Baptism and Church Christmas Party at Our House

One group dined in the living room.
Another in the dining room around my collection of nativity scenes.

Maria, organized the whole dinner, cooked most of the dinner, and cared for her granddaughter with total grace. Many of us could have done this in a stressed out manner, but she did it in tranquility and love!

Here's the group that was baptized.

Women serving the dinner.

It was an amazing day of fellowship: fellowship with the Body of Christ and fellowship with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as members of our church were baptized in our pool. What a grace-filled and blessed day.

Olimpia Leaves -- Hopefully Just for a Short While

A lovely group sent Olimpia off at 6 am at the airport. I'm so glad they were all there as I had to work and Mike had the flu.
Mike making jokes before he prayed for Olimpia--so he wouldn't cry!

Olimpia Dragu, our faithful missionary from Romania left in early December. The plan is that she will return to us in a few months. We miss her and have to round up an army of workers to fill her shoes, but wish her a blessed time with family and friends and that she receives the desires of her heart.

Youth Group Goes to Mancora, Peru

Our youth group recently went to Peru and joined up with the youth group from Lima, Peru. Here are some quotes from our youth group about what blessed them:

I learned that I need to be like David--humble in the presence of God. -- Fernando

Pastor Justin taught us that we need to live in the presence of God so He can give us strength, understanding, and knowledge of the Word of God and so we can understand His will and themes like salvation with God. -- Jeffrey

Just as the Spirit of God hovered over the waters at creation and created order from disorder, so the Spirit of God creates order from disorder in our lives as He encourages us, strengthens us, testifies that we are of God, seals us, and makes us spiritual -- Smith.

Pastor Justin taught us that when we focus on our sin nature, we live our lives and don't want the presence of God. We keep doing what is wrong. But God is so merciful that he never leaves us alone. But if I walk with strong convictions about God, I will be an overcomer. -- Gina

It was beautiful and cool to have communion with the Body of Christ. I liked what Pastor Julio said about how the Holy Spirit lives now in us and we need to seek the presence of God. -- Emanuel

We had the opportunity to go to Mancora, although not all of the youth group were able to go. The portion that God had for each one of us was special. As our leader, Olimpia, said, "This could help you mature spiritually." Sincerely, God worked in me and taught me things that for me were very confusing before, especially through the teaching of Pastor John. What stayed with me is that God never leaves us, despite all our errors because he is faithful! -- Isaac

Day of the Dead

Sue and Rosa in the cemetery on Day of the Dead
Gua-guas de pan (bread babies) -- a traditional part of celebrating Day of the Dead.

Mike with some of our "family"

Mike preaching in the church in Quito

Cell Group at Enrique's House

This fall, cell groups were begun at two of our elders homes. These are a few photographs from the cell group at Enrique's home. This cell group now has an attendance of around 21 people.

Mike and Enrique

Barb Hill's Visit

Barb Hill visited us in October and greatly blessed us. She was spying out the land and we pray that it is God's will that she come to work with us for a season next year.

Mike's Birthday, October 2010

The youth group came over to surprise Mike with a birthday party. And he was surprised!