South Florida

WE MAKE PLANS BUT THE LORD STRAIGHTENS OUR WAYS

2007-07-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

We had planned a whole week of activites focused on reaching out to the lost months before a group of Hot Springs Village Arkansas came, but the Lord showed us that no matter how much we plan we still depend on Him for things to happen. Some of the ladies in the group said they wanted to do a health screening. We talked to three young men that we knew would take advantage of that on hosting it in their communityin Pompano. The day we were going was Thursday evening. We talked to them again that Saturday and Sunday before to remind them we were coming the following Thursday. Everything was fine until Monday afternoon. We had taken Monday as a day off and I received a call while at the beach from Allan one of the young men from Pompano. He told me that their landlord said that if we set one foot in their apartment they would be kicked out. Naturally I told him not to worry about it we wanted to serve not to bring problems.

The next morning I went down on my knees and asked our Lord to lead us to where he wanted the health screenings. That day after lunch Victor Lopez a recently baptized brother came to eat with us from his break from work. I sat down to talk to him and he told me he was sad because he had a friend that had just been convicted for seventeen years in jail, and that his sister who lived in Pompano with five kids was very upset as well. I asked him if he thought she would like for us to go and cheer her up, and do some health screenings in her community. He smiled and called Martha right away and she said to please come. We did not know her, but the Lord knew she was hurting. We had many people that day take advantage of the health screening. Some were fromm Mexico, others from Honduras and some were even from Haiti. We thought of three young men, but the Lord saw a whole community needing His touch. That day Forest and I sat down with Cruz, Jose and Felipe and had a Bible study. This Thursday we will go back to continue our study. Many more are there, and Martha shared with us she has been praying to God for a Church to come and minister to the community.

PAUL PLANTED, APOLLO WATERED, BUT GOD MAKES IT GROW

2007-06-02T22:29:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends. God is great and active in our lives today as has always been. Last week Noemi a sister that came to the Lord last September, told us about a co-worker named Victor. He works with her at a local supermarket, and she had just met him for they had transfer him from another location. They sat down at lunch time and talked a while about Jesus.

She then told us to go and visit him at the market so that we could meet him. We went and met him and that same day he called me and asked me if I could meet him the next morning for a Bible study. We spent 3 and a half hours that day going through the book of acts. He told me he had been wanting to get baptized for a while now, but thought because of what others had told him he had to go through a three day retreat first and he didn't have three days to spare.

The next afternoon after work some of the church gathered to witness his baptism and welcome a new brother in Christ. The Lord had been preparing his heart for this moment, and with tears of joy he confess Christ as his savior and said he wanted to be obedient to His word. Praise God!

The Lord never ceases. He works all the time. And He shows us we just have to plant and water, because He'll make that seed grow in time.

We love you

Preciado's

WE BETTER WATCH OUT FOR NEVERLAND

2007-05-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Two Sundays ago on Mothers day was the first time I saw Pablo. He is a 45 year old man from Nicaragua in search for the Lord and His family. He will tell you how he got to Griffin road with a characteristic smile on his face. He was invited to services at the Sunset Church Of Christ in South Miami, by a friend of his. She did not show up that day, but he did. He attended the next Sunday, but it was an hour away from where he lived so he called the Church's secretary to find out about another Church closer to him.

He left a message because the secretary was out, but said he did not get a call back. He called again and this time he got an answer by the spanish associate minister Rolando who was very kind telling him he would get the information for him, but to this day a month later hasn't gotten back to him. He called his friend that had invited him, and asked her if she could call and find out for him. She called the Church's secretary and she gave her two names, one of which he called but the brother was out in Cuba and he couldn't get back to him. Then he called us and for some reason we did not answer the phone and he left us a message. When we discovered the message we called him right away, and sure enough gave him the address where we where located and the times.

He showed up that morning early, but I wasn't there yet because I had to go pick up people in Deerfield beach. He told me that he was at the nearby shopping center because he had a flat tire and he was changing it.

He finally made it and that same day after service we had him over at our home. We talked for about four hours. Scince then he has been attending and we will start a Bible study next Wednesday. He comes from a Catholic background, but is open and eager to learn about a personal God.

We better watch out, because I don't know many like Pablo. He was truly searching, but there may be others that even if they are and feel they have been turn down, could end up quiting. Who would be at fault?. Only our God can say, but as for me I know I better be more alert and watch out for the ones that the Lord is calling, otherwise they may end up in Neverland.

GO AHEAD, IT HAD TO BE GOD

2007-05-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, once again I apologize for the long absence for those of you who still check on us through this pages.

Last thursday we had a very long work day. The kids had to go to work with Mom and Dad day at school, so Maribel took them with her to a 9:00 a.m. Bible study she has with a lady from Venezuela, while I went to my regular Bible study at the Library with Henry.
After that around 11:00 a.m. I picked them up and took them to Wal-Mart where a sister was going to pick them up to go to her house while Maribel spent some time with her grand parents that are catholic.

I went to have lunch with a brother that just lost his Mom and I wanted to spend some time with him. We were finished by 2:30 p.m. a long lunch and a very good time for sharing and then I went to North MIami to meet with a teen ager that is going through a rough time. When I got back at 5:00 p.m.
I picked up Maribel and the Kids and took them home where Mari hosts a ladies Bible study every thursday night, and I took of to go to Pompano to meet with four young adults to study Go'ds word. We finished around 10:30 p.m. and I was on my way home.

