Today the students at Ponce Christian Academy competed in a track and field competition. Our school has 65 students and about half that number in 7th - 12th grades. We were up against 5 other schools, of which at least 3 are much larger than ours (200-300+). Between 15 and 20 of our students participated, and most had multiple assignments.
Throughout the day we had trouble keeping events stocked since our teens were often needed in two areas at the same time. This resulted in several forfeited events, but the kids all did their best. At the end of the day we hoisted the second place trophy into the air with at least as much satisfaction as the school that took top honors. Our coach got doused with Gatorade and everyone raised two fingers into the air.
Nathan and Bethany each did their part. Nathan scored one bronze medal and several fourth place finishes which gave us much needed points. Bethany had one fourth place finishes and 5 medals. Several other students took 7 or 8 medals home! Needless to say they are all rather exhausted.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Rejoicing in God's Blessing
Today, Sunday, April 22, we began evangelistic meetings with Lin Croxton. We had established a goal for this morning's attendance at 80 people. The most we have had over the past four years is about 65. We reached our goal of exactly 80 people! God is so good, and our people worked hard for the goal.
Another blessing was seeing four believers respond in the invitation and one woman who came for salvation. She had attended previously but had never responded as today.
Tonight we had 44 in attendance. We are looking forward to a great week filled with many blessings.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
What a tremendous joy it is to see folks trust in Christ! Equally wonderful is watching them grow and follow the Lord in baptism. Sunday, April 15, I had the privilege of baptizing 8 converts in the waters of the Caribbean. The waves were a bit rough, but each person entered the water willingly in testimony to their faith in the risen Christ.We held a service along the shore. 37 of us sang several choruses, all the candidates and a few others testified of their conversion and God's goodness in their lives, and then we began the baptismal service. Our youngest son, Jonathan, was first into the water, then his friend Josean, and adults Tony, Norma, Mandy, Felícita, Victor, and Jesús. Each one left the sea with a large smile.
Victor is a Korean War vet who came to the Lord several months ago. His wife prayed for his salvation for 30 years before receiving the desire of her heart. Jesús was formerly a 7th Day Adventist and then wandered the streets for several years. His life has been changed by the miraculous grace of God. He even sang a hymn to the glory of God on Sunday morning. Everyone in the congregation was moved by the song of testimony.
Our hearts are full of gratitude for all that God has done in these lives. Our furlough will be more difficult as we think of leaving these new converts and others who have not yet been baptized. Yet, we know that the work is the Lord's. He will not fail to nurture and cherish these newborn babes. Our hope is that they will continue to grow and that others may also be added in our absence.
Busy, Busy, Busy
Imagine my surprise when I realized that my last blog entry was posted over one month ago. In the meanwhile I have been frantically filling our itinerary for furlough. Currently we have more than 50 meetings between May 27 and December 16. May the Lord be praised!
I have also been pushing the end of my day into the next so that our presentation is ready on time. I hope to do the voice and music recordings soon and burn the DVD before April's end. That will be a real challenge since we have evangelistic meetings from April 22 to 25.
In early May I must take our car to the port in San Juan so that it will be stateside by the time we arrive. The process takes several days as we go from one governmental agency to another filling out forms and paying fees.
We praise the Lord for friends in a western Florida supporting church which sent us a special offering within $30 of the cost to repair our AC in the car. We have been suffering in the heat for about one year since we could not afford the repairs. Now, the AC is working great and the cruise control which was not working has been "healed". It wouldn't work for a long time, but the Ford dealer tested it and found nothing wrong. We always suspected that it was not working due to a wire being left unplugged in an earlier repair. If so, perhaps, the wire got plugged in during the AC repair. Anyway, the Lord is good.
We are now working on the 2008 schedule. About 6 meetings have been pencilled in. The Lord is providing meetings in churches we have never visited. We are trusting the Lord to provide for our budget shortfall so that our ministry may continue with better provision.
I have also been pushing the end of my day into the next so that our presentation is ready on time. I hope to do the voice and music recordings soon and burn the DVD before April's end. That will be a real challenge since we have evangelistic meetings from April 22 to 25.
In early May I must take our car to the port in San Juan so that it will be stateside by the time we arrive. The process takes several days as we go from one governmental agency to another filling out forms and paying fees.
We praise the Lord for friends in a western Florida supporting church which sent us a special offering within $30 of the cost to repair our AC in the car. We have been suffering in the heat for about one year since we could not afford the repairs. Now, the AC is working great and the cruise control which was not working has been "healed". It wouldn't work for a long time, but the Ford dealer tested it and found nothing wrong. We always suspected that it was not working due to a wire being left unplugged in an earlier repair. If so, perhaps, the wire got plugged in during the AC repair. Anyway, the Lord is good.
