Wednesday, May 17, 2006
May Update
May Update
Hello to all out there. This is our May update to let everyone know what is going on here in Cochabamba.
As always we praise God that we are doing well spiritually, emotionally and physically. Thank you to all who continually lift us up in prayer. Katie’s health issues are continuing to improve and currently she is feeling well.
This month was highlighted by two very special visits. Katie’s mother and sister both came to Cochabamba to spend some time with us. Lora Johnson, who is Katie’s sister, visited us for one week. Katie’s mother, Linda Labowski arrived with Lora and is still with us until this coming Sunday. Their visit has been such an encouragement to Katie and I. I think it was also encouraging for Lora and Linda to see Jubilee is living in a nice and comfortable home. I think Linda was also happy to meet Betty who helps us around the house 3 days a week. Betty is truly a tremendous help and she gives us advice on all sorts of things such where to buy things, how to cook things, how to say things in Spanish or Quechua, and countless other useful bits of advice on how to go about daily life in Cochabamba.
Language classes are going well. Katie and I both continue to work hard at learning our third language, improve our second, and not forget our first! Quechua is a beautiful language and visiting some Quechua villages last week with Linda and Lora really gave us a great opportunity to practice. The Quechua speakers in general seem to be very happy, and amused when try out our new skills.
The work is also progressing steadily. This past week our business meeting focused on organizing which roles of service each team member will participate in. There were many great ideas that were tossed about and during the next two weeks we will meet with the other team members who expressed an interest in the same areas. Among my areas of interest were the following: Evangelism Coordination, Contact Center Organization, Benevolence and Community Outreach, Fellowship Coordinator, Family and Child Ministry, and Visitation. Of course all team members will be involved to some extent in all ministry areas, but these are the ones I feel more drawn to. As we begin formally organizing ourselves and our plans we continually look towards our January launch date, when the church will be publicized and our evangelism efforts will truly begin in earnest. Please mark January of 2007 as the ideal time to make a visit to Cochabamba. We would love for as many people as possible to be here for that exciting time.
On a personal note, our team members are also doing well. The last family to move out of their homestay, the Custer’s found a great apartment very close to us, the Sandovals, and the Bulls. We continue having services on Sundays and Wednesday evenings in our homes so our homes are playing a very important role in the work. Since the last update we have had a new addition to our church family. The minister from La Paz was kind enough to visit us last month and when he did he introduced us to a Christian family living in Sacaba just outside of Cochabamba. We found out that at one time there was a small group of the Lord’s body meeting in Cochabamba however due to people moving to the states the group dwindled. The family of our brother Renan was one of the only families that stayed in Cochabamba. We rejoice that Renan, his wife Leticia, and two children are now encouraging us through their presence and collaboration here in Cochabamba.
Pictures will be added later but just wanted to get something posted. We love you all.
p.s. Another wonderful piece of news is that my sister’s husband Chris is home from Iraq on leave for two weeks. It is good to know that he is safe and well. One of my good friends from when my dad was going to Bear Valley was Christy Werhan who is now Christy Payne. Through a letter I learned that her husband, Richie also has recently been deployed for 9 months. Please keep our brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving and risking their lives
Hello to all out there. This is our May update to let everyone know what is going on here in Cochabamba.
As always we praise God that we are doing well spiritually, emotionally and physically. Thank you to all who continually lift us up in prayer. Katie’s health issues are continuing to improve and currently she is feeling well.
This month was highlighted by two very special visits. Katie’s mother and sister both came to Cochabamba to spend some time with us. Lora Johnson, who is Katie’s sister, visited us for one week. Katie’s mother, Linda Labowski arrived with Lora and is still with us until this coming Sunday. Their visit has been such an encouragement to Katie and I. I think it was also encouraging for Lora and Linda to see Jubilee is living in a nice and comfortable home. I think Linda was also happy to meet Betty who helps us around the house 3 days a week. Betty is truly a tremendous help and she gives us advice on all sorts of things such where to buy things, how to cook things, how to say things in Spanish or Quechua, and countless other useful bits of advice on how to go about daily life in Cochabamba.
Language classes are going well. Katie and I both continue to work hard at learning our third language, improve our second, and not forget our first! Quechua is a beautiful language and visiting some Quechua villages last week with Linda and Lora really gave us a great opportunity to practice. The Quechua speakers in general seem to be very happy, and amused when try out our new skills.
The work is also progressing steadily. This past week our business meeting focused on organizing which roles of service each team member will participate in. There were many great ideas that were tossed about and during the next two weeks we will meet with the other team members who expressed an interest in the same areas. Among my areas of interest were the following: Evangelism Coordination, Contact Center Organization, Benevolence and Community Outreach, Fellowship Coordinator, Family and Child Ministry, and Visitation. Of course all team members will be involved to some extent in all ministry areas, but these are the ones I feel more drawn to. As we begin formally organizing ourselves and our plans we continually look towards our January launch date, when the church will be publicized and our evangelism efforts will truly begin in earnest. Please mark January of 2007 as the ideal time to make a visit to Cochabamba. We would love for as many people as possible to be here for that exciting time.
