You have been enjoying the colors of the changing leaves of fall. We are also enjoying lots of color right now -- but our colors are of a different hue. This street is about six blocks from our house -- aren't the purple trees beautiful?
October 31 found us back in Arenillas for the third wedding this fall.
The bride was teary during the ceremony, and told the group later, "I never dreamed I could be a bride." She is already a mother and grandmother (late 30's), but God has brought heart change and she and Angel together turned a page in their lives. They finalized their marriage vows by washing each other's feet in symbol of their willingness to serve each other.
The singing led by the brothers from Gualaceo, seemed especially meaningful that evening.
A Family Fun Day at the river was planned for Sunday, November 1, along with a baptism of the newly married couple. While the women busily prepared typical food to be cooked over an open fire...
... the men manned the fired. It was a very rustic setting -- no picnic tables and grills to do the barbeque! It was a team effort. The food cooked as we proceeded with the baptism.
Many shed tears as we heard Angel and Eugenia's testimony of how God has brought powerful, positive change in their lives, which, they confessed, were a wreck before God did His work in them. They humbly confessed their past failure and their faith in God's forgiveness and transforming power for their lives. You can support their new life in Christ with your prayers.
We sang several songs of praise beside the river after the baptism.
Soccer, anyone?
A rousing game of soccer was the first sporting event of the afternoon. The Gualaceo men challenged the Arenillas fellows, and with some help from substitute players filling in their team, the Gomez brothers took home the trophy! Lots of laughter and good attitudes made the game both fun to play and fun to watch!
Various teams had their turn in the gunny sack race -- even Clayton couldn't resist this one, and came in second in his group.
Sounds of laughter filled the air again and again -- hilarious soccer games (even the women had a turn), relay races, an egg toss, and knocking down several home-made piñatas filled the afternoon hours. As unsaved friends and family members participated in the activities, they could see and experience first-hand that being a Christian does not mean that life turns boring or sad. This family of God, at least, was having a wonderful day.
As darkness descended we finally left the riverside. It was a day to remember for a very long time.
There are now 15 baptized believers in Arenillas, besides the founding leader couple, Boris and Veronica. The first baptisms were in June 2007.
The two days in Arenillas were a bountiful blessing from our Father. The Arenillas family was encouraged and rejoiced together. The sister church in Gualaceo was touched and blessed again with the love and open arms that received them. The two of us received rich encouragement on this last visit before we leave for the US for two months. Christ is building His church in South Ecuador. Hallelujah!!
