Saturday, January 11, 2014

Happy New Year!!!



Although it is a new year, I must rewind a little to share some of the highlights of the end of 2013. Towards the end of November, we were able to have a baptismal service for three of our church people - Karine, Ricardo, and Henrique. What a joy to hear their testimonies! Of the three, only one has a family who is saved and attends church. Please be in prayer for these three individuals - that they will continue to grow in the knowledge of who Christ is and become more conformed into His image. Besides having a baptismal service, we were able to have a wonderful time of fellowship with our church people.





Click on the link for more photos!
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll262/futbolnut/Baptistmal%20Service%202013/1422496_10202659556115634_2145575346_n.jpg


In December, we had our Adopt a Child progrm that went very well. The building was literally packed full of children and their parents. How rewarding to see these people hear the gospel! True, we are unsure as to if anyone accepted Christ as their Savior, but at least the seed was planted and God CAN work in their lives. Just thankful Redemption Baptist Church could have a part in His work.

Click on the link for more photos!
http://s290.photobucket.com/user/futbolnut/library/Adopt%20a%20Child?page=1

 Besides this program, we were able to have our own small Christmas Cantata at our church. What a joy to see several people come out to church! The theme of our songs was "Jesus, Our Treasure". I also thank God for the opportunity to teach children's church in the month of December.!  My lessons were over the Advent/Coming of Christ and how all the stories in the Old Testament point to Christ’s coming to earth as a baby to later on taking the place on the cross for you and me. What has stood out to me in these lessons is how He magistrates each part and character to show His plan, but also uses insignificant people to play a huge part in His story. How encouraging to know that God isn’t wanting great or talented people to minister for Him; instead, He wants people who are daily yielding to Him and will leave all to follow Him.



















Click on the link for more photos!http://s290.photobucket.com/user/futbolnut/slideshow/Christmas%20cantata

Now for the New Year, I just began teaching the adolescent class on Wednesday nights. The theme is China & The Life of Hudson Taylor. Our theme verse is Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first , and also to the Greek." Along with the theme verse, they will be memorizing the Romans Road. Please pray that God get a hold of these adolescents and that if someone is unsaved, he will accept Christ as His Savior. Please also pray for those that are saved to see the need to live a life separate from the world and a life truly devoted to Him. So thankful for the  four adolescents that went to a Christan camp called "Soldiers for Christ" on the 20th-25th. Please pray for these four - Guilhereme, Henrique, Ricardo, and Daniel - that they would continue to seek God every day through reading their Bibles and praying. 

My final prayer request would be for Redemption Baptist Church as it continues being organized that God be at the focus of everything we do. A couple of weeks ago, we had our official second business meeting on electing a Vice President, Treasurer, &  Secretary for the church. How exciting to see it coming together! However, it can also cause us to be anxious and look inward for help. But, pray we continue looking to God for direction, guidance, and wisdom. Especially as in the next months several of the men will be looking around for property that we could purchase since the rent on the building we are now in has gone up quite a bit and we want to be using our money wisely, as well as, move forward. 

Thank you again for all your prayers and continual support! 

In Christ,
Rachel Taylor