In the City

What a day and we are just halfway done!! Our teams had a great start this morning. Between the three site, we had 212 kids in VBS… amazing! Manoguayabo had 150 and that will probably climb as the days progress. We are ministering in a urban poor sector (Manoguayabo) and in two middle class neighborhoods. Numbers don’t really “count”- the point is to make an effective outreach to the communities. We were really excited with the involvement of the kids, of the folks from Melvin’s church, as well as the church folks from Manoguayabo. 

I saw lots of smiles and excitement from all three teams- I think they are so pumped up to be actually out there working. Obviously, they have trained long and hard before arriving here so it is fun for them to actually be “doing it.” 

Everything has gone super well- they are resting and eating well in the Ministry Center where we are staying. We are eating lunch at Melvin’s church. They got to see Carlos (another missionary Dwight has worked with) today so everyone was happy. 

This afternoon the teams are doing an afternoon outreach- sports, visitation, and team 1 is painting the basketball court in Don Gregorio. At 5pm they will scramble to different locations to begin their discipleship now ministry for youth. Please pray for this important ministry.  They finish up tonight with dinner at 8pm, debriefing, re-grouping for tomorrow and worship time.  It is a fast paced day- pray for strength, stamina in the heat, and effectiveness is sharing God’s love with those we encounter.

This might actually be day 2 or 3 for the St. Giles day because their travel day lasted almost 24 hours! I don’t know how they made it but they looked really good and strong when I saw them late yesterday afternoon. What a super spirit they have! They arrived well, got to see the Colonial City with Pastor Melvin, and then settled in to their new home. What a great place!

     I love it when volunteer groups get to begin with a worship day. We had a record high attendance at Don Gregorio this morning for SS. The group had to adjust their preparations and as usual, it all worked out perfect.  I know the SS and worship time inspired me and I am more than certain it did others as well. Pastor Melvin shared at the end if he hadn’t already converted, he would certainly convert after that!

     We got to enjoy some great Chinese food, celebrating Carey’s birthday, and then we took a tour of our ministry sites for the week. We got to meet Pastor Ramon Paulino in Manoguayabo and one of their leaders, Roberto. We will be sending on of the teams there each day. We also visited Camen Renalta and of course, the church in Don Gregorio.

     Please pray with us for strength and effectiveness. As we shared today with Melvin and his leaders, we can sense that the enemy has been attacking their ministry. Please pray for the young people to be open, for there to be a spirit of seeking God.

Tomorrow: in the morning, we will be doing a Bible school for children in three areas. In Manoguayabo (home of Pedro Martinez) we will be helping in a church plant area called Bienvenidos (Welcome). It is a section of the town that has great need. Carmen Renalta is an area near the church that Melvin is praying to open a cell group Bible study- pray for those people to step forward who are seeking the Lord. And pray for Don Gregorio, that this ministry will be strengthened and the community grow in its awareness and acceptance of this evangelical presence.

     In the afternoons we will be doing several things: sports outreach, evangelism door to door, and in one site we will be painting a basketball court to help out the community. Right after that, at 5pm, we will begin a discipleship ministry to young people. They have a series of Bibles studies mixed with games, dramas,  and music.

     The group has trained and prepared well. Now everything is in God’s hands. Pray for Him to cause these seeds to take root and grow in the hearts of the communities where we are serving.