By Joe Widick
With the coming of July 4, there are a variety of pictures that come to mind. I see families gathering together to cookout, spreading a red-checkered table cloth over a picnic table and a delicious meal being consumed. I see children out in the yard chasing each other, playing made-up games. I envision the excitement as the sun begins to set for the day and the fireworks are readied for the excitement they will bring. I hear the ohs and ahs as fireworks flash across the darkened sky. The day ends and we get ready for our next work day. Life goes on. All the things mentioned are good, but somewhere in the carefree joyous day it would be good to go back in time to reflect on those who have made days like this possible.
Our gratitude is deepened when we remember the price others paid to help obtain freedom. In the United States, one such person was Richard Stockton. Stockton was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a prominent lawyer and a wealthy landowner. Because he supported the war efforts, he and his family were driven from their home. That home was sacked and burned. Stockton was eventually imprisoned for several years and subjected to harsh treatment that eventually broke his health. Sadly, he died a pauper at the age of fifty one. Had you ever heard the story of Richard Stockton before reading it in this column? Few Americans remember this hero who paid such a high price for the cause of liberty. Unfortunately, his sacrifice is largely forgotten.
QUESTION: Have you and I become so familiar with the gospel that we fail to appreciate what our salvation cost the Savior? We rejoice in the spiritual freedom we enjoy by faith in the sin-canceling death of Jesus, but do you and I realize at least to some small degree the terrible price He paid? Have we reached the point in our worship that “Do this in remembrance of me” signals the end of our worship? Where does our mind travel as one of the brothers reads from God’s word and we participate in this memorial feast? Are we truly grateful to Jesus for all He sacrificed to set us free spiritually? If so, we need to reflect on Paul’s admonition; “It is for freedom, that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). No matter what else may be demanding our attention, let’s take time to remember the unpayable debt we owe him. Salvation is infinitely costly but absolutely free!!
By Joe Widick
Dear Beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Greetings and May our Lord richly bless and keep you. We have a new year and we have new plans always trusting in God and trying to do the best of kingdom of the Lord. We have been working in City Real Church since 2008 and we are witness of the power of God for all he did. I would like to write many details, but the fruits and results are theses. Thanks God!
Statistics Per Year
AREA OF MINISTRY 2008 2009 2010 2011
Jan-Feb-March
Congregational Average Average Average Average
Worship Attendance 65 90 100 90
Offering $50.00 $80.00 $95.00 $80.00
Class (Tuesday and Thursday) Attendance 35 40 50 45
Campaign 2 2 1 On July
Ladies’ meeting
Attendance 12 12 15 12
Men’s meeting per month 2 2 2 2
Kid’s meeting
Attendance 15 25 30 30
Evangelism
Home Meetings
each month 8 8 8 8
Baptisms 18 29 22 1
Training
Teachers meetings 2 2 2 2
Students in Bible School 1 1 1 1
Construction Planning and getting money Cleaning and praying the land Built Mains walls, main door and roof On July we will build rooms, bathroom, kitchen, and floor for it.
Personal *2008
*2009 *2010 *2011
Assistance to the Community *Delivering *Food
*Cloth
*Medicines *Hospitality Ministry (Association of Kidney Transplant) *“Love the Lord your with a all your heart and with all you soul and with your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself”
Teaching in Bible School of San Salvador City
Visit to members and non members
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Tuesdays
Sunday
*Preaching
By Joe Widick
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and
requests. This (letter) in mind, be alert and always keep on praying
for all the saints (in your family in Christ in El Salvador)”.
Ephesians 6:18
A loving hello from El Salvador,
OCTOBER
Saturday 9th, Youth Ministry is helping for two couples. About Seily and I are trying to improve and are looking everything to help, share, and bless them. We were inviting two boys from other church to talk about their experiences.
Sunday 10th Morning, Cecilia a 14 year old and has been growing in the Church. This day said: “I want to be baptized”. And the Lord added to their number, Cecilia who is now saved.
Sunday Afternoon, Women´s ministry is blessing for God. Seily and a small group our church were sharing with others women of four churches. My sister Rubia Lara (my donor of kidney) was preaching.
