Matthew 13:23 - As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in once case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.
Our present work of church planting is cultivating the ground. We are looking for good soil that will produce fruit. This ground-cultivation entails building relationships, hospitality, serving others, and gospel conversations. We don't know all the details of how the vision will come to fruition, but we are confident that every faith-filled step will be rewarded in his good timing.
Practically, we are looking for ways to connect with more people, specifically more families. Our desire is to put together some significant prayer meetings and also to work on establishing a sports program with the coast guard families on the base. I've got some meetings coming up to explore these options. I'm keeping my eye out for building spaces that the church could inhabit. This is constantly on my radar as I drive around and about.
I've had the great privilege of preaching twice this month. I first spoke at Redimidos de Cristo. They are currently preaching through Psalm 119 and so I was tasked with preaching Psalm 119:105-120. I was able to emphasize how the Word of God gives us clarity and confidence for our narrow journey. (If you want to view this sermon you'll have to scroll down to the August 4th, 2024 message on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/redimidosdecristo) Just this last Sunday I preached at Iglesia Bautista Pan de Vida. I was able to choose the text for this sermon and so I preached Titus 2:11-14, which is a central paragraph in the book as a whole. If you're not aware, Paul wrote his letter to Titus to encourage him in his mission of church planting on a small island. The isle of Crete is about 100 square miles smaller than Puerto Rico. For this reason, I've found great encouragement and instruction from the book. My main idea for the sermon was focused on how the saving grace of Jesus transforms us for godliness now. (If you want to view this sermon, I delivered it on August 25th, 2024. There sermon begins around the 30-minute mark: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083122076671).
On top of preaching, I will be leading worship for a church this Sunday in Rincón. Again, building healthy partnerships in the gospel will serve the long-term effectiveness of the kingdom work here on the island, so I'm grateful for the freedom I have right now to serve other churches.
Family Update
It's hard to say how the kids are doing now that they've started school. From our parental perspective, they are doing great! Of course, if you ask them how they are doing while they are in the throes of their schoolwork, you might not get the same answer....haha. This year we have chosen to try online schooling so the three older ones have joined up with Liberty University Online Academy. So far it's been working out pretty good and we are pleased with the workload and the material. With the older kids being a little more independent, Maria can devote some more time to Ariel's education and the various projects she's diving into.
This afternoon we will be going to a friend's house to pick avocados! Even though food costs are CRAZY expensive here, the access to avocados, mangos, starfruit, and plantains is pretty nice. On the crazy expensive food costs though, a gallon of milk is $7 (and that's not organic), a small container of honey is $10, and a watermelon is $17! I think the watermelon purchase is only ever going to be happen on the 4th of July. Since it's a year out, we can start budgeting now to be able to pay it off, then again I could always seek out a loan.
Prayer Support
Pray that we have success in our endeavor to start a sports program on the Coast Guard base.
Pray that we will find some like-minded believers who want to gather and pray for God's kingdom to advance here on the west side of Puerto Rico.
Pray that we will discover a space that will be suitable for our desire to gather the church in worship and be a launchpad for ministry on the island.
Pray that our gospel-proclaiming efforts will land on good soil that bears fruit in people's lives.
Pray that God connects us with families that want to join us in the church-planting journey.