I am Entering into my last week on the continent of South America. All and All it has been a great time. From the team life, to the church life, getting to know our church members, to traveling, the teaching and preaching, it has been alot of action in a short period of time. I am so surprised with how fast my time has gone. I thought 4 months in a completely new place with new people would seem much longer, but that was not the case. The time flew. The first couple weeks felt long then after that time just started clicking by. We had our last day of Bible college today. The students were awesome all semester long. They work all week, (they work long hours down here) then give up there Sat. and Sun. to be in classes and church services. God really blessed our times because of there decisions that they made to be committed. I am seeing how God will bless when people make decisions by faith to live for him. It is amazing to see how God will pour out his life his word fellowship and unity when people have simple pure faith to get to know him. People that have no motives but just want Gods will in there lives. In Mk 7 the beginning of the chapter Christ blasts the Pharisees because they are raising the question of why his disciples are eating with out washing there hands. Christ responds by telling them that outer things dont defile a man but defilement comes from within, from there heart. That there hearts were stony, unable to be penetrated. So all they could live in was ridiculous rituals that there fathers had come up with. They had no spiritual life so they had to make something up to make them look like they were spiritual. But immediately after this portion there comes a Syro Phonenician woman that has a need. She wants Christ to heal her daughter. She comes with simple simple faith, and transparency before Christ. What does he do, he calls her a dog. This doesnt stop her from responding to him asking again to heal her daughter. Christ loves her faith and he heals her daughter. Its an awesome example of a simple woman that had faith. No other options but to believe that Christ was the only answer to her problem. I was thinking about all the people in the world that are not anything to the worlds standards. Maybe people that are not the most talented, gifted, powerful, popular people in there circles of life. They maybe are looked down upon. They are not the ones who are drawing a crowd around them, people are not interested in them. BUT they have a new heart. They have Gods Spirit, they have a new mind. They have Faith. They have the ability to make a decision of faith towards God. They walk by faith, pray by faith. They say "God I am poor and needy" I need you to touch me. I need a relationship. I need a word. I need life. I need an answer. I need, I need. And we know God answers. These our people that dont need recognition from the world, they don't need fleshly fulfillments because they have a relationship with the Living God who satisfies there deepest needs. They have transparency before God with simple faith and God honors them. Its amazing that God is not complicated in answering mans wants and needs.
The best part of my time here has been when we have been with a group of people that have hearts that are wanting only God to speak to them. They have no motive but to hear Gods voice and have his presence in our midst. And it happens. God speaks, he anoints. His word is preached and he is in it. It is amazing. It is real. We sit in the midst of a group of people that have this heart and we dont have to say anything. We just enjoy being in the presence of God. this is what its all about. God takes care of his people....
These people are hero's in the Kingdom of Heaven. I think of all the people in Heaven that our giants and nobody even knew it on earth. Maybe they were in the mountains of Asia. The jungles of South America, the deserts of Africa. They had nothing. They were despised, rejected, they were nobody's in the eyes of men. But they were Soldiers in the Kingdom of God. They were prayer warriors. They were as Enoch was, a man or woman that walked with God. Believing and honoring God in there decisions. Loving with a pure heart. Wanting a relationship and having one with the living God. They didn't receive any recognition until they entered into Heaven. I think of these people not even wanting recognition because they only saw there life on earth as an oppurtunity to have a relationship with God. When men and women are not recognized by the world, God almighty says "I recognize you as my child". Wow. that is awesome..... These our Gods people. It says in Hebrews 11:37-38 that "Gods people have been tortured, stoned, sawn asunder, despised but the world is not worthy to be compared to them." These our real people that knew the living God, and they didnt care for anything other then honoring and Living there lives for God and his calling.... This isn't some life of my gain. Some ridicoulous message like Joel Olstein. (I heard a interview the other day with him on the Larry King show, it was absurd. Total nonsenses. Making the Bible and Christianity into some sort of cute little package to sell people to make them more successful. How about Christ, God almighty , being rejected. A man of sorrows. John the Baptist a wild man in the wilderness paving the way eating locusts and honey. I dont think a seat would be saved for the baptist in the Astrodom. Olstein would probably have him ousted before he made his entrance into the dome to recite his nonsense.) This is about people who lose there life for Gods life. They don't care about there own wills, they want to hear from God. Its amazing to think of what people have given up and gone through with great joy in there hearts because they know that they are gaining so much more. They have found the secret and nothing else matters. Recognition, money, popularity, power, my own will, HA. who needs that when I have Gods presence, his word, his life, his fellowship, his power, his ear open to me, His Recognition. To be apart of this is amazing. Who are we to have this life. Isaiah 57:15 "Thus says the High and lofty one who inhabits eternity, I dwell on high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit."
It has been a great experience being with people like this. That have lost there lives to have a new one. To see Gods work. To see the word of God growing and multiplying in S. America and excited to see it continue. We want to see this message continue to go into all the world and to be part of what is going on down here has been such a fun time. Its happening down here with the vision, the people and Bible college. The Bible college is key. These are the guys who are going to be planting the churches in this country and others around us. Be praying for these students, Cause we know the Devil doesn't want this work to continue... God Bless
Justin
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
AROUND THE SOUTH AMERICAN HORN IN 14 DAYS
What a time we had on our trip. We did a few thousand miles in a mere 14 days, and man was it good. We started it off in Floredenopolis Brazil for a conference for 3 days. We met up with my Dad, P. Stambo, P. Drew, P. Mike Stevens who is in Ecquador, and P. Lamos from Argentina. We had a great time with the small church there in Brazil. We then headed out for a 28 hr. bus ride south to Argentina to be with P. Lamos his sixteen kids and the church. This ride was quite an experience. It is actually not as bad as it sounds. The bus is pretty comfortable and spacious and it makes frequent stops at bus depots. At a few of these depots I had some very interesting experiences. The first experience was embarrassing, the second was frightening.
Know if you have been in a foreign country it is possible this may have happened to you. In all my days of travel this has yet to happen until that fateful afternoon at the largest bus stop on the trip... I have been very close to making this mistake before but I have always been saved by the last quick glance at the door to survey for the universal "Top Hat" on the door or the popular "Little boy" on the pot. Or I have been rescued by a native speaker that would yell out last second with a snicker "wrong one". But at this time in my journey I was about to become one of those guys that has done the universal, NO NO. Now I know you may be thinking, "well its only a small bus station that is not very busy, it probably went unnoticed"...... Well your wrong.. I am talking this bathroom had about 30 stalls, 15 sinks and a woman at the door re-stocking the paper situation at a rapid pace and still couldnt keep up with the demand. This was no ordinary bathroom, this was grand central station of bathrooms..
So I am moving through the bus depot to find the nearest bathroom when I see a young man (which I was wrong about. It turned out to be a young short haired Brazilian girl) enter into the large entranced bathroom. I think "PERFECT".. I walk in completly innocent of any wrong doing. But as I head to one of the stalls I pass a few stalls and notice up on the shelf above one stall a purse. But I quickly throw out the idea that I have entered the opposing teams locker room. This was Inconcievable. Mabey men in Brazil like caring "Man Purses", you never know these days, anything goes.. I proceed to my designated stall. As I come out of the stall I am met with about 5 woman at the sink looking at me as though I am committing armed robbery. At this point reality has set in it. It has happened, So soon in my young cross cultural missionary career...
They all begin to laugh at me and at this point. I have nothing to do but stare at the ground and dry my hands under the electrical hand drier while laughing along. Then the "bathroom attendant" enjoying it herself, realized that this was enough shananigans for one day, began to give me the "get moving fella, dry your hands outside" hand motion. Where I quickly complied. It definatley was embarrissing, but could have been worse. When I got on the bus, I began to tell the story to stambo where he just shook his head and replied with a chuckle, " With you that doesnt surprise me"... We got a good laugh...
The second Bus Depot dilemma happened at about 2 in the morning in the hometown of one the best soccer players in the world the great "Ronoldinho" ( This is what are waiter tells us). Now we have been on a stretch with out stopping on the bus at this point for about 4 hrs. total trip time mabey 15 hrs. On these bus trips they are not serving any food. The only thing they serve you is the "New Rambo " movie over and over again in Portuguese. Actually a good flick but not one you want to watch numerous times. For some sick reason one of the bus drivers (there are 4 on the trip that rotate every 6 hrs.) could not get enough stalone. He was loving Stalone blowing people to shreds. He needed Stalone hour after hour and so thats just what we got..
