Support Level: 75%
                                 
Updates for 2009 - September

2009 09-01
Sorry for the long delay between updates -- it's been kinda crazy around here.  A few things to tell you about.  First, as of this past Sunday we are now full-time in our work with Iglesia Bautista Biblica in Roma, Texas.  Still more to come in terms of details of that relationship, but we are very excited about the future possibilities it brings.  The evening service on Sunday was dedicated to a special Quinceñera service for two youth in the church.  The Quinceñera is basically a "coming of age" event for Hispanic girls when they turn 15.  Two young ladies in the church decided to celebrate together this past Sunday.  It is a very big deal in Hispanic culture.  The entire service was designed around the event, and a special dinner was served afterwards.  During the ceremony, the pastor preached about the symbolism of the quinciñera event.  After the main preaching, they had three presentations by the families to the girls.  The first was a special Bible to commemorate their quinceñera.  The second was a purity ring to signify their committment to keep themselves for their future spouse.  The third was a special pillow to signify their relationship with Christ through prayer.  As you will be able to see in the photos, this was a very special occassion for these two young ladies.  Second, this past Saturday I was able to participate in the ordination of Bro. Angel Ramos in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.  I was invited, along with several other man, by Pastor Noe Mendoza in Mission to be on the ordination council.  It was interesting to say the least.  I still have difficulties with my Spanish, so listening to ordination questions/answers for three straight hours was a challenge.  However, I was able to ask my own questions and comprehend the answers, as well as the majority of the other questions/answers as well.  Later that same day we went to Bro. Ramos' church where they had a special combination service to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the church, Bro. Ramos' ordination and the formal organization of the church.  It was a good evening.  Also, for the first time that night we received RAIN.  This is the first real rain we've had in at least 5-6 months.  It rained quite a bit Saturday and Sunday, which was certainly a blessing.  They are calling for more scattered showers through most of this week.  With the rain has come some relief in temperatures.  We are now only reaching the mid to upper 90's.  It's amazing how comfortable that feels compared to what we've been having!  Third, this past weekend I was also able to finish the 10-minute promotional video for Latin American Outreach.  Pastor Mendoza and Bro. Braswell have reviewed the video and it seems like everything is done with that project.  I believe it will be a blessing to Bro. Braswell as he travels to continue raising funds for this ministry.  In related news, the conference in Honduras with Latin American Outreach is going to come to pass.  Their had been some concern due to the ouster of the Honduran president recently, but Pastor Noe has been in communication with a number of pastors in the country, and they believe everything is stable enough to allow the conference to continue.  So, I am now scheduled to leave from Texas on 9/21 to participate in a 4-day pastoral training/evangelistic conference in Honduras, returning on 9/25.  In closing, we're finishing up summer here and getting ready for a new school year, which begins next Tuesday.  We've modified our schedule to be a Tue-Sat school week, to accomodate our work with the church in Roma, so that is certainly making things interesting this time around.  But, we are glad the Lord is opening doors and carrying us forward in this work and look forward to the coming weeks and months.    
Howard Johnson hotel in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, where the ordination council met. Pastor Noe Mendoza getting ready to begin the council. A group shot of all of the ordained pastors/preachers that took part in the council. Another shot, this time including two other gentleman that were there as observers.
Pastor Angel Ramos with Pastor Noe Mendoza. Arriving at Iglesia Bautista Getsemani in Reynosa.  A storm front was approaching, so the dust is really blowing around.  They planned to be outdoors, but had to move indoors. The backside of the church, which has been "tagged" by youth in the neighborhood. The front side of the church.  On a normal Sunday, this lean-to houses several Sunday School classrooms.
It was tight inside due to the overwhelming number of visitors present for the event. The guys are making final preparations for the service. t A group of youth from another church came to provide special music for the service.
More special mustic. Pastor Angel Ramos, making introductions. Pastor Noe Mendoza makes some opening remarks. Bro. Carl Braswell preaching, while Pastor Mendoza translates.
More photos during the service. More photos during the service. More photos during the service. More photos during the service.
The crowd was overflow, with many people outside under the lean-to, listening through the doors/windows.  Unfortunately, it was raining so some of them got a little wet. After the service they had a small reception to celebrate the anniversary of the church. More photos of the reception. Pastor Ramos speaking before the service.
A better photo of the special music, showing the entire group. Pastor Ramos is introducing all of the preachers that are present in the service. Pastor Mendoza is presenting Pastor Ramos' family after the formal ordination. It rained during most of the service.  However, at the close of the service it stopped and this rainbow appeared.
More photos during the service. More photos during the service. Another view of the rainbow. Special booklet made to celebrate the anniversary of the church.
A large cake for the reception. The "laying on of hands" during the ordination service. More photos of the ordination service. Pastor Mendoza presents Pastor Ramos with his ordination certificate.
To celebrate their first anniversary and organization service, a "family shot" was taken of just the founding members of the church. The same group, but this time with Pastor & Mrs. Mendoza and Bro. & Mrs. Braswell. This is me practicing music with Mrs. Castañeda before service.  I am now the "song leader" in the church, among other responsibilities. Near the pulpit their was a decorated chair for the two quinceñeras.

 
Melissa and Stephanie Peele. Stephanie with two of the guys before the service. Stephanie with three other guys before the service. Stephanie and Raquel before the service.
Closer shot of Stephanie waiting for service to start. Raquel entering at the start of the service, escorted by two of the guys. Stephanie entering, escorted by two guys as well. Raquel and Stephanie seated at the front of the sanctuary during the service.
Raquel is presented with a quinceñera Bible. Raquel is presented with a purity ring. Both girls were presented with quinceñera pillows, which they are kneeling upon.  This signifies spending time in prayer. Stephanie being escorted out after the service.
Raquel being escorted out. Since the girls shared the quinceñera party, this arrangement of cakes was for both girls. Here is a shot of the fellowship hall before dinner. The girls had their own table.
A closer shot of Raquel waiting for dinner to be served.
   
Contact Info  |  Doctrinal Statement
Copyright 2006 - 2012 - All rights reserved Worldwide