We Are El Puente

I just want to take a moment to introduce you to El Puente, an international, multicultural and bilingual gathering of the body. When we first started meeting with the believers there, we had no idea that we would eventually end up being a part of the team. We were looking for soul refreshment and backed into a ministry. God is full of surprises that way.

For us El Puente has been a gracious community. A place where admitting a struggle does not bring judgment but an understanding assurance and an encouraging word. Our pastor and his wife set the tone for this atmosphere as they shepherd the wide variety of people who make up El Puente. Some are retired missionaries, others are new to the faith, some have a Christian heritage, and others are not yet counted among the children of God. Most are thirsty.

Diana and I play a role that is pretty common to us – jack of all trades, master of none. When we started out we said that we just wanted to help in whatever ways we were needed, and if that meant sitting up chairs that was fine. Well, we have had that opportunity since we meet in a hotel on Sundays. There have been other things along the way. Administrating, teaching children and adults, hosting a Thursday group, leading meetings, cooking, writing worship challenges, and mentoring have all fallen to our lot at one time or another.

One thing that is on the radar screen of El Puente this fall is having two pastors and their wives to visit from Colombia. They will be coming up to lead a weekend prayer retreat with the idea that we in turn will lead others in the future. These retreats are designed for us to wrestle with issues like wounds in our upbringing, forgiveness, and living as beloved children all in the context of prayer. It promises to be good here at El Puente.

Drinking some eye popping Burundi coffee