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DECEMBER '11 Friday, January 6th, 2012 MISSION MINISTRY For our entire family of Monterey we send warm greetings for New Year, hoping that the blessings of God for this year are abundant. I take this opportunity to thank God and our family of Monterey by the financial support we have had for the dissemination of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you brothers and sisters. God bless you so much. MONTHLY REPORT During the month of December we had our joys but sadly at the end we also had moments of sadness. Joy by the people who obeyed to the Lord and sadness for the death that invites alone and brings sadness and pain in our hearts. This is our report for the month of December.
SUNDAY 4, NAHUIZALCO. Thank God we were able to reach this Sunday and collaborate with the brothers of Nahuizalco. The Church is very lively and we hope for the future can grow a little more. Brother Julio Calazin, local preacher continues to recover from the operation of the right knee; he will have more rest. SUNDAY 11, LAS COLINAS, SANTA TECLA. This Sunday we had a good attendance at Bible class, then in worship attendance improves even more. At the end of the service we enjoyed with the baptism of Daisy Arely Renderos. After preaching to make the invitation to those present that they obey Daisy was moved to the front of the Church and was taken the confession. When we were in the preparation of Daisy Arely, another young Johnny Alberto Reyes told to one brother, that he wanted to obey but felt ashamed to come forward, finally he did once I did the invitation warmly and he agreed to move to the front. Both Daisy and Johnny were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins after having confessed their faith in front of the Church.
The news brethren: Johnny and Daisy, after of baptism. SATURDAY 17, GROUP OF GROWTH, HOME OF THE SISTER EMELINA. This was the last meeting of the year and we had a good attendance. We finish study book Nehemías applications practices to the Christian life. We hope with the help of God to renew these meetings for the year 2012. SUNDAY 18, LOURDES. COLON. This Sunday was my last participation in Lourdes, Colon. I was working with this church for seventeen years and I think they were years of some sadness but also of many pleasures. Last year started a congregation on the way to the port of La Libertad and they asked me to help them. The place is called "Agua Escondida" (“Hidden Water”) and is about 15 or 20 minutes from Santa Tecla.
This same day (Sunday 18Th) in Las Colinas, Santa Tecla Church could enjoy again by the obedience of Xiomara de Flores. She was visiting the Church several months and finally decided to give her life to the Lord. Xiomara de Flores, baptized Sunday 18th. Bro. Víctor Novoa take the confession.
SUNDAY 25, LAS COLINAS. This Sunday the Church was very happy and grateful to God for all the blessings received during the year 2011. Why after the worship service; the Church participated Congregational lunch as a Thanksgiving to God. But also this day we had one joy, and it is that sister Crisia Yajaira Ramos became head of the Church and reconciled with the Lord. At the end we had Lunch full of joy and expression of thanks to God. This same day we had the joy in the Church that one of the sons of brother Santos Alfaro, José Solomon Alfaro**of 15 years came into the church and listened the word of God. Reconciliation of Sister Yajaira Ramos, Sunday 25th. Sisters Margarita, Gladys, Emelina and Gloria, ready to serve lunch.
Solomon**was arriving with his father throughout the year because they were driving a pick up, but it was he who always kept waiting for his Dad in the car from nine to 12 noon. His other 14-year-old son Ismael Sebastian Alfaro who was attending the class of young people every Sunday was also there. It was the first time that Salomón** entered throughout the year. WEDNESDAY 28 MEETING OF YOUNG LADIES IN THE COLINSA, SANTA TECLA. This day the Group of young ladies had your last activity of the year. About 20 young ladies were present and Gloria taught the meditation. Later they enjoyed a pleasant fellowship and communion. Activity began at 1:00 p.m. and lasted until 4:30 p.m.
Gloria teaching to young ladies in Las Colinas. FRIDAY 30, MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN OF BROTHER SANTOS ALFARO. The sad note was that on Friday at about 10:00 a.m. at Lourdes, Colon place where brother Santos Alfaro traded Staples for home in the pickup, was surprised in the streets of this place by three gang members that gave his sons a shot in the head to each, Solomon** and Ismael** who died at the moment. The third murderer wanted to shoot brother Santos but thanks God the shot got "jammed”. However, Solomon and Ismael did died. We talked on the phone and immediately turned my wife and I and made the arrangements to be able to have the two bodies in the Church. This day (30th) the bodies were recognized by legal medicine at 3:30 pm.
In the Church we had the normal service on Friday and communicate what has happened and invite the Church to stay and wait for the two bodies in the Church. This happened until 1:30 a.m of the day Saturday, December 31st. In the early hours of Saturday 31st we had two services of solidarity and strength for the family of brother Santos. This same day (31st) at 10:30 a.m., we left for the cemetery. Both the Church and the cemetery the police gave us security that when there are deaths per gang and one of the "objectives" was alive is expected to be a retry of "finish the task". Solomon** came first and last to the Church on December 25; on December 31 he entered and left otherwise. Unfortunately we had to experience this fact of violence in a way so close. We're helping brother Santos, he has only a year of being baptized, so we are helping him to stand firm in this harsh adversity. Two services of solidarity and strength for the family Alfaro. Bro. Santos Alfaro give us thanks for the services.
ACTIVITIES DURING THE WEEK. I do not omit to say that during the week we continue also collaborating in the direction of chants and prayers on Monday and Wednesday Bible class in Las Colinas. On Friday giving classes in San Salvador, in the Bible Institute. On December 19 was the closure of classes and gave the scores of the respective subjects to students. I ask prayers both by the brothers who have obeyed the Lord during the month of December, as well as Yajaira Ramos who reconciled. And I ask especially for brother Santos Alfaro and his family so the Lord can protect him in the future of any attempt on his life. Pray for us so that God protect us in the places where we are going to preach since that they are often dangerous. Your Brother in Christ. Herbert / Gloria Ortega, Missionaries in El Salvador Maquilishuat, the national tree of El Salvador