So we pull into on of these Bus Depots and they tell us before we get off we have 30 min. to eat use the restroom and ect. (there really are not any other amenities then those two). So in my mind I am thinking "a half hour that is forever". This bus depot was top notch. Mabey the greatest selection of food to choose from then any other Depot at this point.. Fully stocked Salad Bar, Chicken, Pasta, Fruit Bar, the works. So I start moseying around thinking I have plenty of time to make a decision. But for some reason I took like 20 min. to make a decision. But I didnt decide on a simple chicken sandwich I could take to go, or a slice of pizza that i could wolf down in a couple bites.... No, what do I decide on, I decide on a full 17 course buffett that costs a arm and a leg. I rationalize in mind during this 20 min. that its a perfect decision to blow half my money for the trip on a buffet that probably has been sitting under these heat lamps since last tuesday. That at 2 in the morning on a 28 hr bus ride I should put BBQ Ribs, Mac and Cheese and a Bananna split in my belly within 7 min. That this is rationally the best decision. To me it made perfect sense. So I gave the waiter the nod, telling him that I am entering into the buffet arena, and he handed me my first plate to start the night off.. Steak, potatoes, ribs, fruit, the works, a pure shmogersberg and really suprisingly it was thoroughly delicious...
At this point the other guys on the trip are wondering the rationality behind my decision as they settled for the easy chicken sandwich chips and coke (which was wisdom). So at this point I am racing against the clock. I am looking over at the bus drivers, who were a few tables away, every bite. Thinking that every little move that they made was meaning that my "buffet Party" was over. It was killing me. Pure Anxiety. Now in my mind If I didnt get a solid 4 plates in, it was not worth my money, so I was shoveling like a man in a sinking boat. At a pace that made my traveling companions shiver. I was like that Korean "Nathans Hot Dog" eating champ. My eyes are moving from the bus drivers, to my chicken parm to the clock on the wall. I knew a was racing against the time. And then it happened, the heavy set bus drivers teatered off there chairs toward the door. Then they gave the shout "3min and we are moving out". 3 min. I thought "Plenty of time" At this point I am only on plate numero 3. I need at least 1 more to meet my quota for the night. So i went straight for an easy food to chow through, Watermelon. I hit up a quick plate of melon in about 1 min and a half. Plenty of time for another, which i did. The only problem was that I forget about the whole thing with paying with credit card in these countries, especially this place... So I run to the regester to pay quick and then get on the bus. I take a glance out the window to see the Driver fidgeting around in his seat trying to get the perfect position for the next stretch. The last few passengers puffing on there cigs getting that nicoten in wright outside the bus. My traveling companions are long gone on the bus getting ready for the next showing of "Rambo" for the 7th time.
So I give the girl at the regester my visa, and a "Hurry it up sister" look. She gave the usual snicker as she looked at me then the picture on the front of my visa card of me looking as though I am 7 yrs. old then finally she swiped it. Denied. She Swiped again. Denied.. At this point I am getting nervous because these buses run on a tight schedule and there is no question that they will leave you behind if your not on aboard. Its the passengers responsibility to be in your seat at the required time the bus leaves or you get stuck in the rural parts of Brazil with no idea how to get out of there. There is no bus driver running in to find the missing passengers, or beeping of the horn to get your attention to get aboard. Its more like they move out and they give you a wave good-bye as they wiggle in there chairs for the 17th showing of "Rambo". So I give an anxious look out the window again and I see the last min. smokers hopping on board... She swipes again, I heard the internet connection, and yes it goes through. But it doesnt go through at the normal pace, Its slow motion speed. Each second felt as though it was 10 min. Finally I hear the printer set off and my receipt pops out. A quick signature and off I go. The only problem is that I have unbelievably sticky fingers at this point from the BBQ wings and the watermelon. I come again to another critical cross road. Do I risk missing the bus to make a quick stop in the bathroom to clean the hands or do go for the sure thing of getting on the bus but with unconceivably sticky hands that I would half to put up with for the next 4 hrs. I know that it would be excruciatingly painful for me to do this. Being on the bus with these sticky mits would annoy the heck out of me for every bit of the next 4 hrs. So I made a quick right hand turn and sprinted for the bath room. I ran as though I was going for gold. Washed the hands scrubbing all the sauce off then sprinted at world record speed for the bus.. As I headed to the bus I was thinking, "What Idiot gets a buffet at a Bus Depot at 2 in the morning in Brazil", I do.... As I turn the corner I am met by my main man stambo. Who looks at me and says "Pirates code" (which is a term we used the entire trip, courtesy of P. Drew, for some one who gets left behind.. Its actually from a movie, but we took all rights to it). You are going to get left behind , get moving. If it wasnt for Stambo I would have been sleeping in Southern Brazil. Then who knows what I would be doing. Probably I would have ended up doing dishes to pay for my lunch buffet the next day because the first buffet cleaned out my wallet.... Stambo had them wait as he ran into to grab the "Straggling Buffet Eater" that was trying to get his monies worth..... The moral of the story for me.. Choose the pre-wrapped Chicken Salad from now on.....The rest of the trip on the road was smooth sailing. I gained wisdom from depot to depot..
The visits we had in the churches were fantastic times. P. Drew preached and teached day and night. In Argentina we had service every night. P. Stan called on me and stambo to preach usually every other night. The part that i enjoyed was that we didnt usually get the word that we would be preaching until usually during the song service. I am learning that you have to be prepaired to share at any time. That we live prepaired lives ready to share a word in season at any time. It was fun because I would head to the pulpit with a simple thought and God would bring the direction and thought of the message during the message. Its amazing if we prepair daily in our living, God will bring things back to our memory. A thought we had months before, will come back clear as anything. God is totally behind what we are doing. Its so much fun....We were in Argentina for 5 days with the Lamos family and church then headed for the Andes mts. of Chile to be with P. Christian and the church. This was another 24 hr. bus ride through the beautiful snow capped mts.. What a Ride and what a feeling to finally get there.. We were with the body there for 5 days. Another phenominal time with the people.. The Lord gave us awesome themes and fellowship... P. Christian is in a city about an hour south of the capital San Tiago. We spent the last day in the capital with a group of belivers that are from the original GGWO church from the 80s. At this point there is no church in San Tiago, but these dear believers want a pastor and Greater Grace church there. So we are praying for something to happen there because if so there would be great church there with great potential. We will see what the Lord does.... All in All, the trip was alot of fun and definatly profitable.. It was good to be back in Lima and in the flow of the ministry here..
We only have 2 more weeks of class left which is mind boggling. Then we are having a retreat up in the mts. with P. Hadley for a few days. Should be good.. I cant believe how fast the time has gone. I heading back to the states in a little less then 3 weeks.. Back to the mother land... I am definatly going to miss it here over the summer..
I know the majority of this blog was about the bus depots but its all good. I never know how these are going to turn out, thats the beauty of them I just type until I dont feel like typing any more, which is right now... God Bless
Justin
Know if you have been in a foreign country it is possible this may have happened to you. In all my days of travel this has yet to happen until that fateful afternoon at the largest bus stop on the trip... I have been very close to making this mistake before but I have always been saved by the last quick glance at the door to survey for the universal "Top Hat" on the door or the popular "Little boy" on the pot. Or I have been rescued by a native speaker that would yell out last second with a snicker "wrong one". But at this time in my journey I was about to become one of those guys that has done the universal, NO NO. Now I know you may be thinking, "well its only a small bus station that is not very busy, it probably went unnoticed"...... Well your wrong.. I am talking this bathroom had about 30 stalls, 15 sinks and a woman at the door re-stocking the paper situation at a rapid pace and still couldnt keep up with the demand. This was no ordinary bathroom, this was grand central station of bathrooms..
