Sunday June 13th, 2010

Here is an updated picture of us all. We're missing 5 members (Jorge, Javier, Sebastián, Amy, and Alejandro.). They were out getting food for the pot luck OR taking the picture :).
The Lord has blessed us with two new young couples. Nelson and Marisel with their 1 year old daughter, Daniela. And Andrés and his wife Cyntia and their son Máximo also one year old( at the bottom left next to Jillian).
These two couples are looking for a church where they can be taught the truth from the Scriptures and consistantly.
Please pray that the Lord would lead them, giving them wisdom and if He is pleased to be a part of Monte de Luz.

Our Kids
left to right & top to bottom
Joaquin, Maximo, Tomi, Jillian
Antonella, Jeremias, Florencia
(this picture is missing Micaela and Daniela)


This will give you an idea of our location. We are in the middle of a neighborhood. There are several Kioscs/ma&pop stores near us, but mostly residential areas. Behind the church about 2 streets over there is a large Catholic church and school. And right in front of the church there is a Bus stop, which makes things convenient for those who might come from a little farther out that don't have cars. However most of our church memebers live within 10 blocks of the church. As you can see though, there are a lot of oppertunities to get into the lives of families and share the Gospel with them.

25 de Mayo

This year Argentina celebrates it's 200th Anniversery from the day that they first declared independance from Spain.

Several of members from the church traveled to "Córdoba Capital" to join Centro Crecer Church together with Pastor Sam Masters and the other beloved brothers and sisters there. We had a wonderful time enjoying music, dance, and some good "Locro" (the traditional food for all national holidays) and Empanadas.

Easter

We had a special service planned for Easter this year. Including a traditional chorizo sandwich and fellowship after the service. But as we invited all of our friends and varios contacts, we realized that most people spend their holidays with their family.
Easter, culturally is a time to spend with family, not eat meat, and have lots of chocolate eggs. Some talk of Easter as a time to "connect with the great Energy" and others spend their weekend wearing black and mourning the death of Christ. For most of the catholics in Carlos Paz, it's a time to serve their time in the church mass in the evening, be a good person, and then party come night fall.
However, this year we did see much more pre-disposition from our friends to come and attend the service at church with us. We had one friend, Daniela, come and others who really wanted to, but were unable because of famiy engagements.
We praise God that we have the Resurrection and Life to preach every week and not just during Lent, Holy Week, or Easter Sunday.

"Lord let your judgment pass over us, Lord, Let your love hover near,so don't let your sweet mercy passover us, Lord, Let this blood cover over us here."

New Name.... Same People

As you can see by the title of the blog we've changed the church name.
This change has come about for several reasons.
The primary reason being that there are several other "Mision de la Gracia"'s in Argentina and throughout Latin America of varying faiths ranging from Catholic to Pentocostal. So in efforts to have a distinguished name and not confused with other confessions we've chosen a new identity.

By a congregational majority vote we've come to the name " Monte de Luz", which translated means something like, "Light on a Hill Church" taken from the passage in Matthew 5 that really describes our vision and mission as a church the best:

14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Pastor Jorge Molina

Back to School Night

Back to School Night: Well... it wasn't exactly what I'd call a "success". BUT, I think it really served for people to begin to know who we are and WHERE we are.
It's the first of many "table talk" nights we plan to have.
This past sunday we took the school supply bags that we had prepared for the Back to School night and delivered them to kids in the neighborhood, community, and other personal contacts that we had. They were really well recieved, the kids LOVED everything inside, and I think left a wonderful testimony of God's generosity with us!

Thank you all for your prayers, and please keep praying that the Lord would use us to expand His kindome, for His glory!

ps. I'll upload some pictures in a few days.

Who We Are Part 3

Verónica Molina

Verónica is 36 and single. She works in Dental Sales. She's wonderful with children and one of our Sunday School teachers. She loving serves the church with her humble acts of service and her heart for the kids in our church.
Gimena Molina (left)

Gimena is 26 and single. She is our violinist and pianist when Claudio isn't there. She's translated a few hymns on occassion. She's in her 2nd year of studying music in the University and works at a local CD store. Her musical talent is such a blessing to the church!