On a personal note, our team members are also doing well. The last family to move out of their homestay, the Custer’s found a great apartment very close to us, the Sandovals, and the Bulls. We continue having services on Sundays and Wednesday evenings in our homes so our homes are playing a very important role in the work. Since the last update we have had a new addition to our church family. The minister from La Paz was kind enough to visit us last month and when he did he introduced us to a Christian family living in Sacaba just outside of Cochabamba. We found out that at one time there was a small group of the Lord’s body meeting in Cochabamba however due to people moving to the states the group dwindled. The family of our brother Renan was one of the only families that stayed in Cochabamba. We rejoice that Renan, his wife Leticia, and two children are now encouraging us through their presence and collaboration here in Cochabamba.
Pictures will be added later but just wanted to get something posted. We love you all.
p.s. Another wonderful piece of news is that my sister’s husband Chris is home from Iraq on leave for two weeks. It is good to know that he is safe and well. One of my good friends from when my dad was going to Bear Valley was Christy Werhan who is now Christy Payne. Through a letter I learned that her husband, Richie also has recently been deployed for 9 months. Please keep our brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving and risking their lives
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Lesson from Philipians
This is the lesson I will be giving tomorrow. Perhaps it will be as much of an encouragement to others as it was for me in preparation. God bless!
Introduction
Message of Philippians ~ Stay United
A theme of unity in the church
A theme of mutual helpfulness
A theme of spiritual maturity
A theme of love demonstrated
Key Passages
4:2-3 Conflict has arisen
2:1-4 Unity and Spiritual Maturity
2:12-16 Unity and Spiritual Maturity as a testimony
How does Paul encourage unity and spiritual maturity among the Philippians.
–A REMINDER OF LOVE SHOWN-
Paul reminds them he loves them while at the same time giving them advice.
–AN ATTITUDE CHECK-
Paul draws the Philippians back to the spirit and attitude of Christ.
–PROFOUND LOVE AS THE GOAL-
Paul tells the Philippians what his prayer and expectation is of them.
– A COMMITMENT TO THE GOAL-
Paul admonishes the Philippians to continue on the path towards attaining their goal.
–HELP IS ON THE WAY-
Paul sends help, both physical and spiritual.
–SI SE PUEDE!!, THE GOAL IS POSSIBLE-
Through the transforming power of Christ the Philippians can achieve the goal of a profound love that resembles Christ.
Applications
Ø Paul would pray for profound love among us as well.
Ø Profound love is the key to attaining unity and spiritual maturity.
Ø Conflict in the church is normal.
Ø What is not normal is a profoundly loving response to conflict.
Ø God is faithful and will always send us help.
Ø As God is faithful, we too should be faithful in our effort to attain a profound love.
Ø The goal of profound love is attainable through the power of Christ.
Introducción
Mensaje de Filipenses ~ Mantenerse Unidos
Hay un tema de unidad en la iglesia
Hay un tema de servicio mutuo
Hay un tema de madurez espiritual
Hay un tema de muestras de amor
Pasajes Claves
4:2-3 Hay conflicto
2:1-4 Unidad y Madurez Espiritual
2:12-16 Unidad y Madurez Espiritual como un testimonio
Como logra Pablo promover la unidad y madurez espiritual entre los filipenses.
–SE LES RECUERDA DE LAS MUESTRAS DE AMOR-
Se les recuerda a los filipenses que los ama mientras también les da consejos.
–UNA AUTO-EXAMINACION DE LA ACTITUD-
Pablo llama la atención de los filipenses al espíritu y actitud de Cristo.
–EL AMOR PROFUNDO ES LA META-
Pablo les explica a los filipenses lo que es su oración y expectativa para ellos.
–UNA DEDICACION A LA META-
Pablo anima a los filipenses seguir en el camino hacia lograr la meta.
–YA VIENE AUXILIO!!-
Pablo envía ayuda, ayuda física como también espiritual.
–SI SE PUEDE!!, LA META ES POSIBLE-
Por medio del poder para transformar que existe en Cristo, los filipenses pueden lograr la meta de un amor profundo que refleja a Cristo.
Aplicaciones
Ø Pablo oraría por el amor profundo entre nosotros también.
Ø El amor profundo es el medio por lo cual se logra la unidad y la madurez espiritual.
Ø El conflicto dentro de la iglesia es normal.
Ø Lo que no es normal es reaccionar con amor profundo al conflicto.
Ø Dios es fiel y siempre nos enviara ayuda.