So I am moving through the bus depot to find the nearest bathroom when I see a young man (which I was wrong about. It turned out to be a young short haired Brazilian girl) enter into the large entranced bathroom. I think "PERFECT".. I walk in completly innocent of any wrong doing. But as I head to one of the stalls I pass a few stalls and notice up on the shelf above one stall a purse. But I quickly throw out the idea that I have entered the opposing teams locker room. This was Inconcievable. Mabey men in Brazil like caring "Man Purses", you never know these days, anything goes.. I proceed to my designated stall. As I come out of the stall I am met with about 5 woman at the sink looking at me as though I am committing armed robbery. At this point reality has set in it. It has happened, So soon in my young cross cultural missionary career...
They all begin to laugh at me and at this point. I have nothing to do but stare at the ground and dry my hands under the electrical hand drier while laughing along. Then the "bathroom attendant" enjoying it herself, realized that this was enough shananigans for one day, began to give me the "get moving fella, dry your hands outside" hand motion. Where I quickly complied. It definatley was embarrissing, but could have been worse. When I got on the bus, I began to tell the story to stambo where he just shook his head and replied with a chuckle, " With you that doesnt surprise me"... We got a good laugh...
The second Bus Depot dilemma happened at about 2 in the morning in the hometown of one the best soccer players in the world the great "Ronoldinho" ( This is what are waiter tells us). Now we have been on a stretch with out stopping on the bus at this point for about 4 hrs. total trip time mabey 15 hrs. On these bus trips they are not serving any food. The only thing they serve you is the "New Rambo " movie over and over again in Portuguese. Actually a good flick but not one you want to watch numerous times. For some sick reason one of the bus drivers (there are 4 on the trip that rotate every 6 hrs.) could not get enough stalone. He was loving Stalone blowing people to shreds. He needed Stalone hour after hour and so thats just what we got..
So we pull into on of these Bus Depots and they tell us before we get off we have 30 min. to eat use the restroom and ect. (there really are not any other amenities then those two). So in my mind I am thinking "a half hour that is forever". This bus depot was top notch. Mabey the greatest selection of food to choose from then any other Depot at this point.. Fully stocked Salad Bar, Chicken, Pasta, Fruit Bar, the works. So I start moseying around thinking I have plenty of time to make a decision. But for some reason I took like 20 min. to make a decision. But I didnt decide on a simple chicken sandwich I could take to go, or a slice of pizza that i could wolf down in a couple bites.... No, what do I decide on, I decide on a full 17 course buffett that costs a arm and a leg. I rationalize in mind during this 20 min. that its a perfect decision to blow half my money for the trip on a buffet that probably has been sitting under these heat lamps since last tuesday. That at 2 in the morning on a 28 hr bus ride I should put BBQ Ribs, Mac and Cheese and a Bananna split in my belly within 7 min. That this is rationally the best decision. To me it made perfect sense. So I gave the waiter the nod, telling him that I am entering into the buffet arena, and he handed me my first plate to start the night off.. Steak, potatoes, ribs, fruit, the works, a pure shmogersberg and really suprisingly it was thoroughly delicious...
At this point the other guys on the trip are wondering the rationality behind my decision as they settled for the easy chicken sandwich chips and coke (which was wisdom). So at this point I am racing against the clock. I am looking over at the bus drivers, who were a few tables away, every bite. Thinking that every little move that they made was meaning that my "buffet Party" was over. It was killing me. Pure Anxiety. Now in my mind If I didnt get a solid 4 plates in, it was not worth my money, so I was shoveling like a man in a sinking boat. At a pace that made my traveling companions shiver. I was like that Korean "Nathans Hot Dog" eating champ. My eyes are moving from the bus drivers, to my chicken parm to the clock on the wall. I knew a was racing against the time. And then it happened, the heavy set bus drivers teatered off there chairs toward the door. Then they gave the shout "3min and we are moving out". 3 min. I thought "Plenty of time" At this point I am only on plate numero 3. I need at least 1 more to meet my quota for the night. So i went straight for an easy food to chow through, Watermelon. I hit up a quick plate of melon in about 1 min and a half. Plenty of time for another, which i did. The only problem was that I forget about the whole thing with paying with credit card in these countries, especially this place... So I run to the regester to pay quick and then get on the bus. I take a glance out the window to see the Driver fidgeting around in his seat trying to get the perfect position for the next stretch. The last few passengers puffing on there cigs getting that nicoten in wright outside the bus. My traveling companions are long gone on the bus getting ready for the next showing of "Rambo" for the 7th time.
So I give the girl at the regester my visa, and a "Hurry it up sister" look. She gave the usual snicker as she looked at me then the picture on the front of my visa card of me looking as though I am 7 yrs. old then finally she swiped it. Denied. She Swiped again. Denied.. At this point I am getting nervous because these buses run on a tight schedule and there is no question that they will leave you behind if your not on aboard. Its the passengers responsibility to be in your seat at the required time the bus leaves or you get stuck in the rural parts of Brazil with no idea how to get out of there. There is no bus driver running in to find the missing passengers, or beeping of the horn to get your attention to get aboard. Its more like they move out and they give you a wave good-bye as they wiggle in there chairs for the 17th showing of "Rambo". So I give an anxious look out the window again and I see the last min. smokers hopping on board... She swipes again, I heard the internet connection, and yes it goes through. But it doesnt go through at the normal pace, Its slow motion speed. Each second felt as though it was 10 min. Finally I hear the printer set off and my receipt pops out. A quick signature and off I go. The only problem is that I have unbelievably sticky fingers at this point from the BBQ wings and the watermelon. I come again to another critical cross road. Do I risk missing the bus to make a quick stop in the bathroom to clean the hands or do go for the sure thing of getting on the bus but with unconceivably sticky hands that I would half to put up with for the next 4 hrs. I know that it would be excruciatingly painful for me to do this. Being on the bus with these sticky mits would annoy the heck out of me for every bit of the next 4 hrs. So I made a quick right hand turn and sprinted for the bath room. I ran as though I was going for gold. Washed the hands scrubbing all the sauce off then sprinted at world record speed for the bus.. As I headed to the bus I was thinking, "What Idiot gets a buffet at a Bus Depot at 2 in the morning in Brazil", I do.... As I turn the corner I am met by my main man stambo. Who looks at me and says "Pirates code" (which is a term we used the entire trip, courtesy of P. Drew, for some one who gets left behind.. Its actually from a movie, but we took all rights to it). You are going to get left behind , get moving. If it wasnt for Stambo I would have been sleeping in Southern Brazil. Then who knows what I would be doing. Probably I would have ended up doing dishes to pay for my lunch buffet the next day because the first buffet cleaned out my wallet.... Stambo had them wait as he ran into to grab the "Straggling Buffet Eater" that was trying to get his monies worth..... The moral of the story for me.. Choose the pre-wrapped Chicken Salad from now on.....The rest of the trip on the road was smooth sailing. I gained wisdom from depot to depot..
The visits we had in the churches were fantastic times. P. Drew preached and teached day and night. In Argentina we had service every night. P. Stan called on me and stambo to preach usually every other night. The part that i enjoyed was that we didnt usually get the word that we would be preaching until usually during the song service. I am learning that you have to be prepaired to share at any time. That we live prepaired lives ready to share a word in season at any time. It was fun because I would head to the pulpit with a simple thought and God would bring the direction and thought of the message during the message. Its amazing if we prepair daily in our living, God will bring things back to our memory. A thought we had months before, will come back clear as anything. God is totally behind what we are doing. Its so much fun....We were in Argentina for 5 days with the Lamos family and church then headed for the Andes mts. of Chile to be with P. Christian and the church. This was another 24 hr. bus ride through the beautiful snow capped mts.. What a Ride and what a feeling to finally get there.. We were with the body there for 5 days. Another phenominal time with the people.. The Lord gave us awesome themes and fellowship... P. Christian is in a city about an hour south of the capital San Tiago. We spent the last day in the capital with a group of belivers that are from the original GGWO church from the 80s. At this point there is no church in San Tiago, but these dear believers want a pastor and Greater Grace church there. So we are praying for something to happen there because if so there would be great church there with great potential. We will see what the Lord does.... All in All, the trip was alot of fun and definatly profitable.. It was good to be back in Lima and in the flow of the ministry here..
