Baptism

Saludos en el amor de Jesus,

Ministry here is amazing. The kids at the mission school are starting to play with me more and the youth is growing more. The youth worship band is getting a little better. The church is growing really fast. I remember the first time I was there on sunday morning the church was fill with 30 to 40 people and now we don't even have enough chairs and space for the people to sit. I have to stand up during the service. I have great joy in our Lord Jesus Christ for allow me to see such a grow. I know God will do great things in this ministry. In the begining of February the pastor gave an anouncement of a baptism on february 9 for all the believers on the churh. He also gave an hour long class to all the people who raised their hand to be in the baptism. I felt conviction from the Lord because I never been baptize before but I did not raise my hand nor attend the class. When I went home I spent some time studying about baptism and why should we do it. The day came and after the sunday morning service I get to talk to a guy who wasn't sure about the baptism. I got my bible and started to teach him about baptism. At the end of our talk I knew I have to be baptize too. I did not tell anyone about it and I was still thinking if I supposo to do it or if I should wait. We all went to the beach and we decided to do the baptism at the river that touches with the sea. the water is always still and clean. Then the people started to be baptize and when I saw that the guy I was ministering to step up and decided to be baptize I decided to be baptize too. This was a big thing for me because I was giving up my roots and traditions from my parents and my country for the baptism of water and spirit. The cool thing about this baptism was that I was being baptized with the people God sent me to minister to. The water was a little cold and I was scared and happy. When I was getting in and out of the water I thought of the great sacrifice Jesus did for me and that the only thing He required for me was to believe in His name and follow His comandments. I thank God for all that He has done for me and for the promises He gave to me.

In Christ,
Cesar Rodriguez

Music Ministry

Saludos,

The bookstore Ministry has been an exiting experience. I still don't know what to do but I trusth God will do great things.

I also got involved in the worship team here in CCPV. Bill calls me Fill or Junior becuase I do whatever he needs to be done. Being here has teach me a lot of things. I learned to play the drums and bass and to set up the whole sound for the worship. We have kids who are learning to play instruments. Its really funny to see a whole worship team where half is teenagers (Brian !!!). But these kids are really talented and its been a blessing for me to be part of teaching these kids to worship God. We hope one day we can do outreaches to neighborhoods iniviting teenagers to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The worship team is form by one keyboard, bass player, three accoustic guitars, drum set and percussion instruments. Cool huh? Since I been here I seen people come and go but one thing is true and exiting is that the church is growing fast and makes me happy to know that people are getting save.

In Christ,

Cesar

Bookstore Ministry

Saludos,

After working at the mission from 8am to 8pm doing construction work I was promoted to work at the church in the bookstore and cafeteria. So I left the hammer and nails for a cash register and books. I still go to the mission on tuesdays, thursdays and fridays for the clasess. I was a litthe bit sad because I was getting used to the work with JD and Jonathan but I knew I need it to follow God's direction. I dont know anything about Bookstore ministry but Paul gave me some advice and encouragement. This ministry has show me a lot about patient and endurance. Im used to do things that have a result but this ministry has been really slow and tirering. The good thing about this ministry is that people often come and I get to share Jesus with them. The purpose of this ministry is to encourage people to buy their own bibles and grow even more by learning about Him. Also we have a cafeteria which is just starting too. We have a cappuccino and expresso machine and we are thinking to offer more beverages to the people walking in. We are also thinking on getting more bookshelves and bring more spanish books. We sell accesories like purses, shirts, bible covers etc... We are also trying to get more music in spanish but this has been really hard for me because I dont know any good music in spanish. I would like to ask you for prayer about this ministry that the Lord has place on my way.

In Christ,

Cesar