Ø Como Dios es fiel, nosotros también debemos ser fieles en cuanto a nuestro esfuerzo para lograr el amor profundo.
Ø La meta del amor profundo se puede lograr por medio del poder de Cristo.
Introduction
Message of Philippians ~ Stay United
A theme of unity in the church
A theme of mutual helpfulness
A theme of spiritual maturity
A theme of love demonstrated
Key Passages
4:2-3 Conflict has arisen
2:1-4 Unity and Spiritual Maturity
2:12-16 Unity and Spiritual Maturity as a testimony
How does Paul encourage unity and spiritual maturity among the Philippians.
–A REMINDER OF LOVE SHOWN-
Paul reminds them he loves them while at the same time giving them advice.
–AN ATTITUDE CHECK-
Paul draws the Philippians back to the spirit and attitude of Christ.
–PROFOUND LOVE AS THE GOAL-
Paul tells the Philippians what his prayer and expectation is of them.
– A COMMITMENT TO THE GOAL-
Paul admonishes the Philippians to continue on the path towards attaining their goal.
–HELP IS ON THE WAY-
Paul sends help, both physical and spiritual.
–SI SE PUEDE!!, THE GOAL IS POSSIBLE-
Through the transforming power of Christ the Philippians can achieve the goal of a profound love that resembles Christ.
Applications
Ø Paul would pray for profound love among us as well.
Ø Profound love is the key to attaining unity and spiritual maturity.
Ø Conflict in the church is normal.
Ø What is not normal is a profoundly loving response to conflict.
Ø God is faithful and will always send us help.
Ø As God is faithful, we too should be faithful in our effort to attain a profound love.
Ø The goal of profound love is attainable through the power of Christ.
Introducción
Mensaje de Filipenses ~ Mantenerse Unidos
Hay un tema de unidad en la iglesia
Hay un tema de servicio mutuo
Hay un tema de madurez espiritual
Hay un tema de muestras de amor
Pasajes Claves
4:2-3 Hay conflicto
2:1-4 Unidad y Madurez Espiritual
2:12-16 Unidad y Madurez Espiritual como un testimonio
Como logra Pablo promover la unidad y madurez espiritual entre los filipenses.
–SE LES RECUERDA DE LAS MUESTRAS DE AMOR-
Se les recuerda a los filipenses que los ama mientras también les da consejos.
–UNA AUTO-EXAMINACION DE LA ACTITUD-
Pablo llama la atención de los filipenses al espíritu y actitud de Cristo.
–EL AMOR PROFUNDO ES LA META-
Pablo les explica a los filipenses lo que es su oración y expectativa para ellos.
–UNA DEDICACION A LA META-
Pablo anima a los filipenses seguir en el camino hacia lograr la meta.
–YA VIENE AUXILIO!!-
Pablo envía ayuda, ayuda física como también espiritual.
–SI SE PUEDE!!, LA META ES POSIBLE-
Por medio del poder para transformar que existe en Cristo, los filipenses pueden lograr la meta de un amor profundo que refleja a Cristo.
Aplicaciones
Ø Pablo oraría por el amor profundo entre nosotros también.
Ø El amor profundo es el medio por lo cual se logra la unidad y la madurez espiritual.
Ø El conflicto dentro de la iglesia es normal.
Ø Lo que no es normal es reaccionar con amor profundo al conflicto.
Ø Dios es fiel y siempre nos enviara ayuda.
Ø Como Dios es fiel, nosotros también debemos ser fieles en cuanto a nuestro esfuerzo para lograr el amor profundo.
Ø La meta del amor profundo se puede lograr por medio del poder de Cristo.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Good Health Report
Thank you to all who have been praying specifically for Katie´s health. We are rejoicing and praising God for a good report. Yesterday we went to the doctor for a check on Katie´s condition. We still have to take the results to her regular doctor, but the doctor performing the test said we have nothing to worry about. What a relief. What a blessing. What a gift!!!! We are so thankful. Please continue to lift Katie up in prayer for her health.
On a lighter note, we are also rejoicing with the Custers who just signed on a great apartment in between the building where we and the Sandovals live and the building where the Bulls live. The building is right on the Prado which is the most happening area of Cochabamba. They have an awesome view from their kitchen of the Coronilla Hill and the whole southern section of the city. They will surely post more about it on their blog, go check it out!!
Thanks to all who replied last time. Please feel free to reply as often as you wish.
On a lighter note, we are also rejoicing with the Custers who just signed on a great apartment in between the building where we and the Sandovals live and the building where the Bulls live. The building is right on the Prado which is the most happening area of Cochabamba. They have an awesome view from their kitchen of the Coronilla Hill and the whole southern section of the city. They will surely post more about it on their blog, go check it out!!
Thanks to all who replied last time. Please feel free to reply as often as you wish.
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