We only have 2 more weeks of class left which is mind boggling. Then we are having a retreat up in the mts. with P. Hadley for a few days. Should be good.. I cant believe how fast the time has gone. I heading back to the states in a little less then 3 weeks.. Back to the mother land... I am definatly going to miss it here over the summer..
I know the majority of this blog was about the bus depots but its all good. I never know how these are going to turn out, thats the beauty of them I just type until I dont feel like typing any more, which is right now... God Bless
Justin
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
BRAZIL-ARGENTINA-CHILE- BEEF COUNTRY
Tomorrow, P. Stan, P. Gary Thorton, Stambo, and myself are flying out to the beautiful city of Flordenopolis in Brazil for a weekend conference with a few churches in South America.. My Dad, P. Stambo, and P. Drew Wilzcheck are coming from the States, which is going to be fantastic... We are there for the weekend then on Monday we head down to Buenos Airos in Argentina to be with P. Lamos , his fifteen kids and the church. P. Drew is going to continue his trip by coming with us on the day and a half bus trip. Stambo and I where talking a few months ago about this trip and we both decided to make the trip best as possible, we needed the missionary from Tennessee to be with us. Two days later P. Stan received a call from the states, and who do you think it was? The touring missionary, P. Drew himself who just caught wind of are plans to cover a few thousand miles in a little less then 2 weeks. He quoted P. Stan his famous line "I cant miss out on this run" and Just like that Me and Stambos prayer was answered. So we are excited to have P. Drew with us on are endeavor to cover thousands of miles of road in just a few days. We couldnt be happier, he is the man.....
Along with visiting the believers in these countries and building them up we will be participating in one of my favorite American past times. Eating. I was told by the Big Man himself (P. Stan) that when we cross the border from Brazil into Argentina, I will be entering into Beef Country. More Cows cover the hills of Argentina then the sand along the sea shore. He tells me innumerable Cows roam the country side that are well feed, hardly worked and most importantly ready to eat. Sirloin, Filet, Bottom Roast, T-Bone, any cut your little heart can think of will be at our disposal. Beef For breakfast, Beef for lunch, Beef for dinner and for the Argentinians late night dinner (which is totally bonus and got me excited). They are known for firing up the grill at 11 pm for a late night rap. How could you not love talking about the word with a T-Bone in one hand and a Filet in the other. Come On, simply amazing. ... We will be up to our elbows in Beef...
If anyone back home has been to the all you can eat beef restaurant "Fogo De Chow" downtown Baltimoe, you know what I am talking about. This restaurant changed my whole perspective on eating. It is Basically pure gluttony... Fogo De Chow is a brazilian steak house that I am told is setup just as a steak house in Brazil. Which means you have copious amounts of beef coming to your table for as long as you want. They actually give you a card that is "red" on oneside and "green" on the other when you first come into the place. You place the card in front of you on the table. As long as your card is on green the servers swarm around your table with huge sears of Beef. They procede to load your plate with steaming hot red meat, Lamb chops, pork (which is a waist of space) and some of the best Filet Migon you could taste. My cousin Bailey didnt turn his card over for 2 1/2 hrs. and let me tell you he kept up with those servers. They were working overtime. It was an amazing site to see. I have to admit I was proud of him, he can eat with the best of them. He puts me under the table. So Bals I will be thinking of you while I am down there, wish you were down here with..... I think you can tell that I love to eat. Going to Fogo is definatly something you do with the guys cause I dont think girls are too into having a contest with you to see how many pounds of red meat you can eat.But when you go with the guys its game time. Its a little pricey to the wallet, but if you can eat, it pays for itself. Little side note, dont plan on doing strenous activities the next day, its hard to move....
Church tonight was fantastic. ( I am trying to use other words then good. I am realizing the more i write these blogs that i have to get my face in a Dictionary and learn a few Synonyms for good. Its killing me so it must be killing you people who are reading these stupendous Blogs. I pulled up a dictionary online and typed in good for synonyms and it gave me 477 different words, so I think I have options. Alot of them would make me sound ridiculous, but thats ok. I could use words such as admirable, excellent, marvelous, proficient, stupendous, superb, superior, first-class, first-rate, congruous, salubrious, but I usually settle for good. I am working on it so hang with me..).. P. stan preached an advantageous message on "Being Sent". A perfect message for a man or woman on the field. If we are submitted to our Authority, our covering, and are sent out by them we have great liberty in what we are doing. We have Grace in our walk ,great Authority in our lives and are covered. We here in Peru are not lone sharks out by our selves but are under Baltimore and through that we are covered and have great Grace for what we are doing.And we really do..... I love that we have Authority in our lives. We can have confidence in what we are doing. We dont boast in our own Authority or confidence but in his. God has it for us......
Sunday morning I did the intro. I preached on Rm 8.35-38, we are lambs going to the slaughter but we are more then conquers because we could never be separated from his love. Who has the power the lamb or the one who is going to take the lambs life. Naturally it seems easy. The one with the Knife seems to have the power, but its not. Its the lamb who has the authority because he lays down his life. He is the one who has control.... Christ came to die, he gave his life. He told Pilate, "You have no authority other then what was given to you from my Father" Ha Ha. You cant take my Life, but I am giving it as a ransom for sin.. The King of Kings, All powerful, creator of heaven and earth humbled himself to give his life. God all mighty became a lamb because he had all power... Rev 5 he is a lamb but he is also a Lion. The powerful Lion can also be a Lamb.. That through becoming a Lamb he won the battle..... That we also are Lambs going to the slaughter but through this death we have the Lion nature in us. That we have these two natures in us, and sometimes we are weak little lambs, but we know also that we are lions with his power and authority reigning in our mortal bodies.. That sometimes we may feel as though we have no authority in our life, no power, no motivation. Just know that we are more then conquers and all power in heaven and earth belongs to God and in Ephesians 4. He is in all, IN YOU.. We have the ability to lay our lives down because we know of resurrection life and his Power... Praise God.... Psalm 119:25 "My Soul clings to the dust but Quicken me according to your word".... Gideon says "I am the weakest", God says "Valiant man of God". Exodus 3 "Moses your my man" Moses says "Who am I oh Lord."and God responds and says "Just Go". Receive this power, this nature of Christ that is now in YOU. He was a Lamb but Also he was also a Lion. WE HAVE AUTHORITY. Its good to have confidence in who we are. To know that we have great authortiy. The world says you weak, weak people in 1 Cor 1, you are waisting your life losing it on this foolish Christ buisness. But we say "THE CROSS IS MY POWER". Me losing my life means that i now have the Lion Nature in me, Faith that can move mountains, Power in my words, in my decisions, In my prayers, in my Life.... We are overcomers of the world in 1 Jn 5, the evil one touches us not... Praise God
Pray for our trip in the next couple of weeks..... I come back from the trip and have only a few weeks left. We get back on the 12th of April then stambo leaves a few days later. I am here for a couple weeks then I leave. I cant believe it, time flies.... Hopefully i get a few more blogs in before i go back who knows... God Bless, love you guys....
Jay
Along with visiting the believers in these countries and building them up we will be participating in one of my favorite American past times. Eating. I was told by the Big Man himself (P. Stan) that when we cross the border from Brazil into Argentina, I will be entering into Beef Country. More Cows cover the hills of Argentina then the sand along the sea shore. He tells me innumerable Cows roam the country side that are well feed, hardly worked and most importantly ready to eat. Sirloin, Filet, Bottom Roast, T-Bone, any cut your little heart can think of will be at our disposal. Beef For breakfast, Beef for lunch, Beef for dinner and for the Argentinians late night dinner (which is totally bonus and got me excited). They are known for firing up the grill at 11 pm for a late night rap. How could you not love talking about the word with a T-Bone in one hand and a Filet in the other. Come On, simply amazing. ... We will be up to our elbows in Beef...
