Two Birthdays

As I celebrated my birthday this past week, many friends and family blessed me with thoughtful gifts and greetings.  Colleagues Pat and Garry Cruce came from Lima to spend a long weekend with us.  The ladies of the Tarma Shalom church brought presents and a cake to share.  Modesto from the Nuevo Eden church invited us for a meal of fresh trout from his fish farm.

Saturday evening at small group at Sonya and Anibal's house they brought out another cake.  But his time we were celebrating two birthdays.  We weren't just celebrating the anniversary of my physical birth, but also the spiritual birthday of Sonya's friend Iris.  Earlier that evening I'd had the privilege of praying with Iris to help her be "reborn" in Jesus Christ.  Now that's something to celebrate!

Sunday school kick-off

Sunday school kick-off, a set on Flickr.

We're in the new building! Well, almost. The sanctuary was finished enough to hold Sunday school there this past Sunday morning. They organized a welcome party with lots of games and snacks. Forty-one kids came and 12 of them were first-time visitors. We're hoping to finish the classrooms and the light installations in the sanctuary for an inaugural service this weekend, but they've run into a few snags and it might not be possible. Thanks for your prayers for all the finishing touches. We know this building will be a blessing to many - it already has!