Brendan spent this morning peeling potatoes and serving a meal to 150 orphans at a local AIDS widows and orphan ministry run by our friend Chrissy. Afterwards all the children were given a box of treats and a sweater to bring home. Brendan was very pleased to be able to serve.
We would like to wish all our family and friends a joyful Christmas holiday and a New Year filled with God's blessings. We will put out a newsletter in the New Year and let you know how our Christmas in
In Christ,
Patrick, Valerie, Joel and Brendan
A warm welcome to all the folks who joined our Google Groups to get regular updates about what is happening with the Vineyard in
Esperance has recently completed a course in basket weaving. This is a sample of some of her work. We want to help her get set up with her own business in the New Year. The basket with the lid is woven from very fine Aloe Vera fiber, takes about a week to make and sells for $10 here in
Here are 2 ladies from our church getting ready to go to an orientation class to learn to teach literacy. The classes are organized by a missionary friend who allowed us to plug in some of our people. We hope to have a few more ladies join the first teacher's class in March. There are many adults in the church who want to learn to read and write. Meanwhile the local authorities have asked if they can use our building to start their own literacy classes. We are more than happy to oblige as so many in the community will benefit.
On Saturday September 22 we baptized 15 new believers. We gathered at 10 a.m. at the ‘
On Sunday morning we had 10 people give their testimonies and it was a powerful time of sharing. Many talked of being set free from alcohol and drug abuse. One man said that after years of being known as ‘drunkard’ he is now known as ‘born again one’ after 1 year of being dry. Another man said that he was made to feel important by Antoine who visited him in his home and ministered to him. He had never found this personal interest in him from a Christian before and after many months of being free of alcohol and drug abuse has now built a house on a plot of land he owned. Another told us of the criminal activities he was involved in and on September 22, 2005 was sent to jail. While in jail his wife became a Christian through our church and began a home group in her house. He began to seek God in prison and was released early on September 22, 2006. When he arrived home and found that his wife had become a Christian and was hosting a small group in their house, he saw this as a confirmation from God that He was really reaching out to him. On September 22, 2007 he and his wife were baptized and the joy of the Lord just flows out of them. There were many other testimonies and great applauds and shouts of joy were heard. It was like Psalm126 come to life.
When the Lord brought back the captives to
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
He, who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,
Carrying sheaves with him.
Already classes have begun again with 5 candidates for the next baptism ceremony which will take place in December.
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