Baptism

We've been busy again... actually, the busy-ness doesn't really stop. It would be more correct to say the busy-ness continues.

Thankfully things are going well. Here are a few hi-lites we put together for those on our prayer list this past Wednesday:

Sunday we had a baptism service. Five people were baptized. Two of whom I am discipling: Carlos and Victor. The others baptized were:

• Javier (a youth who has been wanting to be baptized for some time now but whose parents have not approved. We began praying every night with Jeffrey about this and two weeks ago the parents gave permission. Both of his parents were in attendance)
• Romina (a young woman who did not want to get baptized only because it was the "thing" to do, but because she was convinced by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convinced her (smile).
• Juan Manuel (a youth who has been quite rebellious since I've known him. I've had to send him home from cell groups because he has been a distraction. He came to me and told me he wants to change his rebellious ways and realizes that obeying the Lord in baptism would be his first step).

Carlos Lombardo. You all probably recall this name from past blog entries. Carlos was the young man involved in drugs that was separated from his family due to his habit. He came to know the Lord several months ago when I visited him in jail due to drug possession. He was then put under house arrest (something I recommend for all new believers. You always no where to find them). I discipled Carlos during this time. He was released from house arrest less than a month ago and told me he wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. Carlos and Rosanna are back together. Wednesday evening they lead our worship time prior to the prayer service.

Victor. Victor is a new face at church. I met him a couple months ago as he visited the church searching for victory in his life. I began discipling him soon-there-after. Victor approached me when he realized there was going to be a baptism service. When he asked if he could be baptized I asked him if he didn't think he should marry the woman he was living with first. He replied, "Yeah, it's probably kind of sinful what we are doing, right?" So, last week Thursday Victor and Isa married and Victor was then baptized on Sunday.

A cool result of Victor's testimony is that the man across the street from the church, with whom I have been talking to frequently this past year, visited Sunday with his "wife". I stopped by yesterday to get his reaction of the service. He told me that his wife would like to get baptized, but first she would like to get married (It appears they have been talking with Victor and Isa). I had no idea that they were not married.

Praise God for what He is doing in Paraguay through the good works of His people and your prayers!

Continue praying for the unity of our church. We have new believers that are coming to church and they are bringing all their former ways of life with them. Pray that we would be able to show the love of Christ while maintaining a pure testimony. As Christians, we are very different from the world. As new believers enter the church they are brushing up against ways of life that they are not accustomed to. These situations can cause tension. Pray that God would give His children the maturity to minister, and that the new-believers would continue to have the desire to change.

Pray for Karen and Jasmine as they have been sick this week with colds. Pray especially for Jeffrey and J that they would not be infected.

Pray for the Sappia family as their 3-year-old son Andrew has been suffering from a viral infection of some type. He has lost 5 pounds in 5 days through vomiting and diarrhea. He spent last night in the hospital for the second time. The doctors are flushing the virus out by means of an IV drip. Pray for John and Lisa as well as they continue their transition to Paraguay.

Thanks for your continued support, we are TEAM!