Jared Zapata Family: Safe In Our Father's Arms

Dear Reader,

Throughout our travels thus far, we have truly experienced the meaning of the phrase, "Safe In Our Father's Arms". Although we may not be able to see God, as Christians our faith has allowed us to rely on our Heavenly Father who embraces us each and every time we ask Him. With every step of the way I have seen how God has protected my family and I from harms way and has placed a hedge of protection around us while on the road. It is truly a great feeling to know that when all else seem to fail, we have a Father who is there to catch us.

Sunday, October 23rd, we were able to be in the service of Pastor Ross at Open Door Baptist Church. It was truly an honor to meet Pastor Ross and to be able to hear him preach a fiery sermon on "Heaven or Hell, What Will It Be?" Many were saved and baptized as the excitment was high! We were able to present our work and sing there in the service and thoroughly enjoyed our time spent there with the members of Open Door.
That afternoon we headed to lunch and prepared to return to be able to be in Open Door's Spanish church. As we walked into the doors again we were greeted as before with kind smiles and welcoming hand shakes. We headed up stairs and began to meet many of the people there under Pastor Mendoza. Many young people greeted us and welcomed us in. Service began and we had the opportunity to present our work and burden for the ministry. After the presentation and with the help of an interpreter I was able to preach a sermon, "Turn Up The Heat".

In Daniel chapter three we are able to see the story of three Hebrew young men who stood for Christ inspite of the worlds threats. In fury the king commanded the furnace to be turned up so as to condemn these men to a fiery death. Even though bound and cast into the fire, God intervened and they lives were used as a testimony to change the hearts of all those present. As Christians we too have a fire in our hearts to serve God but when that fire begins to die down and our excitment becomes dim, we allow the world to get ahead and consume us as well as those around us with their spreading flames of evil. Satan will stop at nothing to consume as many lives as he can into the world and the evil it contains. We can fight back keeping ouselves on fire for God and turning up the heat in our own Christian lives.
The altars were filled and 25 people raised their hands surrending to keep their fire for God high and giving their lives to Him! Was a very exciting time and enjoyed meeting many of the people and teenagers while signing Bibles and talking with them.