Maribel called me to tell me to get some milk for the kids because we were out. My first thought was to tell her that I would go early next morning, but I decided to stop at a CVS that I had seen had milk on sale.
Needless to say I was exauhsted from the whole day of work. When I got the milk I went in line and I saw from the corner of my eye a lady behind me with what it looked to be a hair care product. At first I thought to myself, " I'm not going to let her through, I'm tired and I want to go home" But immediatley after that I said to myself "listen to you a christian saying that let her go ahead". So I repented and turned around and told her "Go ahead" with a big smile in my face. she said "thanks". I heard her accent and asked her "are you from Peru?" well that did it. We went outside and talked with her husband, her 17 year old and her for 35 minutes. Carlos, Maritza and Alonso are their names. I invited them to Church, but said they couldn't go because they had to pick up their Mom from a cruise that day.

The next night, Friday we were comming out of a Bible study we have and I took another way home. I was passing through a Mcdonald's and I thought I saw the same car the peruvian family were driving the night before. So I turned into the parking lot, and followed the car around and signaling to stop. They stopped and sure enough it was them. They said they never saw anyone twice in a row and said it had to be God. So this last Sunday they worshiped with us and next wedesday we will have our first Bible study Praise God!.

So the next time you are getting milk and there happens to be someone in back of you, let them GO AHEAD you never know if maybe the Lord wants you to show who he is.

OPEN DOOR POLICY

2007-03-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

Once again I have to apologize for my silence. If anything can excuse me is the small amount of time I spend behind a computer. But I wanted to share with you a recent mishap on my part.
Sunday the 18th, after we finished the service we went home as we usually do with the young adults following us. I was almost home when I recieved a call from Victor the brother that was baptized last month. He had stayed at the buiolding with his wife to clean up, but did not have a key to lock it up when he was through. One of the elders, or Andy Garcia one of the deacons, or I always stay to close the building. This time none of us did. I told Victor I would go back and lock up a little later, and told him to pull the door shut. He had called brother Allan one of our elders and he told him the same thing. That evening at seven I remember the door had been unlocked all this time, but english service was at six and it was too late for me to go back and lock it.
That day we recieved a phone call from John. He left us a message, because somehow we missed his call. Yesterday I found his message on my phone and the message said "Hello, my name is John and I wanted to know more about the church. Please call me back." I called him back right then. We went to see him at night. He lives about 20 minutes north of the church building. During our conversation I asked him how he got our number. He told me: "Last Sunday the 18th I was driving by the Church building and I pulled in. The parking lot was empty just a limo was parked outside. I tried coming in the front door but it was locked, but then I went to the other side and found that the other door was open. I walked in all the way hoping to find someone inside, but noone was there. So I took one of your cards and called and you know the rest of the story.
It turns out John was looking for a spanish service. We are the first building of three other churches along the same road, but our building had the door open that day. He found the church, or was it God leading him to us. I want to bilieve that it was all part of His plan. He always has an open door policy, whoever comes to Him and draws near him He in turn daws nearer.
We love you and will tell you more about John. For now pray for Him and for us as we continue to ask for guiadance and be alert to what God is doing and meet Him right there.

THE LORD CONTINUES CALLING

2007-03-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday after service Victor Torrico came up by himself and confessed Christ as the Son Of God. He was immersed in water for the forgiveness of his sins and was sealed with the Holy Spirit. The word of the Lord says in John 10 "My sheep hear my voice". Jesus is the good Shepard and he keeps calling his sheep. His word is powerfull and convicts even the hardest of hearts.

Four days later Yolanda Carrillo took on Christ in baptism. She called her closest friends and co-workers, many of which don't know Christ yet to presence and be witnesses of her public confession about her belief in Christ as Lord. Yolanda came to the Church building for the first time last January 21st of the year 2006, when invited by a good friend Noemi who was baptized in September as you may recall. Since then they have been attending regular services and we have been going to their house tuesday nights for personal Bible studies. Roberto was agnostic, but the word has worked in his heart as well. And Martha their neighbor has been attending the Bible studies for about two months now. The Lord keeps calling, and he is patient with all because he wants all to be saved.

Let's keep on praying for Victor and Yolanda as they start their walk with Christ, and for Roberto, Martha, Maria and others around them that the Lord may continue using her and us as His instruments to bring more souls to Him, and glory to His precious name.

We Love you

Preciados'

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

2007-03-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

After a long absence we are back to share with you what the Lord is teaching us while working for him in this area. The other day when we were picking up the kids from school, we saw Giancarlo and two other boys with one of the teachers. She was apparently correcting one of the boys for something he had done. When Isabella and Giancarlo we asked them about that boy. He said he is my friend and she said that the boy constantly bothered her calling her names. We got upset and said to Giancarlo "why are you hanging around a boy that is obviously a bad example, and on top of that bothers your sister?". He immediatly put his head down and said, "sorry, I was trying to be his friend and this way teach him about the love of Jesus hoping this way he would stop bothering my sister and change the way he behaves".

The Lord teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, but sometimes we have to be reminded of that by a ten year old boy. We share this with you because we know you might be able to identify with us as parents trying to protect our children of bad influences, but at the same time doing exactly the oppossite by neglecting to apply God's word and his commandment to love one another. So the next time we know of someone not behaving the way God would like him too, we first have to ask ourselves our we?. They have the excuse that they don't know of the Lord's love yet, but we are called to show them that love so we better think twice before we say anything other than what God would want, because our kids, the world and God himself are watching.

