In the Midst of Idolatry & Shamanism
The church at Agua Viva is in its infancy, but it is growing and developing nicely. We have one couple from the neighborhood, who have been Christians for years, who are committed to working with the church and have a passion for seeing their neighbors come to have a relationship with Christ. Pastor Lawrence, who is one of our former seminary students, lives at the ministry center and works hard at building relationships with the people in the community. Recently, a veteran missionary couple and great friends/ mentors of ours, Rick and Janice Waldrop, moved into one of the houses at the ministry center and are working to help build the church as well.
We have various children who attend our Sunday School, because they love to be at Agua Viva. And we now have a few families who are attending the church because their children attend Kids Club. It is beautiful to see how the children are ministering to their parents. One couple who are attending, are struggling due to the husband’s alcoholism, but they have found HOPE in Christ that things CAN be different.
The ministry in this neighborhood is primitive and raw. We face the difficulty of confronting people who are steeped in roots of idolatry and Shaman religions. But we are so inspired by the rays of hope that are breaking through as the people seek what we have and receive the love of God that can transform their lives.