We are now working on the 2008 schedule. About 6 meetings have been pencilled in. The Lord is providing meetings in churches we have never visited. We are trusting the Lord to provide for our budget shortfall so that our ministry may continue with better provision.
Monday, March 19, 2007
A Very Special Request
We wish to share another request, but it will take more than a line or two. This past Summer we were blessed to host two missions teams. Their work and ministry were sources of great encouragement to us and the people here. On the Pennsylvania team was a young man who was preparing to attend a Christian college in the Fall to prepare for the Gospel ministry.
When he returned home, he submitted to the required blood work for college admission. At that time the doctor informed him and his family of an abnormality indicating progressive kidney failure. In spite of the threat, the young man went off to college, but his health has continued to diminish. At present, many are praying that he will be able to finish this semester before dialysis is necessary.
As soon as he returns home, he and his parents will visit a transplant surgeon to consult regarding the options that remain. The family feels keenly their need of Divine direction. Unless the Great Physician intervenes, the teen will need dialysis shortly; transplant surgery will likely be required as well.
While it would be easy to ask, "Why?", the family is leaning heavily on the Lord's arm and praying for a miracle. I would like to request that each person who reads this blog will join in praying for this urgent prayer request. Certainly there is no limit to what our Savior can do, and Scripture admonishes us that many times we "have not, because [we] ask not."
Pray also that the Lord may be glorified through this young man's testimony and that of his parents.
When he returned home, he submitted to the required blood work for college admission. At that time the doctor informed him and his family of an abnormality indicating progressive kidney failure. In spite of the threat, the young man went off to college, but his health has continued to diminish. At present, many are praying that he will be able to finish this semester before dialysis is necessary.
As soon as he returns home, he and his parents will visit a transplant surgeon to consult regarding the options that remain. The family feels keenly their need of Divine direction. Unless the Great Physician intervenes, the teen will need dialysis shortly; transplant surgery will likely be required as well.
While it would be easy to ask, "Why?", the family is leaning heavily on the Lord's arm and praying for a miracle. I would like to request that each person who reads this blog will join in praying for this urgent prayer request. Certainly there is no limit to what our Savior can do, and Scripture admonishes us that many times we "have not, because [we] ask not."
Pray also that the Lord may be glorified through this young man's testimony and that of his parents.
Prayer Requests
I hope to create a weekly prayer request entry at the beginning of each week. This will help you know exactly how to pray. I will also try to remember to inform you as to how the Lord works in each case.
1. The filling of the Spirit to make our remaining weeks full of the Lord's blessing.
2. Wisdom to train each member of our furlough replacement team for their new tasks.
3. The preparation of about 6 people for baptism before we leave.
4. Provision of more students to make our budget work at Ponce Christian Academy
5. Spiritual growth for Victor, Maritza, Chu, Nelson, Gilson, Jomar, Jeremy, et al.
6. The faithfulness of the Lord's people to His work here in Ponce.
1. The filling of the Spirit to make our remaining weeks full of the Lord's blessing.
2. Wisdom to train each member of our furlough replacement team for their new tasks.
3. The preparation of about 6 people for baptism before we leave.
4. Provision of more students to make our budget work at Ponce Christian Academy
5. Spiritual growth for Victor, Maritza, Chu, Nelson, Gilson, Jomar, Jeremy, et al.
6. The faithfulness of the Lord's people to His work here in Ponce.
Pre-Furlough Blessings
The Lord has certainly been good to us! Since beginning to call pastors from SC/NC to PA, we have seen our schedule develop nicely. In fact, from May 27 until December 16, only one Sunday has no meeting at all (Anyone interested in July 1?). Several Sundays need a morning service to be complete, and a number of Wednesdays still remain. If you know of a church in the above mentioned States that needs to hear from us, drop us a line.
In addition, the Lord has provided a display board free of charge! That is at least a $200 gift! Our hearts rejoiced when we received this news. We still have the work of preparing the display, but that will come together in its own time.
A particular concern is the organizing of a good presentation with voice and music accompaniment. Many hours will be invested in this endeavor. These are hours that are hard to come by, but they will have to be found.
In addition, the Lord has provided a display board free of charge! That is at least a $200 gift! Our hearts rejoiced when we received this news. We still have the work of preparing the display, but that will come together in its own time.
A particular concern is the organizing of a good presentation with voice and music accompaniment. Many hours will be invested in this endeavor. These are hours that are hard to come by, but they will have to be found.
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