We love you
Preciado's

GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING

2006-11-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

Talking to someone the other day reminded me of giving thanks in everything. I know that thanksgiving dy is one of the biggest holidays in the United States. I really do think is a great holiday and a great opportunity to be together with family and remember that we owe it all to Christ. I'm not sure that that is what is celebrated in every household in the country. To be honest I'm not sure that that was the purpose of it in the first place.

For us christians we should be celebrating and giving thanks everyday of the year. Because of Christ sacrifice we have evrything we need. Sometimes we forget that there is no greater thing that salvation. And we are distracted by the influence and the things of this world. Even our own holidays. Sadly there are more suicides during this time of the year than there are in the whole year. And it doesn't happen just to non christians.

So let's remember to be thakful always. And look at the words that the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians on the 4th chapter. "Rejoice in the Lord always, and I say it again rejoice" (par) Because we like him have everything we need in Christ, so let's be thankful of that.

WHAT DO WE SEE?

2006-10-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a wonderful place. Hot Springs Village Arkansas. The time of the year reminded us of the change that goes on in our lives. Change that God makes if we just open up our hearts and let him transform us. It was jus beutiful, the mountains with all the colors and the wonderful display of God's creation.
And when we say God's creation we mean all of God's creation. We forget sometimes that we are part of it. In fact we are according to Him, the most important part, because he made us in His image. The brothers and sisters of Hot Springs Village, make of the place a brighter one. And we were reminded to put our sight on things above. We had a wonderful time being among people that love the Lord, and show their love with their works.
We took the kids to see the water dam, the three sisters lake and drove around the village admiring it's lakes, trees, and all the ups and downs of its roads. The kids loved it all. On our way back, Maribel asked Isabella our daughter what she liked best about Hot Springs Village and our trip to Arkansas. With a smile on her face she said "THE HEARTS OF THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS". That's what she saw. Isn't that what the Lord sees?. God bless the Church in Hot Springs Village and the impact they are making in the lives around them. Praising God not only with their lips, but with their whole hearts.

SLEEPLESS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

2006-09-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

Last Monday was a day to celebrate for our family. The final adoption papers were signed in front of a judge in the Broward County Courthouse. Needless to say we were all very happy, not just because it was official in front of men that we were a family, but also it was a confirmation of our Lord that it was his plan.

The next day after school Giancarlo seemed a little tired. We asked him if anything was wrong, and he told us that he did not sleep well the night before. Maribel asked him why?, and he said: he was very excited and happy. He said that he couldn't sleep thanking God because he had parents. Our eyes watered and we realized we did not really think how this made them feel. But not only that, we realize we should be the same way with our Father. Thinking and thanking him constantly about the way he adopted us and all the trouble he had to go through to make this a reality.

We thank God today more than ever and we hope this will encourage and remind many that God has a plan. We are always in his hands, and if we should ever loose sleep over anything, it should be because we are praying to Him, thanking him for His love and the life He has given us in Christ.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

2006-09-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

September the tenth was a special day for many people. Luis Elmer Cordova was celebrating his birthday. That same day his oldest sister gave herself to the Lord, by confessing him in front of the whole church and getting baptized for the remission of her sins. She was born spiritually the same day his younger brother was born spiritually. Not too long ago Luis's daughter on mother's day got baptized too and back in March his youngest son on Luis's wedding anniversary confess Christ as his savior and got baptized. His whole family and beyond are now in Christ. What a better cause to celebrate on your birthday.

But that day was a special day for someone else as well. Noemi Perla had been visiting with us since last year, and was faithful in studying the word. She had told us about all the suffering she had been through including a very bad divorce and the death of her youngest son. That same September the tenth at the end of the service she asked me to go with her to the front of the church and she confessed Christ as her savior and was baptized for the remission of her sins. When she came out of the water Andy our song leader started singing the hymn "It is well with my Lord". She started whalling and Maribel held her as she got it together. Later she told Maribel that that was the last song she sang to her son on his funeral.

Today there are many souls that can say the same thing. "It is well with my soul". But there are also many others who can't. Let's all do our part to bring to them the word of hope that our Lord gave to us, so that one day soon they can also celebrate and say "It is well with my Lord"

We love you very much.

ABOVE ALL THINGS GUARD YOUR HEART

2006-07-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hello again. Sorry we have not written in a long time. My excuse as always is time. But really is just an excuse, because we can always set aside time for everything. We just got back from Orlando where we attended a conference that is held every two years called "Spiritual Growth Workshop". It was a great time of fellowship with brothers and sisters from long ago as well as new ones.

We went to The Holy Land Experience. A theme park that teaches about Christ and the God's plan to redeem humanity. With life size recreations of the tabernacle, the temple and other Jerusalem sites, shows and dramas, movies, and meuseum like displays of how the scripture was put together through the ages and preached to different kinds of audiences.

Days before the conference as we were sitting down in the living room, Isabella our daughter told Mari and I "You know I think if we start puting things in our heart, Jesus will not have room to be in it". This was very deep coming from a seven year old. But she was right. Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all things guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of Life".

We should always make time to meditate on the word of God. Read and study. Pray and spent some time apart with God. Otherwise is easy to fill up with things that might put Him out of our lives. We made time thank God for the workshop, but it is not enough to eat just once a day or in this case once every two years.

