We finished the first stage in the reconstruction of the church. It cost $250, which is what we were given extra this month to do what we needed to do. The reconstruction right now is mainly concerned with the roof which has cracks all over. It was very poorly done to begin with and now has to be drastically (and very expensively) redone. After this first stage of $250, we have to pay about another $2500 to finish the 2nd stage of fixing the roof completely. I don't know how in the world we can do it without a lot of help from our supporting churches. It will take years and years for the people to raise enough money to do it--I would estimate at least 8-10 years. So, we're praying fervently and effectually for the money. The people are giving from their heart already, which is covering the normal expenses of the church (gasoline, water, electric, propane, bathroom supplies, cleaning supplies, etc). So we are praying God would supply the needed $$ from our regular giving in our church here in Mexico by God sending more people to the church. First for them to get saved and live for God, and then for God to touch their hearts to give as unto The Lord to fix up the church. It would help to have help from our supporting churches but more than anything I would love to build up our church with people that have a heart to give themselves to God, first, and then give from their wallet! :)
So, please pray with us that God would build our church and that while we do our job here in Mexico God would touch hearts in both Mexico and the US to help us rebuild God's house here in Arteaga.
Days (daze?) in the life of Chris Lanier and Family, Missionaries to Arteaga, Mexico. Contact Information, Information Packet and Prayer Letter Archive below!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Baby Dedication
We had our first baby/child dedication last Sunday morning! It went great. We dedicated our son Charley, and then another couple's 2 children. One of them is turning 4 in 2 weeks and the other is Ashley's age. Ashley was already dedicated to The Lord, but we re-dedicated her as well. Attendance was good as well, with several first time visitors. After the dedication, we had a luncheon and then the afternoon service directly afterwards. After the 2nd service I had all the bus-kids to help me load the trailer full of chairs to take to another church in Saltillo, then took everyone home.
I had to run a few errands and finish preparing for the other church service in Saltillo, then we left with the trailer and picked up 2 kids that are well behaved to reward them (yes, we reward kids with godly rewards, like bringing them with us to special church occasions).
The other church service was an anniversary and they had invited me to preach. We all had a great time--I always enjoy preaching and this was no exception. The attendance at this other like-minded, independent/fundamental baptist church was great. The music was good and I suppose the preaching was good! :)
Afterwards we had a great supper and enjoyed a good time of fellowship. I enjoyed fellowshipping especially with a man I led to Christ there a couple months ago, who is faithful to church and growing very well.
It's been a good week but very exhausting. We had company Friday but it was a little different because they came to our house very early in the morning. After a couple hours, we packed up and went to register Charley (this has to be done after a baby is born here in Mexico--to be honest I don't really know what it's for other than to publicly register the child, like in the US when you apply for a SSN). Afterwards, we went to lunch with our guests, dropped them off and then went grocery shopping. It was funny--we had to wait until Monday because we were really "stretched" financially and we didn't have much at all in the fridge except ketchup, and then we came home with too many groceries to fit!
The rest of the week is preparation for Sunday. Tomorrow we're dedicating to stamping Bibles, New Testaments, John/Romans and Tracts and to prayer for the people of our church and the neighborhood where we've been dedicating our time. Also we have to pay several bills and run some errands. Friday I'll be studying and preparing all day, then Saturday will be the final push of the week in evangelization and prayer.
Sunday we're expecting great things from God!
I had to run a few errands and finish preparing for the other church service in Saltillo, then we left with the trailer and picked up 2 kids that are well behaved to reward them (yes, we reward kids with godly rewards, like bringing them with us to special church occasions).
The other church service was an anniversary and they had invited me to preach. We all had a great time--I always enjoy preaching and this was no exception. The attendance at this other like-minded, independent/fundamental baptist church was great. The music was good and I suppose the preaching was good! :)
Afterwards we had a great supper and enjoyed a good time of fellowship. I enjoyed fellowshipping especially with a man I led to Christ there a couple months ago, who is faithful to church and growing very well.
It's been a good week but very exhausting. We had company Friday but it was a little different because they came to our house very early in the morning. After a couple hours, we packed up and went to register Charley (this has to be done after a baby is born here in Mexico--to be honest I don't really know what it's for other than to publicly register the child, like in the US when you apply for a SSN). Afterwards, we went to lunch with our guests, dropped them off and then went grocery shopping. It was funny--we had to wait until Monday because we were really "stretched" financially and we didn't have much at all in the fridge except ketchup, and then we came home with too many groceries to fit!
The rest of the week is preparation for Sunday. Tomorrow we're dedicating to stamping Bibles, New Testaments, John/Romans and Tracts and to prayer for the people of our church and the neighborhood where we've been dedicating our time. Also we have to pay several bills and run some errands. Friday I'll be studying and preparing all day, then Saturday will be the final push of the week in evangelization and prayer.
Sunday we're expecting great things from God!
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