How would you feel if at age 20 an accident robbed you of all movement waist down? I want to ask you to pray for my newest friend Diego. I met him twice this week, and it was a joy to bring the Good News to his family. This past January he had a bike accident and now he lives in bed. From a life of intense activity, working four different jobs, Diego went to a state of immobility. He can use his hands well, though, and has taken up learning the guitar. That was my original open door, but now I'm invited there not only to teach him some guitar but also the Bible! My prayer is that Diego will not be bitter, but embrace his opportunities as they are opened to him, and make the most of every situation, including the fact that he has a high capacity for learning and using his mind. Could he be intensely useful for the propagation of the gospel of the grace of God? Let us pray together for his family, who have lovingly opened their doors for us. May the Word of God have free course in their lives!
Our sister Denise, one of our workers in training, accompanied me on my second visit with them, and connected well with Diego's parents. As our time in this region is short, we rejoice that the brethren here are taking steps of their own in the work of the ministry! Denise is part of our Ladies' Study. I am training my wife Mariana, Denise, and Deise in Hermeneutics and Public Speaking for their ministries with other women and youth. They're quite advanced!
04 June 2016
05 May 2016
It's been years since I've last slept a nine-hour night. But yesterday's events would have tired you out too. The day before yesterday I rode my bike to an errand and then to Wezel's house, which was over 30 km. I stayed overnight. Then we woke up to a beautiful day! For us, that is. The neighbors were fighting, and we could hear it loud and clear.
Wezel and I went to talk to them, and the man, whom I shall call William, politely said it was just a husband-wife argument, but they were okay. We insisted, wanting to help, praying for an open door for the gospel. William dismissed us, and we walked back home feeling terrible... I had an errand to run, so after lunch I rode to town. I'm about done when Wezel calls me back - William had lied. They weren't okay. The fighting had continued, escalated, and now they were fighting in the street, and other neighbors were getting involved. One neighbor lost it, grabbed a stick and was about to beat William when Wezel stopped him! William left, the neighbors dispersed, and Wezel tried to speak to the wife, Luciana. She was receptive to the Word of God, and invited him in to speak more of it to her. Moments later I arrive, and I was surprised at how open she was. Luciana accepted the gospel! She was saved! William arrived right at that, and his attitude was rather different. He heard the gospel clearly, but rejected it. He started speaking of the Santo Daime, a religion that mixes the use of a hallucinogen drink with Spiritist, Catholic, traditional South-American religions, and traditional African religions. He said our truth doesn't work for him, but his truth may not work for us, and that's okay because we're all following the same path of light... When we spoke of our source, and the authority of Scripture, he blatantly declared that the Bible isn't the only means God uses to speak to people, and that his religion is a more direct contact with the divine ones! When he takes the holy drink he meets the gods personally, speaks to them, and they to him... Wezel and I insisted upon a few other points, but it was clear to us that his heart was closed with pride, and he wouldn't listen. There was a weird round-about answer for everything, and it was all about his experience. His wife would chip in trying to help, which only made him more aggressive. After what felt like hours of nonsense we left, and Luciana came to open the gate for us. As we parted she said she would come study the Bible with us.
Later that evening we had our Wednesday night Bible study, but instead of the planned subject, we discussed relationships from God's perspective, starting with an account of the afternoon's adventures. Nothing like reality to drive home God's Word!
The Bible study was followed by a counselling session with one of the saints, who was having relationship issues with her husband. It was about 11:20 when I headed home via the highway, arriving 5 after midnight. Riding the bike in the dark is quite the adventure too! I was beat! What a day!
The fight scene was so sad. To see a couple yelling violence at each other hurts. Yet Luciana's salvation wasn't the only positive note. It brought Wezel and I into a closer contact with the neighbors, and we intend to share the gospel with them too because of it. Please pray for open doors in the neighborhood! Please pray for Luciana, not only that she would grow in Christ, but also in wisdom of how to reach her husband, like in 1 Peter 3:1-6. Also, please pray for the health of our group's relationships, that we may honor Christ in everything.
This world is dark. What a privilege to shine as lights in the world on Christ's behalf (Php.2:15)!
Wezel and I went to talk to them, and the man, whom I shall call William, politely said it was just a husband-wife argument, but they were okay. We insisted, wanting to help, praying for an open door for the gospel. William dismissed us, and we walked back home feeling terrible... I had an errand to run, so after lunch I rode to town. I'm about done when Wezel calls me back - William had lied. They weren't okay. The fighting had continued, escalated, and now they were fighting in the street, and other neighbors were getting involved. One neighbor lost it, grabbed a stick and was about to beat William when Wezel stopped him! William left, the neighbors dispersed, and Wezel tried to speak to the wife, Luciana. She was receptive to the Word of God, and invited him in to speak more of it to her. Moments later I arrive, and I was surprised at how open she was. Luciana accepted the gospel! She was saved! William arrived right at that, and his attitude was rather different. He heard the gospel clearly, but rejected it. He started speaking of the Santo Daime, a religion that mixes the use of a hallucinogen drink with Spiritist, Catholic, traditional South-American religions, and traditional African religions. He said our truth doesn't work for him, but his truth may not work for us, and that's okay because we're all following the same path of light... When we spoke of our source, and the authority of Scripture, he blatantly declared that the Bible isn't the only means God uses to speak to people, and that his religion is a more direct contact with the divine ones! When he takes the holy drink he meets the gods personally, speaks to them, and they to him... Wezel and I insisted upon a few other points, but it was clear to us that his heart was closed with pride, and he wouldn't listen. There was a weird round-about answer for everything, and it was all about his experience. His wife would chip in trying to help, which only made him more aggressive. After what felt like hours of nonsense we left, and Luciana came to open the gate for us. As we parted she said she would come study the Bible with us.
Later that evening we had our Wednesday night Bible study, but instead of the planned subject, we discussed relationships from God's perspective, starting with an account of the afternoon's adventures. Nothing like reality to drive home God's Word!
The Bible study was followed by a counselling session with one of the saints, who was having relationship issues with her husband. It was about 11:20 when I headed home via the highway, arriving 5 after midnight. Riding the bike in the dark is quite the adventure too! I was beat! What a day!
The fight scene was so sad. To see a couple yelling violence at each other hurts. Yet Luciana's salvation wasn't the only positive note. It brought Wezel and I into a closer contact with the neighbors, and we intend to share the gospel with them too because of it. Please pray for open doors in the neighborhood! Please pray for Luciana, not only that she would grow in Christ, but also in wisdom of how to reach her husband, like in 1 Peter 3:1-6. Also, please pray for the health of our group's relationships, that we may honor Christ in everything.
This world is dark. What a privilege to shine as lights in the world on Christ's behalf (Php.2:15)!
22 April 2016
Musicians? Check.
15 April 2016
Discipleship on Wheels. Bike Wheels.
Okay, so you're riding your bike, the breeze playfully strikes your hair, a friend is riding with you, you're talking, having a good time... And that's work?? Today Wezel and I went for a bike ride together, and part of the time we were discussing relationships, family, and how it all relates to ministry. It has been an ongoing discipleship, but today I got to do it riding my bike! Don't you wish you had my job? Well... I did ride 25 km, though. Sore 'n' tired, but we made great progress! Hey, can someone help me get up?
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