Our community of believers---an update...our ministry focus is to disciple in such a way that the believers can experience the fullness of the Gospel in ALL AREAS of their life--helping them to see God's design for their family, for their education, their work and their involvement with the community--to truly live out the great commandment to Love God with all you have and to Love others God's way.
As we reflect on the growth we have seen in our young believers, we are pleased to report that two are now attending university in Santiago--both received scholarships. One of our young women who graduated last year just got a permanent position teaching at an elementary school in a nearby community. Two others are working in temporary positions with the possibility of permanent employment and one other has the possibility of permanent employment at the local grade school in Lajas. We are thanking God for his faithfulness to bless and provide and we pray that they all will let their lights shine as they study and work--for God's glory!!
Cherry had the privilege of taking Isamar to a local teacher's college in Santiago---It was an honor to be with her the first day of class and help her settle in to dorm life...
In September, we offered our first small business loan to two young men who have been with our church movement since the beginning, Alex and Joel. They have opened a scrap metal business in Santiago. Alex had experience in that type of business and they both have a strong work ethic.
It has been an exciting and scarey time as they have worked to get the business off the ground. They asked our key people from church to come pray over the business when they were ready to open the doors for business.
Part of the agreement is that they meet regularly with Dave for business and spiritual accountability. (Their goal is to be able to provide employment opportunities for others in Lajas as the business grows.)
And that they take a financial management class--led by our good friend Amaury Gracesqui--which they recently completed. We offered the course to anyone in the church interested---Amaury connects so well as he also grew up in very humble circumstances and now lives out the principles he teaches and has been blessed by the results.
His wife, Catherine, and our sweet god-daughter, Josephine, came too!! We have mentored this sweet couple since before they married and it is beautiful to see the fruit of their marriage and their ministry.
We would like to be able to offer more small business loans as well as college scholarships---would you please pray for these young people as they learn to live out God's principles in all aspects of their lives---they have not had many strong role models in the past so we are breaking some very old habits and ways of doing things that went against God's plan--it is very much a spiritual battle so we need much prayer.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP OR SMALL BUSINESS LOAN FUND, SEE OUR DONATION INFORMATION AT THE RIGHT OR EMAIL US. (cjndj.schwulst@gmail.com)
And...lastly, the little children---we have such a faithful following of young children--and that number continues to grow---this past month a few of children began singing as part of the worship team---a precious sight that has touched all of our hearts deeply...
And here are a couple of the very little ones just too cute to not be included...
Family update...We now have three children stateside---son Shane, a Latin American History professor at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, daughter Blythe in a PhD program at Scripps in San Diego, California, and Rachael, a freshman at Taylor University, Upland, Indiana---in October our daughter Blythe made a surprise visit to Taylor to visit Rachael for "family weekend"--looks like they had fun together, doesn't it?
And our "baby" Rebekah celebrated her 18th birthday last month and is enjoying her senior year in high school here.
As always, we thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers. Please see the right-hand panel for new prayer requests and some words of encouragement to help you on your way.
God bless and keep you all!!
BY GOD'S GRACE AND FOR HIS GLORY,
THE DAVE SCHWULST FAMILY