Marriage Celebration IV

"... seran benditas en ti todas las familias de la tierra." Genesis 12:3b, Reina Valera. English: "... all the families of the earth will be blessed through you."
God started with a family - the first and only institution that God personally created was a family - a marriage between one man and one woman, intended to be lifetime companions - and through them, they would raise up a Godly offspring to continue building His kingdom on this earth.
Later on in the Old Testament, we see God chose a family - the family of Abraham to be His Kingdom builders. That family became the family of Israel. And their responsibility was to be a kingdom of priests called to obedience to Him, so that the nations would see them and also fear the Lord.
While that family waited and waited for their Messiah, they failed miserably in teaching the nations about their God.
Then along came the Messiah... He came to redeem all people. And now, we are the "chosen generation, a royal priesthood..." And as we await our Messiah, what are we doing? Are we sharing the principles for health and well-being with those around us - so they can come into well-being in their relationship with God first, then with those around them, and also with the earth - given to us to develop and administrate?

One ministry that God has given Arlen and me in the last 4 years is with families, and specifically with marriages. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, it has been the most rewarding opportunity that God has given us - to minister to marriages - to help couples, young and old, learn I Corinthians 13: 4-7. Love that is kind, patient, not self-seeking, not rude, always trusts, delights in truth, protects... the list goes on. And it applies to our marriages first of all!
Last night we had the privilege of celebrating the completion of yet another "Restoring the Original Model" course. It's a 12-week course that we have now facilitated 8 times now, first in a cell group, then in 5 different local churches over the last three years.

As the guests arrived, they were greeted with the wonderful aromas coming from a little kitchen, where Maria Elena, a friend and awesome cook, is producing a very special meal of shish kebabs with rice, and salad. Earlier in the day, another friend spent the afternoon making flour tortillas to accompany the meal.
While we waited for everyone to arrive, Arlen initiated a game of Electricity. The couple next to Arlen watches as he flips a coin. The rest of the lines hold hands with their eyes closed. If the coin lands heads up, they squeeze the hand of person next to them, sending a signal down the line, and the last person in the line, when receiving the signal, opens their eyes and grabs the ball on the table. It's a simple fun game that gets more challenging as the line gets longer. Ladies giggle and everyone laughs. I think the guys won two out of three games last night.
In this picture, you can barely see the ball on the table, but you gotta love the way Robert's hand is poised for grabbing that ball as fast as he can!

Pastor Armenio and his wife, Marta, supported the 6 couples in the Calvary group by faithfully attending each session. We gave him the basic manual and he diligently took notes so that if anyone missed a session, he went to their home personally during the week and shared with them what they had missed. He is also planning to duplicate the course in an outreach church where he is holding services weekly.



Marlon and Claudia were part of the first cell group that we started for marriages. They have completed the course twice, serving as our assistants in both. This year, they were the primary facilitators in the New Life group, and we served as their assistants!






Roberto and Yara - this couple had started taking the course two years ago, but only stayed a session or two, then tried to rejoin at the end, realizing they had 'missed out' on the blessing. This time they were sponges, soaking up and savoring every delicate bite of the treasure. We were so blessed by their sincerity - it's obvious they love each other deeply and desire a relationship beyond the ordinary!



Luis and Sheilla - a hardened and deeply hurting couple who were basically living separated lives - they now have hope for resuscitating their love and their marriage.








Chepe and Gloria - it's not been an easy road for this couple either - however they do love each other deeply, have a respectful and tender relationship, and want more.








Yener and Dineisa - inspiring young newlyweds (been married 10 months) who have the potential to be an awesome example of love, purity, and commitment in this culture where few intentionally choose their lifetime partner.






Isaias and Gladys - about a month ago, we were invited into their home to celebrate their youngest son's seventh birthday. Pastor Armenio and his wife were there, along with a few others as well and Pastor shared a short meditation from God's Word. As we were preparing to pray blessings over the young boy, Isaias wanted to share something. He began to pour out his heart, asking his wife for forgiveness, and asking that we lead him to receive salvation. It was a tender moment, tears flowed, and joy followed. What better birthday present could he give his son, then to know that his Dad loves his mom, and wants to serve Jesus with the rest of his life.
I am continually amazed that those who don't profess faith in Christ are interesed in the marriage course at all! In a previous course, one man put it this way, "I've always heard that we are to live a 'Christ-centered' life. Now, I know what that's supposed to look like."

Nelson and Norma - a faithful couple who was in the first cell group and part of one of the first groups we held in a local church. We still meet occasionally with that cell group - and they willingly serve with us whenever we ask them to help with the Celebration Dinners.



Candlelight Dinner in our decorated 'dining room' - the multipurpose room at the Refugio Youth Center. Many thanks to Marlon and Claudia, who spent the whole day with us, decorating, and preparing food.






Me and my servant husband - I organize the decor and food, so at serving time, my job is basically done. Arlen oversees the actual serving part in the 'dining room', as well as all the other stuff - music, movie, meditation, and giving out diplomas. Oh yeah, I run the camera, too. :)
It's always an exhilarating experience being able to put on a candlelit dinner for these couples who really have shown commitment to God and each other by sticking it out for the entire 12 week course. We show the movie, Fireproof, which is a wonderful blessing, too. Our prayer is that, like Caleb in the movie, they will find a 'new normal' in their relationship that is God-honoring, changes the history of their family, is a testimony of true Christian discipleship, and that more 'families of the earth will be blessed through them.'