Jose Miguel and Jon, our two young employees, completed a 16 week discipleship course with Dave---they were all very excited with this accomplishment!! They faithfully met with Dave early mornings,at 7am, to do the study before beginning work.
So...what is next for them? They are continuing the early morning meeting times and have begun to study Rick Warren's "UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO" (A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE)--our hope and prayer is that these young men will have a burden for our community and seek God's direction as to how they can live out the gospel here.
We were honored to participate in three graduations of the Authentic Manhood 24-week course--a total of 82 men will graduate from the four classes that began last January...
Cienfuegos men's group graduation...
In each class, one class member gave a testimony of the impact of the class on his life---this class member is now very motivated to share the message of this class and will be leading the next class that the church will offer. That's the goal--to raise up leaders who will take responsibility to continue this training in their local church!!!
Each man was "knighted" as a "caballero autentico"!!
The graduates of Cienfuegos...
Each of the four classes decided to hold the graduation in the hosting church so that the whole congregation could participate in the celebration and to motivate others to attend the next course offering...
Moca men's class graduation...
Beka shining the sword --that Dave uses to "knight" each graduate--before the ceremony!!!
This graduate gave a very moving testimony of changes in his family--instead of viewing his wife as simply a "companera" (companion), he is learning what it means to have a wife and how to be a servant leader in his family. He brought his wife and four precious children up front with him while he shared--sorry no photo--I had camera battery problems!! Please pray that these men can continue to fight the good fight for their marriage, family and community.
The graduates at Moca---they commit to live out the course's four key principles--Reject passivity, Accept responsibility, Lead courageously and Expect the greater reward--God's reward. One of the graduates, the pastor's son, will be working with four other churches in the community to offer the next class at their community center.
Villa Gonzalez graduation...
Rachael and Beka helping---setting out the medallions...
The congregation waiting for graduates to file in...
The knighting sword...
Each graduate receives a certificate of course completion...
The graduating class--yes there was one woman who completed the course!! The church's pastor is now helping Dave and Pastor William facilitate the new men's class at the Santiago prison.
Dave is very grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of Pastor William to "open doors" in these communities to offer the class, to faithfully facilitate the class and help train up new class facilitators. And to good friend, Pastor Felix, who was personally very impacted when he took the first course in 2009--he supports Pastor William by attending some of the classes and sharing his testimony of a restored relationship with his father. William and Felix also put into practice one of the recommendations of the class which is to have an accountability partner to share openly with and encourage on in the faith.
Both our family and the William Gomez family were blessed to be able to attend these graduations and participate as families---we were also encouraged to "live a life worthy of Christ"--as individuals, couples and families.
Dave, Pastor William and other Dominican leaders are now offering this men's course at the local prison in Santiago. The course began in June and seventy-two men are attending the class which meets twice a week. We'll share more on this next month. We ask for your prayers that many seeds can be planted so that the captives may truly be set free.
We were also blessed by a visit from our home church, Eastview Christian Church...
It was great to see friends and ministy supporters and share a meal--pizza!!
And our girls got to play "bananagrams" with old and new friends...
And to see our good friend Traci Trunk who led the team--We want to extend a huge thank you to Traci for all she does for us personally and to support our ministy efforts here---When we think of Traci we think of "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ"---she and her husband Marty have shown us that kind of love!!
Rachael and Beka ministering...
Our girls participated in a drama presentation of our missionary friends, Amaury and Catherine's new drama minstry --they sang in the choir (so did Dave!!)
And both received awards at school this year--
Rachael-Student of the Year in Geometry and French
Beka-Girls Basketball MVP and Christian Character Award
Summertime fun...
All year long as we have driven up and down the mountain to school, we have passed a little shop where two sweet women make hats and other items out of straw. The girls and I kept saying that when we had time this summer we were going to stop by and meet them---so we did!!! And it was a sweet time---they have lived here all their lives though they kept their ages a secret.
We pray that you are having a blessed summer. We thank you for all the encouragement that you give us and your support and prayers. Please look at the right-hand section for our new prayer requests, a new song by our girls, and some new quotes and reading to encourage you.
Dios les bendiga (God bless you),
La familia Schwulst
