December 2017

Dear praying friends:

As always, we are thankful for the opportunity to end another year. The Lord has showered us with many blessings both in our family, and at our church. If God permits, we are excited about the things that He has in store for us in 2018.

First of all, we would like to thank God for Parkview Baptist Church of Palm Coast, FL. This church has been supporting us for over 13 years. A group of ten members of the church spent six days fellowshipping, serving, and being a great blessing to us. They painted the front of the church building, as well as the sanctuary. They also had special activities for the servants, ladies and men of our church. We are always thankful for all of our supporting churches. It is also a great blessing when one of those churches decides to send a group to see what the mission field is like.

It is amazing to see how God keeps opening doors for us to present the Gospel, or share our testimony with people. Raul Bolaños is a businessman who I met in line at a bank, just recently. I handed him a tract, and briefly presented the Gospel to him. God used this to establish a connection with him, and meet with him a few days later. I found out that He is a devout Catholic. He asked me how I make a living, and I explained to him Matthew 6:25-34. I told him that whenever we have a need, we do not mention it to others, neither do we borrow money, or ask someone for it. Also, I told him that since I am seeking first God’s Kingdom and righteousness, He always supplies our needs. Obviously, this way of living is completely foreign to false religion. Please pray that Raul would continue to be interested in hearing God’s Word, and that the Holy Spirit would lead him to faith in Christ.

By God’s Grace, we have been seeing more visitors to our church services. It is always a blessing to see people, we have invited, attending a church service. However, it is an even greater blessing to see members of the church (that we have discipled) bringing their friends and neighbors to church. Although, we go door-knocking (as a church) once a week, there are some members who ask me for tracts, and go out witnessing on their own. Please pray that the Lord would continue to cultivate this burden for others in our church’s heart.  

We ended the school year in November, with special graduation ceremonies for Rosa and Joshua. Graduation from sixth grade is a milestone because the students move up to the next level of education at school. We participated in many festivities to celebrate Rosa´s graduating with honors. Also, Joshua completed preparatory, the grade between kindergarten and first grade. This also is a milestone and is greatly celebrated. Joshua is excited to be moving up to first grade in January. Caleb, too, finished with honors and next year will begin third grade. Thank you for your prayers for our children. We ask you to continue praying for us as we guide them.

 Yours in Christ,

The Cernas