Monday 11th, The women are very good to have meeting and this day them were giving to God for the blessing that have received. Seily was teaching them at home after they had a little supper.
Wednesday 13th, Bible study at home of Seily´s family. Once a week we are visiting them and having good results. Two brothers have been baptized and a brother comeback from the world, he was lost but is found. About 15 to 25 are attending and they hope to begin Sunday Worship. Therefore we are going to the ends of the earth. We would like following obey the great commission, pray for it.
Saturday 16th, The men were meeting to talk about financial building and trouble about the support of my team preacher. We hope that crisis economy is not excuse to continue doing the work of Lord. I have trying to get sponsors to build and help a preacher, but not have possible.
Sunday morning 17th, We were inviting to Hugo Ortega a preacher from San Salvador, his is graduated from Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock TX. He was preaching about the family.
Sunday afternoon, Marriage ministry is was blessing because we had with us a brother Hugo Ortega, and he was talking about “incompatibility marriage”. Seily and I were leading this ministry and hope that God has blessed to every couple.
Thursday 21st, We were searching a place to realize a baptism from Paquita she is widow and has cancer. We don’t having water on our building, but we found water and now she is a new sister. God is good is all the time and provide a real solution.
Saturday 23rd, We celebrated “The Day of the Family” to share, play, and praise to God. During this year we had many activities to the family a great institution of God. I was leading songs of Children.
Sunday 31st, The Lord added this year to the church such as should be saved. Margarita and Ricardo are cousins, and they are attending the study biblical at home Seily´s family every Wednesday.
NOVEMBER
Monday 8th, Two preachers graduated from School of Preaching in Sunset Lubbock TX. And their families were visiting us. One of them is preaching in Managua, Nicaragua.
Thursday 12th, We had the “National Seminar to Preachers and Leaders”. About 180 were coming of the whole El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras. The preacher was Lou Seckler from University Church of Christ Abeline TX. All year we were planning and praying for it. I was committed and leading this program. We got books to give to all about “Acts” and “Psalms” with authors of the church). After of the event we had a tour to “Geothermal Power Plant” to produce natural electricity.
Sunday 14th, Convention and meeting of Churches of Christ. Praising to God and having favor with all people and the Lord. Early morning my family was preparing The Lord Supper. We had tree sermons to encourage us with the title “A Church Triumph”. About 16 churches (1200 people) are having a great feast. This event is planed during all year and I have been working with the staff of organization.
Saturday 20th, Group of girls had a meeting especially for them at San Salvador Church of Christ. About 120 girls were listened a preaching about “Remember the Creator in the days of youth”. Seily was leading them during this year, and it is really blessing to her.
Saturday 27th, Visiting and helping. Just, it is a little and we would like to do more. Some times we are appealing to help to brethren. I would like to have a program to give food, cloths, and medicines.
Sunday 28th, We had with us an ex-graduated from Baxter Institute, Hector Cortez is preaching at Rd Dalton, Georgia. So, we were sharing with her mother and sister the lunch and coffee. We growth were at the church of San Salvador City. Someday we will together on the heaven.
Sunday afternoon, unfortunately our car suffered a big damage and need to invest a good amount of money to repair it. Now we have difficult to move especially every night that we need to comeback because not have good services of bus. Some times we need to stay at home of brethren and comeback to the next day to our home.
Monday 29th, this day was the graduation of Seily. She has finished her studies and now she is a lawyer. Thanks to God for all hard work. It is a great opportunity to help and bless to so many.
About us, we continue doing and trying to be a good servants. Some time we have difficult but we following doing our job. We would like to increase our budget and we hope in God. Our health is doing well. Just, I have little problem to have a baby because the medicines have the secondary effect. The doctor says that is possible with “Artificial Insemination”. The hospital national doesn’t have this program. Thanks for reading this report and thanks for prayer for us. With love of the Lord!
Totals blessing because He is good all the time!
By Joe Widick
Dear brethren,
l always thanks God for you because of his grace given in Christ Jesus.
