Good afternoon, hope you're staying warm! This time last week I was sitting in the back of a truck trying to figure out how I could stuff a jacket, pants and shoes in my carry on because it was 83 where I was and 23 where I was heading!  

Many of you know Andrew and I were in Honduras last week meeting with pastors, leaders, and laymen.  We had a great time and was very encouraged that we were able to minister and train leaders from many communities around La Esperanza.  This is huge because of how typical mission trips work in La Esperanza.  Each time a team from our church travels to La Esperanza for a mission trip they partner with one particular village/community.  This is a great way to help them, disciple them and evangelize. It is a trip that is needed in order to begin and deepen relationships with the people in order to go further in the Gospel.  Each year roughly 6 churches partner with Gerardo in La Esperanza for these types of trips.  


During our trip this past week we had a representative from nearly every village/community.  The crucial part is that we were able to spend significant time training these guys on how to read Scripture and also go over some foundational doctrinal issues that may not be so well known to them due to the huge Catholic influence.  The encouraging part was that these guys were hungry for this truth and eager to go and share with their people.  In part we were able to influence all of these villages in one week.  In essence we were teaching men to fish rather than giving them a fish.  I am very encouraged and look forward to doing this trip each year to continue to teach men how to fish.  I ask that you pray for the 30 guys we had attend and pray they put in to practice what they learned and also fan into flame this calling to take the Gospel to the nations.

Had a great time looking at one verse last night, Titus 3:3.  This verse was a huge reminder of who we once were, before Christ.  The message of Titus is to remind us that in light of God's grace we should be and do good.  From the notes you can follow the flow of the passage and be encouraged that you too are not who you once were!  But how many times do we dwell in the past, with the wrong thinking.  Many walk around cocky, thinking they have everything under control needing no help from anyone.  Many are insecure, feeling as though they can't accomplish anything.  Both of these groups fail to trust God completely....they have forgotten all He has done for us.  Last night was a small reminder of the grace we've been shown.  I pray you're encouraged and challenged by the sermon as I was throughout the week.  

Good morning, afternoon & evening!  Hope you are all well.  Much to be encouraged with today as we begin or end a new day.  God has given more than we could ever deserve and each day we are faced with the challenge of what we'll do in light of this amazing grace.  Will we squander it or live in a way that speaks of His goodness?  I'm praying today and each day we'll live in light of it and share the Gospel with our mouth and lives.

Last night we walked through Titus 2:11-15, a section on grace and the effects grace should have on our lives.  We should never lose sight of all that God has done for us yet we do, daily.  Paul is in the midst of encouraging a young pastor given a tough task.  Titus is not up for the challenge but His God is more than able.  Willingness to follow is all Titus must offer.  Faithfulness to God in light of God's faithfulness to Him.  Attached are the notes and outline in hopes of it also encouraging and challenging you.  

This Sunday Andrew and I leave for Honduras for a great time in the Word with some laymen and pastor that are coming in from the surrounding areas and villages of La Esperanza.  Three of these laymen are dear friends we've met in Las Mesitas.  We want so desperately to disciple these three guys so we ask you to pray that they're able to make it and once there able to comprehend and process all that God is and be changed through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

We're excited yet nervous about this trip as it is such a big opportunity to disciple.  Consider this....evangelism occurs as each mission team goes in.  They build structures and share their faith but then they're gone and another team comes in, heads to a different village and does the same thing.  Many come to Christ but are left undiscipled.  Our hope is to pour into the pastors, leaders, and laymen to teach them, disciple them.  We do not want the work that God desires to do to be left undone.  Discipleship is a crucial element and many converts are quickly threatened or tricked into reverting back to Catholicism, or their form of this belief.  We need more Titus' there able to proclaim the truth of God's Word.  Pray this week is a continuation, or even beginning, of this happening!