If anyone back home has been to the all you can eat beef restaurant "Fogo De Chow" downtown Baltimoe, you know what I am talking about. This restaurant changed my whole perspective on eating. It is Basically pure gluttony... Fogo De Chow is a brazilian steak house that I am told is setup just as a steak house in Brazil. Which means you have copious amounts of beef coming to your table for as long as you want. They actually give you a card that is "red" on oneside and "green" on the other when you first come into the place. You place the card in front of you on the table. As long as your card is on green the servers swarm around your table with huge sears of Beef. They procede to load your plate with steaming hot red meat, Lamb chops, pork (which is a waist of space) and some of the best Filet Migon you could taste. My cousin Bailey didnt turn his card over for 2 1/2 hrs. and let me tell you he kept up with those servers. They were working overtime. It was an amazing site to see. I have to admit I was proud of him, he can eat with the best of them. He puts me under the table. So Bals I will be thinking of you while I am down there, wish you were down here with..... I think you can tell that I love to eat. Going to Fogo is definatly something you do with the guys cause I dont think girls are too into having a contest with you to see how many pounds of red meat you can eat.But when you go with the guys its game time. Its a little pricey to the wallet, but if you can eat, it pays for itself. Little side note, dont plan on doing strenous activities the next day, its hard to move....
Church tonight was fantastic. ( I am trying to use other words then good. I am realizing the more i write these blogs that i have to get my face in a Dictionary and learn a few Synonyms for good. Its killing me so it must be killing you people who are reading these stupendous Blogs. I pulled up a dictionary online and typed in good for synonyms and it gave me 477 different words, so I think I have options. Alot of them would make me sound ridiculous, but thats ok. I could use words such as admirable, excellent, marvelous, proficient, stupendous, superb, superior, first-class, first-rate, congruous, salubrious, but I usually settle for good. I am working on it so hang with me..).. P. stan preached an advantageous message on "Being Sent". A perfect message for a man or woman on the field. If we are submitted to our Authority, our covering, and are sent out by them we have great liberty in what we are doing. We have Grace in our walk ,great Authority in our lives and are covered. We here in Peru are not lone sharks out by our selves but are under Baltimore and through that we are covered and have great Grace for what we are doing.And we really do..... I love that we have Authority in our lives. We can have confidence in what we are doing. We dont boast in our own Authority or confidence but in his. God has it for us......
Sunday morning I did the intro. I preached on Rm 8.35-38, we are lambs going to the slaughter but we are more then conquers because we could never be separated from his love. Who has the power the lamb or the one who is going to take the lambs life. Naturally it seems easy. The one with the Knife seems to have the power, but its not. Its the lamb who has the authority because he lays down his life. He is the one who has control.... Christ came to die, he gave his life. He told Pilate, "You have no authority other then what was given to you from my Father" Ha Ha. You cant take my Life, but I am giving it as a ransom for sin.. The King of Kings, All powerful, creator of heaven and earth humbled himself to give his life. God all mighty became a lamb because he had all power... Rev 5 he is a lamb but he is also a Lion. The powerful Lion can also be a Lamb.. That through becoming a Lamb he won the battle..... That we also are Lambs going to the slaughter but through this death we have the Lion nature in us. That we have these two natures in us, and sometimes we are weak little lambs, but we know also that we are lions with his power and authority reigning in our mortal bodies.. That sometimes we may feel as though we have no authority in our life, no power, no motivation. Just know that we are more then conquers and all power in heaven and earth belongs to God and in Ephesians 4. He is in all, IN YOU.. We have the ability to lay our lives down because we know of resurrection life and his Power... Praise God.... Psalm 119:25 "My Soul clings to the dust but Quicken me according to your word".... Gideon says "I am the weakest", God says "Valiant man of God". Exodus 3 "Moses your my man" Moses says "Who am I oh Lord."and God responds and says "Just Go". Receive this power, this nature of Christ that is now in YOU. He was a Lamb but Also he was also a Lion. WE HAVE AUTHORITY. Its good to have confidence in who we are. To know that we have great authortiy. The world says you weak, weak people in 1 Cor 1, you are waisting your life losing it on this foolish Christ buisness. But we say "THE CROSS IS MY POWER". Me losing my life means that i now have the Lion Nature in me, Faith that can move mountains, Power in my words, in my decisions, In my prayers, in my Life.... We are overcomers of the world in 1 Jn 5, the evil one touches us not... Praise God
Pray for our trip in the next couple of weeks..... I come back from the trip and have only a few weeks left. We get back on the 12th of April then stambo leaves a few days later. I am here for a couple weeks then I leave. I cant believe it, time flies.... Hopefully i get a few more blogs in before i go back who knows... God Bless, love you guys....
Jay
Saturday, March 15, 2008
BORDER CROSSING
Good times the past few weeks. We got back from ecuador a couple weeks ago now ( time flys), we had a fantastic time with P. mike stevens and the church up there. Me and stambo stayed at Edwardos house with his wife and two daughters. ( His last name might be Ramerez but i am not sure, sounds good but it could be another edwardo i know because i know so many..i think i just botched his name too, its all good he wont see it) The crazy part of staying with him was that he lived in Baltimore for 7 years with his family going to Bible college and i remember seeing him all the time but i never talked to him. He is such a cool guy, the whole time i was staying there I was thinking 'should i apologize to him for never saying hi to him in the hallway when i saw him all the time at church...',Ah it s all good.. Its so funny when your in Baltimore the amount of people in the church that you dont know at all, then you end up living with them on the mission field, like the thortons. Never talked to P. Gary or Lecet thorton in my life, didnt really even know of them. They both have been in the ministry for like 30 yrs, in Baltimore for ever and I never bumped into them. Probably saw them a million times but never stopped and introduced. So i guess the moral of the story is, You know. Introduce yourself to that foreign bible school student that you see all the time because you may end up at there kitchen table thinking " I used to see these people all the time and never talked to them". Actually right before I left to come down here on a Wednesday night. My dad had us pray with our neighbor in church, so i turned and introduced myself to the man next to me. We prayed together then finished a little early so we had a chance to exchange a few words. My comment to him was "Oh is this your first time to this church", were he replied "No i have been in the church now for about 5 yrs." I could not believe that. Its probably because i sit in the same spot most of the time for some strange reason. Actually I think alot of people are like that, I dont know why we do that but we do.(shout out to all you who sit on the right side of church, you know who you are.. We are like a family over there, sticking together.) The discovery channel could do a show on us and how we allways migrate to the same position for service. When you go on the other side of the chapel its kind of funny because you see people you havent seen in a long time, and you think "oh thats where they have been".... This blog is probably pretty random right now because i am just rolling, its all good... But back to edwardo , what a cool guy, we had a great time with him. Making us breakfast every morning, KFC delivery for dinner, late night history lessons that where so interesting on South American politics, and religion, (this continent is pretty corrupt, whats new). Then on the last night around 1 in the morning we popped in "sea biscuit" , actually a really good movie which takes place at pimlico.. Just a good time with an Ecuadorian brother.. We were there for 5 days with 2 full days of travel there and back. It took 28 hours to get back with all the border crossing schananagins that those police officers love to do. The line could be 100 deep, babies screaming, people passing out in line, but they still move at a pace that would make my 87 year grandmother look like a Speedster at the crossing. Flipping through every page of every persons passport, checking mabey to see what, I dont know, i am still trying to figure that one out. Then they allways have to stop and go in the back room to crack a couple of jokes with the other hard working crossing guards. I really think they are in some sort of time warp where time doesnt exist. Or mabey they enjoy seeing people suffer in those lines. That is my only conclusion with those guys, pure enjoyment from the mental suffering of people in line. Those guys kill me. Looking at you like you are strapped with gun powder from head to toe. Looking at your cell phone as though it could be a detinator. I understand they are just doing there job, but pick up the pace Gomez.. God teaches you patience.
We have had a good time since we got back. The church is doing fantastic, along with Bible college. P.stan has been in Budapest and Romania for the past 2 weeks.. Its amazing he entrusted us with the church, and thank God we havent had church split since he has been gone. He is coming home on Tuesday, which will be great. I know as soon as he gets home we are heading right down to the b-ball court to have a "21" battle. He is itching for Stambo and Schaller on the court, I know he is..
