Taking a Break in the Andes

All too often we find ourselves so busy with the ministry that we have little opportunity to receive ministry.  This month we have made a conscious effort to change that even as we prepare for a busy ministry season in which: we are teaching together, Ricardo will be teaching a course on Pastoral Ethics in the local Chilean institute as well as traveling to various countries to lead seminars on that and Wesleyan Theology, Beth will be traveling to Southern Chilean to lead a course on Practical and Creative Strategies for Teaching Sunday School in addition to the regular activities of the church.

This month we benefited from attending a 3 day seminar on "Pastoring Your Child's Heart" led by Dr. Tedd Tripp.  (If you are a parent, we recommend reading his book.)  In addition, we began a Bible Study with one of our couple friends.  During the course of the week we each read 5 chapters of the Bible (we are studying Luke now) and then get together to share what we have learned.  The only teacher in this system is the Bible!  Likewise, we have built "family time" into our daily routine so that we intentionally share the days experiences, learn from the Bible and play together.  And finally, in addition to weekly prayer meetings with the church and monthly planning meetings with the leadership team, we have chosen to begin a day of fasting and worship for that same team one Sunday each month.  Please pray for us as we seek regularly seek God's direction through this disciplined training exercise!

We are both players and coaches on the ministry court and your prayers and support are the most important 6th man any team could have!  

Thank you and may God richly bless you,

Ricardo, Beth, Juliana & Jonathan Gomez

Free Methodist World Missions

P.S.  Perhaps by now it is obvious that we are excited to have our beloved Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Final Four this year, after a long dry spell!  We have enjoyed watching the tournament over the  internet and teaching others how to cheer.  Ricardo's Colombian family watched the game with us on Sunday night and we have a Chilean couple scheduled to help cheer them toward victory on Saturday night.  While it isn't "The Main Thing" it has been fun to have a little taste of home.  (And don't worry, we were cheering for your teams too.)

Student Athletes

Thanks for your prayers for Juliana and Jonathan as they began classes at a new school.  They both seem to have adjusted well, have very good teachers and are making new friends.  Rather than single her out, Juliana's teacher has elected to observe her for a few months before determining if she needs additional "treatment."  We are very content with this wise decision and Juliana is doing great so-far!

At the advice of Juliana's occupational therapist, we put both kids in swimming lessons - 3 evenings a week at the indoor pool just a block away.  They LOVE it and are "swimming" (or at least dog-paddling) without  any flotation devices  Their first "swim meet" is on Saturday and should be a lot of fun!

Team Schedule

CCCG=Comunidad Cristiana Casa Grande (our church)