Update on today's discipleship group

Well, today I spent two wonderful hours with my neighbors, going over the first lesson of the discipleship book, listening to their verses, answering their questions and getting to know them a little better. It was a wonderful fruitful time spent with them. I shared the gospel with them (thank you for praying!) and they all three shared their stories of when they first believed that Christ was God's son and that He died on the cross for them because of their sin. I am praying that the years of Catholic influence will be shed and they will see the Truth in scripture, because there are some obvious misconceptions. They ask such good questions. they asked me again today if we could meet for even just a half an our every day. If I could just come over and talk with them about the Bible. What more could you ask for in a disciple? :)

I challenged them each to begin to read a chapter a day and take notes on what they've read, praying before they read and asking god to help them understand. We talked alot about the change that should be evident in our lives after we've made the decision. We talked about what that actually looks like in our daily lives and how we gain the strength to make those changes.

Relationships are so important in this culture. It is one of the things Matt and I love most about living here- the front porch, rocking-chair-sitting, middle-of-the-day conversing that used to be such a big part of daily life, but has long since been forgotten in North America. Everyone who passes calls out "Adios" as they pass by or some other friendly greeting. We never got to experience it in the city because it just doesn't happen. The bars, high walls, and the ever-present sense of danger keep you inside your home, protected by it all. One more reason for us to praise God for giving us the desires of our hearts by sending us to a community where we could experience the culture and living life amongst those we serve.

Our home church is bringing a mission team in March and so we took count of all the disciples to give them a number for a small gift they will be bringing. In both churches, the Filadelphia outreach, as well as in our community (like our neighbors) we realized we have just under 50 disciples! We have lived here three months and God has been so good! He is clearly working here and we are so excited to see what He does with these 50...and who they will begin to disciple.

(Let's just imagine that all 50 of these current disciples live in Villareal, even though about 15 are from Filadelphia. In order to have an even number for the following example: all 50 live in Villareal).

There are about 3,000 people living in Villareal.

If after six months, these current 50 disciples were to each disciple one new believer for six months, [and we took ourselves out of the equation] there would be 100 active disciples in Villareal after one year. If then, those 100 each discipled one person, there would be 200 active disciples at the end of 18 months. Using the same system, there would be 400 active disciples at the end of 2 years. After 3 years, there would be 1,600 active disciples in Villareal. And, to God's glory, after 3 1/2 years, following this same pattern, Villareal, a city of about 3,000 people would be WON for CHRIST!!!!

We can see this becoming a reality. We can feel it deep in our sols that God desires to see this place be a light for Him. We don't know where He will lead us after a year or so of being here. We are constantly praying to be guided and lead in His path. He has clearly shown us the power of discipleship in a way that is so exciting and even almost addicting- to see people come on fire for the Lord! To grow in Him and in their faith and belief and trust in Him. To be approached in the grocery store by one of the leaders in discipleship and have him name off all the verses, big smile on his face.

And what is perhaps the most amazing thing to me, from deep in my mother's heart, is that now, Ethan has caught on to the vision God has given us. He has been praying about discipling his friend Alberto, who the son of is my disciple Dinora. Alberto would like to do it and sits just inside the house listening but is too shy to come out with his mom, grandma and aunt. So he asked Ethan if Ethan would disciple him! So, next week, Ethan will begin discipling Alberto! PRAISE GOD!!!!