First Christmas with Elena

Sure was great to be with family over the Holidays and celebrate our first Christmas with Elena. You are now the big attraction when we get together.Will look forward to you being a little more active!!

The Holiness of God & Madrid

I was talking with my daughter Melissa the other day, and she shared that she was reading The Holiness of God  by RC Sproul. I thought it would be fun to read along with her. In Chapter one, Sproul says ... "God's Kingdom will never come where His name is not considered holy. His will is not done on earth as it is in Heaven if His name is desecrated here... it is foolish to look for the kingdom anywhere where God is not revered." p 16. As I read those words the thought jumped out to me. "The church plant in Northern Madrid (the presence of His Kingdom here on earth) will not take place until those outside the kingdom in Madrid see the Holiness and awe of God". That is what I need to be praying for. What a blessing it is that we have the Bible that reveals God as he really is. Do you believe it is sufficient to reveal the true Holiness of God that the prophet Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6? I do, and God's Word alone has the power to do so. Will you pray for Madrid?

In chapter two of the book, Sproul writes about a repeated pattern in history. "God appears, people quake in terror, God forgives and heals, God sends. From brokenness to mission is the human pattern." p 40. I also liked Sproul's illustration of Humpty-Dumpty. God can and does put broken people back together again and send them on a mission.

Hey we are now Grandparents

We were thrilled to be in Hopewell, Virginia for the birth of our first grandchild. Elena Joy McMillan was born on November 30th, 2013. Congratulations to our son Ben and his wife Hannah.

IBM Gives Birth Again!!!

What a joy to be able to celebrate with the IBM church we started in Lecheria, Venezuela. This past Sunday, November 10th, they launched their second daughter church called IBM - El Morro. Wish we could have been there, but we know they are in good hands.

 First Service was held at the Mare Mares Resort

 Great friends - Helmut and Herminia Schatte

Lead elder for the church plant - Alejandro Molero

THE ART OF NEIGHBORING

While in NJ, our friends Steve and Mary gave us a copy of this book, remarking that it was similar to our approach to church planting in Spain. We have enjoyed reading it and sharing it with our friends in the USA. We are trying to give away as many copies as possible.  Christian BookDistributors has actually given it away as a free ebook.  It is also available on Amazon. The picture on the front cover represents your home and your closest 8 neighbors. Can you name the 8 neighbors that live around you? Great ideas on how to network in your neighborhood.

We recommend it and here is the Link for the trailer:  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAHjRH5YH-8

First Presbyterian Church, Schenectady New York.

 One of our supporting churches is First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady, New York. This church dates back to 1760. What a privilege it is to be partnering with a church that is over 250 years old. We are thankful for the 25 years of partnership with them and the opportunity to be part of their 2013 Missions Conference. 50 % of the churches budget goes towards missions.

 First Presbyterian Church - 1760

 Mohawk River

Historical Building near the church

 The site where Jonathan Edwards (the younger) is buried.

Deerfoot Lodge - Log Cabin building

Sharon and I had the opportunity to help out at the Deerfoot Lodge Fall Work Weekend, October 11-12. This was Peter's first overnight at Deerfoot since 1976. (Was on staff for 4 summers) Great time of fellowship and a learning experience as Peter got to help with the construction of a Log Cabin.

Sharon helped out in the kitchen while Peter was working on the cabin

Would you like to see how you build a log cabin? Check out this cool video at Deerfoot