SEPTEMBER 6th
In the morning, we were going to Santa Catharina Masahuat to visit and give some bags with children´s crayons. This church is from Santa Ana about an hour and thirty minutes. The road has serious damage, and just heavy vehicle are traveling there. Our car suffered the consequences because some pieces it doesn’t work, but the satisfaction to help our brother and sister is a great blessing.
At the night, we met with tree brothers from “Health Talents International“. They are exploring some areas to work and help the Churches of Christ. They have been working many years in the country of Guatemala, and there have a Hospital with other ministries.
www.healthtalents.org
SEPTEMBER 7th
The whole day, We were visiting six places and had meeting with leaders of churches. It was very tired but we spent this time hoping that these programs come to our country.
The end of day, two women were baptized. They have been visiting us and studying about the gospel, and accepted the message of salvations. They were added to the kingdom of God. The church in City Real is growing every day. Thanks to God.
At night, as is custom every Tuesday we are praying and sinning to God. We had a special meeting because these day the granters said that will killing to many and some of people were in their home. I thought to stop our meting…but many brother and sister were coming to praise to God. We felt afraid but this day I saw Jesus having compassion of us.
SEPTEMBER 8th
The last seven months we started a group of biblical studies at home Seily´s family. We had a baptism on March, and we have seven friends plus eighteen brothers and sisters. They would like have Sunday worships, and we hope help them.
SEPTEMBER 9th
This is the second time that we gave a basket a family. This couple doesn’t have a job since eight months. We will motive for make donations to help needy brothers and sisters
SEPTEMBER 10th
In the morning 16 preachers were coming in the building church as is custom. We were planning “The National Seminar” and “The Worship Unit”. Seily and I woke up early to go to market and buy food to share with our brothers. We spent a good time together. We will have a preacher from University Church of Christ – Abilene TX – USA He have announced at his website: www.louseckler.blogspot.com and I appear there.
In the afternoon the ladies group had a meeting. Seily was preaching about: The believers were one in heart and mind. After she was teaching to cook or prepare “Pupusas” a typical meal of our country. They were spending and sharing specials moments.
SEPTEMBER 12th
Sunday worship, we are so happy and satisfied because the church has been doing well. I have been encouraging and trying that a brother is helping me to preach and teaching. Her name is Ricardo Velasquez and he will graduate from Bible School on December. Also, Seily has been involved with the women´s ministries and children´s ministries. She is good help to me and she is doing a lot. We hope that our labor in the Lord is not vain.
Sunday pm, women were meeting as is custom. Seily was encouraging to ladies
SEPTEMBRE 15TH
Wednesday, we have meeting in Seily´s family. After our normal worship we were meeting until midnight, and we sang hymns praising God. We spent at home of uncles. This day all Central America celebrated our Independence from Spain. We have freedom in Jesus Christ and we are new creation. Thanks to God because He is good every time.
SEPTEMBER 18th
Saturday am, the ladies fraternity celebrated a meeting at Ahuachapán state. Our group of women was there. My old sister (she gave me their kidney) was speaking to about tree hundred women. Two ladies were baptized in these conferences.
Saturday pm, the girl’s ministry was having a meeting as is custom, and they were praying, singing, eating and talking about their needs. Seily is leading and helping them.
SEPTEMBER 19th
Sunday am, as is custom we invited a preacher from other congregation. We have a good
meeting, and we were about nine five members. In this morning a girl obeyed the gospel and she was baptized, and twelve days ago her mother was baptized too. Thanks to God! Sunday pm, all the families were spending together; singing, praying, listens about a lesson of the family, playing, and eating a sweet food. We hope to be together in heaven.
SEPTEMBER 21th
Visit in the hospital to Daniel Azucena. He is a preacher and graduated from Baxter Institute. He had an abdominal operation because he can´t to have baby. Pray for him!
