Friday, August 17, 2012

God's GOODNESS & FAITHFULNESS

      Upon returning back home here from being in the States on Furlough, the Lord was leading us to start a church plant. Last semester we had many frustrations when sharing with locals. When we were asked where we were attending church we had a hard time because we had it at the Bible College and we couldn't invite anyone because it's a closed campus. It was hard, so hard to explain that, without offending and what kind of witness is that for them to see. There is a Bible teaching church there in Cajamarca, about 20-30min. away by bus and for them that's not an option. People here want to walk and not have to pay for a bus or taxi to get there, so that was the other wall we kept running into. With all these obstacles the Lord had started prompting us to do something about that. Then the Bible College asked Ryan if he would teach Sunday services to the students this coming semester and Ryan said yes upon one thing, if we can find somewhere outside the Bible College so we can invite locals. They said it was fine. God did the rest. We thought of many options and looked all over for a large house were we can hold services but everyone we had shared with and talked to HIGHLY suggested to find a separate place, apart from your home to have it. And we felt a little unsettled about moving from our current house because we have started SO MANY relationships.  We have been sharing the gospel with all our Vecino's (neighbors) and I hated to have to move. The Lord has put us here in this location for a reason and we believed that the Lord wanted us to stay. 
We arrived back here in Banos on the 11th of July and the very next day we were heading to the Bible College and we drove by this Local and we saw a sign that said "Alquiler", which means for rent. It was on the main road and like a 20 second walk from our house!!! But one concern I had was I knew there was a  church somewhere very close by and we didn't want to move right next door to another church, we know that wouldn't be right, no matter how off their teaching is. When we went by to get the number to call to see what exact location it was, we realized it was right in the same spot where a church was and they had moved. Then we called the number and the nice women explained the details!! WOW!! You wouldn't believe it but the price for the building was almost the exact amount that someone gave us to use to "further the gospel" on a monthly basis for a year!! God is ALWAYS ahead of us and that's exactly where we want to be, ALWAYS!! We then met with the Landlord and she and her family are Christians and they are so EXCITED to have another church there, for them it was an answer to prayer. You see her sister lives on the left side of the building and she isn't saved and she has been praying for years that her sister would come to know Christ!! The last church was a bad witness to her and the owner is so excited to see if our testimony of Jesus will bring her sister to the :Lord.  All that the Lord is doing is SO SO beautiful!! Also, like that is enough to make you thank God, the owner, Rosanna, she is the Aunt of Leo and Leo is the 1st kids that took the "bait" form Ryan. You see, when we 1st moved here, our kids and us would play outside. Whenever we would be outside playing, all the kids would be shy and just sit and watch us. Upon MANY attempts inviting them to play soccer with us, one day Ryan kicked a ball to this kid, which was Leo. Then Leo kicked it back and from there it's been a HUG BLESSING ever since. To add, Leo and his family lives behind the church building.
      
      You see God had this ALL part of His plan ever since the beginning of time and I LOVE to see how He orchestrates it all, it simply BEAUTIFUL!! So many times we as fleshly, unworthy people try to figure things out on our own and attempt to "do things" BUT the Lord ONLY does it perfect. We need to sit back and wait upon Him and allow Him to take us through this life by His MIGHTY and GENTLE hands. We need to know that tings don't just come by sitting back on our rumps doing nothing, we NEED to be in prayer and in His word. We need to be thriving towards what He has in store for us.

2 comments:

  1. Oh what a beautiful thing to be in the hands of the living God! What an amazing and awesome story of how God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Thanks so much for sharing this Nicole! Love u guys..praying for God's divine wisdom and appointments!

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  2. Sooooooo cool to read what God is doing in your lives because you're following HIS heart!!! Very excited for you and your family. Much love and blessing to you all on your adventures with the Lord. Keep up the great work Nicole. xoxo Julie

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