Compelled by Christ's Love; Joyful reunions

Hola amigos!

Thank you for your continued prayers.  Dios es bueno, todo el tiempo! (God is good, all the time!)

Staying with Pastor Jaime San Martin and his family has once again provided many opportunities for prayers and encouragement. My prayer during these days is to be a great encourager and listener...and to spur all of them on in their service to our great God!

All of the ministry supplies (the two luggage bags) arrived yesterday afternoon...gracias a Dios!  When we arrived last evening at Florida Norte Evangelical Church, I was filled with great joy to see the progress of their construction...but more importantly to see the beloved people of God.  I was given a tour of the construction progress...and then we had the famous 'greeting line,' complete with many hugs, handshakes and cheek kisses!  They waved to me and told me that was their wave of hello to all of you back home...they love you and are grateful to be partners in ministry!

The theme of last night's training was 'motivation for ministry.'  I shared from 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2, and reminded these dear ones that it is Christ's love that compels us to live for Him and not ourselves. We are now ambassadors for Jesus and are called to share His marvelous grace each and every day.  We then made a list of ways that God was at work in their congregation in the past year and the progress they have made toward their mission and vision.  We spent time thanking God for those things and His faithfulness, and then looked at six questions that challenge us to go deeper and further in our following of Christ, both personally and in community with one another.  The training was well received and the Holy Spirit is at work in our midst, so thank you for praying!

James San Martin is translating for me...and he does a fantastic job!  He is patient and kind...especially when I say too many words and then expect him to translate all that I said.

I check the Youth Mississippi Missions Trip blog each day and am thankful to read of God's good work among them.  Make sure that you check out their blog and rejoice in God's faithfulness in their midst!

God bless you all!
mateo beish