During the first week in August, the Gomez family of Gualaceo received the wonderful news that their oldest sister Nelly had been reconciled with her husband, Gonzalo. There marriage had been a rocky one, and for almost two years they were separated. Their reunion was cause for rejoicing and tears. Their two sons were so excited to have Mom and Dad together again. David said, "Now we are a real family again!" Please pray for them as they try to put their lives back together, and as we all hope for their surrender to and choice of a full salvation.Wedding Bells:
On August 15 Luis and Maricela of Arenillas put their three-year common-law relationship into God's hands, asking His blessing and favor to rest upon them as they made their marriage vows before the Body of Christ in Arenillas. Their desire was that their wedding would be a service of praise to God. It was a special celebration for all of us.
Luis and Maricela chose to fill their wedding ceremony with "lots of singing." They invited the Gomez musicians of Gualaceo to provide the music, and the evening was filled with singing and worship to God. Luis and Maricela were thrilled with the outcome of their special night. Both said later, "I could hardly keep from crying for joy -- God's presence was so real." The photo depicts their grateful hearts for all God has done in their lives. Sunday, following the wedding, the church gathered at the river and Luis and Maricela were baptized.Anniversary Celebration in Gualaceo:
On August 29 the Gualaceo house church and their out-reach groups in Chordeleg and Zhondeleg gathered to celebrate the 6 Year Anniversary of the beginning of the Gualaceo house church. On August 30, 2003 the first baptisms were realized, with Nate Olmstead helping to baptize the present church leader, Sixto Gomez. Now, six years later, we gathered to remember what God has done and rejoice at the present work He is doing. Approximately 80 people attended the event.
These happy faces are representative of the glow of joy that we all felt that day. These girls were very little girls when the church work began. Sheila Nolt taught Bible classes which involved them and their older siblings. They were eager to pose for a "picture for Sheila"!
A significant part of the anniversary event was the baptism of six people. What a special way to continue the work begun by adding new members to the local body of believers!
As patriarch of the Vera family of Zhondeleg, Miguel took the step of being the first to be baptized in his family, symbolically inviting the generations to come to follow his example. The blog previous to this tells how he worked to find a way to get the stalled Bible studies begun again within his family. The photo above shows Miguel and his wife, Amada, enjoying a special part of the anniversary program - a celebration of praise.
Edi and Maria Magdalena (Gomez) (center of photo with Clayton) were married in 2005. Maria Magdalena had become a member of the church the previous October, but decided she wanted Edi as a husband, and did the requirement process to be married in the Catholic church. Edi told her he would always be a Catholic, and that she should not try to convert him to "her religion." Several stormy years passed. Maria Magdalena had thought she could win him to her viewpoint once they were married, but Edi would not budge. But the Holy Spirit was also quietly at work, and slowly Edi began to change. They were both baptized at the anniversary celebration. Clayton gave words of encouragement and blessing to each one before they entered the water.
Maria Magdalena openly admitted that she had turned her back on her previous baptism commitment, and with tears said she wanted to be baptized again, joining with her husband in a re-dedication of her life to Christ. She eagerly participates in serving in the church, taking responsibility for the children's class in Zhondeleg, while Sixto leads the adult Bible study. Brother and house church leader, Jesus Eugenio Gomez, officiated the baptisms.
Parents expressed a desire to dedicate their children to God, so children of all ages along with their parents gathered for a special prayer. May God raise up this "chosen generation!"
The colorful and exuberant choreography accompanying two lively praise songs presented by the Gomez sisters, nieces and some friends, expressed our gladness and joy over what God had done and is doing in this house church since its birth-day six years ago. Praise be to GOD!!
