Our theme last year was "LOVE AND BE OBVIOUS" and we want to continue with that but we also want to focus on a new theme "ACCEPTANCE WITH JOY".
Here is a quote that a fellow missionary friend just gave us that really fits how we are feeling led---"WHEREVER YOU ARE, BE ALL THERE. LIVE TO THE HILT EVERY SITUATION YOU BELIEVE TO BE THE WILL OF GOD."--Jim Elliot
With this in mind, here are our main goals for this new year...
1. Continue to pour into the Dominicans we have discipled and equipped to lead small growth groups in their local communities, local prisons, Teen Challenge Santiago, and local drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers---always with the goal to "mulitiply"---develop more local leaders ministering to their own people.
2. Focus more on our local community, Lajas de Yaroa--through small growth groups, leadership training, and individual discipleship of those expressing a desire to grow spiritually.
Here's a look at what we've been doing in discipleship and in marriage mentoring...
Our community of Lajas---as of this new year, we have started a women's group--so we now have four small groups meeting weekly---a women's group on Monday nights, a men's group and teen girl group on Tuesday nights, and another men's group on Wednesday nights--please pray for all those involved--that they sense the Lord's great love for them, that they accept it and respond to it!!!
THE WEDNESDAY MEN'S GROUP with Dave and Jose Miguel leading...
RACHAEL'S TEEN GROUP--here celebrating a birthday...
NEW WOMEN'S GROUP which Cherry's mentee, Carolina, organized!!...
We have a number of young girls in this neighborhood (ages 8-12) that continue to ask us when we are starting a young girls group!!! would you please pray about that with us.
In each of these groups we clearly see those with potential to change their community--please pray for these potential community leaders!!
MARRIAGE MINISTRY...
Here are two of the couples we have had the privilege to walk alongside and counsel as they prepare for marriage---we use the book, LOVE AND RESPECT by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (available in both Spanish and English)---what a gift they have been to us and our family!!
Guesly and Katie---
He proposed to her at church in front of the whole congregation---way to go Gues!!!
Their wedding date is June 15
LUIS Y LOIDA...
They both have waited for God's perfect plan for their lives and it looks beautiful!!
Their wedding date is September 1----please join us in prayer for these two couples and for us to share Godly wisdom and love with them.
Thanks for all the Christmas cards with beautiful family pictures--that so encourages us!! Please take a look at the righthand panel for our prayer requests and some new "quotes from here and there" to encourage you along your way.
BY GOD'S GRACE AND FOR HIS GLORY,
THE DAVE SCHWULST FAMILY