Rodolfo and Xiomara got married Saturday at our church service. Rodolfo's testimony shows, without a doubt, that God can change the worst of situations for HIS glory! Rodolfo came to our church about seven months ago, drunk. He was crying, wanting desperately to change his life, but knowing it was impossible. However, over the next months, he learned that with God, all things are possible. We bought him the supplies necessary for detox, and he began the healing process. He has been discipled by Steve every week since that day. Steve has visited Rodolfo almost every day. He has been taking him soul winning and teaching him how to be a man after God's heart.
Seven months later, Rodolfo now has a good job, is married to the woman he has a 4 year old child with, and has not touched any alcohol since that day seven months ago!
See the next post to enjoy the wedding pictures.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Photos Wedding Celebration October 24, 2009
First Picture - Steve, our lawyer friend Beatrice, Rodolfo and Xiomara, and Pastor Tony from San Miguel.
Second Picture- Beatrice reading the laws for the civil ceremony.
Third Picture-Signing the marriage certificate.
Fourth Picture-The newlyweds kiss!
Friday, October 23, 2009
October 2009
Dear Praying Friends,
It is with great joy that we bring you tidings of what the Lord has been doing in El Salvador recently. Thank you for your prayers. God has been answering them. We also trust that the Lord is receiving all of the glory for the fruit He is allowing us to bear.
Just recently we asked you to pray about us being able to start another service. For about a year we only had one service per week. The idea was to always be aggressive in soul-winning and inviting others to church, but at the same time spend much time with those that are being discipled so that they could help minister during the services. We wanted to add services to the church in proportion to the laborers that are being equipped. About 3 weeks ago we started our second weekly service. The response has been great. Many of the church members have volunteered to help out, most of those who attend the other service attend the new service, and we’ve also had some first time visitors.
Please pray that more men would step up to take responsibilities in the church. We are thankful with how God has been transforming lives. Many of the men in the church had previously been enslaved by drugs or alcohol. Now they are soul-winners and disciplers for the glory of God! Though we are always praying for God to lead us to those that He will rescue and bring to church, we have a great burden for those that are already in church. The devil has been trying to discourage these men in different ways. However, many of them are patiently enduring trials, and we pray that some of them will eventually learn how to preach.
Thank God that many of the men are acquiring a burden for souls. God also has been touching their hearts when it comes to prayer. On Wednesday evenings, the men of the church get together for prayer. Since we began, at least four men show up each week to pray together. We pray that this group will at least double by next year. As the number of faithful men increases in the church, it is our desire to further develop other ministries (youth, children).
It is also a great blessing to see how God is burdening the women of the church. Christine is discipling two of these women, and it looks like one of them is about to learn how to teach a children’s class. Others have volunteered to help out in other areas also.
Please pray that God would give us the wisdom to plan a missions conference for early next year. From early on in the ministry, it is our hope that the church would acquire a burden for world missions. We’ve stated before that in El Salvador there has been and will continue to be a great potential for world missions. There are Salvadoran missionary families in several other countries. These missionaries are mostly supported by Salvadoran churches. We strongly believe that, in the Lord’s strength, the burden for world missions among Salvadoran Christians can increase a great deal more. Our goal is to build on what has already been done, and be used of God to equip and send missionaries. That is why planning a missions conference is critical at this point.
Our children have been growing, it seems, at an alarming rate. Caleb is almost one year old. He is walking quite well these days, and we think that he has said his first word (in Spanish). The doctor says that he is off the charts when it comes to his size. Too bad that Salvadorans do not play football. Rosa will be five soon, and we are praying for patience as she will be home-schooled for kindergarten. She has done very well in preschool, and is able to read a little bit. We are praying about eventually enrolling her in a Christian school here in El Salvador, while also teaching her some at home.
Christine and I have been more upbeat than usual lately. God has used us to encourage each other. More and more El Salvador feels like home, and we pray that, if God permits, He will allow us to minister many more years here. Once again, thank you for your prayers and support that are making this happen. May the Lord greatly bless you.
Yours in Christ,
The Cernas
It is with great joy that we bring you tidings of what the Lord has been doing in El Salvador recently. Thank you for your prayers. God has been answering them. We also trust that the Lord is receiving all of the glory for the fruit He is allowing us to bear.
Just recently we asked you to pray about us being able to start another service. For about a year we only had one service per week. The idea was to always be aggressive in soul-winning and inviting others to church, but at the same time spend much time with those that are being discipled so that they could help minister during the services. We wanted to add services to the church in proportion to the laborers that are being equipped. About 3 weeks ago we started our second weekly service. The response has been great. Many of the church members have volunteered to help out, most of those who attend the other service attend the new service, and we’ve also had some first time visitors.
Please pray that more men would step up to take responsibilities in the church. We are thankful with how God has been transforming lives. Many of the men in the church had previously been enslaved by drugs or alcohol. Now they are soul-winners and disciplers for the glory of God! Though we are always praying for God to lead us to those that He will rescue and bring to church, we have a great burden for those that are already in church. The devil has been trying to discourage these men in different ways. However, many of them are patiently enduring trials, and we pray that some of them will eventually learn how to preach.
Thank God that many of the men are acquiring a burden for souls. God also has been touching their hearts when it comes to prayer. On Wednesday evenings, the men of the church get together for prayer. Since we began, at least four men show up each week to pray together. We pray that this group will at least double by next year. As the number of faithful men increases in the church, it is our desire to further develop other ministries (youth, children).
It is also a great blessing to see how God is burdening the women of the church. Christine is discipling two of these women, and it looks like one of them is about to learn how to teach a children’s class. Others have volunteered to help out in other areas also.
Please pray that God would give us the wisdom to plan a missions conference for early next year. From early on in the ministry, it is our hope that the church would acquire a burden for world missions. We’ve stated before that in El Salvador there has been and will continue to be a great potential for world missions. There are Salvadoran missionary families in several other countries. These missionaries are mostly supported by Salvadoran churches. We strongly believe that, in the Lord’s strength, the burden for world missions among Salvadoran Christians can increase a great deal more. Our goal is to build on what has already been done, and be used of God to equip and send missionaries. That is why planning a missions conference is critical at this point.
Our children have been growing, it seems, at an alarming rate. Caleb is almost one year old. He is walking quite well these days, and we think that he has said his first word (in Spanish). The doctor says that he is off the charts when it comes to his size. Too bad that Salvadorans do not play football. Rosa will be five soon, and we are praying for patience as she will be home-schooled for kindergarten. She has done very well in preschool, and is able to read a little bit. We are praying about eventually enrolling her in a Christian school here in El Salvador, while also teaching her some at home.
Christine and I have been more upbeat than usual lately. God has used us to encourage each other. More and more El Salvador feels like home, and we pray that, if God permits, He will allow us to minister many more years here. Once again, thank you for your prayers and support that are making this happen. May the Lord greatly bless you.
Yours in Christ,
The Cernas
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