July 2013 Cojutepeque, El Salvador

Its July here, and another great month to be here involved in the ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church. What a whirlwind of activities.

We kicked the month off by clearing out the church closet in the back of the church, and knocking the wall out, extending the church building and adding space for about 15 more seats. We are experiencing rapid growth in our church, and its amazing to see these additional seats filled every Sunday!

Pastor/Missionary Adam Fridenstine Taking the first swing.

Students, staff, and church members worked hard to knock the
wall down in record time!

Showing them how its done!

We followed that by taking the 4th off from school and spending it with other missionary families from around the country and a few of their family members who were here visiting from the U.S. It was so nice to be surrounded by red white and blue decor, food, and friends and to celebrated the freedoms that we have as Americans, no matter where we are. What a delight to fellowship with old friends and make new ones! God Bless America!

Amazing dessert spread for the 4th. Red White and Blue!

Because it is summer time and there is no school in the U.S. right now, its the perfect time to have additional college classes here for us! Bro. Lester arrived from Lancaster, California and Pastor Lester from Georgia (Bro. Lester's father) came for a visit as well, and was able to preach to us on Sunday.  Its been a great experience to share with them a little bit more of this beautiful country and its people. Things certainly pick up when WCBC classes are going, as there are usually around 20 people that come in from around the country and Honduras to further their Bible knowledge, and college education. It is oh so fun to see them learn and grow!

Pastor Lester preaching

Also here this month for a missions trip were members from a Korean church in Los Angeles. It was great to have the opportunity to see the students interact with them, and to show them what God is doing here at Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel. They were able to go soulwinning/door knocking with us, as well as help us host a teen activity with many visitors, and a great message/challenge afterwards. What a blessing to have them here with us!

Nathan Kang from Los Angeles with some of the 8th grade boys.

Starting the event off right with food!

Followed by games...

games.....

More games.....

fun time with everyone, even the pastor....

.....and the preaching! Great night!

I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids and I have been able to befriend a lot of them. Word gets around after a bit...one thing leads to another...and before you know it, they are coming over one after the other. Its been fun to have some of my students in my home this month, teaching them how to play some games, swap cultural differences, and even teach them how to make some yummy treats. What a delight and honor it is to be able to invest in young people. Please pray that they will return. I take comfort in knowing that they feel they are welcome to spend time with me, rather than on the streets.

I have been encouraging more and more of my students from school to attend the church (unlike some private christian schools these kids are not required) and this month has seen Douglas, one of my 9th graders, come and visit. Praise the Lord!

Pastor and 9th grader, Douglas, attending church
with us for the first time!

650 boxes filled with gifts for our school students, church kids, and teachers alike have arrived! Additionally, we received around 300 Bibles with them! We got them from customs in the pouring down rain, but with the help of about 15 people, moved and packed it into our garage in about 30 minutes. After we opened the boxes of Bibles, we discovered that in spite of the downpour, only the boxes had gotten wet, but the Bibles were untouched. Isn't God good?

Students, church members and Pastor Lester and I,
ready to unload boxes!

The number of church members that are making time in their schedules to come door knocking with us has steadily increased. What a great joy its been to watch teens and adults alike come and join with us as we invite others in the beautiful city of Cojutepeque to church, and to Christ.

The Barrera family during weekly soul winning, inviting people to church!

Growing up, I've only had a dog once when I was really young. Fortunately, we have a small back yard with a little garden. . .just enough space for our new rabbit Pepicito! This should be interesting!

Pepicito!

June 2013 Cojutepeque, El Salvador

Its hard to believe that the year is already half over! What a blast its been! June kicked off with all of the normal things, plus extra excitement too! Pastor Arias is a national pastor here who has a church on the other side of town. He had a family focus month, where there was preaching and a special service every single day for his church family! Pastor Fridenstine got invited to speak weekly, every Saturday night, and we were able to have the opportunity to accompany the Fridenstine family to these special services. It was a lot of fun to experience the way others run their church. For instance, here, after every service, you get a snack with coffee, usually. This church is no exception. They person who is responsible for bringing the food also serves it. We had every thing from tamales to rice milk. Fortunately, some of my students attend this church, so the food that was a little less appealing for me personally-my students were more than happy to help with!

