A report from: Carlos and Maribel Preciado

Transcription

1 A report from: Carlos and Maribel Preciado October highlights The Sixth Street Church had a Fishers of Men training course, which Giancarlo, Eric, and I attended. We learned many new ways of casting the nets. Thank God for Brother Tim that taught the class and the initiative brother Bill had to host it. October 31 we spent the night in vigil with our brothers and sisters from Flagler Street Church in Miami. I was invited as one of the speakers with the faith that keeps on going. The Church continues to grow spiritually and in numbers, all because of God s mercy. Every month as you may recall we go out in the park to remind ourselves that we are the Church and we are called to reach out to those in need. October the Church had a festival of nations and we brought food from every country represented. In October, Brother Alex gave us a class in Evolution vs Creation. In October we also had a training course in Church Growth. Brother Carlos Carbajal serving as the pulpit minister in the Church at Sunset brought the material. The next class is going to be in March. The Sixth Street Church had their trunk or treat to which some of the Spanish kids attended, but it is still a sensitive subject for others that did not participate. That same day I was ill and Maribel, Giancarlo and Isabella went to Miramar to celebrate Maribel s 90th birthday. What a joy to still have her around. Thanksgiving was celebrated by all of the Spanish brethren from Pompano alongside the brethren from Coral Springs at the park. There were over 70 kids that day in Bible class. We praise our Lord for allowing us to celebrate together our salvation in Jesus

2 November Highlights In November that same congregation had a ladies day, but this time it was Maribel who was invited to speak. These are times where we can learn and fellowship with other brethren. Also in November, the Church in West Broward had a seminar for men focusing on our roles in society, the family and the Church. Several speakers from many places like Nicaragua, Dallas, Miami, and others came prepared to share. It was a very uplifting time and a reminder for us men of the importance to be on top of our game. November was the month in which we started a series of seminars for couples. (Cover photo) Today one of the biggest threats we have in our society is the dissolution of marriages. We need to be mindful of that and continue to mentor and encourage young couples that are just staring or encourage those that have walked a little longer to keep going. Family note : Our family took a much needed break and had a four day vacation. We drove to Gatlinburg and saw the Smoky Mountains. It was great to get away for a little bit and come back refreshed. Jorge Digna, Gabriel and Aby. Leaders for the church

3 The ladies had a secret friend game for Christmas, they celebrated at Leticia s home. In the picture, Aby Mata a sister with great heart for the Lord she is teaching ladies class, and middle school classes. She and her husband, Gabriel, are very active in the church. December 31st was not only the last day of the year it was also Arturo s birthday. Arturo is Giancarlo and Isabella s youngest brother. We threw a party for him with all the youth and Giancarlo and Isabella. The party included the youth and the last of the four brethren on the last day of the year What a better way to finish the year. Another family note: My Mother, Brother, his wife and kids visited us for a week from the 31st of December to January 8th. I am grateful with our Lord to have had their visit. It had been 20 years since I celebrated my birthday with them. December flew with different fellowship meetings, bible studies and activities. Those included a bonfire for the youth at our home where we played a game called white elephant and listened to three devotionals by Ray Castillo who was baptized in July, Giancarlo and Jarley his older brother. It was very nice to see how the teenagers are maturing in their faith. The next morning for those that stayed, we took them to watch the sunrise and have a devotional at the beach. The Church had a Christmas dinner with a devotional after which we gave out gifts donated by brothers and sisters from the Spanish and English congregations to more than fifty kids.

