Eight months ago, Pastor Nelson invited Matt to go with him to begin a new ministry in a town called Filadelfia. The work there had begun years ago with previous pastors and members of the First Baptist church. Pastor Nelson has had a heart for this area since he moved to Villareal almost three years ago. Nelson asked Matt to go with him to share the gospel and begin discipleship there. The first afternoon they were there, several people surrendered their lives to Christ and many expressed interest in being part of discipleship. The following week, when Pastor Nelson and Matt returned there were over 15 people that started discipleship!
As happens most times, some eventually dropped off, but the majority have continued in discipleship and are still faithful, one of those being a 15 year old girl named, Yiber ('Jee-bir').
A few weeks ago, she celebrated her 15th birthday and the big party was last weekend. Her mother is Teresa, and for those of you who came from FEPC, you'll remember eating the piled high plates of yuca,salad and chicharon at her house.
When we left for furlough in the states, the discipleship groups were taken over by Pastor Nelosn and a local member of First Baptist Church. Since we've been back, they have continued to lead these groups. We are excited to see the Lord working and raising up members of the local churches becoming disciples and then going out to make disciples. that was the vision Matt first shared with Pastor Nelson when he first agreed to go to Filadelfia. We recently went to Filadelfia as a family to visit with some of Matt's former disciples. When we stopped to see Teresa and Yiber and their whole family, Yiber excitedly invited us to her party.
It was an added bonus to see many of Matt's former disciples together enjoying the day. When they first began discipleship, there was virtually no contact between the members of the different groups. Now, however, they have begun to develop real community now that Pastor Nelson is pastoring a new church plant there on Sunday afternoons. It is a wonderful blessing that they are able to worship corporately as well as study and grow as disciples.
Here are a few pictures of the afternoon. There was lots of good food, games, ice cream, cake, and even a lesson in singing the Happy Birthday song in English! :)
Pastor Nelson's wife, Guiselle, playing a unique game. The rules were to remove clothespins from a line using only one hand, storing them in the same hand. The winner was the person who was able to remove the most and keep them in their hand with out dropping any. Guiselle won!
Ethan and the kids playing musical chairs. Some party games have universal appeal :)
Matt and his special treat! This WHOLE chicken was brought out to him to eat with this huge plate of yuca and cabbage salad...AFTER the main dish of arroz con pollo was served! He did his best, but we brought home most of that chicken! Pastor Nelson was gifted with a whole chicken to take home, as well.
Pastor Nelson reading scripture and giving a devotional to commemorate the special day.
Yiber and her cake. Isn't it gorgeous? The flowers were real and they smelled wonderful!
Master Nelson, Guiselle and their youngest daughter, Amsy.
Yiber and most of our family :) Ethan was off playing with the boys.
Yummy helado!
Amsy refused to let Guiselle help her eat her ice cream. She looks like she's enjoying herself, huh?
ADORABLE!! :)
The birthday girl!
Guiselle and a few of the ladies from Matt's discipleship groups. FEPC- you may remember Dona Rita, the owner of Diego :)
Yiber and her parents, Teresa and Mario
It was an afternoon of good fellowship. Often, it is tempting in ministry to 'do much.' On this day, we were reminded that sometimes it is important to just 'be' with the people and share in their lives. Good fellowship with other believers is an important part of our journey as followers of Christ. It is especially important in this culture. We were blessed to be part of this day and thank God that He allowed us the opportunity to witness this day in the life of this young lady.
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