Take time right know to reflect on how you spend your time, and if your heart is guarded by the word of God. Because He is the source of everything and all that is, and in Him, we are safe.

YOUR TREASURE IS WHERE YOUR HEART IS

2006-06-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. We hope our Lord is blessing you in all you do for him. WE have had a tough month, but full of blessing too. All this month we were sick on and off. Maribel got sick first, and then the kids and finally me. We thank God for that too. We had the opportunity to reflect on how good we have it when we are healthy, but also how much we need of the Lord.
The other day we went to the mall to spend some time with the kids. This isn't just any mall, but one that sits right on the edge of the ocean. Hence the name BAYSIDE Mall. We all enjoy looking at the sea and the fish and birds that live around and inside it. Also looking at the tall bridges open up for the cruise lines to go by, and the people laughing and having a good time. There is a carousel where Giancarlo and Isabella rode, and seeing them go around smiling does something to your heart.
After a while it was time to go back home. As we were walking towards the car, Giancarlo asked me "Daddy do we have any tools in the car?". Right away I thought, maybe he saw the car and saw that we had a flat tire or something. So I asked him "Why do you ask?" He pointed his finger at two men that were pushing their van and said "It looks like they need help". Without thinking I told him to stay whith Maribel and ran towards the van to help push.
They ran out of gas. But when I was walking back to the car I thought of my sons heart. His heart is in serving. He could've easily ignored the men he saw, he could've seen them and just look away, but instead he wanted to help them.
Sometimes I think we miss those opportunities because our heart is not on the things above. We missed them because we are thinking about ourselves, or other things that are not as important. But Gian Carlo tought me a lesson. I have to keep an eye on the things that matter, because where my treasure is, that's where my heart will be.
We love you very much.
The Preciado's

Another reason to celebrate

2006-05-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Mary was chosen by God to bear His only Son. He chose a girl that was willing to do His will according to Luke's account. She must have known what this would mean. She was risking being the talk of the town if Joseph left her. She was risking her own life, because the law would have her stoned. But all she wanted to do was the Lord's will.

Last Sunday was Mother's day. It was Maribel's first celebration as a Mom. We celebrated as a family taking her to eat at her favorite restaurant.....On the border. But the real celebration came later that afternoon. When a young girl from the college group accepted to do the Lord's will in her life and was baptized for the forgiveness of her sins. We all rejoiced as she left her family's own mother's day celebration, to come with her brother Luis Felipe (who was baptized two months ago) and her sister Marieugenia to be baptized by the pool at our apartment. Her aunt and cousin came and two other college guys were present to celebrate with us.

Mary was a good mother we are sure of that, but it was because she was willing to do the Lord's will. Like Cynthia who opened her heart to Jesus and is willing to do His will.

We love you Mom's. Thank you for the love and sacrifice you show us with your lives.

UNLESS WE ARE LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN

2006-04-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

We have been very busy this last month. WE have a new home, and new kids. We are learning how to be parents, asking the Lord for wisdom to do it.

Oh but the Lord is using the Kids to teach us constantly. Last Tuesday night we went to Felipe and Maria de Los Angeles home, were they live with their cousin and his wife. Both couples have a child. Just before leaving to go to the study, Maribel asked the kids if they wanted to take the other kids a toy. Both of them said yes at the same time and ran into their bedroom. When they came out both our faces were in awe. They took the best toy they had. The one they love the most. The one that they took care of the best. When Maribel asked them, are you taking that to give it to the other kids, they both replied "yes Mom, these are the best things we have"

Jesus said that unless we are like little children, we will not inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus always gives us the best. We should do the same. That night we saw Jesus in their hearts, because they gave their best toy knowing that what was important was to give it your best.

We are very blessed and learning with Giancarlo and Isabella.

We love you all in the Lord.

ADOPTION AND A NEW IDENTITY

2006-03-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Family and friends. It has been a while since you last heard from us. We apologize, but we literaly have not had time to write. We have many great news.

The Lord has blessed us with a new birth. He has adopted one more son as His own. Last Sunday night we went to the local beach to baptize Luis Felipe Cordova. He is twenty years old and a new baby in Christ. I have been having breakfast with him since December and after the breakfast a Bible study. We also study with his whole family Friday nights.

Lately we have been thinking a lot about adoption. Last Monday we were invited to dinner by Andy and Belinda Garcia. We finally were free that night and accepted gladly. Their daughter came to dinner as well. She works at an adoption agency called Shepard Care. She shared with us a case that was on her mind about two beautiful kids that were put up for adoption. The boy 9 years old and the girl 7 years old. Maribel and I looked at each other and it was as if we both knew what we had to do.

Later that Friday we were at a meeting with the director of the adoption agency discussing the possibility of adopting the kids. "They have been through a lot, specially this last two months" he said. Their adoptive parents took them because they had a natural born son that is autistic and they could not handle the three of them. With tears in their eyes the agency took them and we believe the Lord put them in our Hands.

"We are going to give them a new name!" we said. And we are going to love them and tell them they are the most special thing that the Lord has given us in a long time. But most of all we are going to tell them about Jesus and the Love He has for all of us.

We come to Christ much like this. He takes us in the way we are. He gives us a new name. He gives us a new position. He showers us with love. And is up to us to remember what He did when He adopted us. Sure we can't erase the past, but we can live the present knowing that there is no greater love than the one that God shows by adopting us through Jesus.

