The first house is nearing completion! Ceiling, walls, windows and doors, bathroom and floors are going in.
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410 children were registered for this year's program of games, a Bible message, food, and gifts. Children under 5 years came in with their mothers in groups of 50. Those from 6-11 years were in groups of 20, going to 4 stations for 15 minutes each: the first station was a Bible lesson with dance and fun activities and the other stations were different games. Afterwards, each child received food, sweets and a gift.
We invited our neighbors to play soccer -- not everyone was in top form but everyone had a great time! Afterwards, Pastor Luis Felipa of the Christian Missionary Alliance church shared a message of salvation for the players.
The first house for those coming out of prison! The plan is for 6 houses for 4 men each. The Christ Restores program provides housing, training, and employment to ease the transition between imprisonment and return to life.
400 men in prison join to worship God! In this prison there is a special unit for those who want to follow Christ while incarcerated.
In their sewing classes, the women are learning to make curtains to use at home or to sell. Their classes include a time of learning from God's Word and praying together.
Dario (pastor on the left) is part of the team of 12 pastors who are sharing Christ and leading discipleship groups at the Emboscada Prison. Above is one of the moments during the baptism today of 90 men in the prison who have decided to identify their lives with Christ. An important moment for these men who have made bad decisions in the past to affirm the new life that Jesus gives us.
The 2022 year for after-school tutoring at C-Deco (Let's Learn!) has begun. The top picture shows Andres with the 10 children in the morning group and the lower picture shows the 25 children in the afternoon class. Children go to school for half-days in Paraguay and, in poor areas, they generally don't learn even basic reading and writing skills. At C-Deco, they learn reading, writing, and math as well as the joy of learning and Christian values that will benefit them their whole lives.
This evening we began Focus on the Heart training for men and women at the Centro Cristiano de Limpio Church (CCL). Emi leads the 12 women in one group and Dario leads the 14 men in the other. Twelve of the participants are married couples. We are looking for heart transformation in individuals and in marriages! 155 families registered to attend our Family Christmas Celebration! Each family received a kit with basic household necedades. 155 families from the settlements around C-Deco signed up to be part of our Christmas Celebration for families. There was music by a praise band from the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Fernando de la Mora, folk dancing and singing directed by Andrea and Carolina, an evangelistic message shared by Marilin. Each family received a kit with 14 basic household necessities donated by Dynamus. It was a wonderful time of celebration and fellowship for all.
The women in the Dorcas sewing class invited their friends and neighbors to a special event: a seminar on "Self-Esteem" presented by psychologist Ana Chamorro from the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of San Lorenzo. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and learning for the 70 women who attended.
Our Children's Christmas Program for children was sponsored by Francisco Fiegelist and the local company Dynamus for the 3rd year in a row. 330 children up to age 11 registered and enjoyed games, biblical teaching, and gifts.
We celebrated the end of the calendar year for the Dorcas Sewing class. The participants made table cloths and bread wrappers from Christmas-themed fabric and decorated them with crocheted edging. It's been a good year of learning and growing in their faith.
The parents of the children in Let's Learn! had their final meeting at a dinner in C-Deco. We had a gift for each one of the parents who had accompanied their children in learning during the year.
We had the last parents' meeting for the year and it was wonderful to hear the parents expressing their gratitude for the progress their children had made during the year.
Dario shared with the parents on the subject of "Values." The screen says, "But to all who received Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12 This screen reads: "If you don't want to punish men, educate the children."
Today we signed an 20-year agreement with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church! They have taken the responsibility to "be and do" church in C-Deco. They will be send and support a pastoral couple to grow the church here and will build a building for the church. AFCI does not plant churches, we partner with other churches to strengthen and encourage them.
We are now able to begin to meet together for Bible Study with the young people! As you can see, we have 3 levels of study, helping them grow up in the Lord.
The August Chat for the parents of children in the Let's Learn! program choose the discussion theme for each month. This month it is "Respect." Each Chat has a game or dynamic to involve the participants in the topic. The message ties the game to the topic and then leads to discussion with the parents. This month, Dario gives the talk. Children from the area came to our celebration of Children's Day. Do you recognize Dario as Jack Sparrow?
Andres is continuing his service to the kids of the area by cutting their hair. Everyone feels better when their hair is cut. We are looking to help kids learn values of order in their lives that will make a difference when they are adults.
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TeamWe are a team of dedicated followers of Jesus Christ who long to see our neighbors blessed with the same joy and peace He has given us. Archives
September 2022
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