We have had the opportunity to see souls surrender their lives to God and above all to see them happy in obeying the gospel of Christ. We continue to preach, we continue to teach, we continue to sow, we continue to meet more people, to invite more, to greet many and to invite them to Christ. The work continues, Disciples of Christ must make more disciples, it is a work that God always mentioned to His disciples. Preaching, speaking, of Christ should not be a sense of fear, it should be a sense of pride and worth. Paul said on many occasions phrases that we need to remember today: Romans 1:16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes… Paul said on another occasion 2 Corinthians 11:28 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. There is no doubt that Paul strove to tell others about Christ even to his friends and non-friends. The gospel belongs to everyone, the gospel is power to save. I say all this because it encourages knowing that there are people who still want to obey and know the truth. Many times, they do not listen to us, many times one waters the seed, and we continue to water the seed (the word of God), and it is great how faith can germinate in them. Willing people are those who hear and understand the need to obey the gospel. In these months the church has been very happy to be witnesses and to see how souls join the kingdom, the church of the Lord. I know I haven't been able to update what happened at Christ Church in St. Louis, MO due to many activities and previous mission. But here is a recapitalization of August and September. Evangelism These months we have had many brothers in need of spiritual help, and people who are visiting us and you see that they struggle mentally when comparing the scriptures with those they used to do in their religions. The gospel and truth have power for those who are loyal and fear God and His scriptures. These past few days we have been encouraging the brethren. Just as we see being born by the obedience of the gospel in the other side some are being troubled in the world. It is difficult to see when the enemy persists in disuniting the flock of God, we can only trust in God, praying, preaching, and encouraging with the scriptures to strengthen us in the Lord Jesus. Please if you can include us in your prayers for the brethren for the faith in church, for strength and encouragement in their decisions. This month we have had the wonderful opportunity to see more souls through the obedience of the gospel. Here are some details of these baptisms. July 30 Valentino, He was visiting the church and after pm service. He asked me more questions about the church, and we got to the point of baptism. I asked him if he knew the biblical word gospel. Answering in many ways, he finally acknowledged that he did not. At that time, I told him that we were going to study more soon. He immediately told me that he wanted to know about the gospel now. When we study and explained it to him, he decided to obey him. I remember very well the words he said: If I do not obey him today, I am doing nothing. Please pray for him, Our brother Leo has been bringing him in his car to the services, but when he was looking for work, he was interacting with the text group and sending messages from other religions. By explaining some biblical reasons why it is not the same as other religions practices and teach. He got a little struggling decided to leave the group text and also he got discouraged so much that he has stopped meeting with us. But we continue praying that he may have more time to understand the truth and leave what he had been taught for many years in his past religion. The members do not understand how someone can leave the church so soon. But we have encouraged the group sometimes people leave the truth. Also, even the brethren of the church have encouraged him in the Lord to understand more about the truth. We continuing to pray for him and for other brothers who have strayed from faith in God. Here are the other baptisms. Franklin Tuesday, August 1 Elizabeth Wednesday, August 2 Briana Wednesday, August 9 God bless his church, may it always be glorified, and may he continue to help us preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Communion We continue with the activities with the congregation, we have had meetings and celebrated the birthdays of the months of August and September. The church, despite suffering difficulties, but we are always continuing to be united, studying and understanding the word of God. The men continue to collaborate in the meetings and have been growing spiritually. By celebrating in June, we have been motivating the church to think that what we want to add more in our activities the comings days. They have decided to go out and do more evangelism in a group. We talk that the last Saturday of each month we are going to invite people to church. The ladies request to have Ladies’ Bible classes. We have all decided that on Wednesdays from November to December we will be receiving separate classes, men and ladies bible classes. This encourages me very much, that the church continues to develop on the needs that exist in ministry. This will further help both groups learn more explicit topics about home, growth, and service to God. We also were excited that in the month of August, we were able to invite over a few different days, all the families of the church to eat in our home and fellowship together. Each family that was able to make it really had a good time eating and fellowshipping together. We were also planning to eat fry fish, since March. The men have never been able to get together to fish together. But this time it became true, a group of men went to fish. Well, in the end of the day Noah represented us well with a tremendous fish. We had a great time together, but we still lack fish. We have about thirteen to fry. I am deeply grateful to the family who shared their goods to allow us to fish on their property. Thanks a lot! Here are some photos from that afternoon. Extra-mile This September, we were invited to the celebration of the 10 year of the Spanish ministry in Great Oaks Church of Christ in Memphis TN. It was a wonderful experience, arriving in the city where we we were invited by brothers to spend on Saturday afternoon with them. As time passes, I was that some are already growth spiritually and some already are married with have babies. Everything was wonderful and it was memorable moment. On Sunday morning the Church was worshipping God in two languages one faith convincing services together and bringing memories from 10 years ago. My topic that morning was: Are you ready to be home? It was a great time worshiping together with church friends and more. God bless their successes and goals in that city and the unity in Christ Jesus our Savior. This coming October we will be traveling to Honduras for our second activity of the year at the churches of Christ in Cañada and San Miguel. Everything is ready, brothers from Nashville and Memphis will travel to Honduras also to be able to serve the community and the churches of Christ in those communities. Please pray for us, for protection, and strength to continue preaching every day there in the mission and, we may find souls who fear God and obey the gospel of Christ. We will be a work team of evangelisms from USA, Nicaragua, Honduras. I hope in the Lord Jesus that everything will go as He desires and guide us to where He has souls and homes ready to hear the truth. Family This month, we had a family memory, the Roques traveled to Colorado to spend some time in family and enjoy the beautiful views and natures that God created in this country. Especially in Colorado. We were in the home of one of Christ's family, (which I appreciate very much the lodging and attention to us, God bless them in everything) It was beautiful, to be able in this year to enjoy together and spend time with family. Seeing my kids happy and doing new things in Colorado was memorable. I have in my mind and heart many images of how father I will never erase. Since children grow fast and it is convenient to achieve time to spend with family. We were all blessed by God and met new brothers in Christ in the church of Christ in Colorado as well. Here are some pictures of our trip looking for new memories with my children and wife. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunities you give us to be in family. Here are some photos. Please, if you can include us for a few seconds and mention of us in your prayers to our God, who will take care of us, give us strength and wisdom to continue the way of the Lord and be able to always be with strength to continue preaching the gospel to every creature.
