©2010 Maple Hill church of Christ
| Welcome, visitor! |
Mario and Seily Lara |
El Salvador |
Mario is a native of San Salvador, El Salvador. He is part of a two man team that is currently working in Cuidad Real, near Santa Ana, El Salvador. Santa Ana is the 2nd largest city in El Salvador. He is a graduate of Baxter Institute. After serious health problem and a kidney replacement in 2008, Mario has recovered nicely and continues to work diligently for the Master.
Email Mario Lara at mariocruzlarahemandez
Jun
24
“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!
Jun
24
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.
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
Jun
24
“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.
Jun
24
“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
Jun
24
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
Jun
24
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,
May
14
BUILDING A BEST PLACE TO PRAISE TO GOD
The walls of our building are ready, and we hope to get our main door on April. Just, we are wating some contributions to rise to pay it. So, we hope to have our firts meeting there a soon as possible, because we don’t have enough space where are renting. We know that we lack to the roof, floor, and others areas to our building.We are really blessed because one church gave us $50 but the specialy help is that they are building too.
WE ARE GROWING
God is blessing us. Every Sunday we have specials meetings because have full place to praise to God, some times we have 95 people coming. The size of the area that we have our meeing is 5 meters by 10 meters. So, we are so happy because this church we are celebrating five years since was stablished. The picture show praying for young couple.
CHILDREN
All the children our congretation were celebreting theirs birthday. Some of them dont have a party, gifts, or positive word, because some of them are poor, and some case the kids came alone to our church without theirs parents…Every tree month we have a cake, and natural juice. We will giving to next tieme a piece of pizza and coca-cola. My wife is helping to give the best all the children, and we are sure that they enjoying everyting, but specially a smile and love.
YOUNG PEOPLE
We have guests staying at home praying, singing, playing scrabble, and spending a good time. This day a girl told us that she has cancer, and now we are looking how to help her. Seily and I will visiting, and encouraging to persuade toprach the gospel because she isn’t christian.
VISTING
Is a great blessing to visit to our brethren. Some of theme are sick or they need to be encourage.
HELPING
My mom and my wife always are triying to get clothes and food to brothers ans sisters that have hungry or needing clothes. This month we gave a family that they dont have water, electricity, and that they dont have own house. I see Jesus when are doing something to them.
ABOUT THE NEW JOB
The 1st Wednesday we started new group at home, with the purpose to feed to our brothers and sisters. They can’t to come to our meetings in between of the week. because they live so far from building church, 25 adults and 10 childrens were meeting to learn and about Jesus. All group are family of my wife, and some of them were lukewarm, now they are happy because the Word of God is close of them.
CHURHES CHRIST UNIT
Friday 12th we had a common meeting where preachers and leaders have a meeting to think about of most important meetings (National Seminar to Leaders and Preachers and The National Convention of Church of Christ) and how we can to do something for sixteen churches. For example we are helping to preaching where don´t have a preachers full time…this month a preacher was helpin to open to other preaches their own email becuse some don´t have computer.
SPECIAL VISIT
This month we are so blessed with some visit our brothers from Honduras. Brother Ivan Martinez who was missionary here for five year and his family were encouraging us with the purpose of teaching and help our congregation. So, the director of admissions from Baxter Institute was talking with a couple that I am promoting to be students the next year.
SEEKING AND TRIYING TO DO SOMETHING WHAT WAS LOST
The last year I was preaching the gospel to man who was gangster…the last week he was killed for others gangsters, we have our meeting at home of his family. I pick up the corpose, and helping his family.
ON MAY
I will teaching in the Biblical School located in San Salvador city.
ASKING YOUR PRAYERS AND HELP
The Lord will bless us to be able help to mission for a few more years to see numerical growth, but spiritual as well. So, please pray that we will be able to raise our budgest concerning our financial needs. So, we would like to have a Great Mission teaching the Good News of salvation brought by our Lord, Jesus Christ; provides medical care for the sick; builds houses and church buildings; distributes clothing, food, and other necessities; and seeks to improve the lives of people who are in need. I have share it with friend and brothers like Dean Sutphin from VCOM and Blackburgs ChurchofChrist VA, and a preacher from UNA churchofchrist Nasville TN, and we hope to do something very soon.