A new name, a new family, a new identity. A new life full of hope and hope in Christ, the name above all names.

MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE

2006-02-23T10:37:00.000-08:00

After a long absence due in part of lack of time, we come to you with some updates about new years resolutions. Well one of them was to start a strict diet to loose the pounds aquired mainly during our stay in Arkansas. That hasn't worked very well, but is not all a bad thing.

We are getting together with people in their homes to share a meal, and also I Carlos have breakfast three times a week with two college age guys and a 40 year old single dad. We eat first sometimes and then have a Bible study. Sometimes at the homes we have the Bible study first and then we eat.

I have a Bible study breakfast Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And Maribel and I have a Bible study Dinner Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays sometimes lunch study as well. But you see we get to know the people while we eat, and we get to share the most important food of all the word of God. This is the food that fills us up.

We praise God for Physical food, (specially me). But we praise him even more for the spiritual food, the one that is everlasting.

So you see we haven't been able to start our diet, but at the same time we are having the Lord's diet when he said to the disciples in John 4 "My food is to do the will of God, and to finish His work". (par)

Until next time. Right now we are getting ready to buy some food.

In His Love;
Carlos and Maribel

From Rags To Riches

2006-02-03T05:56:00.000-08:00

Ana is a native from Cuba that arrived to the United States three months ago. That's when we met her. We have developed a friendship with her and Osmani her husband, Grabiel their son and Jenny their four year old daughter. Maribel and I were invited to their house to eat and we brought her a coffee maker. She did not know how to use it. "When I lived in Cuba I lived in extreme poverty" she said. Later that day we took them to the building for and english class and then a Bible study. Their very first one.
The next day there was a ladies class in the building to learn how to make quilts and other things. The rags or little pieces of cloth were all over the place. As soon as Ana came in the door she was welcomed by three of our english elderly sisters with all the love of Christ. They hugged her and welcomed her and as soon as she sat down one of them opened her sawing machine and gave it to her to use it. Ana's eyes lit up and immediately she asked Maribel for help to learn how to use the automatic singer. She said that in Cuba she used a tractor to saw.
After the class on the way home Ana said to us "I felt rich by being there today. I have never felt so special. Those ladies were very nice and even let me use their machine without knowing me."
She felt the love of Christ and the real riches in this Life. She went from rags to riches in a couple of hours from something that was done over 2000 years ago.
"For you all know of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" 2Corinthians 8-9.
Let us all go from rags to riches in Christ.
Love always;
Carlos and Maribel Preciado

GOOD INTENTIONS

2006-01-31T20:17:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday I had breakfast with Tony the person that sold us the ad we run in a local newspaper. I gave him directions to get to the place, but my directions were wrong. He could not find the place for half an hour until I realized I had given him the wrong directions. My intentions were good, because I wanted to get him where we were going to have breakfast, but the directions were wrong.
After breakfast we had an informal Bible study, and I told Tony that though our parents had good intentions of showing us the way to God, they were giving us the wrong directions. Jesus said that "He is the way, the Truth and the Life and noone comes to the Father but through Him."
He had to leave suddenly after he recieved a call, but that day we both learned something. It does not matter how good your intentions are, if you do not know the correct way, you will always be lost.

HEALTH EXPO

2006-01-19T20:28:00.000-08:00

Our dear friends, brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have been blessed throughout this first month of January meeting lots of people that will Lord willing will get to know the Lord.
We have been praying, planning and preparing for an event we will have this saturday 21st of January. It will have as the main theme Health. We will have three speakers talk about the physical, mental and most important spiritual health. These will talk about the importance of a wholistic need with Christ being the center and main focus of all. We have been promoting the event throughout Broward county with flyers, posters, newspaper adds, T.V., and word of mouth. We will have booths that will have information about all the health related themes and in the spiritual booths we will have all the ministries offered at the Griffin Road Church (Iglesia De Cristo). The event is targeted to the growing hispanic community and we expect as many as 300 in attendance that day. We will have a follow up Bi-Lingual Service the next day and hopefully many Bible studies.
Pray for the people that will get to hear the Lord's word and for all of us that we may use it according to His will.
Also pray for Enrique, Marisela and Rosita a new family from Mexico that we are studying the Bible with. Also for Jose and Leonor that will attend Church services for the first time this Sunday, also Felipe and Maria de los Angeles that we will pick up on Sunday to attend for the first time as well. They too are from Mexico. Also for Daniel and Sarah whom we met at a "Pollo Tropical" (a fast food cuban chicken place) who were looking for a Church to attend that started at noon and will start comming with us this Sunday. Also pray for Silvia, Maritza, Jessica, Melva, Elsa, Ana and Omar, Ruben, Ademir and Henry who we are talking to and getting to know to one day soon start a Bible study with them.
We are still looking for our home, but we are greatful in the meantime to be blessed with many people that are looking for him to cover all aspects of our health.
May He that can do imeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, keep you with all His peace, mercy and love.
We love you.
Carlos and Maribel Preciado

EXPO-SALUD

2006-01-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

Estamos empezando un 2006 emocionados, confiando que Dios tiene grandes planes para el Sur de la Florida. EXPO-SALUD es el evento que estamos trabajando y promoviendo,y tendra lugar el 21 de Enero en las instalaciones de la Iglesia, aqui en Griffin Road. Hemos hablado con muchos negocios locales y nos han dado su apoyo. Seguimos orando por el desarrollo exitoso de este evento, para la gloria de Dios! Y por muchas oportunidades de mostrar el amor de Dios a la comunidad latina aqui en Broward. Cuerpo, Mente y Alma, sera el tema central de este evento y trataremos de mantener una informacion-educativa del mismo tema todo este 2006!