4 2015.NEW SOULS!!! Eric took seven teens to Winter Camp in Central Florida Bible Camp. It is a chance for teens to get bible study combined with games and a lot of fun. The ladies had a mother daughter retreat in Central Florida Bible Camp where they enjoyed each other company and came closer together in their relationships. (Isabella and Sandy in the picture) Carolina Rey s sister whom we have known for the last seven years came up wanting to be baptized. After everything was over Blanca a lady that had been coming to services and ladies Bible studies for the last two years also came up to be baptized. Praise the Lord for His wonderful work in us and timing. The next Wednesday we received a call from Alondra, Maria de los Angeles daughter. They have been coming for the last four years. Maria was baptized three years ago. Alondra said she wanted to be baptized, but since sha had an ear infection we had to wait till Sunday. She was baptized before service and took the Lord s supper for the first time as a new born in Christ. We started studying the book of Nehemiah on Wednesday night Bible study and back in September we started the story a series of sermons and Bible studies that take a quick look to the whole Bible telling the story of God and His plan to restore and renew their relationship with men through the sacrifice of Jesus. The ladies have a Bible study on the mind of Christ every Tuesday and the men for the last three months of the year were meeting together at 4 a.m. to pray and share from the word. Also in January we had a marriage seminar, the third in a series of three that culminated with a semiformal lunch.(cover picture) CAROLINA, EDUARDO, ALONDRA, BLANCA, ALESANDRA, SANDY, GENARO, AMANDA PLEASEPRAYFORTHEM, ASTHEYSTARTWAKINGWITH THE LORD Sarah, Rey and Carolina Tuesday ladies class came and Alessandra who has been coming for only nine months with Pablo asked to be baptized for the forgiveness of her sins. Two days later Yolanda a former member in Pompano called us asking if I could baptize Amanda her daughter in law. She had been coming to services and Bible studies, but was attending Griffin road at the moment. Amanda is moving closer to Pompano and plans to come to services and studies closer. Blanca left and Alexandra and Pablo right The Sunday after the retreat Sandy Escalante, Leticia Diaz s daughter who was baptized three years ago came up to be baptized what a glorious day!!.

5 The super bowl was another excuse to get together this time with families and their teens, so we hosted a party at our home. About five years ago we started studying with Eduardo and Janet. Janet has been a member of the Church for many years, but Eduardo was very much involved in the Catholic Church. They would come to services very seldom, but more regularly this past We gave some counseling to Eduardo and Janet using the material from Prepare and enrich. Eduardo the first Sunday of the month shouted at the end of service from all the way in the back Yom quiero ser bautizado (I want to be baptized). Eduardo and Janet got legally married on February 14th and I was invited to perform the ceremony. We all helped them with the decorating and pick up after the celebration. Please pray for this couple as they try together to please the Lord. ABOUT US: Giancarlo was invited by Carlos Gonzalez a preacher and a friend to go to Ontario California to serve in that congregation and learn from him as his mentor. Giancarlo had been out of school and working odd jobs that included roofing, tiling, demolishing and remodeling. He wants to do missions and we thank God that Carlos invited him to learn from him and expand his knowledge of God s word. Please keep him in your prayers. Isabella is a Junior in High school and is considering different schools to attend college. Another thing that she is contemplating is finishing her High School in the college of her choice. She has been taking advance placement classes that allow her to have this option and also in a program where she is taking classes in Early Childhood. It is a magnet school program where she comes out with a certificate to work or continue her education in Child Psychology, Social Work, Teaching or any other career dealing with child development. Please keep her also in your prayers Maribel was invited to be a part of a group of women that will encourage and pamper missionary ladies in the Spanish world. It is an honor and a privilege that she was called for this task. She loves encouraging ladies and we are sure the Lord will use her in a mighty way. She will be traveling to Dallas to meet with the group on February 27 for the weekend and then later in April have the week long retreat in Santo Domingo. We appreciate your prayers and support in this new role as she continues to serve the Lord with all her heart. We are always grateful for your prayers, generosity and support allows us to do the work of our Lord. Carlos, Maribel, Giancarlo and Isabella Preciado Ephesians 6:1 Please pray always for the Church in Pompano so that our Lord continues to guide and give wisdom to the members and leaders. Eric and Paola Noboa, Jorge and Digna Palomeque, Gabriel and Aby Rivas, and Sergio and Sarai Diaz are the core group of leaders that continue to learn and serve as teachers of the word. Pray for the congregation as we wait on our brethren from the Sixth Street and our future relationship. Presentation and praying for the leadership.