0 Comments
It is wonderful how people or communities share the affection and love in those who proclaim the truth of Christ. We went out with nothing to the communities and there was always in their hands something to eat, coffee or soda, bananas to take away. They received us with a lot of love and kindness. They remind me of Jesus' words: Matthew 10:10-14 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. A lot to say and there are many details to explain about the past month of July. The mission to mogotes, Yoro Honduras was a good experience full of challenges and teachings, there is no doubt that when we come together to serve God, God always helps us to carry something valuable in the heart. Evangelism in Mogotes Honduras It was wonderful when we went out to visit homes that were hearing the truth for the first time, about worship, about church, about Christ, about baptism. We had an evangelism of more than 140 houses were evangelized and about 160 people learned about the baptism and the truth Gospel of Christ and His Church. (I heard also during our activities, that many leaders went in some houses when we door knocking also. These leaders talk to their members about us and to not receiving or attending to our activities. Until todays when we left mogotes they start having evangelism to block the seeds planted in their hearts. This remained me when Paul went to Berea in Acts 17:13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. This made me uncomfortable, but during that week, seeing people coming to our meetings every day of gospel meetings to hear the work of God is relief. During the week we had a count a total of 126 people between children, youth, and local adults. Not counting the teamwork that was every day around 40 ish. We were 6 groups doors knocking all day, we also had a pre-clinic of two afternoons. Our doctor checked around 130 people (kids, adults and youth) each day for two days between 1 pm to 3 pm. It is amazing how she (the doctor) with her love and kindness helped the community, she even was asked if she wanted to stop and she even ask to let more people in even I can more ... Even when she was eating , people came to her and asked her if she was able to visit their home to check the sicks. and she always went to their homes. All 40ish brothers and sisters working together with same desire to win soul to proclaim the church of Christ and preach the true gospel of Christ. A soul responded, decided to obey the Gospel of Christ. that soul was added to the gospel of Christ, praise be the Lord our God. New land We had our first worship in the new land, it has been almost 3 years since starting (at Juanita's house) the members and children were very happy to know that they have a place that identifies them as the church of Christ in the local community. (Thank you to the donors who felt in their hearts, despite not knowing them in mogotes. And understanding the needs in the kingdom. The local brothers and sisters worked hard to clean and be able to put plastic covers for the meetings with the preachers. They helped and came together to put their skills together to have their first service on Sunday. That Sunday was the first meeting was held in that land, everyone was happy worshiping together seeing the mountains and praising our God. Gratitude:
I thank our almighty God who makes his plans possible in the face of every obstacle. I thank God for everyone who went on this trip, I thank Arnold's brothers and west end brothers for their love in cooperating with medicines, donations for children and adults and for children's classes. I thank the brothers who shared their goods to be able to access a land to serve God in that place and the community. I thank my in-laws, who although two of my children could not travel they were able to take care of our children during this mission trip. I thank the Spanish-speaking brothers who made the meetings during my absence (We are very proud of them) I thank my Roque family from Honduras for their multi-work they do to make the missions a reality. I thank everyone who prayed for us, believe me your prayers helped us a lot in everything from departure and return. I thank the elders of Arnold's church for their faith, love for souls who were able to sponsor this mission trip in their needs. I thank Arnold's brothers who donated for the mission trip for their mission needs. I thank the group that traveled to Honduras, mentalized to serve and love every day the brothers and the community. I thank the brothers of mogotes for their love and affection for us. I thank our preachers from Honduras and Nicaragua that came and help us to preach and serve the community. I thank a new missionary leader who was born during this mission, he has the attitude of a spiritual warrior, and a noble heart, Zack Curry. For everything he did as a leader in command of the mission and all the needs. I can't wait to continue working with everybody again to preach the gospel, praising His name, and serving the communities again. In Christ Jesus our Lord and savior. |
AuthorElias and Kristi Roque have been married for 9 years and during this time have planted/grown 4 congregations. They have 4 boys 7 and under working alongside them. Archives
April 2024
Categories |