SEPTEMBER 24th
My mother got used clothes in a store that done gently. Seily was classifying according to their type. We gave a sister that is widow and has tree sons and her home is falling down. We tried to appeal some people and organizations. We hope someday receive a answered
SEPTEMBER 25th
Saturday, “JEA” in Spanish is: Juventud en Acción and English is: Youth in Action. It is a program with the purpose that all youth to put their faith into action whether they’re with their friends, in extracurricular activities, and with all of their daily choices. After, we are eating together the traditional food. “Pupusas” is a traditional Salvadoran dish made of thick, hand-made corn that is filled with a blend of the following: cheese, cooked pork meat ground to a paste consistency, refried beans. They enjoyed the food material and spiritual. The preaching was about: “The dangerous of social networking websites”.
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 2ND
Saturday, we were visiting the house of Marco Tulio Ibañez; he is a preaching from Santa Ana state. They had meeting to marriages, and I was preaching them about “Dangerous and Alerts to have a happy marriage”. Tree couples of years older were listened me.
October 3rd
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. And: Love your neighbor as yourself”. We are encouraging to our congregation to give food to the hungry. We hope to help to more brother and sisters.
OCTOBER 4TH
Monday, we were visiting to Raquel (Rachael). She has “Chronic Kidney Disease”, and she is on dialysis. The first picture shows to Raquel before. We travel tree hours to talk about our experience with the transplant of kidney. The fourth picture show to Herbert Martinez with Raquel. He is graduate a graduate of Baxter Institute, and after a kidney replacement ten months ago, he is doing well. We would like that Raquel have the same opportunity. Thanks to God we come back to our houses although we saw two accidents.
OCTOBER 8TH
Friday, we had our meeting of preachers in Izalco, Sonsonate (state) to talk and plan the last thing of our National Seminar. We hope to leaders and preachers from Guatemala, Honduras and all El Salvador. We enjoyed a delicious soup hen. The last picture shows the Izalco Volcano, is an icon of the country of El Salvador, and it was in almost continuous eruption and was known as the “lighthouse of the Pacific.” We had with us to Ricardo Guerra from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He was classmate at Baxter Institute www.baxterinsitute.org
We ask for build and have our building of meeting. Your prayers are very important and if you can give an advice welcome. We don’t have enough places to our meeting.
We have our property but we don’t have enough money to building. We would like to build like show the picture under. We are investing about $1300, and hope to get it as soon as possible.
We ask you for us. Seily is doing well, just she has “uterine fibroid”, and I had “semen analysis” and the results were abnormal sperm function. We would like to have a baby and we hope and trust in God.
Good is good all the time!
In Jesus because He lives,
Mario&Seily Lara
By Joe Widick
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has born of God, and knows God”. (1 John 4:7)
I pray that this newsletter finds you all well.
JUNE 26TH
The Bible School from San Salvador was celebrating a special day to “teachers”. It is a great privilege, and a blessing to be a teacher, and to give someone knowledge or to instruction. The students were gave us a present, and writing some qualities on the board of all us, and every teacher chose the most likely to us. The staff of teachers are: Victor Linares (Principal), Hugo Ortega, Mario Alberto Sura, Armando Gámez, and I.
JULY
Sunday 4th – Once a month we are having a preacher from other church. We had to Jorge Torrez a preacher graduated from Baxter Institute.
Sunday 11th – Preparing and training our teachers of children. We had with us to Maria Antonia Cuadra from San Salvador city. She is a teacher of highest rank. So, my wife was taken part in this activity and helping in this activity.
Friday 16th – We try to invite some families to our home and eat together with glad and sincere hearts. We ate a typical food known as “Pupusas”, after we were celebrating of birthday of our brother Nelson Montufar.
Sunday 18th – Once two months we have a family day. We spent the afternoon playing in the park, singing, praying, and talking about the “Feelings”. I am ministering this program, so the marriages, with my wife.
JULY 26th – AUGUST 1st
We had a great spiritual feast. Eleven students of a Bible School were coming from our neighbor country Guatemala. They were helping with commission to make disciples, and baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The gospel was preached all the week, and we had tree nights of conferences with the subject “Facing the Giants”. We were really blessed because a brother Guatemala produces a song inspired about our theme of campaign. So, nine souls were baptized, and a brother who was lost now he has been found. God is good all the time!
