Highlights of the last two weeks:

Sunday, October 26

                The Mota family came out to Concho Primo with me for the 3^rd week.  Pastor Mota preached on salvation.  Not a lot of people came due to the HOT weather (it was almost unbearable. . .), but those that came listened well.  In between service and Sunday School, I mentioned that if they had any questions about salvation they could talk to Pastor Mota then or with me afterwards.  While we played a review game, 3 people went outside and talked with Pastor Mota.  One of them, an 11 year-old boy named Alexander, accepted Christ as his savior during this time!  Please keep him in your prayers as he grows in his relationship with the Lord and his understanding of grace.

Wednesday, October 29

                I went out for Bible study with Rosalia, Yaneisi, Eva, and Irenita.  Three of the 4 girls (all except Irenita) were ready when I arrived and came up to the school study.  It was a good day in that the girls were ready and somewhat excited to study, but a frustrating day in that it was hard to make myself clear in Spanish.   The girls are getting really comfortable with my level of Spanish and speak much more rapidly and openly than they used to do (which I love), but that makes it all the more frustrating when I don’t understand exactly what they are saying or can’t figure out how to express myself. 

The theme of Rosalia and Yaneisi’s study this week was resisting attacks from the enemy and preparing for temptations that will come our way.  They didn’t quite understand the concept of temptation (well, they understood everyone else’s temptations, just no their own . . . sounds like most of us, if we are honest).  Anyhow, I couldn’t seem to bring it home, so pray for us as we try to cover this topic again that the Holy Spirit will reveal this truth to them through the Word.  (And pray that my Spanish will continue to improve)

                Eva’s study this week picked up with where we left off before – salvation by grace through faith, not by works.  We had a good discussion about salvation in which she proceeded to tell me that one example of a way that she could be saved was by helping the poor.  I was excited at this response because it was the first time that I was able to get her to verbalize what she believes (definitely the Holy Spirit working through me in this situation.  There is no way I could come up with just the right words on my own).  From there we were able to leave our Bible study book and head into Romans 3.  We had a brief discussion on how we cannot be saved by the law, only by faith.  She doesn’t quite get it yet.  But the light is beginning to dawn.  I know that the Holy Spirit will keep working Eva, illuminating His truth so that one day soon she can choose to follow Him.  Please keep her in your prayers!         

Saturday, November 1

                Niños para Cristo – my friend Kristin came out to help me for the weekend as we continued our study on integrity.  We had the usual amount of kids come 20-30ish but they were pretty rambunctious.  It was a good day, but tiring.

Sunday, November 2

                This Sunday my friends John and Lynn Cunningham came out to help with the Sunday service in addition to Kristin and the Mota family.  John preached in English on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and I did my best attempt to translate (not sure if we can really call it that yet, but hopefully someday soon!).  John did such a great job tying the Gospel into the story. No decisions for Christ this week, but the seed was planted once more!

Monday, November 3

                Ezequiel and Elizabeth Mota came out to help with the youth group one last time (Mike and Annie return next week).  I think the teens have grown fond of having them there; we have had a pretty consistent group of 10-15 each week.