We were greatly blessed at the District Women’s Convention of the South Central Hispanic District of the A/G which was held Thursday through Saturday, September 1-3 in the Westin Park Central hotel in Dallas, Texas. 440 ladies registered and the attendance surpassed that number. More important, though, was the precious presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst which was patently present in a marvelous way in all of the services.  It was my privilege to be able to speak to such an outstanding audience of women so dedicated to the cause of Christ and missionary work in their churches, sections and District. I addressed the congregation at the Missions Banquet at noon on Friday where there was a missionary parade with colorful flags of many nations.  Later on Saturday morning Cyndie and I spoke at the breakfast for the “Mujeres Virtuosas” (Virtuous Women), an organization dedicated and completely focused on missions. It was attended by the leaders of the different sections of the SCHD District, where they honored those who had participated in raising missionary offerings and setting goals for next year.   A heart-felt Thank you, sisters, for such significant support with your indispensable intercessory prayers and your generous offerings which form such an important part of our missionary ministry.

Fuimos grandemente bendecidos en la Convención de Damas del South Central Hispanic District de las Asambleas de Dios que se celebró el jueves al sábado, el 1 al 3 de septiembre en el hotel Westin Park Central en  Dallas, Texas. 440 mujeres registraron para la convención y la asistencia superó ese número. Más importante fue la preciosa presencia del Espíritu Santo en medio nuestro que se hizo notar de forma maravillosa en las reuniones. Fue un privilegio poder dirigirme a la delegación de tales mujeres tan entregadas a la labor de misiones en sus iglesias y distrito en el banquete de misiones al mediodía del viernes. Luego el sábado Cyndie y yo compartimos en el desayuno de las “Mujeres Virtuosas”, una organización dedicada a la obra misionera, asistido por las líderes de las distintas secciones del Distrito SCHD, y donde honraron la participación de las mismas en sus ofrendas misioneras. Gracias, hermanas, por el apoyo tan significante, sus ofrendas generosas y sus oraciones intercesoras, que forman una parte tan importante de nuestro ministerio misionero.

El domingo 28 de agosto por la mañana tuvimos el honor de llenar el púlpito de la iglesia 1st Assembly of God en Giddings, Texas, mientras los pastores aprovechar para tomar unas bien merecidas vacaciones. Predicamos un mensaje misionero y representamos nuestro ministerio y la necesidad del mismo además de testimonios inspiracionales acerca de lo que el Espíritu de Dios está obrando en varias partes del mundo incluyendo a Cuba donde Global University ha matriculado más de 4.000 ministros en su programa de Licenciatura en Teología y Biblia. Cyndie también compartió en el culto para los niños y hubo una acogida y respuesta preciosa. Esta iglesia respalda a nuestro ministerio y son socios nuestros en misiones.

Después del culto, la directora de misiones para la iglesia junto con su marido y otra pareja de ancianos e instructor bíblico nos llevaron a un restaurante mejicano “Los Patrones” donde nos gozamos con una conversación edificante y comida deliciosa.

Después viajamos hasta la ciudad de Austin, Texas, a la iglesia Hornsby Bend A/G donde Carl y Loretta Goericke sirven con co-pastores. Aunque no sea una iglesia muy grande, nos respaldan fielmente de forma mensual con sus ofrendas. Nos invitaron compartir acerca de nuestra misión, de lo cual forman parte, en un culto dedicado exclusivamente a las canciones congregacionales e intervenciones particulares con música especial.

Después del culto todos compartimos de la comida que había preparado miembros de la congregación. Llegamos 2 horas antes del
culto donde nos recibieron con brazos abiertos y pudimos descansar y compartir de forma personal. Gracias, Hornsby Bend A/G y pastores Goericke. Esta iglesia nos a apoyado con sus finanzas la mayor parte de los 44+ años que hemos servido como misioneros en ultramar. La cantidad mensual no ha sido mucha, pero a lo largo de los años representa un tesoro y las oraciones y amistad no tiene precio.

On Sunday morning August 28th we had the honor of filling the pulpit at First Assembly of God in Giddings, Texas, while the pastors were away on a well-deserved vacation. We preached a missionary sermon and represented our ministry and need as well as the inspirational accounts of what God is doing in various parts of the world including Cuba where Global University has enrolled over 4,000 ministers in our B.A. in Theology program. Cyndie shared in Children’s Church and there was a precious response. This church is one of our faithful supporters and partners in missions. After church the missions director and her husband along with a wonderful couple who are in leadership in the church took us out and treated us to a terrific Mexican meal at Los Patrones in Giddings. We had a very enjoyable time of sharing and fellowship.

We then proceeded to Austin, Texas, to Hornsby Bend A/G where Carl & Loretta Goericke serve as senior co-pastors. Although not a large church, they support our ministry monthly, and they invited us to share in a missions “window” in the middle of their Sunday night Sing-along and a pot luck supper afterward. We arrived 2 hours before the service where they received us with open arms and we had a delightful time sharing and resting before the service. Thank you Hornsby Bend A/G and pastors Goericke. This  church has supported us most of our 44+ years as foreign missionaries. The amount has not been much, but over the years it has amounted to a treasure and the prayers support and friendship is priceless!

COMMUNITY GROUNDS COFFEE SHOP is the location of the multicultural urban church in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, Heights A/G pastored by Dan and Terri Thompson. Many years ago, Cyndie was a part of this church when it was People’s Church in Minneapolis. Some of the members from that era were there on Sunday morning when we ministered and shared our heart and missions ministry. The church has “re-invented” itself and is successfully reaching out to a multicultural & multiethnic community in a very effective way. We sincerely felt the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in the house and the genuine love of the members of the congregation and especially felt a kindred spirit with pastor Dan and his beautiful wife Terri. Terri had actually met my twin brother Doug when he was a missionary in Paris, France. A classmate of Cyndie’s from Coon Rapids High School (1966) came to visit us there. We were delighted that the Piper family, Crystal and Marin and their two precious girls made the effort to travel all the way from Burnside, MN (south Minneapolis) in order to visit us the church. Marin & Crystal were a part of the church where we served as elders and mentors to the pastors in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Iglesia Evangélica El Hogar Cristiano. What a flood of precious memories. I especially appreciate brother Dan ever since I met him several years ago when he was teaching a great series on Church History in the Fridley A/G church, Emmanuel Christian Center. Pastor Thompson also serves as a professor at North Central University (A/G) in Minneapolis. The church supported us for many years. Thanks you Pastor Dan and Terri!