We recently travelled to the Riviera, Nayarit, to visit Pastors Jimmy and Perla at their rental home where they host an informal Bible Study on Tuesday evenings. This was the first opportunity we had to attend and participate with them. It was a special night as it was at the beginning of the year and each one came with a testimony of what God has done in their lives since joining the group and a "New Year's Resolution" or a plan for what they feel like God is calling them to change in their lives.
This was one of the most special things I've been able to witness. As we listened to each one share what God is doing, what they've learned, and how they want to change, it was like they were opening up Christmas Gifts for God and they were the gift. It was one of the most God Glorifying meetings I've been a part of. It was awesome!
Most of the people are friends and neighbors who have never heard the gospel of Christ. Some of them are family members who have either never given their lives to Jesus or they have been distant from him for a while. In short, all 20 of the people who attend are pretty much new believers.
Their testimonies included realizing God's love, recognizing a need for him, and making a decision to give their life to Him. Some are seeing attitudes and customs in their lives that aren't in line with scripture and some want to get married (it is typical here that couples are not officially married). It was really neat to see how the Holy Spirit is speaking directly to them.
Pastors Jimmy and Perla have just been sharing the Word of God without telling them "what they should do" as to not be the Holy Spirit in their life. They are letting the Holy Spirit speak to them individually and it's amazing the fruit they're seeing. This is something new for Jimmy and Perla. They are "resting" in God's promises and allowing the Holy Spirit to not only work in these people's lives, but their own lives as well. They are not fretting over people who have issues they need to work on. They're just loving them and God is working in their hearts.
Just recently, Perla had the opportunity to have a "girl's night out" with the younger ladies and one of them out of nowhere said she wanted to be baptized. Also, after speaking to them how liberating the Freedom in Christ course is, they all want to take it.
Pastors Jimmy and Perla are doing an EXCELLENT job in Riviera, Nayarit! Thank you for your prayers for them and their ministry. If you would like to help them with some of their expenses such as materials and traveling, please consider it and make a contribution to Pastor Jimmy with Cofradia United here.
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