May God Bless All Of You Richly,
Seily&Mario Lara
Mar
18
Dear Brethren,
I wish you grace, peace and love from our God and Jesus Christ. I want to keep in touch with you and to inform you about the activities done by the church where I serve.
From the 7th of February to the 2nd of March
Now in El Salvador the life is critical, and somehow has affected the normal development of our lifes. First of all the economy it is not so good because the changes of new goverment are not so good (The hospitals don´t have medicines, the food and everything are very expensive). In the second hand the number of homicides in our coutry has risen, becasue many they cant´t to pay the extortions. Some members our Church are paying to the criminals, others are members are intimidating to pay the extortion. The last year I received a call of the criminals to pay…but thanks to God, I and my family are ok.
But, God always have a goods news to us, and my country have the name of our Jesus Christ (Saviour and spanis is “El Salvador”). The first Sunday of February the ladies group celebrated the baby shower of our sister Marlene. I am sure that this baby will be a member of the Church of Christ. Seily was giving some verses of the Bible and encouraging to our sister, Marlene was reciving gifts, a green container to take a shower of her baby.
So, this Sunday we were praying for our future building, and we started with walls. Just, we have for it, and a main door. We spent all our budget $2,700 to the walls, and $900 to the main door. But, we hope to continue giving constributions, and we hope recieved some help or friends, brothers and churches from out our church.
Sunday 7th we are prayin Wenesday 10th we beginning to build the walls
The second week of Frebuary I was visiting to a lady who was transplanted a kidney
This a really blessing to me because I have been blessed, so I have the mission to talk about my experience, but the great blessing that I have is: “Pray and talk about the Almighty God and really so good”.
Saturday 13th The Association of Transplanted Renal of El Savador celebreted the “The Kidney donors” I was saying some spiritual words to the doctors, nurses, transplanateds, and donors”. So, my sister Rubia donor was sharing and saying words about her experiencie and ecouraging to be “kidney donor”.
Sunday 14th I was preaching to couple of church of Christ (central church and founded by missionaries from United States in the sixty years). It was my first time that I have preached a wedding.
The Third Week I was visiting two sister are sick they live 1oo miles from Santa Ana , they have cancer and kineys…with my mom, brother in law and my wife were praying for them and trying to help with somehin to them.
The fourth week and the whole month I saw Jesus, and I was really blessed when I was visiting to members of Church. My mother got some clothes to our brethren. They don´t have basic needs, and they don’t have enough food to meet their needs… One family gave us “bananas”, and a widow gave us some coins of 25 cents. She was celebrating her birthday, now she has 60 years. 25 cents per every year ($15) this money is to help to build our building.
On March we wil have a meeting in home of one family that have problems to come in the middle of the week. The purpose is to teach and feed to our brothers, and the future have one new church there.
Needs we would like to have a program to give food to the hungry, scholarship to our kids and youth, and someday a medical brigade. The last year brothers from Una ChurchofChrist from Nashville, Tennessee and it was their first time that they were visited us.
Thanks God I am doing well. Just, I ask your prayers for my family and needs.
Through Him your brother,
Mario&Seily Lara
Mar
3
I send you all Greetings filled with the wonderful love of Jesus Christ. Our prayer is that He blesses you all with peace, joy, and love.
DECEMBER 2009- Ivan Martinez and his family have finished their missions here and they come back to Honduras. The whole church last Sunday of the year had a “Community Dinner”, where some church members gave some gifts recognizing to Ivan his family for their work done here in City Real. The whole church showed how much love them and shown them that their efforts were not in vain.
JANUARY 2010- New Year and *New Plans
*Seily and I begun working with “Youth Group”. This group was under leadership of Ivan Martinez. This month we had a activity just across the street from a member of group, and we were invited some the neighbours. Every Saturday we will are meeting in the church building, young´s houses, on the streets.
*So, I begun the Bible Studie at the Church. Every Thursday I am teaching the book of “Colossians”. This is my first time that I am teaching this book and it is great blessing to me, and I hope that to the church too.
My Schedule:
Monday: Take rest, and spend time with my wife and Geovanni.
Tursday: Leading the “Day of Pray and Praise to God”.