Esther and I singing a special at Pastor Arias' family conference

 Pastor Arias was not the only church that hosted a family emphasis month in June. We also had the opportunity to attend a church near Las Palmas, where Pastor was able to preach a special message on the family. Its so much fun to have so many friends in so many places here!

New friends Tania and Gaby at a church in Las Palmas!

Also during the month of June Cherith Brown (younger sister of Esther Fridenstine) arrived. It is wonderful to have here here for the next two months helping in the school, cooking, spending time with her nephews, helping Esther, the church, playing her cello, teaching and just her presence is an encouragement! I know that brothers and sisters can sometimes step in where other people can't-it is exciting to see how much fun she and Esther are having here!

Aunt Cherith sharing her glasses with Micah!

Also here visiting for the summer is another family-the Barreras. Mrs. Barrera and her kids are here to spend the summer with her husband, Francisco (a man who works in the ministry here while getting his visa paperwork completed) and to attend the school (on their "summer vacation" from the States!!) so that the kids can pick up a little bit of Spanish while they are here enjoying the summer as a family. Its so much fun to have new students in class mid year! Marlene is such a blessing as she is jumping right into the ministry here, helping with the ladies events, church upkeep, nursery, and soul winning!

Xavion and Francisco soul winning on Saturday.

In Sunday school we have over 15 now in the teen girls class! Praise the Lord! One by one teens are coming, and they are sticking. It is an encouragement to know that the Lord is blessing here, and that the girls are coming, learning, and applying the weekly lessons in their lives. Change is amazing! Two of the girls, Tania and Johanna, I've been praying for for many months now, but have just met for the first time. Please pray for their salvation!

The look of success!! My roommate and I decided to "show the girls how its done" during a game in Sunday School. I won!

Pastor and Brother England preaching/translating in the church service

West Coast Baptist College classes kicked off here again for the summer. Plans are to have 5 college classes taught here in the upcoming weeks. These classes will train and equip the members of our church, other churches, and pastors from all over El Salvador, as well Honduras. We kicked off our classes with the Gospel of John, and Modern Day Cults, taught by Bro. England. What a blessing it was to see 20 new and returning faces in these classes. We even have several students that travel by bus all night from Honduras to attend these classes! Praise the Lord!

This month we also enjoyed hosting a baby shower for a young lady named Isis. I met her and her one Saturday out soul winning, and invited them to church the next day. She and her boyfriend did attend, and after several visits, decided to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savoir. They are now regular attenders of our church. It brings so much joy to see people's lives changed as a result of what Christ does in their heart!

June is also the month of Adam and Esthers Anniversary. Stephanie and I were delighted to help watch the boys while they went out of town for some time away. Somehow, within hours of them leaving to celebrate, Joel fell and cut his head open while playing after school with his friends.  Fortunately for us, this is his third trip (to the hospital for stitches) this year. Joel knows the routine, and was just fine after some stitches and ice cream!

Ice cream and stitches...what a great way to spend the weekend!

Lastly, we are praising the Lord for the baptism of three this month. Fernanda (2nd from the right) is a member of our teen girls Sunday School Class and also a student in my 8th grade English Class. She is a joy to have around, and we look forward to having these new members serve along side us in the church! Praise the Lord for his goodness!

Church members going to the lake for baptism

Ready to start

All done!

May 2013 Cojutepeque El Salvador, and Graduation time!

May was quite the exciting month, both in El Salvador and in California! It was thrilling to be able to spend the first 2 weeks of May in Lancaster, California with my family and friends for my college graduation. The Lord answered so many prayer requests during this journey in so many ways, it was unbelievable. When I arrived in L.A. I had no baggage, only my purse. The airlines assured me that they would repay the cost incurred for whatever luggage I had lost, until my baggage was delivered to Lancaster.  So, shopping I went! Isn't God amazing! The most important things I needed (my Bible, my dresses for church the next day, and for graduation) were already taken care of, regardless if they were ever found or not. I was even provided with an (unexpected) place to stay that night!

