Happy Anniversary Church!

Last weekend we celebrated five years since the Iglesia Rio de Vida started. Wow, that's all I can say is Wow! (for a more comprehensive understanding of this statement, read "Lilly and her Purple Plastic Purse). It was an amazing weekend! We knew it would be a lot of work, but we came out of the weekend full and blessed and amazed at God's greatness.
We had several visitors from Richland Hills who joined us. These included Ron and Marilyn Holland, Duane and Debbie Jenks, Phyllis Needham, Carol Maples, Don Box and Norm Meyer. It was great to have them be a part of the activities, but more to be blessed and encouraged by their words and prayers.
We started the weekend with sightseeing on Friday (me and my little chicks all stayed home for this). That evening we had a night of praising God, prayer and the ever necessary potluck! People from the church here got to meet our visitors and hear a little bit about their involvement in this work. On Saturday we met with our leaders. This was again, an amazing time and a very emotional time. Each of our leaders shared how a little of their testimony on how they came to know God, how they came to this specific body of believers and what God is doing in them now. It blew us away! and we had already heard their stories! Our guests shared a little about how they have been involved in this ministry and what God is doing in their lives. They gave us all words of encouragement and prayed for us. Since this was also Mother's Day, we opted for a very nice, quiet banquet at the office. The food was yummy, the conversation flowing, and no noisy restaurant to battle with. A perfect choice!

Friday evening's praise and prayer time


Banquet time on Saturday


Now, this is only half way through the day. After a little rest time, we headed downtown for some local sightseeing and dinner. As much as it frustrates us sometimes, connections in Mexico are everything, and this day God used it in our big favor. A friend of ours works at a restaurant right in the middle of downtown, and when Sara stopped to say hello, he offered us the terraza of the restaurant to have our own private dinner overlooking the city. It was beautiful! The weather was gorgeous, and we got to watch the lighting of the cathedral ceremony complete with fireworks. Everyone was awed and amazed that we could have planned something like that (except we didn't plan any of it! Hard not to take credit for it). To top the evening off, as we headed to our cars, we were serenaded by a rondalla -- this is a group of young men in tights (a Mexican irony with machismo so prevalent), who sing and play various instruments. They were quite impressive with their dances and tunes.

The view from our restaurant


Enjoying the rondalla


The guys in tights


As if this were not enough, Sunday was icing on the cake. We had our usual celebration time with several first time visitors, and we even had a couple of baptisms. Mayte and her son, Julio, decided to be baptized, so we rejoiced all the more! We had 130 people be a part of the activities this day! After services, we enjoyed yet another yummy meal, a mariachi band to serenade the mothers and cake. In closing the activities, we watched a video diary of the last five years (it brought tears to my eyes more than once) and then we opened the floor to those that wanted to share about what this church and ministry has meant to them. Again, we were overwhelmed by people's thoughts and feelings. By the end of this, we all needed a nap!!! Sunday evening, we closed our time with our visitors over tacos (I know, more food!) and a time to look into the future. Again, we were blessed and encouraged. We especially took time to think of former team members and their contribution to the work here and even to mourn their not still being here.
As I said, our cups were running over by the end, and I had just expected to be drained. The last five years have been a wild ride with it's definite ups and downs, but we praise God for what He has done, is doing and will continue to do through us and in spite of us. Praise His name!!!


Olivia getting ready for a full day!


Duane preaching with Sam translating




Mayte and Julio with Aldo and Sandy who have studied with them


Mayte being baptized



Cake


Mariachi band serenading



Some of the ladies enjoying the day!