What our 4th of July looked like!

Dear Everybody,

Of course today was the 4th of July but for us in Chile, it was just another Sunday. We did wake up to very stormy weather. The roads were flooded and the temperatures very cool outside. We didn't expect very many people in church since most walk to the service.

This morning we worshipped with our church in Conaripe. If you were to stop by for a visit you would notice many similarities with your own church services in the US. We sang hymns and choruses. We had a time of prayer and sharing. Then we divided into our Sunday School classes. The adults and young people stay in the main room and the kids go with their teacher to another class.

Danny has been preaching through the book of Ephesians. We are now nearing the end of the study after a whole year. Today we learned about the armor of God which is found in Ephesians chapter 6.

After the preaching time, the kids come back to the main auditorium and share what they learned in their class. We are thankful for a young lady from the Bible Intsitute, Pamela, who comes and teaches the kids. They shared a song and their verse for the week.

After the service we had a potluck. This is where the similarities become more scarce. Some brought meat and others salads and deserts. Most of the food was warmed on the only source of heat for the building: a wood stove!

No drinks were served except for "mate" for the adults and some warmed up chocolate milk for the kids. is a crushed, loose tea served in a little tin cup.

They pour hot water into the cup, along with a teaspoon of sugar and sip the liquid trough a special metal straw. Two "mates"got passed around with the meal.

Pamela, Matthias, Micah and Cesar

As we ate and fellowshipped we could hear the wind howling around and through the church floorboards and walls. One definately has to dress with layers to stay warm during the service!

Keep praying for the work in Conaripe. Because of past sin and neglect, the church now needs much prayer and sound teaching to start over again and grow.

Will you pray with us?

Liz