The next day, the blessings continued. One of my friends, without me saying anything, walked up to me and offered me the keys to her new car, as long as I needed to use it. What an answer to prayer! I didn't even ask her! God is so good! God's goodness continued as I was introduced to friends of friends who offered to allow both me and my mom to stay with them the entire time I was in town!! They were the Snodgrass family and were mutual friends of one of my closest friends in Japan. Although I had never formally met Mrs. Snodgrass, the Lord connected us, and she and her family were a huge blessing to my mom and I the entire time we were there. Sunday afternoon back at church I was able to see some of the teenage girls from my Sunday School Class and was able to teach a lesson to them on being usable for God. It was so good to see them all, and to be able to share with them some of the things that I had learned during my short time in El Salvador. To make the day even better, I got news from El Salvador that Francisco and Isis, a couple that I met while door knocking, had finally made the decision to trust Christ as their personal Savior. What a joy!! Prayer works!

My teen Sunday School Class at Lancaster Baptist Church!

The week leading up to graduation allowed me attend an exciting Lancaster Baptist School "Potluck for Patriots" with one of my students from kids Choir (Oscar), catching up with friends over coffee, some appointments, and a trip to Sequoia National Park with my mom. We also packed in dinner and a concert at the Disney concert hall in Downtown Los Angeles as well as a trip to San Diego to see my Grandparents, Cousin, Aunt, Uncle and tackle some shopping, along with a fun road trip there and back. We also went to the USS Iowa in Long Beach-twice. It was an action packed week, and it was wonderful to get to spend some quality time with my family, especially my mom during this important time!

Potluck for Patriots!

Sequoia National Park with mom!

Mom and I at the USS Iowa in Long Beach!

The following day my grandmother and cousin arrived in California, proving to be every bit of fun I had hoped they would be. After a wonderful time together at church, we were all able to go out for a Mothers Day lunch. It was the first time my mom had ever had lobster! Although I'm still not sure if she liked it, or if she was just trying to be nice, she said she enjoyed it!

Mothers day with Mandy, Mom and Grandma!!

Graduation festivities followed the next day with an interesting round of Senior pictures bright an early with friends, and the class of 2013. Followed by a preaching contest, and a senior luncheon, and a wonderful spring recital. What a flurry of activity!

Kim, me, and Yanet!

Tuesday, the day before graduation, all was ready. Pictures were taken, clothes were set out, we were up early to get to graduation practice early to hear final words from Dr. Goetsch and Dr. Chappell before the big day. And wouldn't you know it, I was on my way to school (early) when got a flat on the side of the highway at 7 a.m.  What an adventure. Sunday clothes, side of the interstate, 7am, graduation practice, flat tire. Needless to say, I made it for the last 10 minutes, and was all the more nervous for graduation the next day because only 2 other students from my masters class was there for rehearsal so they had to remember details for all of us!

Tire changing pro! 

Graduation day came and went without a problem. I got to school without a flat tire, I didn't fall asleep during the ceremony, and I didn't trip on the platform. Those three things in my mind=success! We all had a great time afterwords having a get together with family and friends for a graduation celebration as well! It feels so great to be finished!!

Mom and I after the ceremony!

My classmates!!

Pastor, Mrs. Navarrete, and I

The remainder of my time in LA with my mom was spent getting my hair cut (a huge deal, as I cut it all off every 3 years to donate to kids with cancer) finishing some appointments, taking my mom to Sushi for the first time with a friend in beautiful Manhattan beach, and tidying up last second details. The trip back to Lancaster was such a wonderful experience with my mom there for graduation. It is always nice to have family close by for big occasions!

I was eager to jump back into things in El Salvador, and jump back in I did! The very next day we were back at it at school, and full force into classes. The afternoons were filled with tutoring and church preparations for our 4th anniversary Sunday at Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel.  

Midweek, Fernanda, one of my 8th grade students at school, as well as a member of our teen sunday school class at church bowed her head to receive Christ as her personal savior between classes. Praise the Lord!

Fernanda and I!