The nets down at the courts have been going south as of late so we decided to get some chain nets last week. Man was that a good call. You should have seen the players when they caught wind that we got some nets. They were all staring at me while i was holding the nets in a bag.(chain nets are a notch up from normal ones, because they have a better look plus they last longer) When i took them out to show them it was if i was pulling gold bars out of the bag, they watched with such delight when they came out of the plastic bag. It was if i had the keys to a new car for each person down there. Rejoicing!!!! I honestly think one of the hoopers was close to tears as he watched them go up. (It was a beautiful site). Me and Stambo became over night living legends down there, they love us cause of those nets. Popularity down here comes for a simple 8.99 purchase of some hoop nets....
A little side note for those who it is directed too.. Team peru (collins, stambo, thorton, schaller) is getting ready for defending champs norman, colban, and robbins, at the annual b-ball convention tourney in Baltimore this summer. You boys better be getting ready because we are coming at you full steam. Plays are even being drawn up. Plays you guys have never seen or heard of like "Carolina , Motion, and West Point", watch out.. Norman I know of the weight gain so i hope that membership at Lynn Bricks is paying off because those extra plates at the family gatherings will be owing you on the court.. Robbins, I know you are going to be in the love clouds out there and Colban we are going to be all over that baby J.... Ha ha!!!!
We had class tonight, I was loving it, I didnt want to stop. taught hermanutics and Acts, its fun when you start rolling on a subject and get into it. Acts 15 tonight, with the apostles dealing with the legalism creeeping in. That we dont put any legalism on people but rather give them life and let the spirit convict and change people. That its not my job to go around and tell people the "101" things to do to be a an upstanding christian. Rather i know that God takes things out of our lives and we really dont know how exactly it happened, But that i have the testimony that God took it out of my life. Peter says in that chapter "We are not going to put the yoke of bondage on men, the same yoke that our fathers could not even bare". You talk to people and they say "yes I believe that its grace that you are saved, but you also have to change". The "also" is never good. Grace also.. These people underestimate the power of the Spirit. Romans 7.22 " I delight in the law of the inward man". That i have the newness of life in Romans 6.4 and thats what will change a person. If a person comes into the church and they curse, drink and what not, do i condemn or do I love and watch God change them. Its so good the message we preach because if it was not for the Spirit it would produce lawlessness. But rather it produces liberty to serve and in James the fruit is good works. Not because we have to but that this is Gods life in me. Imagine if pauls ministry was to go to Galatia, Ephesus, Corinth and lay on them that if they want eternal life that they must first change, or stop immediatley there wayward living. I dont think I would be here right now, actually i know i wouldnt be here. But rather except christ and follow him to see your life change. I love it...
Allright my battery is about to run out so i am rolling over to the couch to pass out.. Sunday is a Big Day.. Abd, Service, Radio, evangelism, and then Bible study. Me and stambo did grace hour last week, all we talked about was Bible college, we were pushing it. This week i think we are doing the same. We took a few of our Bible college students with us unknown to them that they would be talking on nation wide radio. You should have seen the young mans face when he was in the booth with us and I called on him on air to share his testimony. He was caught off guard... So good... Thanks for the prayers.. Also last note, i got an email from gabe aluisy and sliva that they are heading out for the other side of the world. Its awesome. I mention this because if anyone has a chance to check out slivas blog its so funny, classic sliva. I was laughing so hard reading it.When i was reading it i could hear sliva in my head.. If you read it you have to imagine sliva saying it to you.. Its priceless. I love that guy...... Adios!!!!!
We have had a good time since we got back. The church is doing fantastic, along with Bible college. P.stan has been in Budapest and Romania for the past 2 weeks.. Its amazing he entrusted us with the church, and thank God we havent had church split since he has been gone. He is coming home on Tuesday, which will be great. I know as soon as he gets home we are heading right down to the b-ball court to have a "21" battle. He is itching for Stambo and Schaller on the court, I know he is..
The nets down at the courts have been going south as of late so we decided to get some chain nets last week. Man was that a good call. You should have seen the players when they caught wind that we got some nets. They were all staring at me while i was holding the nets in a bag.(chain nets are a notch up from normal ones, because they have a better look plus they last longer) When i took them out to show them it was if i was pulling gold bars out of the bag, they watched with such delight when they came out of the plastic bag. It was if i had the keys to a new car for each person down there. Rejoicing!!!! I honestly think one of the hoopers was close to tears as he watched them go up. (It was a beautiful site). Me and Stambo became over night living legends down there, they love us cause of those nets. Popularity down here comes for a simple 8.99 purchase of some hoop nets....
A little side note for those who it is directed too.. Team peru (collins, stambo, thorton, schaller) is getting ready for defending champs norman, colban, and robbins, at the annual b-ball convention tourney in Baltimore this summer. You boys better be getting ready because we are coming at you full steam. Plays are even being drawn up. Plays you guys have never seen or heard of like "Carolina , Motion, and West Point", watch out.. Norman I know of the weight gain so i hope that membership at Lynn Bricks is paying off because those extra plates at the family gatherings will be owing you on the court.. Robbins, I know you are going to be in the love clouds out there and Colban we are going to be all over that baby J.... Ha ha!!!!
We had class tonight, I was loving it, I didnt want to stop. taught hermanutics and Acts, its fun when you start rolling on a subject and get into it. Acts 15 tonight, with the apostles dealing with the legalism creeeping in. That we dont put any legalism on people but rather give them life and let the spirit convict and change people. That its not my job to go around and tell people the "101" things to do to be a an upstanding christian. Rather i know that God takes things out of our lives and we really dont know how exactly it happened, But that i have the testimony that God took it out of my life. Peter says in that chapter "We are not going to put the yoke of bondage on men, the same yoke that our fathers could not even bare". You talk to people and they say "yes I believe that its grace that you are saved, but you also have to change". The "also" is never good. Grace also.. These people underestimate the power of the Spirit. Romans 7.22 " I delight in the law of the inward man". That i have the newness of life in Romans 6.4 and thats what will change a person. If a person comes into the church and they curse, drink and what not, do i condemn or do I love and watch God change them. Its so good the message we preach because if it was not for the Spirit it would produce lawlessness. But rather it produces liberty to serve and in James the fruit is good works. Not because we have to but that this is Gods life in me. Imagine if pauls ministry was to go to Galatia, Ephesus, Corinth and lay on them that if they want eternal life that they must first change, or stop immediatley there wayward living. I dont think I would be here right now, actually i know i wouldnt be here. But rather except christ and follow him to see your life change. I love it...
Allright my battery is about to run out so i am rolling over to the couch to pass out.. Sunday is a Big Day.. Abd, Service, Radio, evangelism, and then Bible study. Me and stambo did grace hour last week, all we talked about was Bible college, we were pushing it. This week i think we are doing the same. We took a few of our Bible college students with us unknown to them that they would be talking on nation wide radio. You should have seen the young mans face when he was in the booth with us and I called on him on air to share his testimony. He was caught off guard... So good... Thanks for the prayers.. Also last note, i got an email from gabe aluisy and sliva that they are heading out for the other side of the world. Its awesome. I mention this because if anyone has a chance to check out slivas blog its so funny, classic sliva. I was laughing so hard reading it.When i was reading it i could hear sliva in my head.. If you read it you have to imagine sliva saying it to you.. Its priceless. I love that guy...... Adios!!!!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
HEADING FOR ECUADOR
We are heading for the conference in ecuador in a few hours.. Me stambo and 5 peruvians are hopping on a bus for 23 hrs. O Baby, going to be good.. Pray for our time there. We will be back next tuesday..
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Devil despises Gods Life
He is a destroyer, deceiver, lier, murder, and he loves to shout his accusations at Gods children. What characteristics to be labeled with. The complete and total opposite of who God is. God is the restorer, the truth, resurrection life, the Preacher of grace. God is showing the devil now who he is through his children, his nature, his grace, his love, his power, his forgiveness , and the devil hates it. He hates to see restoration, he hates to see grace, he hates to see Gods love, he hates to see The Body of christ in unity in one accord. He hates spiritual joy, he hates soul winners , he hates spirit filled missionaries, he hates Word of God spirit filled preaching. He wants it to be stopped at all costs because if we live in this spiritual life he sees Gods life and he despises it. He does not want believers to live in the fact that the Battle has already been won. That Christ has defeated him at the cross. That I am forgiven, that my name is written in the Book, I am accepted in the beloved, I am sealed with the Spirit, I am translated into the Kingdom, I have an advocate with the Father, I have spiritual life, that he is under my feet.
