Monday, May 28, 2007

cartagena, part 3

Here are some more pictures from Cartagena and a local picture as well.
The first one here is of a guy that I met here. He sells these pictures and we ended up buying one after he offered me a good deal. We visited a while and talked about baseball, which was really nice. It turns out baseball is relatively popular in this part of Colombia, unlike Ecuador, so I was able to talk baseball with a couple of people and see parts of games on tv at the hotel. Speaking of baseball, here's a shot of a baseball field that I took there.
The next two pictures are of the main two cathedrals in Cartagena. The first one is of the main cathedral of Cartagena. The second one is dedicated to a local saint, Pedro Esclave, who helped protect and look after the local slaves. I think this information is correct, it may be the other way around but you wouldn't know the difference any way.
The last one here was taken in one of the local towns, Sangolqui. The larger sign is the name of the shop. The smaller sign on the left, says that they restore images and divine children. These are statues of baby Jesus or images of Mary or other Catholic saints. The clothes in the glass case are for the statues of baby Jesus or Mary. Some of these are for churches but many people will have these in their house as well. You can also get the latest released DVD's there at this shop as well. As I close, I ask you to pray for people that are depending on these statues and images for miracles or blessings. This is such a big issue here. Some say that these images/statues are there to help them remember the saint or holy person, but unfortunately it goes beyond that in many cases. Pray that many would pray and depend on God for miracles, blessings and most importantly-salvation.
Acts 17:24-27-'The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.'

Friday, May 25, 2007

Cartagena, part 2

Here's some more pictures from our time in Cartagena, Colombia. The first one is of a horse and carriage ride we went on. We met another couple at that time. At the end of this, I will share a prayer request related to this.
Here's a lady we saw on the historic center of Cartagena. They have a name for the ladies that do this and you have to pay to take their picture. The next picture is of tile street sign in the old part of the city.

The rest of the pictures are from the fort we saw there. This was a fort that the Spanish built in the 1600s. Cartagena is where they stored much of their gold and riches and they had the fort built to protect the city from pirates. There's a picture taken of us at the entrance to one of the tunnels that goes through the fort.
As I close, I want to share the prayer request related to the couple (Julio and Karla) we went with on the carriage ride. This story is kind of long but I'll make it short as possible. Well, the next day a large group from the hotel rode a boat out to a beautiful beach on an island. We stayed around the beach hanging out but Karla and Julio ended up going out scuba diving. Well, there was some kind of accident and Julio ended up dying. We're still not sure exactly what happened. We did have a chance to visit with Karla later that night and also have her contact info and called her last night. I just want to ask you all to pray for her and the family at this time. They were a young couple on their honeymoon. Just pray for God's peace at this time. We appreciate this very much. I will close for now and share more pictures from our trip later on.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Cartagena, Colombia-part 1

Well, here are some photos from our trip to Cartagena, Colombia. We really had a great time and have quite a few pictures from our time there. These first few are from a city tour that we went on. Cartagena is quite a modern city but with a lot of history. The first picture is of the view from the hotel. This is looking towards the beaches and the historic city center. The next two were also taken from the hotel. One is of the new part of Cartagena, called Bocagrande. The next one if of some guys that were working on a new hotel. The next picture is of some bouganvillea we saw on the way. They had so much of it there, along with other types of flowers. It was quite beautiful. The last two pictures we taken on the top of a hill in the city that has a chapel at the top dedicated to the Virgin of the Candelaria. This is a pilgrimage site but also has a great view of the city. There is a picture of some great friends we met on the trip and ended up spending a lot of time with them. We met them at the airport and it turns out they don't live too far from us. Their names are Leonardo and Ingrid. We were so glad to have met them and now have new friends to hang out with here as well. They are expecting a baby soon, so I ask that you pray for them and their little one that is on the way. I guess this is all for now. We have many more pictures to share as well.
Update-before our trip, we had a church planting conference. I want to say that went well and will have some pictures of it later on. A group of volunteers are in now from Oklahoma and things are going well with them. Keep praying for them and the work they are doing.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Horse ride & various

All we need now is a moon pie...

This is a pretty common sight.


Here's a picture of some of the folks from Libres Para Cristo (free for Christ). We wrote about them in our last prayer newsletter. They are a Christian charity that helps with drug addicts and alcoholics. They host a Bible study and that is going quite well. I ask that you pray for them; that God would continue to bless and use them.
The next three pictures are from a horse ride that I went on with friend Cesar and our guide Pepe. We had a great time but went out for about 4 hours. Needless to say, I was pretty saddlesore.

Here's a picture of some llamas we saw on the way. Pepe informed us that llamas and horses aren't great friends, so both were kind of nervous as we went by.

The last picture is of Cesar and Camila's daughter, Anna Maria with my hat. I ask you all to continue to pray for them. They are doing well but pray that God would provide for them and continue to reveal Himself to them.


As I close I want give a bit of an update. First, I ask you to pray for a conference that will be going on this weekend, Fri/Sat 11th and 12th. There are different church leaders and members that will be participating. Pray that everything goes well and that many will be drawn closer to God and His will for them.

I also want to let you all know that we'll be taking a little vacation next week. We'll be going to Cartagena, Colombia on the Caribbean for some r & r. Just pray that we have a good trip, a time to relax and see God's beauty in a new place. We won't be available to work on the blog or do much w/ email, but we'll be sure to share some pictures when we get back.
To close I want to share another favorite verse-
Titus 3:4-5a-"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy."
Pray that many will live in light of this kindness and mercy...

Friday, May 04, 2007

recent pictures

Here's some recent pictures that we wanted to share. I also wanted to share one final favorite passage from the book of Colossians. This first picture is of some roses in our garden. I wish you could smell these as well as see a picture of them. I also wish you could see our garden as well. We enjoy having it and working in it every now and then. We have roses, hibiscus, bouganvilla, a poinsettia bush, heliotrope, and geraniums. As far as edible stuff, we have chili peppers, bell peppers and a couple of citrus trees. There are a few other things but these are some of our favorites.
The next three pictures are from a town called Sangolqui that we spent on Saturday afternoon in with some friends. The first one is of Cesar, Anna Maria, Camila and Christine in the main plaza in front of the church. The next one is of the dome of the church on the backside of it.

Colossians 4:2-6-Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I (we) may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
As I share this verse about prayer, I want to share a prayer request with you all that involves a volunteer group that will coming here later this month (May 19-25). It is a group of college students from Florida. Pray that God will begin preparing them now and that He will use them. Also pray for the people they will be coming into contact with.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

another european final

Well, it looks like Liverpool is on their way to another Champions League final after beating Chelsea on penalties yesterday.
You'll never walk alone...