~~To all my dear friends who prayed for our Christmas Banquet:
THANK YOU!~~
The work is the Lord's, and only He knows how He dealt in the heart of each person present;
but His working was evident in several who attended.
All the hours and hours of prayer, planning, hard work; and the sacrificial giving by people in our church and by many around the world paid off. The Lord really blessed!
The decorations were beautiful (again, great job, Liz!); the songs sung were so beautiful and spoke to our hearts; the childrens' special was so darling. But most of all we rejoice at how God worked on the hearts of the lost ladies who were there.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the "First Ladies" of our town and surrounding towns were our special guests; this year, we also invited military wives and honored them. (Remember: The main purpose for these Banquets is to share the Gospel with unsaved ladies.)
Our special speaker was Bro. James Merlo, a pastor of a Spanish work in Oklahoma. The Lord used him to preach a salvation message that was so easily understood. We praise the Lord for using Bro. Merlo's message.
There were a total of 89 ladies present, many of whom were there for the first time. 8 ladies were saved, 2 of whom were military wives, and 2 former mayors' daughters.
It is really difficult to describe in words (and even through the pictures) how wonderful everything was. But I know that a lot of you were praying, and we thank you.
We are already planning next year's Banquet. You can begin to pray even now (with us) as we begin to save for and plan for the Banquet to be held on November 16, 2012!!!
Eleven of Mom's 34 grandchildren singing "In My Father's House"
{Stewart, Paul, Samuel, Kenneth, Joshua, Andrew,
Gabriela, Sophia, Deborah, Jacquelyn, and Olivia}
*That night, 5 of Mom's 8 children (plus spouses and a total of 18 grandchildren) were present.
That was so special!*
My oldest brother, Tom, and his family were able to attend the Banquet!
Here his children (Joanna, Karla, Lydia and Hank) are singing.
Bro. James Merlo
We were blessed by the children of an orphanage
who sang (a treat we get to enjoy every year!)
Carlos and Yara Ruiz have done a fantastic
job with these children!
My heart is blessed every time!
Tom and Philip singing "Down From His Glory"
Honoring the First Ladies present
Singing "Bendice A México"
The military wives being honored.
Each one received a Bible. And two of them were saved.
My beautiful Mother.
I am so thankful she has a burden and a
vision to see these ladies saved!
