A message from the newest members of our pastoral team...
Pastor Heber Elías, wife: Mercedes, daughters: Cesia and RaquelI want you to know that God has called me to serve Him in the Pastoral Ministry. I also want to share with you that He has not only called me, but also I have the great blessing that my wife also loves the pastoral ministry. Along with my wife and my daughters we form a team with the desire to serve God. At this time we are very thankful to God for sending us to the missonary church plant in Ojos de Agua. It is a great blessing to be a part of the pastoral team with Camilo, Cindy and Lucas.
Your brother in Christ, Heber I. Elías Martinez
Current Needs
A new form of transportation
We have started praying for provision for a 50 passenger bus in good condition. Every time we have special activities where we take the congregation, we rent a bus and it is very expensive. Recently we took the majority of church members on a small trip to Chalatenango for a special church service using two pickups, but we still did not fit and it is dangerous to travel this way. (please see photo at the end of this post of one of the pickups packed) The bus would also serve in picking up church members for services on Sundays and thus attract more people from other villages to the services because we will be providing transportation. Please join us in praying for this need, and maybe God is putting it on your heart to help us in this area.
Church Construction
We currently have possible donors for the roof and the windows. There is still a lot more to go, such as the doors and the floor. We are confident in God's timing and provision. We are anxious for the space as we do not fit into the small room we are renting. (Praise God!) Please join us in praying for His provision and perfect timing for our mega-construction project!
We have started praying for provision for a 50 passenger bus in good condition. Every time we have special activities where we take the congregation, we rent a bus and it is very expensive. Recently we took the majority of church members on a small trip to Chalatenango for a special church service using two pickups, but we still did not fit and it is dangerous to travel this way. (please see photo at the end of this post of one of the pickups packed) The bus would also serve in picking up church members for services on Sundays and thus attract more people from other villages to the services because we will be providing transportation. Please join us in praying for this need, and maybe God is putting it on your heart to help us in this area.
Church Construction
We currently have possible donors for the roof and the windows. There is still a lot more to go, such as the doors and the floor. We are confident in God's timing and provision. We are anxious for the space as we do not fit into the small room we are renting. (Praise God!) Please join us in praying for His provision and perfect timing for our mega-construction project!
Valentine's Day Celebrations
Bonfire with the Youth groupOn Saturday, Feb. 13, around 20 youth from Ojos de Agua and El Tablón got together at the Blanco Family property to celebrate Valentines Day. We made pupusas, played games, sang worship songs, exchanged Valentine's cards and listened to a reflection on friendship by Pastor Heber. It was a great time of fellowship and sharing the gospel with new friends.
Dinner and movie for couples: Fire Proof
Thank you prayer partners for praying for our Valentine's dinner and movie night. It was a success and we praise the Lord! About 40 couples filled the community center. Women and youth from our congregation served a delicious meal, and everyone enjoyed the movie, Fire Proof. The mayor and his wife came along with other community leaders. They all want us to put on events like this more often and offered to support us. After we showed the movie, and many tears shed, Camilo gave a small reflection encouraging couples to seek God to help heal their relationships. The evening ended with a prayer for the couples by Pastor Heber. Many have asked us for copies of the book and movie...so we'll be praying for God's provision for this!
Sunday School Teacher Workshop
On Saturday February 6, seven from the church attended a Sunday School teacher training in Coyolito, Chalatenango. The workshop was a good time of learning and prayer. The leader of the workshop also advertised the need for missionaries for MCA's Vacation Bible School program. Three young ladies from El Tablón requested applications and we are praying that they follow through with the program. As missionaries they would be assigned to a different church anywhere within El Salvador. Spend a week living with a family and working with the local church on putting together the Vacation Bible School program. This month Cindy will continue workshops directed specifically for the teachers in Ojos de Agua.
MCA National Convention
The Central American Mission's (Mision Centroamericana-MCA) convention began on Thursday the 21st for pastors and delegates. Pastor Camilo and Pastor Eber assisted the event representing Ojos de Agua. They spent Thursday, Friday, and the first part of Saturday participating in decisions made on a national level for the denomination and were blessed by wonderful teachings by Pastor Gustavo Soto. On Saturday, January 23, the majority of our church members traveled together to San Salvador for an all nation church service held at the Salvadorian National Sports Arena (INDES). The service included the conclusion of the convention instating the new members of the national church board and announcing the new coordinators for the various regions in the country. Camilo was named coordinator for the churches of the Department of Chalatenango. He will be in charge of overseeing 12 churches, holding monthly pastors meetings and visiting pastors and their congregations serving as spiritual advisor. Please pray for Camilo as he takes on this new job, as it can be emotionally draining, time and $ consuming. The service ended with a wonderful teaching by Pastor Gustavo Soto. Many from our congregation helped raise money for the National Missions Deparment (DEMCA) by selling water and mangoes to attendees of the convention. On Friday many went out and climbed as many mango trees as they could and we brought many buckets full of mangoes. Here Salvadorians like the green mangoes (that aren't ripe yet) and eat them with salt, chile, and another spice called ahuashte. The convention was a great time to see old friends and colleagues in ministry, and a great time for our new members to meet brothers and sisters from other churches in the country that pray for us and have in one way or another been part of the Ojos de Agua Church plant.
On our way to the convention in a packed bus!
Camilo (4th from the left) being introduced as the new coordinator of pastors of theregion of Chalate.
Events in December
-Cindy and Lucas spent most of December in the U.S. spending Christmas and New Years with family and friends. It was a very nice time but even more difficult to be apart from Camilo.In Ojos de Agua...
-the congregation continued work at the church property leveling out the ground.
-the youth group spent some time by the Lempa River enjoying a camp with all the youth from MCA churches in Chalatenango.
-Pastor Eber Elias and his family moved to Ojos de Agua and began their ministry with us!
-the environmental committee held the first annual appreciation dinner at the Blanco's home- it was a time to thank the volunteers that helped all year with the plastic recycling.
-Camilo's brother Max served as Cindy's substitute teacher while she was away for Sunday School and the youth group.
-Special services were held on Dec. 24 and an all night service on Dec. 31st.
Some more photos from this month...
Camilo leading Pastors Meeting, Feb 2010, La Cebadilla
Pastors' Wives group meeting, Feb. 2010, La Cebadilla, Nueva Concepción
Pastors Wives finish their meeting early, took a dip in the river to cool off! It was a very hot day!Lempa River, La Cebadilla
Youth Camp December 2009
