Prayer Retreat

This weekend 31 people from our churches (including babies) went for a weekend retreat to seek God's face in prayer. People trickled in on Friday night after work and we stayed until Sunday afternoon. On Friday evening we focused in on Mark 6:31 and expressed to God our desire just to be with him and rest in him.

On Saturday morning after a time of worship and prayer we separated and spent a good time alone with God and John 6:24-69. Later we came back together and shared with each other what God was saying to us through his Word. This was followed by a good time of corporate prayer and worship. In our afternoon session we had a good time of interceding for each other as several people expressed prayer needs regarding personal and family growth issues. We gathered around each one and lifted them up before God's throne of grace. This was a very powerful time as God touched people at their point of need. Saturday evening we celebrated the Lord's Supper together.

Also, on Saturday we had special activities for the children. Jerilyn took the youngest children for the day to Bethel Church where they had a great time and also did a craft – making and coloring a book about how to and what we can pray for. Our son Joel took the younger teens and spent the day in Salem, mostly at our daughter Jessie’s house.

On Sunday morning after a time of singing praises we separated into family groups and parents and their children had a good time of praying together - hopefully starting a tradition that will continue at home. We all agreed that we wanted to have another prayer retreat soon - maybe in 6 months or so. God is good. This weekend was truly a blessing!

Some pictures:




We met in this log house close to Amity, Oregon. Thank you Lee and Irene!





Praying and worshipping together.



Time alone in God's Word.

Everyone agrees - all day in prayer can be very tiring. This is our beautiful granddaughter, Citlali Rose.

This group picture was unfortunately taken after 3 families had already left.

Carne Asada Outreach

Every year for the last 4 or 5 we have offered a free meal and game night after our regular worship service in Jefferson. Carne Asada (barbequed beef) is one of the favorite meals on the Mexican menu. This year's turnout was a little disappointing as we had only about 40-45 visitors -- way down from last year. BUT... we had a great time and we had 40-45 visitors to church!

Here are a few pictures:

Serving up the good stuff!


Children and ice cream go together.


The kids enjoyed the lesson and the craft.


The men played basketball and soccer.

Cleanup went faster because everyone pitched in.

Negritas Needs Prayer

Please pray for those we sent back to Negritas, Mexico. It has been four months now since 11 of the people from our ministry in Oregon returned to Mexico to reach their small community and the surrounding communities for Christ. Of those we sent back one has left the faith entirely for now (peer pressure is very great there). Three others are waning in their ferver for seeking God and reaching the community. Those who are remaining strong are suffering persecution and other attacks of the enemy.



On the positive side, there are at least two new believers in Jesus who are reading the Bible faithfully and growing in Christ. Victoriano has stopped drinking and instead reads his Bible throughout the day. Reina, an unwed mother of an infant, has also trusted in Jesus and is reading her Bible every day.


Lupe and Leticia are very encouraged that new people have visited the church and several are interested in having a home Bible study.
Francisco and Maria



Please pray for the believers in Negritas: Lupe, Leticia, Fidencio, Dul, Francisco, Modesta, Reina, Jose Alfredo, Victoriano, Reyes, Itzel, and Andy.