Monday, September 15, 2008

Sharon's Testimony

I grew up in a family of nothing but alcohol, drugs, mental and physical abuse. I was married three times and all three husbands were alcoholic and into drugs. I drank, but not too much. I started doing drugs (crack, cocaine) with my 3rd husband 15 years ago. I’d do them off and on. My husband and I separated 6 years ago and I just started doing drugs more and more. About 3 years ago I started getting high on a daily basis. After about 1½ years of steadily getting worse, I was reported to Social Services about my drug habit and my little girl was taken from me for 6 months. I had to do outpatient drug therapy and counseling to get her back, which I did, but not honestly. I had someone else doing U.A.’s for me while I was in therapy and continued doing drugs and beating the system, so I thought. I finally hit, I guess what you call rock bottom, and couldn’t quit drugs on my own. I cried and cried and even thought of suicide at times. One day, I just thought there has to be something or someone out there to help me. I finally decided to go to church and ask the Lord to help me. On November 10th, 2007 I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart and help me, and Glory to God, something happened to me that I can’t even explain. Since then I’ve been clean and sober and I’ve lost all desire to get high. God helped me, and I know it was Him because I could not do it on my own. I love you Jesus for coming into my life and changing me.

It's amazing how time has flown by! We have been here one year this September! God has been so good to us this last year. We've seen many testimonies just like Sharon's; testimonies of lives changed forever. God has changed me too, and looking back at my life a year ago I can see where He's brought me from. It's hard to put into words what we feel and all that has happened but i know without a doubt that there's no place I'd rather be! Being here and being a part of seeing lives changed is such a hands on experience and it has really given me a compassion for people. I feel so priviledged to be here doing what God's called us to. It's almost overwhelming at times to think of all that is yet to come. We know that God is not done working in this city. We thank you all for your support. It means a lot to know that there are people that stand behind us and support what God is doing here. We love you all!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Outreach, Revival and...Tarantulas?!

Last weekend, JB and Gail Sanchez and the kids came and did a three-day revival for us. Many of you may have heard that we had a fire in the apartment connected to the church a couple weeks ago. Thankfully the people were home to catch it or the firemen said the whole church would've burned down. So, it wasn't serious but it was an electrical fire, so the power had to be shut down for a while and we were hoping it wouldn't interfere with what we had planned. We were without power or heat and were unable to have services, but in about a week it was back up and running. When the revival came around we were ready to go and thought all that was behind us. But when we arrived early on Friday to do an outreach we noticed it was cold and not getting any warmer. So after a couple hours, when our hands and faces were numb, we realized the furnace wasn't coming on! We called our Landlord and he sent out a handyman to check it out. The handyman concluded that it was a blown fuse but he had to leave and my dad also had to leave for work, so me and my mom were left with the task of replacing the fuses. With the help of Pastor Rod, we got it done but it only lasted about 10 mintues before the furnace was out again. So by this time it was almost time to start so we bundled up in our coats and had service anyway! We a great service regardless and then we went somewhere warm for dinner!
The furnace was fixed the next day and ready for the Springs youth group who came up for a special Saturday night youth service! The furnace guy even found a dead tarantula underneath the furnace, but that's another story! It did cause quite a stir though! Springs brought two van loads up and we had an outreach before the service to pass out the rest of the flyers. After outreach and pizza for dinner we had a wonderful service. The weekend was concluded with two more awesome services on Sunday and good times of food and fellowship in between!


All in all, it was a great weekend! Lives were touched and people were chanllenged! Thank you Jb and Gail for taking time for this revival. We are looking forward to seeing the fruit that comes from it! And thank you Youth for helping with outreach and services!
God is doing new things all the time, and through Him we will build this church one person at a time! It's not always easy but it is always worth it! God is always faithful and it is such a privilege to be here doing what we are!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

It's Been a Long Time Coming!

Hey everyone, sorry it's been so long since I've updated. :( I really have no excuse...But I will give one anyway! We left our camera at my aunts house so I haven't been able to take pictures lately. (Even though I know Jess has a camera lying around somwhere...) So like i said, no excuse. Well, I will try to get back on it as soon as possible. Until then I will just tell you a little of what's been going on lately, but unfortunately, without pictures.

On December 30 we had Tony and Melanie Wilkins come and give their testimonies during the morning and evening services. We had a few outreaches for it before hand although the weather didn't give us any mercy and it was quite cold, we did the best we could though. Both Tony and Melanie did a wonderful job telling of what God has done for them and where He's brought them from. After that evening service we ordered pizza and had a good time of fellowship! There was supposed to be a spades game but Tony was just too scared to lose...I made him promise he'd sing if he lost. It must have been too much for him. Just kidding Tony! You can just lose another time I guess. :) Thank you Wilkins family for taking time to come up! We love you guys!

Last Sunday night, Bill and Jo Trijillo came up, along with Natalie and Daniella. Mr. Bill did a great job sharing his testimony and sharing some things from the bible. We prayed with people down at the altar and had a wonderful service. After the service we had a potluck (with some wonderful mexican food, I might add) and talked and played games. Thanks for coming out Trijillos!

Lately we've been doing a youth night every other Friday night with Joe and Stephy. We get together with some of the teens and young people from church and eat some food and play games. As time goes by we'll start to do more stuff and we eventually want to have to youth from Springs come up and do a service for us. I'll keep you updated as we go along.

Well that's my update for now. Remeber to continually keep us in your prayers! They are much aprreciated!! I hope to see you all soon!