Bendiciones para todos en esta nueva etapa! Nuevo caminar...pero recordemos que hay un solo destino....DIOS!

Chit Chat

2006-01-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

Monday right after christmas, Maribel and I went to get some gas at the gas. I went in to get a reciept after pumping gas and then I walked out. I decided to use the restroom so I went back inside and there was a guy waiting to use it for it was occupied. We started talking and it turned out he was visiting from Fort Myers for the holiday and was on his way back. I told him tobe careful on the road back and told him about our dear Jim. I told him we were missionaries and that we taught the Bible and gave him my card. Also that if he was interested in learning more about Jesus to call me, because I had a friend that was getting together witha group to study the word.
Tuesday evening came and I recieved a call from Marvin the guy at the gas station that I met the night before. He told me if I could call my friend, because he wanted to study more about Jesus. I had called my friend already and told him "wait for his call".
Wednesday night I was at a retreat for leaders in Eustus Fl. and I got a call from Roberto my friend the minister from Naples Florida, and he told me that someone wanted to speack to me. It was Marvin. I got so excited tears came out of my eyes. He thank me for telling him about the studies and told me he had been with Roberto the whole day telling people about Christ. I told him that the Lord was looking for him and that I was only an instrument. And with a little chit chat we both found that out.
Praise God for using us in His Kingdom.

Hand Dipped Ice Cream

2005-12-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we picked up from the port of Fort Lauderdale Jim and Charlotte Mabery. We asked them if they wanted to have something to eat and Jim said he wanted hand dipped ice cream. I did not know what that was, but when he told me we went looking for a place that had it at 10 in the morning. Thank God we found it and Jim had what he wished for. I think our Lord gave him the desires of his heart. We were listening carefully as they told us all about their experience in the cruise, and then as he often did Jim told us a poem. It was about a magnificent sailboat that a crowd was watching as it sailed until it got lost in the horizon. Some were sad because they could not see it anymore, but others were happy thinking that one day they would see it again. He told us that we as christians should not be sad when one departs, because we know we will see each other again someday.

I wish we could say that we were not sad when we heard the news about Jim. Just the morning before he had called us to tell us that there were two baptisms in the spanish group. He encouraged us to keep the good work and keep preaching the gospel of good news. He was actively being a christian until he was called up by Christ. We are grateful to our Lord that we had the priviledge of getting to know a true soldier for the cause of Christ. And we know he got his hand dipped ice cream like he very much desired it, but more than that we know the Lord gave him his biggest wish to see Him face to face. To be with him forever in eternity.

See you later Jim Mabery. A true example to follow the way he followed Christ.

We pray for all his family to be like that crowd that was happy watching as the sailboat disapeared in the horizon, knowing that on the other side is much prettier and that one day they too will see him again.

We love you very much.

Carlos and Maribel Preciado
Proverbs 17:17

Nacimiento de Jesus

2005-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Estamos impresionados del fenomeno que ocurre en estas fechas aqui en el Sur de la Florida. Muchas personas llenan los Centros Comerciales, buscando ofertas, comprando y comprando...pero, y... Jesus? No se trata de El esta celebracion? Bueno, no se, pero la gente no tiene tiempo de estudiar la Biblia... pues esta "ocupada". Amigos y hermanos aprovechemos este tiempo que la publicidad habla de Jesus, y hablemos de Jesus, compartamos de El. En un mundo lleno de prisas...detengamonos a reflexionar sobre aquel que NACIO para MORIR en una cruz por nosotros. Tambien moriremos... y adonde iremos..."separados de mi, nada podeis hacer" dice Cristo.
Bendiciones
Carlos y Maribel Preciado

Upgrades

2005-12-14T22:43:00.000-08:00

This last few days we have seen all we can take in apartments. As is one sign says. Completely remodeled with all the upgrades says another one. It got us thinking about our lives. The Lord takes us as is, or rather as we are. But He wants us to be like Christ with all the upgrades.

We have been very fortunate to look at lives becoming from as is to the potential they have in Christ. This week we started Sunday with the baptism of a 19 year old from Honduras. Enoc is his name and he had been studying with Wilfredo one of the spanish members at Griffin road. We met him the first weekend we were here and studied with him just a couple of times. His heart was ready to be remodeled and changed by the Love of Christ.

Tonight another soul was rescued by God from this world. Consuelo a native of Guatemala in her 50's accepted the Lord as her Savior and was baptized. Brother Alan MaCafee had been studying with her and we studied with her also. After the study tonight she told Maribel and I "I want to be baptized".

Praise God for the as is sign. We will buy an apartment this Saturday Lord willing as is, but we already saw the potential of what it can become. Just as the Lord takes us as is, and sees the potential of what we can become in Him with all of the upgrades.

Friends And Family Visit South Florida

2005-12-14T22:35:00.000-08:00

We are so greatful for the encouragement we recieved from Dave and Karen while they were here. We felt very loved and apreciated their visit even though it was for a few hours. It meant a lot to us that they drove almos a days work to see us.

