"Our" Church

During prefield we visited churches and were looking forward to finally getting to the field where we could settle into a church and become an integral part of the work. However, upon arriving on the field, we were told that we have to visit almost all of the churches here. We will be working towards that, but we are going to settle down a bit. God has been directing us, since before we even got here to Trinity Baptist Church in an area called La Reina. It has a new national pastor that we can assist while getting adjusted and every time we've been there, the people ask us if we can make that our church home. This church seems uniquely suited to us and what we can offer.

In the recent past the church had lost its pastor of over 30 years, so some of our fellow missionaries, the Rubin family, took over and provided stability for the church as they searched for a pastor and called Pastor Christian. Pastor graduated from our seminary in December 2008 and is excited to guide the church. Since the Rubins are leaving for furlough and the church still looks to them for leadership, it is a great time for "the changing of the guard." Having Pastor Christian take the main leadership role, with Mark Rubin gone, we can provide "strong backup," but not be looked to by the people as the main leader.

This past Sunday was the Rubin's last Sunday before furlough so there was a nice mention and prayer during service and after a luncheon of seafood soup, of which Doug had 2 helpings!

Mark saying goodbye to the church.

Mark holding Julieanna while Jenn said her goodbyes.

Doug's first or second bowl of soup, I'm not sure which.

Mark with his other little girl. Kendra will be SO much bigger the next time we see her. Caleb will miss his 2 buddies, their 2 boys, Micah age 5 and Mattias age 7.