Wenesday: Helping in the meeting in the house of our brothers
Thursday: Teaching the Bible Studie to the Church
Fridays: Meeting with Preachers of Sixteen Churches to work and help us to preach the gospel
Saturday: Leading the Youth Group
Sunday: Worship where I am preaching or teaching, and some times singing
Sunday afternoon: We have a meeting of Ladies Group, Leaders (Mens), Marriages, and with the whole family
The last activies:
On Sunday 31st we had the meeting to marriages, and we are discusing the movie “A Fire Proof”; I was taking and given four purpose to live day by day about the movie.
On Sunday 1st of Frebuary we begun with *the dream to have our building church with just a budgest of $3000, just to do the walls to close our property. We hope to have the meeting there a soon as posible. First of all we were cleaning the area where we want the walls.
On Sunday 7th We had a special meeting, I was preaching about “The plans that God have us” Jeremiah 29:11. Afeter our worship we let us to pray and bless the place wehere we want to build.
This day was really blessed to see the children, youngs, adults, a woman has nine months pregnant, handicaps and elderly poeple, and we had a hot sunny day about 95°F. We want to remind you that we need a builiding to meet in, if you can help or if a congregation or individual are interested in helping us reach this goal please let me know.
I would like you pray for our nations becasue we need more work to preach the gospel of salvations, many people are dying every day, and the number of homicides in our coutry has risen.
So, I ask your prayer about my needs. I am so happy because God is good always, my health is sood good, my wife is helping me and Geovanni is a blessing to me. So, the church is doing well. Just, I would like to share about a little worry about our budgest how family.
Jan
22
Greetings in Christ our beloved brothers and sister,
We can all praise our Lord and Father in Heaven for His love and many blessings as we strive each day to walk according to His will. Thank you for your continued love, support, prayers to help men and women who are hungering and thirst for righteousness.
Fourth aniversary 2009 has been a really blessed for the church here in “City Real” Santa Ana, El Salvador. Since January to December we have had 29 baptisms. We are so glad because the church has started again to grow. The attendance is increasing and now we are gathering about 90 people every Sunday. This encourage us a lot since in the few past the attendance was very low, but now the church is willing to invite their friends and family to the worship and the several activities we have had. We don´t have enough space, and we need to move another place.
To reach more people were some seminars for couples and we have invited many friends to come and they have liked the way they have heard the message and some of them have stayed. So, we had Evangelistic Campaigns, Community Dinner at Park, and small group at house, Knocking on the doors our neighborhood, Biblical Studies.
The meeting in the house of our brothers have given us many results and several families are attending this small group at “La Reina”, in this place living families have a few possesions, for example some of them don´t have water, electricity, houses, education, jobs, etc., but they have hope, faith, love and salvation in Jesus
We shared with brothers from Una Church of Christ our plans and dreams about to have our own building where the church can congregate. They were praying for it. In the pictures you can see the place where we will want to build. We already have US$ 3,000 that the church here was been able to raise. If you could help us that would be wonderful, or if you know about somebody who would be interested in helping us with this project please let me know. We need a wisdom and some ideas to build.
My personal job
In City Rreal I am working with the leadership to give some responsabilities to preach, teach, sing and pray. Every Tuesday I have the blessing to lead “Day of Singing and Prayer”, and I am visiting, encouraging, preaching, teaching and doing something to the Kingdom of God. So, I was teaching in the Bible Shcool of San Salvador the Capitol of El Salvador, where I had 40 students. Classes taught were for the Basic Year; Chronology of the Bible and History and Geography of the Bible. Also, I have meeting with the leaders of 16 churches, and we are working to have many different activities, for example in November 8th we were praising together and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. So, I am a member of the Committed to do The National Conferences to Leaders of Churches of Christs. The same way I am the Vice President of the Asocciation of Kidney Transplant , and I am visiting to patients will be have received a kidney to pray and said positives words.
Our Supporters
By God’s generosity, we have been blessed to have met all of our annual
expenses during the last year including your help to repair our car, help to buy some medicines, and help to pay the surgery of kidney transplant. We sincerely thank you for continuing to be partners and supporting the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please keep us in your prayers, and pray for our Country because the number of homicides has rirsen butcher.
Specials Needs: Sunday School materials, Resources to evangelize (pamphlets), Have our own building, Resources for the families of poores (Scholarships and a program of “Beans and Rices”). So, We would like to get a Projector (new or that is second hand).
We continue praying for all our brothers and sister of Maple Hill, and your Country.
God has assisted us and he is good all the time. Thank your Lord!
For His Cross,
Mario&Seily Lara