CLASSES AND MEETINGS

The meetings have begun with a great start. We have five classes in five different villages throughout the week, and two adult meetings in two of those villages. On Tuesdays, we meet in Estacion Luis, the hub-village of our “village cluster” because it has the only grocery store available within a 40-minute drive. There, about 16 children or more attend our meetings. One Wednesdays, we hold meetings in 21 de Marzo, where another 16 children come from around the village to participate. On Thursdays, we go to Juan Escutia. This is a new village, void of any Christian church, and we are still making contacts with a few new Christian friends. Starting a meeting there has been a slow process. On Fridays, we meet in our home in Victoria with about 5 children, and on Saturdays, we meet in Toltecas before the regular adult meeting, with about 12 children. On Saturday afternoons, after the children’s meeting, an adult meeting takes place in the home of some believers, where we worship with our friends. On Sundays, Joshua teaches in Victoria to adults, while I teach a recap lesson to children who have been gathered from all the villages where we have meetings throughout the week. Usually, the kids who come to the Sunday meeting have brought friends, and the numers vary. The time they have together to meet new friends is exciting for the kids, and gives me one extra moment to instill the principles that Josh and I have taught through the week, before we move on to a new lesson. God is truly blessings in this area.

However, with the great attendance and success in spreading the gospel, the enemy is fighting hard. Since beginning the meetings two weeks ago, we experience strong bouts of depression, physical ailments, and feelings of complete failure, even in light of the fact that over 55 children are attending the meetings. The attacks against our spirits are blinding and deceptive. Praise the Lord that our relationship with him is not based on feelings, but rather on knowledge of his Word and the work of the Holy Spirit within our hearts. Still, these shaking moments of despair have left us physically ill and emotionally drained. Most times, it is a struggle just to pick up the Word of God and focus our eyes. We know that this is war against the enemy of our souls, because the ailments always come before a meeting, and flee the moment we start praying or reading our bibles. Please pray for protection and strength to be placed around us!