Also last Saturday we picked up at the airport Jim and Charlotte Maybery whom we went to eat lunch with before their departure to the Caribbean. We enjoyed our visit and were encouraged by them also.

The Lord blesses us with relationships that we may feel loved by him through them. Thank all of you who take the time to call and write and pray for us. It makes us feel that we are still there with you.

We love you very much.

Carlos and Maribel Preciado
Provervs 18:24

When The Trees Fall The Lord Picks Them Up

2005-11-29T23:00:00.000-08:00

We have had some time now to adjust. We are still looking for a house, but like one of the elders said to us we shall wait on the Lord. Honestly, sometimes we get side tracked when we start consentrating only on the physical. And even though we still do not know where we will live, we already have an idea where the next church plant will be Lord willing.
We celebrated our 8th aniversary going for a stroll by the sea at Bay side mall in Miami. We had fun looking back to how the Lord has always helped us up when we were down. Today we had breakfast with a couple from Cuba that encouraged us very much. We went over to their old house that they had just sold to help them lift up a tree that had fallen down with the hurricane. That's when we realized that the Lord always helps us when we fall. He sends people, sons and daughters, friends that help us to get up. That tree was standing up when we left, but it is held up by a pbc tube until it can get rooted again. We will always have Christ holding us until he calls us to him.
We are greatfull to our Lord for the falls we've had while we've been married and how we can clearly see how He and only He got us back up to continue standing.

Open Hearts

2005-11-21T15:25:00.000-08:00

This week was a blessed week. We began two Bible studies with two different couples. Roque and Guillermina are new christians and Roque's sister is not yet. We are studying with them on Wednesdays nights just before the service. Also Luis and Rocio who have been attending for about five months, but are not yet christians. We study with them every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.. Next time they will have their neighbor Ana in the study. We pray that the word of the Lord brings forth fruit soon.

We also met many people this last week. Patricia is a hair dresser from Colombia. She moved to Florida last year after living in New York City for 24 years. She says she likes it here but could live without the Hurricanes. She wants to come to Church and is open to study the word in the near future.

A very good friend Pablo Escuza came this last Sunday to Church. He lives about 45 minutes away. He is a devoted Catholic. We pray we can continue looking at the word with him. We feel very happy that he attended the service.

Last Saturday we had a lunch to thank some of the brothers and sisters who supported us this year. The whole team was ther to help us serve and it was a great time of fellowship. We thank God for the hearts of service that these brothers and sisters have.

We wish evryone a happy thanksgiving! and May the Lord keep showing you His Love.

"Arboles Caidos"

2005-11-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

Queria compartir algo impresionante de la llegada a la Florida, toda la ciudad de Broward y Miami, estaba llena de arboles caidos, por las calles se veian solo destrozos...los arboles mas fuertes arrancados de raiz! Increible! Para decir la verdad, nuestra llegada, con ese ESCENARIO no fue muy alentadora, senti un poco de tristeza y pense: "no se si este sea el mejor momento para haber llegado". Ese mismo Domingo el hermano Allan Mc Afee predico acerca de Ezequiel, y la vision de los HUESOS que al escuchar la palabra de Dios, se volvieron cuerpos... y pense que Dios nos estaba dando una leccion; en medio de esos "arboles caidos" esta la esperanza, la gente esta buscando respuestas, y aunque la ciudad no se vea BONITA, la belleza esta alli, esta ciudad con la palabra de Dios puede renacer y lucir mejor, es la palabra la que transforma las vidas, las apariencias cambian... Dios es quien actua, nosotros somos los instrumentos. Seguimos orando por corazones dispuestos, y cada dia conocemos a alguien que quiere saber del amor de Dios! GLoria a El, por que de EL, por El y para El son todas las cosas!! Bendiciones, Carlos y Maribel Preciado

We Were Blind, But Now We See

2005-11-13T00:34:00.000-08:00

This first week has been full of emotions. There is no doubt that we are back to reality. For the past ten months we were secluded in Abilene, and Hot Springs Village were the fear of the Lord is present in many hearts. Now that we are back we notice even more the need to reach out to the community in South Broward.

This week we met Ana, a Cuban Mother of two that arrived to the U.S. a month ago. We also met a Peruvian ladie in a supermarket that came here for a better life, and soon found out that what that means is to work 70 hours a week in orther to make payments. We met Carlos a Cuban that works at UPS while we were lost or so we thought. We were turning at a light and here we see a man pushing his beat up car from one light across to a gas station. He ran out of gas and being late friday was without money and nowhere to cash his check.

We ran into an old friend in Taco Bell and invited him to Sunday Service to which he accepted gladly to much of my surprise. Ruben is his name and he is Dominican. I wrote an e-mail to a friend from Ecuador this week telling him of my return and inviting him to come next Sunday to hear me preach. Pablo is his name a devoted catholic that accepted the invitation. We met an American teenager Ryan, he is a junior in High scholl and invited him to a youth devotional Tuesday and he accepted to go.

We can see the people ready for good news. Ready for a change. Searching for something to filled them up. And the only one that can do that is Christ our Savior. There is a 19 year old young man from Honduras visiting the Church. His name is Enoc. He has been coming for three months and today talking to him after the sermon said that he was thinking about getting baptized.

Praise the Lord for this week. We had a spiritual retreat with the core group Allan an Margarett McAfee, Joe and Eileen Garcia, Andy and Belinda Garcia, Dave and Mirti Murray and us. It was a time of prayer, singing and planning for next year. We came closer to each other and enjoyed the time with our Lord.