During the whole week the students were doing excellent work to God. We tried to do the best for them, and tried to supply for needs, and food. Seily was the chef with a group of sister of our congregation. The last day we were speeding on the mountain and resting with the students.
MORE
So – Seily and I were having a meeting with two friends and brothers. They are: Dean Sutphin from Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he is vice president for International Outreach. So, we met with Gary Powell who lives here. He is a manager the Hilton Hotel, and preacher of Union Church.
One the other hand- I am visiting and helping to patients who will be receiving a kidney. I try to encourage, and pray for them. So, we have meeting with the patients that who were receiving a kidney transplant.
Also- I met with tree members and legal representatives of Church of Christ. They are: Adrián Larín (President), Victor Linares (who is like lawyer), Efrían Gutierrez (assistant), and I (secretary). The purpose was to do give some solutions to the churches that have problems with their properties.
About me and about my family – Two years ago God did a miracle in my life. I thank my God, and sister Rubia who gave me her kidney. I thank to my brothers and friends because all did a miracle.
One year ago God did other miracle because Seily, Geovanni and I had an accident. I am sure that God sent his angels lift us up. Thanks God!
Well, I really appreciate your gentleness for receive and read this newsletter!
Please, I appeal that you pray for the peace of my country and the end of the violence. So, I ask you that you pray for my wife and I because we would like to have a baby but it’s not possible. I kneel to pray for you, and I hope that you and me become partner of the pray.
Geovanni, Seily & Mario Lara.
By Joe Widick
“Praise be to the god and father of your lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his sure will to praise of his glorious grace, which the has freely given us in the one he loves”.
(Ephesians 1.3-6)
Dear Beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ,
I hope that this newsletter finds you all well.
THE POWER OF GOD
Every mission work has ups and downs, times of success and failure. And our mission here is no different. Two families moved to live to other place. There were many reasons for this decision, but the tensions between the violence that we are living in El Salvador. We had our biblical study in their houses every Wednesday, but they were threatened… Always, we continue preaching the gospel there, and God is good all the time because we have new people that are listen the gospel.
GOOD NEWS
Tree months ago my wife and I were subscribing to “La Voz Eterna” (The Eternal Voice). A Bimonthly Magazine Dedicated to Proclaiming the Eternal Voice of God – The Holy Scriptures. Harris L. Goodwin founded Baxter Institute, and this important magazine. My mother-in-law was giving a little contribution ($20) to help to this ministry. We are writing each surname of the families our congregations.
WOMEN´S MINISTRY
This ministry is led by Maricela de Toledo (the wife of my partner of mission), and Seily Lara my dear wife. Sundays, Fridays, and some Saturdays they have: Afternoon and evening Bible Class, Seminars the woman to woman to mentoring ministry, and Ladies Night focuses on prayer. Meet with other women´s of churches of Christ. On August we want to have a new ministry and this is: “Spiritual Sisters Mentoring Program for Teen Girl and Young Women”.
KIDS KORNER
“…Let the little children come tome, and do hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”. Just a classroom with 3 x 2.60 meters we have about 15 children. In the other classroom with 5 x 2.60 meters we have 20 children plus the teachers. Sometimes the weather is so hot about 94 °F. Seily is teaching to teenagers the introductions of the all Bible Books. As, you can see the chairs are using like table. The kids are a big example to me and to our congregation.
CONVERSION TO CHRIST
“…rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…” Estela attended a Gospel Meeting in April, and she had several one-one-one studies with Warner Toledo my partner during two months. She has two kids…they are so very poor, before of his baptism, we are helping with food, clothes, and some time with money. She sought first the kingdom and his righteousness. Thank my God you are good!
BIBLE SCHOOL
To be a teacher is a great responsibility, but it is a great blessing. Seily and I are traveling 80 miles to go and comeback to my house. This school is located in San Salvador city. I am teaching “Galatians” to 33 students …I will finish on September. The students will be graduated on December. This School
GIVING TO THE NEEDY
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:10). Seily, Geovanni, and I were visiting to a family of our congregation. Their house is falling down. They don´t have water, electricity, and just a man are working. We bought two chickens to eat with them. So, we got some things for them like clothes…if you can help is this a good opportunity. I would like to have a program to help some families, kids, youngest, and help many people.
