This month was all about planning and getting ready for our furlough. Yes, to leave the church and ongoing ministries plus the daily workings of the café for 4 weeks, it takes a lot of preparation and planning. We are so excited to announce that we now have an ordained elder and deacon at Calvary Motul. These two men have been serving faithfully in this capacity, just without a title. After much prayer, and support from their wives, they were prayed over and announced in front of the church. These two men will be overseeing all of the church responsibilities while we are gone as well as teaching the main services. After the church service on the last day of October, we had their families, as well as Ruth and Jessica, over to our house to have a last lunch together before our furlough. We so enjoy their fellowship and serving with them because of their heart for the ministry. We are grateful for their commitment to the Lord and to serve the body. Also, in furloughs past, Natalie has always had to bake everything ahead of time for the entire month we are gone and store in freezers. Since February when Ruth started working in the café, she has learned how to make many of the baked goods we sell. She will not only be able to keep things running from day to day, but will handle all of the baking as well while we are away.
With just a few days left before our furlough begins, Noah and Caleb completed their school year. Noah graduated 8th grade, and Caleb completed 4th grade. We are proud of them both as they worked hard and earned a good month off as we didn’t take many breaks through this school year. They will be starting back up their next grade in December after we return. Schools opened back up here… for the first time after Covid. Some started last month, some began this month. They are not back open full time. Many kids only go for just a few hours a day during one week, and then are off the next. There are still many restrictions and no sports.
We had our first youth night – the last time we had one was at the beginning of 2020. We had a great turn out and the youth leaders and volunteers did a great job. We couldn’t hand out any invitations or make it public due to the restrictions; it was only by invitation from our youth. The night was full of games, snacks, some worship and teaching. The weather was perfect as it took place in the church courtyard. We also had our first (since Covid) time of communion on Sunday. We had to do it a little bit differently, but in the end, we were grateful we got to partake together in rememberance of what our Savior did for us.
At the beginning of November, we will be state-side. We are very excited as we, our whole family, haven’t seen many of you in South Florida since 3 years ago. This will also be the first time in 8 years that we will get to spend a holiday with our family in the states! We are so thankful that the Lord allowed us to obtain our permanent residency, for us to be able to travel any time of the year now. Check our schedule below and come by and see us! Or you can reach us at our email: theraynors@bellsouth.net
NOV 6/7 @ Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
Natalie & Caleb will be in the Kids' Theatre leading worship at all 3 services
Noah & Len will be in SIX78 as Noah will be sharing about his missionary life at all 3 services
NOV 14 @ Calvary Chapel Villages
We will be attending their 10am service and sharing at a lunch afterwards
NOV 28 @ Calvary Chapel Lake Buena Vista
We will be sharing at the 10:35am service
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