men came forward with their mothers to ask their forgiveness...
One man asked his wife and son for forgiveness...
Another asked his grown daughters for forgiveness...
Another, while holding their small son, asked his wife to forgive him...
And on it went....we all were crying, even the guards!!! Thank you Lord Jesus Christ!!!
Please keep these men and their families in your prayers--and the new class that just began this week---the administration would like all their men residents to participate in this ministry.
GUESTHOUSE HAPPENINGS---HACIENDA PENUEL (FACE TO FACE WITH GOD)
You may remember that we named our property "Hacienda Penuel" based on the scriptural account of Jacob wrestling with God and the spot being called Penuel (in Spanish) which means "face to face with God". We continue to find these "visitas" --visits in Spanish--to richly bless us all---This past month Pastor Martin Colon and his wife Marta spent a weekend with us...
It is amazing how nourishing it can be--body, mind and soul--to open up your home and share a meal with another in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!!...
And...equally amazing is how much you can learn about a person through a good game of dominos!!! So far Dave has not been able to beat a Domincan pastor!!!...
They were refreshed, renewed, refocused...and the beauty of it all is...
we were too!!!
ANOTHER BAPTISM...
A dear missionary friend of ours asked to use our pool and property for her Baptism and celebration with family and friends---we will let her tell the story in her words and with her pictures--go to their website at
http://braistedfamilyupdates.blogspot.com/2010/09/next-installment-baptism.html
JUST FOR FUN!!!...
Next month we will highlight some of our daughters' music ministry here but for now we will close with a few pictures of them with our latest addition---Chubs!!!... We now have three dogs, a cat, a turtle and two bunnies, one pregnant!!! Our place is certainly "full of life and love"!!!...
Beka with Chubs..
Rachael with Chubs...
And for a little perspective, Chubs with our Rottweiler!!...
Thanks again to all of you for your love, prayers, encouragement and support---check out the right side panel for our new prayer requests and some words to encourage you!!
By God's grace and for His glory,
Dave Schwulst family