WHAT IS COMING
On July 9th I will have two year since I was transplanted…Glory to God.
On July 10th we have one year since we suffered the accident in the car.
On July 26th Our congregation we have our campaign with the students of the Bible School from Guatemala.
On Augusts we will planning, thinking, and doing something to build our building…we took a rest because we don´t have money.
ABOUT US
We are so happy because Just, out budget is no good, because we lost an extra help. God is good all the time. Our health is doing well. Geovanni is growing very fast; he is studying a public school. So, he is helping me at church. He has a first experience serving at the Lord´s Supper. Some times he is with me to visit the brothers and sister. Seily is so involve with everything I do. She hopes the graduation on October to be a lawyer. Me is doing well, and trying to the best to our God. Please keep in your prayers.
Our prayers and goals are to train future strong church leaders. We are grateful that you are all partners with us in this great challenging commission our Lord instructed us to do.
Courage, Strength, and Total Blessings to you!
In Jesus because He lives,
Mario Lara
By Joe Widick
Dear Beloved in Christ,
First of all, I want to thank God for His great love and mercy toward us, for the life He gives to us, and for the privilege to be part of His family and be called His children. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the elders, deacons, and member for all those moments of prayers on behalf of this work. I want to thank you for your spiritual, and moral support.
New brother
Jonthan was added to God’s Kingdom this month. He was injured in a car accident one year ago and he has recoverd so good.
God healing
God is good all the time, and I am sure, because five months ago a preacher had a kidney transplant. I was visiting him before his surgery to courage and pray. I was inviting to preach our congregation.
Bible School
This month I was satarted to teach “Galatians”, every Monday about 33 students of differents places of San Salvador City. We have two hours to study. The students are workers, homemakers, farmers, and some professionals. Them have to go to places that are very dangerous, and I can see that are blessed bacause have hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Visiting the sick
It is a big blessing to help to The Kidney Transplanted Association. All the partners are closly involved with the program of transplant. With doctors and nurses are trying to help all that are needing to be transplant. Every tursday I am visiting and praying for those will be transplant.
Ladies Nigth
Every Friday my wife and others sisters are having a meeting to pray, singing, stuy the Bible, and some times they fasting. Seily is so involved and she love teach and preach to sisters ans children. She is a good wife and help to me.
Giving to the needy
My mom, Seily and I are trying to do something to our brothers and sisters. We collect clothes and something to eat. We gave a little of our clothes and food. We hope to do something for a family that have a grave situation, because their home is falling.
Christian Households
A big resposability… Seily and I are trying to do something to families and marriages. The last meeting I was talking about ¿What day have been the most happy of our life? Every adult, young and child saying theirs experiences. For example a man said: “The day more happy was when he put a stop to the alcohol, and decided to come Jesus”.
Good examples
Two young adults are coming our biblical studie on the week. They dont´t have car, they should take the bus but they can´t because there are not bus.
Concern
The social situation concern us greatly, we had to put a stop to our meeting that we have at home Seily´s family because a relative was killed. We had at home to five members of this family for safety…but we hope return to preach the gospel there.
Special Request
Toledo´s family are part of team that is currently working in Cuidad, they are good partners. Warner Toledo was graduated of Baxter Institute, and he have been supporting by High Point Church of Christ, Dallas. They take away amount every month of his supporting. Our brother are looking some help.
About me and my family, as you know our budget have decrease. Please pray that we will be able to raise the $250 (+) to help our needs, at least for now. I know that situation is difficult here and there, and I ask your prayers that the Lord will bless us.
Pray that we can continue to touch lives here and help strengthen the churches. The Lord has been so good to provide for our needs through you. We again thank you all and appreciate your prayers, letters, emails and support. May the Lord continue to richly bless and keep
Courage, Strength and totals blessings! May God bless you!
