Wow! 'Nuff said!

It was such an awesome pleasure to be back in Ensenada Mexico once again this past October 24th thru the 29th.

The driving point for us as we worshiped together with the children's parents that we ministered to at the end of the day Saturday is the 'Value' God has for us each, but as the family unit together! And this is not a new concept but an easily forgotten or overlooked thought I feel; even in our Christian homes and churches sometimes also.

Just to catch everyone reading this up to speed, my wife and I along with our two oldest daughters joyfully partnered with the First Free church as they sought out to do ministry with 35 married couples in Ensenada, using the 'Art of Marriage' Spanish materials. Our responsibilities were to the children of many of these couples and it was our strong desire to provide for these children more than just an entertaining time while there away from their parents overnight Friday and all day Saturday.

Utilizing CEF materials and producing some along the way, we came up with a program for the children we felt God could use to teach them their value in Christ. The theme was based on Matthew 6:26 which says; "(ESV) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" We had them build bird houses as a craft project and then paint them. Oh and yes of course, the colors they chose for painting were all the colors from the Wordless Book!

Our main teaching to the children was because of our 'Value', God has prepared works for us to do. The memory verse most of them learned by the end of the day on Saturday and shared with their parents during worship was Ephesians 2:10; (ESV) "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." We were told that many of these children came from 'churched' homes however our teaching had to be clear none the less in that we are saved ONLY by grace and not by works, but because of that grace we work to glorify the Lord.

It was so fun to watch these children grow even just a little bit in the time we were with them and they didn't get bored! That was God for sure as I can plan for 2 hours of children's programing but was concerned about a full 8 hours. :)

All the children received a Wonder Devotional book from us at the close of the day Saturday and the remaining we left with the school that meets there at the Ranch we stay at. The school has requested more of them and in the entire 6 book series that is available so there may be a trip back to Ensenada in our future... We hope!

-Thank You and we're praying for you all!Sorensen Family