For anniversary Sunday, we had a record Sunday with 120 in attendance, and a cupcake for each person to celebrate God's goodness on the four year anniversary of the church. God has been really blessing the ministry here! I was overwhelmed to see about 20+ kids from my classes in the school in the church for service, listening to the Gospel. It was such a blessing to go home that afternoon knowing that one of those that heard the Gospel received Christ as their personal Savior and has a changed eternal destiny!

The cupcake tower!

April 2013 Cojutepeque, El Salvador

Life this month has been thrilling! April kicked off with Dr. and Mrs. Sisk coming to visit! It was exciting to have them here, as this was their first visit to El Salvador! We were honored to have Dr. Sick preach several times, as well as to kick start our building project. All of the teen girls enjoyed having Mrs. Sisk here as well, as she taught the lesson to our class! What a blessing it was to have such a sweet couple come and visit us here! We are hoping they come back soon, and spread the word about the work, and the need for laborers here in El Salvador!

Mrs. Sisk and I!

The most personally thrilling date for April was the 15th, for several reasons. 1. I could breath a sigh of relief, because, although my taxes were due, I was out of the country yet again, and got an automatic 60 day extension and could procrastinate just that much longer! 2. Its my birthday again! 3. My 66 page thesis was due to be turned in at 6pm. So, wouldn't you know it, to add a little thrill to the day, my internet crashed around 5:50 pm while trying to submit my Thesis. I was able to get it submitted at 5:55p.m. My lovely roommate, as well as my boss and his family knocked on my door about 5 minutes later singing happy birthday with a cake in hand, candles lit and all. I had become so consumed in my studies, I hadn't given cake, nor a party a whole lot of thought. It was the perfect end to a well accomplished day! Graduation here we come!


Life as a teacher as daily humbled me, and has been an area of growth. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work here. It is wonderful to be able to have a daily influence on the lives of the kids here in a positive manner that will last for eternity. Working here at the school has also given me the opportunity to grow closer to some of the teachers too! One of our more experienced teachers and church member as well, has been coming to the school almost every afternoon for help regarding her computer skills. What a interesting experience its been introducing her to the world of computers!

One of the families in the church offered to take us away for an afternoon-this view is "Puerto del Diablo" overlooking much of San Salvador with one of our most faithful church members, Yanni. 

Another highlight of the month was our youth night. Those are always my favorite activities. Its amazing to see all of the potential that surrounds you! The theme for the night was crazy hats. You were not allowed to enter unless you came with a crazy hat. We had them all! From cardboard box to birds' nest, the competition was on! In the end, one of the teen girls with a birds nest hat took home the prize! The night kicked off with some food and introduction games, and then the highlight. Hide and seek in the dark. There's nothing more scary than going into a school or a church in the dark. Some how, I think the boys team won. But we all had fun in the process...although we didn't win, we sure have our spots picked out for next time! The youth activity ended with the lesson from Pastor Adam on ten tips for their lives. I hope that the teens learned from their experience, and the (very good) lesson from Adam. It is my prayer that they will return for the next event. These ten practical tips on living right will no doubt guide these teens in the right direction as they seek to find their way in life. I can't wait to see how they use their lives, and potential for God!

Crazy Hat night with the teens!

March 2013 Cojutepeque El Salvador

New experiences are always fun. March gave me the opportunity to have so many new experiences it was hard to keep up with! I was the secretary, gym teacher, art teacher, and the usual (and favorite) teacher's assistant. What fun!

Being secretary also comes with the perks of an assistant-Micah Fridenstine-to help sort paperclips.

Some of the kids from 6th grade warming up during gym class

 

4th grade boys starting English class

Esther is in charge of the music at the church, and its so fun to sing, especially in church. She allowed Oscar (one of the teens in the church, and school) and I to sing with her for a special. It was fun to sing in church again, and as always, its great to be in a small group rather than a solo any day! It's a privilege to be in a place where we are able to worship freely, without fear of reprisal.

Praise the Lord that this month I was able to start my thesis. It is my last requirement on the list for graduation. It is my prayer that I will be present in Lancaster, CA in May at West Coast Baptist College. I am excited to be done with school-for now.