In Jesus because He lives,
Mario&Seily Lara
By Joe Widick
Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
Greetings to you all! I hope that this Newsletter find you well. Once again I have the joy to tell you about the work mission in El Salvador. Words can’t say all the gratitude we have in our hearts for your multiple expressions of love to this mission and especially for my famil. I wish you be blessed by our Lord in all aspects of your lifes.
New brothers:
Three souls were added to God’s Kingdom this month: A married couple and a girl. We We praise the Name over all names for these new brothers in Jesus Christ.
Housing Studies:
I have been showing the DVD “Hearald of the Truth” that brother Juan Antonio Monrroy from Sapain (www.heraldofthetruth.com), about the “Between life and die”. So, I have been showing the DVD “Searching for Truth” that brother John Moore (www.wvbs.org). The last month we started a new study with some members of the family of my wife. I leave enough time at the end to open up for questions that they may have concerning the teaching. Thanks to God we had many fruits because are learging about the Bible, encouraging, singing, praying, taking cofee with bread. Other fruit was the girl that was baptized this month.
National Covention to Married Couples:
The marrieds of Churches of Christ in El Salvador have met to celebrate the “National Convention to Marrieds”. Five couples of our church went to this event, and it was a very blessed time to them. They came back with lots of joy in their hearts. About 200 people attended this activity from different places of my country. The host congregation of San Salvador City were very kind, they have elders, deacons, leaders and a preacher (he is brother inlaw) there are my sister who gave me a kidney, my twin, a brother, my mom, and nephews, cousins, and uncles. I was baptized here and about 20 preacher went of this congregation to Baxter, and now we are missionarys in differents places. In this event we saw Ocar and Yudiela, and my wife was introducing Luis and Gabriela a couple of our congregation to Oscar and Yudiela to talk about their experience at Baxter. The last month we had a meeting with the Director of admission of Baxter Institute to help young couple.
Team work :
Leaders and preachers of sixteen churches of Christ are planing every year a great meeting to spend together a Sunday to have worship. So, we have a Seminar, and trying to help us. April 9th they were coming to pray in the land where we would like to have a building of our congregation. The sixteen churches of Christ have a special activitie for young people and this month we have this program. About 150 boys and girls are coming, and our youth group don´t having a fund to give something…so, they were getting “MANGOS” an oval tropical fruit with a smooth skin, juicy orange-yellow flesh and a large hard seed in the middle. This fruit is tipical here and they got about 300 mango to give with salt and pepper.
Women’s meeting:
They spent a whole nigth with the purpose to ask our God for different needs. So, the were receiving a teach about “How they can to teach their children in this bad world”. Seily was leading this activitie, and she has been teaching every meeting there is an opportunity.
Sundays:
We are so happy with God because about 95 pepople are coming to praise him. I am preaching, teaching, singing, or leading the Lord´s Supper, every Sunday. So, Seily is teaching at Sunday school since January about “Summary of the books to the Bible”, she has 18 teenagers at room very samall, and we believe that is urgent to move very soon.
Community Dinner:
One more time we celebreted a great event with a dinner party. Every brother and sister were providing and sharing their food. God is good all the time because many brothers and sister don´t have a job, others are sick, or are widows, orphans, and poors.
Helping:
I was invited to teach and preach. I traveled about 25 miles. About 30 people came these day. This church have a great goal and they are building new rooms to childrens and young people, the most brothers are laborers. They gave us $50 to our building that we want to build… So, I was visiting to girl with the young people. She has cancer of cervix, and we were praying for her, and saying encouraging words. So, we were preahing the gospel. On the other hand, Seily and I are trying to find how we can help our brohters that don´t have enough basic needs. This month we did some bags with clothes, we got lots newspaper because they are using like toilet paper, So, we hope to get building materials to repair theirs homes. My mother is helping us to get things to our brothers and sisters. So, the Churches of Christ have legal representation in our country by the laws of the Government. So, the last 24th of April we were choosing seven me to have legal status, legal obligation, legal action and proceedings. So, I was chosen like Secretary General, and my brother in law like Trustee General. We don´t received a payment to do it, just we gain a great blessing to help.