We are still waiting for the aproval from the mortgage broker. But we know that our Lord will take care of that and He will put us where He wants us to be.

Next week we are visiting with some of the visitors and new converts and we hope to begin some Bible studies.

We love our Lord. We love what He is letting us see. The fields are white and He is sharing like always His love, Mercy, Grace and Joy with His children.

We miss our brothers and sisters from Texas and Arkansas.

We love our family. We love the Lord.

Carlos and Maribel Preciado

The Trip Back

2005-11-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

We finally made it to Broward county Saturday night. We first stopped for the night at one of our best friends place Leoncio and Amy Dominguez in Brentwood TN. The next day we drove to Johnson City, TN. where my alma matter is E.T.S.U.. We left to continue our trip and stopped for the night at Clemson. Maribel's aunt is a Spanish teacher there. We traveled to Tampa the next day, where we spent the night with Maribel's relatives and the next day we stopped briefly to have lunch with some brothers in Christ from Naples.

That night we arrived at Joe and Eileen Garcia, where they and the MacAfee's, the Murray's and the Garcias' too, had a welcoming pizza party for us. We prayed together and agreed to meet the 12th for a spiritual retreat at Andy and Belinda Garcia's house. We will plan the calendar for the year and have some bonding time.

Sunday was our first worship service at Griffin road. We had 44 in attendance, and 29 for Sunday school. We praise God and brother MacAfee had a welcoming prayer for us. That evening the church got together at Andy and Belinda's house where they hosted a welcoming party for us. We sang songs and prayed thanking our God for the blessing of being here to start working together with this group of brothers and sisters that love the Lord.

We were also blessed with the news of another baptism from one friend that we invited to Church and had been attending for this whole year at Hialeah.

Praise God for what He is doing here in South Florida.

We love the Lord and we love His Church and the ones to come;

Carlos and Maribell

Please pray for us as we search for a place to live permanently.

Despertar y Despedida

2005-11-02T23:56:00.000-08:00

Esta mañana fue nuestro ultimo amanecer en Hot Springs, me desperte temprano, y observe el lago tan precioso que Dios nos ha permitido disfrutar en estos dos meses aqui en "La Montaña". Cada día Dios nos dibuja un paisaje diferente, solo por que nos ama. Estamos tan agradecidos de como nos ha traido todo este año. Del mar(Florida) al desierto (Abilene), del desierto a la Montaña (Arkansas) y ahora vamos de regreso. Quisimos mirar y mirar el paisaje para guardarlo en nuestros corazones y en los momentos que nos sintamos sin aliento, recordar esos colores, ese dibujo de Dios y sonreir... El paisaje cambia pero el amor de Dios no, ese es para siempre... I Pedro 1:24-25 24 "Porque: Toda carne es como hierba, Y toda la gloria del hombre como flor de la hierba. La hierba se seca, y la flor se cae; Mas la palabra del Señor permanece para siempre."

Dejamos la VILLA, y vamos hacia la GRAN CIUDAD. Esperamos encontrar los corazones en los que Dios ha estado trabajando para compartir su amor!

Bendiciones

Carlos y Maribel Preciado

Precious Time

2005-11-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

It was a great time Sunday night at our home. Jimmy Mitchel and about 35 members of the youthgroup came over for a devotional time, celebration of b-days and goodbye's. We are greatfull that our Lord let us have this time at the Village. It reminds us that our time on this earth is short, and we must utilize it to the max. This is not our permanent home.

We had a great visit from our kids Manuel and Alvaro whom helped us with the newly started spanish service. Manuel lead singing and Alvaro prayed. They too enjoyed their short but active time at the Village. Thank you to all that recieved them and showed them around with so much love.

We will miss everybody at the Village.

A Beautiful Stay

2005-10-30T12:18:00.000-08:00

With mixed feelings we say goodbye to our family in Christ at the Village Church Of Christ. They are a true example of unity and love in Christ, and we have been blessed to have spent two months with them.
Our good Lord has tought us many things in our time in the Village. The first being that we needed to know someone in the Village to be able to get in there, just as we need to know Christ to get into heaven.
This time we spent here we have seen many changes around the area. The trees have changed from green to various colors such as red, orange, lime, yellow. And we are like those trees in our christian walk. We need to change and be different from the world. In the mornings at the condo where we were staying there is a lake that is covered with fog. But half would be clear and reflect all God's creation. We thought how we as christians should reflect Christ's face as well.
One day I had an opportunity to work with a brother and a friend laying stone in a garden. After five or six hours I was ready to quit, thirsty, tired, and I looked over and saw our car. This car had been given to us this year as a gift and I looked at the sky and said Lord thank you I owe you, a few minutes later I had to take out form the ground three four by four slabs. I used a pick and I had to bring them down hill. As I was carrying them down I looked up at the sky again and I said, "Lord I'm sorry I don't owe you for my car I owe you for my life, for you carried your own cross and you did it for me."
And there are lots of many other things that our Lord tought us during our time in the village. Do not turn off your light, because you need light to see. The light of Jesus will guide you as He did us during our time at this paradise the Village.
We love you Village Church of Christ. We will miss you and the new hispanic work that the Lord has blessed us with. We will pray for you as we know you will for us.
Your servants and the servants of the Lord, Carlos and Maribel Preciado
Mathew 25:34-36