There is a war that is being raged upon God, and the grounds is on our home turf. He will do all he can to seek and destroy what is Gods possession. It is his only way to get at God. It is amazing that God puts us in the midst of the greatest conflict of all time. That he entrusts us with his spirit to be called children of God. It is amazing. This is Gods true enemy who wants to get at God with everything he has got. The ones who are in the midst of this battle our Gods children. Satan wants to get to God by going after his children. To convince believers that God is a liar, that he is not who he says he is.
I preached the other night on Zech 3:1. Joshua stood before the Lord and the Devil was there to resist him. That satan was there to accuse Joshua of his filthy garments. It says that Joshua stood before the Lord in filthy garments. The devil was there to shout out "Look at your filthy child God, this is your high priest, he is a unable wicked sinner". But in verse 2 God says "The lord rebuke you satan" and he clothes Joshua in clean garments. He takes off the old and puts on the new. God says now what can you say satan, I have cleansed him, I have given him clean garments where there is no spot in him, and I declare him my child, Perfect.... This is what Satan hates. He wants Joshua to look at himself and say "Look at me, I am filthy, I am wicked, I am......" To live in his defeat, his inability, but God speaks a different word and he says "Clothe my child in clean garments, declare him my priest, let him sit at my table, he is complete and accepted in my family , he is perfect my blood has cleansed him. Not a partial cleansing but a full one from top to bottom.... We then talked about who we are in our finished work position from Eph 1... It is so important to know who we are, because the devil is resisting who we are and what we are doing..
In Psalm 59 we see the dogs going around the city barking and making noisy pestilence. That they leave for a period of time then come back in the evening to make more noise. The devil is a noise maker, to distract us in what we are doing, in who we are. He barks, and shouts, he shoots his arrows in Psalm 91 at the innocent. He is hoping that man will live in fear of his noise. David says in psalm 59:17 "I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou has been my defence and refuge in the day of trouble". That I can look from the top of the wall of the city and see that the noise is coming from a small wounded dog. That really he can never get to me and touch me. Psalm 91 I have a secreat place with the most High. That I am actually in position to shout out at the top of my lungs "Grace, Grace, God is my redeemer, he has placed me in my Heavenly position. Devil you are the one who should have great fear for your end is the lake of fire. All you are is a 3 legged wounded dog that has alot of bark, but no ability to bite. I once worked for Owens Corning dropping promotional flyers door to door. One of the great fears was running dogs, because if you ran into the wrong dog there is no question you could have a serious problem on your hands. There were some good stories of kids getting nipped, losing some of there pants. So one day I was in a good groove, flying from one house to the next dropping. I ran through one yard to get to the next house when I heard the sound that no flier dropper likes to hear the sound of a stunned dog. I did not know exactly where it was coming from but all I knew was that it sounded very angry. It had this deep garguling bark that sounded like it was coming out of hell and it wanted to rip my head off. So I made a B- line for the street as fast as my little legs could take me. As I was running I saw the dog bust through the bushes and he was coming directly at me. Most dogs had one of those invisble fence collards on that kept him in the parameters of the yard so once i got to the street i was safe. I jumped the last 10 ft. into the street with great relief. The best part was this was like one of the most straggly hurting little dogs I have ever seen. It was like he was in the bushes barking into an amplifier because this thing could not do damage even to himself, he was hopeless. It must have been such a great sight as a young man was running full speed toward s the street because he was afraid of a little mut that could barley move, but man could he bark.. That is the devil, barking at the saints, trying to intimidate us by his noise. It says when we see him we are going to say "this is the one who deceived nations" , this little thing did so much damage in the world, so much destruction, that he caused so much hurt and pain. This little dog did all this, this is the creature that caused fear, caused addictions, caused abuse and worst of all this is the one who deceived millions upon millions from the Life of God.
Man do we have a enemy but you know what he cant stop a man or woman of God that has Gods life. That receives from God. In revelation 12:11 "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of there testimony". God has given us a testimony, he has given us His word to preach and teach from. He has given us his mind, his spirit, his life, and Ultimately his Son. Praise God that we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb, and as Dad says we can stand at the top of the wall of the heavenly city and shout at the devil "Na Na, you cant touch us, Na Na devil you have lost". It is only a short matter of time before the whole lie of what he is stating is put on the table. And we will see Christ and we know we will be like him...
It is going awesome down here in Peru. We were praying on the church roof top monday night and God was with us. The spirit was so clear and clean, we loved it.. The church is on fire for the things of God. We have awesome disciples that are ready to preach this message to anyone who is willing to listening, who are loving the vision that we are preaching. Pray for God to continue to give us his mind, and word s in these days. We are enjoying it..... Stambo and I are taking a group from here in lima up to Ecquador on tuesday to meet up with P. mike Stevens and the Carlisle PA crew. (this carlisle crew gets around the world, its so good). So pray for our time as we are going to be with the body there and preach were ever we go. Because we knew the Devils devices and all we have to say is "Devil we are not stopping living and preaching this life that God has for all men, Its not for sale, its ours."..... God Bless, .. Smithers I wanted to give you a shout out love you buddy... Jay
There is a war that is being raged upon God, and the grounds is on our home turf. He will do all he can to seek and destroy what is Gods possession. It is his only way to get at God. It is amazing that God puts us in the midst of the greatest conflict of all time. That he entrusts us with his spirit to be called children of God. It is amazing. This is Gods true enemy who wants to get at God with everything he has got. The ones who are in the midst of this battle our Gods children. Satan wants to get to God by going after his children. To convince believers that God is a liar, that he is not who he says he is.
I preached the other night on Zech 3:1. Joshua stood before the Lord and the Devil was there to resist him. That satan was there to accuse Joshua of his filthy garments. It says that Joshua stood before the Lord in filthy garments. The devil was there to shout out "Look at your filthy child God, this is your high priest, he is a unable wicked sinner". But in verse 2 God says "The lord rebuke you satan" and he clothes Joshua in clean garments. He takes off the old and puts on the new. God says now what can you say satan, I have cleansed him, I have given him clean garments where there is no spot in him, and I declare him my child, Perfect.... This is what Satan hates. He wants Joshua to look at himself and say "Look at me, I am filthy, I am wicked, I am......" To live in his defeat, his inability, but God speaks a different word and he says "Clothe my child in clean garments, declare him my priest, let him sit at my table, he is complete and accepted in my family , he is perfect my blood has cleansed him. Not a partial cleansing but a full one from top to bottom.... We then talked about who we are in our finished work position from Eph 1... It is so important to know who we are, because the devil is resisting who we are and what we are doing..
In Psalm 59 we see the dogs going around the city barking and making noisy pestilence. That they leave for a period of time then come back in the evening to make more noise. The devil is a noise maker, to distract us in what we are doing, in who we are. He barks, and shouts, he shoots his arrows in Psalm 91 at the innocent. He is hoping that man will live in fear of his noise. David says in psalm 59:17 "I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou has been my defence and refuge in the day of trouble". That I can look from the top of the wall of the city and see that the noise is coming from a small wounded dog. That really he can never get to me and touch me. Psalm 91 I have a secreat place with the most High. That I am actually in position to shout out at the top of my lungs "Grace, Grace, God is my redeemer, he has placed me in my Heavenly position. Devil you are the one who should have great fear for your end is the lake of fire. All you are is a 3 legged wounded dog that has alot of bark, but no ability to bite. I once worked for Owens Corning dropping promotional flyers door to door. One of the great fears was running dogs, because if you ran into the wrong dog there is no question you could have a serious problem on your hands. There were some good stories of kids getting nipped, losing some of there pants. So one day I was in a good groove, flying from one house to the next dropping. I ran through one yard to get to the next house when I heard the sound that no flier dropper likes to hear the sound of a stunned dog. I did not know exactly where it was coming from but all I knew was that it sounded very angry. It had this deep garguling bark that sounded like it was coming out of hell and it wanted to rip my head off. So I made a B- line for the street as fast as my little legs could take me. As I was running I saw the dog bust through the bushes and he was coming directly at me. Most dogs had one of those invisble fence collards on that kept him in the parameters of the yard so once i got to the street i was safe. I jumped the last 10 ft. into the street with great relief. The best part was this was like one of the most straggly hurting little dogs I have ever seen. It was like he was in the bushes barking into an amplifier because this thing could not do damage even to himself, he was hopeless. It must have been such a great sight as a young man was running full speed toward s the street because he was afraid of a little mut that could barley move, but man could he bark.. That is the devil, barking at the saints, trying to intimidate us by his noise. It says when we see him we are going to say "this is the one who deceived nations" , this little thing did so much damage in the world, so much destruction, that he caused so much hurt and pain. This little dog did all this, this is the creature that caused fear, caused addictions, caused abuse and worst of all this is the one who deceived millions upon millions from the Life of God.