Bad News:
The churches of Christ are so worried and have painful about things is happing here because a preacher was killed by a criminal. Our brother was ready to star the worship…We are very sad and sorrowful. Many families are so worried and be afraid. For example in our congregation we have two families were threatened, the criminals are asking many or they wilk killing them. A family were moving another place for safety…just some examples. So, please pray and pray for our nations.
What´s coming:
On may I will starting to teach in the Bible School of San Salvador city and the Capital of El Salvador. I hope to do the best and bless to 36 students. We will studing “The Espistle of Galatians”. So, thanks on may 17th I will have two years of married with Seily my dear wife, and on may 21st I will be celebating 33 years old.
Personal things:
Please be praying for my country, so more souls may be won. For my family, the Churches of Christs, preachers, leaders and missionarys. For with the Lord´s help that we will be able to raise a new financial contribution because we lost support from my father in law, we lost $400 montly, his contributions helps our financial needs.
May God bless you, strength and encouragement!
Beacuse He lives,
By Joe Widick
Dear brothers,
Blessed be the name of the Lord forever. We are very happy today to find this opportunity to inform about our work and us.
God is continuing to blessing the church with many souls this month. Four people were baptized for remission of their sins. The first is Lola Gaviria who was worship with us since August 24, 2008 was in other church, but finally understood the truest baptism. She was baptized by her husband Oswaldo on march 31
On Sunday 03 was baptized Juvenis and Sunday 10 was baptized Maria-Elena for remission of their sins. We are very happy because the mercy of God is always over us.
On Sunday 17 was baptized Uriel. And Enilda was baptized for forgiveness her sin on Monday 18.
The church is continuing to grow with the blessings of God. Many people getting closer to our God for salvation. On 2 to 5 of June we will have an evangelistic campaign to bring more souls to God. Our special guest for this event is the brother Leonardo Rojas preacher of the Church of Christ of Barquisimeto, Venezuela the church where from Ruth and Alcides.
With the motive of having a proper place for the Church of Christ in Cartagena, from this April we began to cut expenses of the congregation and also initiate new method to raise funds for this. Many brothers have agreed to provide about 175 and 350 dollars for the purchase of land for the church to start 2013 with the help of God.
Besides this, there is a small church in the city which has approximately 16 years with poor growth, they begged us to help them grow. To help them we are sending a brother every Sunday to work for the Lord in preaching or worship or direction of the Lord’s Supper. Also on Saturday morning we evangelize the neighboring areas to the congregation that God can use us for the growth of His work.
My family and I are very good with the help of God. Our daughter is becoming more beautiful than ever. This Wednesday April 18th she will be 5 months old. Please still pray for the healthy growth of her.
Continue praying for our projects. We love you very much in the love of Jesus Christ.
By Joe Widick
Dear brothers,
Peace and God’s grace be with each one of you. It is an honor to inform you about us and our work here in Cartagena.
By the mercy of God the Church is moving forward. We are keeping an attendance of approximately 70 adults and 30 children on Sundays.
The men of the congregation are involved in various spiritual activities we develop. On Monday 21 March we had a congregational trip, it has been a blessing to the Church. The brother Parmenio Romero 72 years was responsible for logistics and feeding on this occasion. At the end of the activity Mrs. Magaly was baptized for the remission of sins. At work we are doing outside of Cartagena on the weekends, on Saturday 26th two people were baptized for the glory of God.
On March 11th, the brother Luis Sanchez and his family traveled to Honduras and then the United States to visit their families and take a vacation. Please pray that God may bless their trip and protects them from evil.
This Tuesday 29th we will be meeting to discuss the participation of the brothers in the material affairs of the Church and the participation of the church in general. because we understand that we are 4 years to complete the mission if it the desire of God and must move to leave a solid church in everything. we will also be trying new methods that should be used to raise funds for a place for the church in Cartagena.
My family and I are well thanks to the mercy of Almighty. Our daughter is growing, and is very beautiful. Pray that God will continue to care and bless us.
Please continue to pray for the work we are doing here in Cartagena.
In Jesus name
Desil & family