Each week we take time to go soul winning, or door knocking. This is a scheduled time each week that we as a church have to reach out to others. It involves visiting those that attended the service for the first time on Sunday, and encouraging them to return. It also involves phone calls who have not been to church in a couple weeks, or those that are sick. Cojutepeque is a very hilly city, and this makes driving and walking during door knocking fun sometimes. We have had more involvement this month than any other time this year. Normally as a group we were handing out around 200 invitations/Gospel tracts, encouraging people to visit the church. With more involvement, this number skyrocketed! We are able to distribute anywhere from 500-800 on any given day. Many hands make light work! Thank God for those who get excited about telling others about Christ and His love!

Ashley-my regular 2nd grade soul winning partner

 

Because of the increased number of people from the church that are coming to soul winning/door knocking on Tuesday and Saturday afternoons, more people are being reached. I met a man on Saturday March 9th while handing out invitations to the church at a bus station. Stephanie and I were with one of the gentleman from the church, (Bro. Rivera) and he was encouraged to come.

On Sunday March 10th, Edwin came to our church for the first time. After talking with Adam, Edwin confessed that he had been confused about his beliefs, and wasn't sure what to believe any more. He was seeking more answers, and answers (from the Bible) is what he got from the message from Pastor at Iglesia Bautista Emanuel. He realized, after hearing the message that he was lacking something in his life. After hearing Pastor preach from the Bible, he realized his need, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. The change was radical. He signed up for Bible college to learn more about the Bible that very same day!

Stephanie and I with Edwin, and Bro. Rivera

Tuesday Edwin returned to the church in the morning, to talk to pastor more, and learn more of what the Bible has to say. He shared his desire to tell others (especially his peers at school) of his new found faith as well. He returned for the West Coast Baptist College Interim classes that were offered Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday, on the Life of Christ. He got his first Bible Wednesday, and expressed his desire to be baptised, join the church, and grow in the things of the Lord. Its overwhelming. A few months ago, he was experiencing some problems in his personal life, and decided to fix them, but didn't know the way to go about it. He wanted to see what the Catholic church had to say about it, but was repeatedly turned away, and left empty handed. He went on, still lost. Then he met us a few months later. Yesterday, Edwin aspired to be a Catholic priest and follow the rules of the church. Today, he experienced the salvation of God in his life first hand, and can't wait to learn more from the Bible. He now realizes that his salvation doesn't rely in what he can do on his own, but what Jesus Christ already did for him on the cross. What a change! What an answer to prayer!

Many of the people that attend Iglesia Bautista Emanuel are members. But there are many that are regular attenders that are not members. This church began few years ago, but last March was officially "born" when all the paperwork was finished for it to be a legal entity. A charter (fancy name for list) was started, and was signed by those who wanted to be members last March. Periodically throughout the year, people could, and would sign the charter to become members.  At a special service the night of March 10th, we officially closed the charter that was opened one year ago. On this night 14 people from the church decided to add their name to the charter. It was encouraging to hear the stories of the people that have been attending the church, and have a desire to serve here from a teacher at the school, to some of the teen girls in our Sunday school class.  Praise the Lord for these faithful people that have been added to the membership of the church here! What a blessing. Missions is what its all about.

Wendy, waiting in line to sign the charter at the charter service

Getting a new flag at the school

This month we also had three guests from Honduras stay with us. They traveled nearly 12 hours by bus from Honduras to join other students at Iglesia Bautista Emanuel for West Coast Baptist College (WCBC) Interim Classes. In the morning Bro. Lester taught on the Life of Christ, and in the afternoon, he covered Methodical Bible Studies.  Our Honduran guests were excited to come here for the first time to attend the classes and said that they are excited to return and study more in our June interim classes. They also mentioned that they would be bringing at least four more church members with them to share in the experience! Please pray as preparations for the next courses continues. The next courses will be taking place throughout the summer as WCBC professors travel here to teach the classes. A lot of work and preparation is put into each of the classes. Much time is required for the teaching of these classes, from the lesson translations to travel, to promoting the classes to the actual class itself. Please pray for the students, and the professors.

