We thought we would start this month by showing you a picture of the Lajas church family---we now have about 50 people who are attending the Sunday services and interesting in seeking after the Lord. The following quote really expresses our desire for the church here---
"Lord, remind us that change often comes through the quiet commitment of a small group of people. Help us to raise our small body of people to set about quietly becoming the change we want to see in the world."
It has been such a privilege to watch Jose Miguel grow in his faith and in his leadership ability--his heart for God and his heart for the people of Lajas is obvious!!
Here is our daughter Rebekah with her little "flock" of young ones on Sunday mornings---one of our Dominican leaders, Alex, has just begun a new small group for the young ones on Saturday afternoons as well.
We have so many stories of "the light shining in the darkness here"---this is an example of God at work---this mother, Ana, has really struggled to be a wife and mother (for so many reasons!!) but this year she has come home to her family and is attending and hosting our women's group here and coming to Sunday services--there is a long road ahead but this picture was taken after a Sunday service which also happened to be her birthday--and her son with whom she has a rocky relationship also came to church that Sunday and sat next to her. We all had tears in our eyes at God's favor in that moment!! The light was indeed shining!!
Part of what we are teaching our young church family is how to honor God and oneself by giving back to Him (what is already His!!)---we want them to have the dignity and healthy pride that they indeed can do for themselves when God is by their side---we were just able to buy this laptop for the church using the church's offering account!! It was indeed a moment of pride, dignity and gratitude to the Lord for His redeeming work here!! Here are some of our leaders with the new purchase which we use for music for Sunday worship...-----------------
New small groups continue to form---here is a new group of young woman from a nearby community, Sonador---they have all accepted Christ and meet weekly with Cherry for a Bible study---this particular day they wanted to do the study and then learn how to make frosted cut-out sugar cookies!! We spent a beautiful afternoon in our back kitchen, studying God's word and sharing, drinking hot tea, and baking cookies---such a super blessed time!!
And the young women brought some "younger members" of their families to learn too---could these girls be any cuter!!!!!!
SPECIAL VISITORS...
We were super blessed this month by a visit from our sending church's missions pastor, Tyler Hari, and new mission's staff member, Bill Troyer. They got to visit in the neighborhood, pray over the possible new property and attend our Sunday service here. Thank you so very much for your visit, your love and encouragement. We feel very "filled-up" and ready to "keep on"!!
Thanks to you all for your love and encouragement as well. Please take a look at the right-hand side panel for our new prayer requests and some words to encourage you in our sections "Word of the Month", "Quotes from here and there..." and "Be the answer to your prayers"
The beauty of Lajas that surrrounds us---picture courtesy of our daughter, Rebekah.
BY GOD'S GRACE AND FOR HIS GLORY,
THE DAVE SCHWULST FAMILY
