Hialeah and Homestead, Florida

First Spanish Church of the Open Bible in Hialeah, FL

It took us three days to drive from Des Moines, Iowa to Hialeah, Florida, but it was worth the trip.  Sunday morning we were at the First Spanish Church of the Open Bible in Hialeah.  We were graciously welcomed by the brothers and sisters there.  Many of the people speak English, so communication was no problem.  During the service, we spoke through a translator and shared about what God is doing in Hungary.

Pastor David Del Valle

This is a missions-minded church and they were generous in their support.  We first met their pastors, David and Bernice Del Valle, in Des Moines when David worked for INSTE Bible College.  It was so good to see them and their family again.

Pastor Jose Castro of Templo de la Biblia Abierta (a graduate of Level Two INSTE)

Sunday evening we were at the Templo de la Biblia Abierta of Homestead.  This church is only five years old and is growing quickly.  They usually meet in a campground chapel owned by the Open Bible Church in West Miami, but last Sunday, the building had been rented out for the evening and so we met in the camp's dining hall.  This church reaches out to the farm workers and others in the Homestead area and have seen many people saved.  Few of these church members speak English, but we were enthusiastically received anyway.  Once again we spoke through an interpreter and really enjoyed the worship and the prayer service afterward.

The congregation worshiping the Lord

Following the service, we joined them for the dinner they have after every Sunday evening service.  Volunteers cook the meals and they serve specialties from their home countries--Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, and others.  Sunday night we ate paella made Chilean-style. 

Chef preparing the supper.  They feed the entire congregation every Sunday evening

Chilean Paella- it was delicious

Both the Hialeah and Homestead churches are strong supporters of INSTE and we heard from many students and graduates who were excited to tell us about how INSTE has blessed their lives and their churches, too.

We are really enjoying visiting friends and churches here in Florida.  And the weather is great, too!