Stephanie and I with our visitors from Honduras

This month, as with every month, I pray to have a visitor. While out soul winning/door knocking this month I was able to talk to a man named Francisco. I briefly invited him, and went on my way. His house appears to have two front doors, so other members of the church knocked on the other main door of his house, and invited him again! After talking to him again, we encouraged him to come attend a service on Sunday, and got a non-committal response. We returned once more Saturday night before the service, but did not have the opportunity to meet with him. He failed to come on Sunday morning, but did bring his lovely wife Isis with him on Sunday night! What a joy! Not only did Francisco come, but I made a new friend with his wife, who is five months pregnant, with their first child. We are excited to have them as regular attenders of the church. Its is excited to see them come and learn from the Bible. Please pray that they will continue to learn more from God's word, and they they may see their need for the Savior.

March 19th a large group from Lancaster Baptist Church arrived. It was great to make new friends, catch up with old ones, and see my pastor! We were able to meet the group at a main bus stop in San Salvador and hand out about 8,000 invitations for a new church in San Salvador in less than 4 hours. Praise the Lord for the many that were involved!

Busy places like Metro Centro bring busy people on their way to work! We invited a clown!

Following this was a special dinner for the graduates and their family, as well as the Lancaster Group.
Monday night was a special time, as there was a dinner for the those that had completed their one year Bible certificate from WCBC, and would be graduating later that evening. It was also a great chance to introduce some of the typical food to those who were here visiting with the missions trip group. Pastor Navarrete preached a great message, and hosted the graduation ceremony. It was encouraging to hear that all of the graduates of the one year Bible program plan to continue their education, and all are seeking a four year degree from West Coast Baptist College.

The graduates (on the left) ready to recieve their graduation certificates

The following day we were again joined by the Lancaster group, and were able to hand out 1,250 invitations to residents here in the city of Cojutepeque. We were able to at least 100 in attendance that night for a special service commemorating the 50th anniversary of the school. Of these 100 in attendance, at least one man accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior.

This (busy) week with the group wrapped up with a fun time zip lining on Friday. It was nice to be able to take some time and explore a bit of the country side, and have some down time with the group. Although good-byes are never fun, I have no doubt that I'll see many of them again soon!

Members of the Lancaster Baptist Church missions trip group

 

After a whirlwind week with the group, we went even faster. The following day was the last chance to prepare for a new church plant in San Salvador. About 40 people rallied together and took a trip to San Salvador to the same area (near the location of the church, a main bus stop, Metro Centro) to hand out flyers. We were able to pass out an additional 2,500 flyers that afternoon, and talk to a lot of very nice, open people. This is the first (and only) church in San Salvador, and probably El Salvador that will have services in English. The church is being led by Pastor Luis Callejas, and the English services are directed by Missionary Nic Ruby. Those of us from Cojutepeque, as well as the Ruby's, and the Callejas' were able to have a nice time in prayer, preperation, and planning before the first service in the place where they are currently meeting.

Several members of the Cojutepeque group in San Salvador before the first service

Praise the Lord for all the fun we had in Sunday School and kids church with nine children! We had such a blast together learning the story of Palm Sunday!

Kiddie Church fun!

Praises

• Running, hot water
• Extension paper work was granted-I am allowed to stay in country for an additional amount of time. Normally a visitor has to leave the country (as well as Central America) for a period of 72 hours if this extension paperwork is not granted.
• Hot, running water! The water at the house was not only cold for two weeks, but it was nearly shut off, only dripping most of the time. Praise the Lord that we were able to get it taken care of in a short amount of time! I am so thankful to have running water, and even more grateful that its hot!
• Visitors Francisco and Isis
• One salvation on the anniversary of our school
• Involvment of the teens in the church, attending, singing, and soulwinning faithfully

Pastor Callejas and Pastor Ruby in the first service.

 

 

Funny story: I had the opportunity to work in kiddie church one Sunday and teach Sunday School. The kids in this class were from four years old to about nine. We learned about the wall of Jericho. These kids loved marching around the classroom and blowing their "horns" when the wall fell down...or so I thought. Immediately following the song time at the end, one of the students said, "Mrs. Rivera IS going to be back next Sunday-right?" Gotta love pointed questions!