God is more than enough

It is so true isn’t it? God, our very loving and personal God is way more than enough.  That truth has just been hitting us over and over again throughout this month.  While we can’t get enough He is more than enough.  We hunger for more.  We desire true intimacy and His loving embrace.  Yet, in the midst of our looking and even in our distraction He is always on time.  

We have seen God bring new people across our path this month, watched how He has orchestrated special ministry time and used our planning and preparation as a platform to move beyond what we thought was possible.  God is on the move.  We need Him more than ever and know that nothing else will ever satisfy us or the needs of our hurting world.  

UPDATES

Fabiola’s Birthday Party Outreach

Highlights:  

·         There were a couple ladies came as friends of friends – so new relationships were forged.

·         All the women signed up to take part in the book study.

·         Nobody wanted the party to end.  They were having so much real, good, healthy fun and connecting with one another.  

·         All the women made special bracelets, tissue paper flowers and played some games that got them really laughing.  

·         Those that had kids were amazed that there was essentially a separate party for the kids were they were loved and cared for allowing the mom’s to really just enjoy the party.  

 

Since the party:

·         One of the main objectives of the party was to start a weekly book study dealing with issues young women face and addressing the area of our identity in Christ.  

·         It is so exciting that the group is being led not by Fabiola, but by one of the ladies from our church.  She has a vision to really reach the ‘20-something’ generation.  

·         One of the ladies has brought an extra friend (who wasn’t at the party and we didn’t know previously) to participate in the book study and she loves it!

Worship Music Workshop

With the help of some volunteers we were able to put on a half-day workshop.  

Chad has been guitar to two of the youth during the week so they were able to get further training and jam with the guest musicians.  Then there were a few others that have never played an instrument before, so they were able to learn something new.  One of them wants to learn more and came out for classes this week.

We taught guitar, bass and percussion (cajon, djembe, tambourine, etc.). 

We recognize how important it is to train-up worshippers and plan on giving Sol and Angel, the two guitar students, an opportunity to play their instruments as part of Sunday’s worship service at the end of June. 

Biblical Christianity Conference

The Holy Spirit really moved on people’s hearts deepening their faith and resolve to serve God.  As we studied some of the cult’s beliefs people were moved with compassion to reach out to those that are still covered in darkness through the deceit of false teaching. 

There were amazing discussions and questions that came up throughout and especially during the breaks.  Two women asked clarifying and deep questions about salvation and eternity leaving with a new clarity and understanding of what they have said they believe. 

At the lunch break one woman shared some deep hurts and tears about her family and the church came around and ministered to her.  

Other Highlights

We are finally able to launch a tutoring program to serve the children and youth in our community.  

·         We continue to be excited about the deepening of relationships within the church with one another.  It is nice to know that we are not the only ‘hub’ in the relationships anymore.

Please Pray with Us…..

ü  Chad preaching at World Impact’s youth ministry   June 1

ü  Men’s Retreat  June 8-10

Many men struggle to come out because it means giving up an extra day of work (many look for odd jobs on Saturdays to help cover expenses that their normal jobs can’t cover).

 Pray for their financial provision (and wise decisions) and a great turn out for this retreat.  Pray that the retreat would bond us together deeper as a church and press us into Jesus even more.  

ü  End of School Year Outreaches  June 7-16

We will be working with volunteers to pull off a variety of outreaches and community projects.  

      Please pray with us that these events would produce long-lasting fruit and not be just busy times.  Pray that our church community would take ownership as we work alongside volunteers.  

ü  Marriages and Families.

There are several marriages in dire need of help.  We are counseling several of them through these tough times.  Several families are also going through tough times.  

Pray that they would come to Jesus and trust in Him and commit their lives completely to Him….and not just seek Him until the problem resolves.  

Remember…God is more than enough.  Thanks for your prayers!

Chad & Fabiola

He is Mighty - In the Snow

The snow is long gone now, but not the memories of an adventure on the mountain just a couple months ago.  As part of our desire to build community as a church and foster deeper and healthier relationships within the families we serve we have been planning outreach and service events as well as fun outings to do with all ages involved.  Mid-April we led our church on a family outing up to the mountain looking for snow.  Many have never seen snow so we eagerly planned as if we were going looking for treasure.  This was a big deal! 

The day of the trip a big rainstorm hit Los Angeles dumping new snow up in the mountains.  It would have been easy to cancel the trip on account of the storm, but we come from a community where promises are broken regularly, plans are rarely realized and words hurt deeply or mean little.  We wanted to honor our families and do what we could to fulfill our word.  So the twenty of us excitedly ventured off.

About half way up the mountain one of our vans got hit by a falling rock that broke the transmission line after it bounced up on the underside of the vehicle.  For the next four hours we were stranded just out of reach of the snow in a van on the side of the mountain waiting for a tow.  We all crammed into one van and had our picnic lunch with hot chocolate, threw snowballs at one another (balled up napkins), made snowmen (out of marshmallows and pretzel sticks – see picture) and even got to see snow (as it came down pilled high on the cars descending the mountain). 

While our adventure wasn’t what we had hoped or planned for it may have been better.  We were reminded the great truth that God’s ways are above our ways.  His creation – even a small rock – is mightier than ours (the van).  He kept us safe and he really unified us in those many long hours (with 4 children under the age of 6)…believe it or not it was fun.  One of our youth invited a cousin so we got to know him better during this adventure.  We were amazed that leaving the city and the hectic routine and rhythm was so needed it was nearly enjoyable being stranded in a storm in a crammed van for a good portion of the day.  Nobody – not even the toddlers – complained once!

We have been called to the city to bless others with the richness God has shared with us.  We daily trust in God that this calling would manifest itself in a harvest of souls that love God more than anything and contagiously share this Light with others.

Please continue to pray for our safety and fruitfulness.  May you have an unexpected adventure this month that draws you closer to the people God has given to you to love.

Chad & Fabiola