Man do we have a enemy but you know what he cant stop a man or woman of God that has Gods life. That receives from God. In revelation 12:11 "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of there testimony". God has given us a testimony, he has given us His word to preach and teach from. He has given us his mind, his spirit, his life, and Ultimately his Son. Praise God that we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb, and as Dad says we can stand at the top of the wall of the heavenly city and shout at the devil "Na Na, you cant touch us, Na Na devil you have lost". It is only a short matter of time before the whole lie of what he is stating is put on the table. And we will see Christ and we know we will be like him...
It is going awesome down here in Peru. We were praying on the church roof top monday night and God was with us. The spirit was so clear and clean, we loved it.. The church is on fire for the things of God. We have awesome disciples that are ready to preach this message to anyone who is willing to listening, who are loving the vision that we are preaching. Pray for God to continue to give us his mind, and word s in these days. We are enjoying it..... Stambo and I are taking a group from here in lima up to Ecquador on tuesday to meet up with P. mike Stevens and the Carlisle PA crew. (this carlisle crew gets around the world, its so good). So pray for our time as we are going to be with the body there and preach were ever we go. Because we knew the Devils devices and all we have to say is "Devil we are not stopping living and preaching this life that God has for all men, Its not for sale, its ours."..... God Bless, .. Smithers I wanted to give you a shout out love you buddy... Jay
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Jew Playing Hoops?
Hello yall,
Its been a few weeks since i posted one of these blogs, but I am ready to attempt another.
Life in Lima, has been a good time. From Church, to Bible school, to being with the body to living in the team house with a bunch of people you never really knew before. Its a life that if God opens a door for you to do, its a must. I am sure wherever you go you have different scenarios of course but its all about the life your going for. We are looking for Gods life, and where that is all the other stuff doesn t really matter. A house is a house, food is food, cities are cities, its all the same to the person looking for the Life of God. (dont get me wrong I love the beach right down the street and the perfect 85 degrees. Ha, its so good). We are a people that are just moving through this life, we leave homes, land s , familys, children, wifes and husbands to look for the city that isnt built with hands. Whose builder and maker is God, whose foundation can not be moved. We taste the life from God, we knew that this life is where our home is. His life is so good. Psalm 63:3 "Your loving kindness is better then life, so my lips shall praise you". This is the life that we have been having here in Peru. Acts class a couple weeks ago, Stambo started the class off by having the class go to the roof of our church building to have prayer. We were over looking the city of lima and we all sensed God with us and having the feeling of what is going here with us is so much bigger then us. That we are so small in who we are and what we are doing but in Gods life we are Giants. We didnt want to leave, we just loved what was going on. We then went back to the class room were we continued in this life. Stambo had a great class, then I taught the last hour. I was so pumped after the class that I couldnt go to sleep that night. I was going to do some laps around the hood, but we have got this drunk dude that hangs out in front of our house and sings all night..(For a drunk guy he actually carries a decent tune) He is harmless, but i didnt feel like dealing with him. So I settled for staring at the ceiling rehearsing the night... Thinking that if you have Gods life you can be anywhere. You can be in the deserts of Africa, the islands of the South Pacific, the jungle of South America, or in downtown Dundalk. Where God puts us, mabey we dont like it at first but if we have his life with the body of christ, those dislikes will fade away. That I am not sustained by the local starbucks or beach down the street that I like. My pleasure doesnt come from the comfort that I form around me. My real satisfaction comes from beholding God daily. Thinking his thoughts toward me toward my life and toward others. His living word in us...
Living in the team house has been a great time. P. Stan is the man. He is allot of fun to be with. He is a great pastor, preacher and teacher. The people in the church love him.. We have a good time in the house... P. Stan , Stambo, and I have allot of battles on the b-ball court. We have a couple friends down at the local court so we have some heated battles. We were actually down there today, I dont want to talk about who won... Momma Collins is awesome, She is a woman that knows how to wip up some good grub. I have been here a month and you would think she would start recycling through the meals, Nope.The Hot new meals just keep rolling out of the kitchen, they dont stop. So good.. Stambo is the man. He is the walking Bible. You can ask the guy anything and he will give you chapter and verse, its unreal (He is the type of guy you want to sit next too in a Bible school test.. Ha ). We have been having a good time. We were down in the square tonight with the youth doing sketchboard. We have a good time out there with the youth, there at everything, its awesome.. We were coming home and he was telling that his Dad played for the Umass b-ball team with Dr. J... I told him that is hard to believe because I have never heard of a Jew playing Division 1 basketball, let alone on Umass with Dr.J... He said he rode the bench, basically there for high fives a couple of chest bumps and some moral support. We can all see P. Stambo on the side lines rooting on Dr. J. Popping in on Dr. J giving a post game interview for a couple lines.. That was more believable. P. Gary and Lecet Thorton have been down here for a week or so. They have been a great addition. They got a little something something that put them out of commish for a couple days (wasnt Momma Collins cooking, couldnt have been it is to good)...But They are back, a few pounds lighter, but back. P. Gary has given me and stambo a little work to make some cash.. It keeps us busy for a couple hours in the morning. We listen to these telemarketers call people and tell them that they have been selected for a 500 dollar gift certificate from them if they sign up for a 14 day trial with this insurance company for 1.95... So we have to listen to them to make sure that the people actually agree to the terms that were told to them. Me and Stambo have been laughing for the past 3 days, they are so good.. They call people all over the country, my Favorites are from either Georgia, or Tennessee. The deep southerns dont put up with there whole pitch.. They call "Bull" every time. Those southerns are real gems..... Continue praying for the team down here......
.I dont know who is reading these blogs, but thanks for the reading support. Ha, what ever that means.. Thanks for the emails, prayers, and calls. I have never checked my email so much in my life. Its nice to get a shout from you guys..... We are not only believing the Bible, we are living The Bible, We are walking Bibles... C.T. Studd said We are not chocolate soldiers that melt when the heat comes, we our Spiritual soldiers that have the Bible installed in us.... Love you guys God bless..
Its been a few weeks since i posted one of these blogs, but I am ready to attempt another.
Life in Lima, has been a good time. From Church, to Bible school, to being with the body to living in the team house with a bunch of people you never really knew before. Its a life that if God opens a door for you to do, its a must. I am sure wherever you go you have different scenarios of course but its all about the life your going for. We are looking for Gods life, and where that is all the other stuff doesn t really matter. A house is a house, food is food, cities are cities, its all the same to the person looking for the Life of God. (dont get me wrong I love the beach right down the street and the perfect 85 degrees. Ha, its so good). We are a people that are just moving through this life, we leave homes, land s , familys, children, wifes and husbands to look for the city that isnt built with hands. Whose builder and maker is God, whose foundation can not be moved. We taste the life from God, we knew that this life is where our home is. His life is so good. Psalm 63:3 "Your loving kindness is better then life, so my lips shall praise you". This is the life that we have been having here in Peru. Acts class a couple weeks ago, Stambo started the class off by having the class go to the roof of our church building to have prayer. We were over looking the city of lima and we all sensed God with us and having the feeling of what is going here with us is so much bigger then us. That we are so small in who we are and what we are doing but in Gods life we are Giants. We didnt want to leave, we just loved what was going on. We then went back to the class room were we continued in this life. Stambo had a great class, then I taught the last hour. I was so pumped after the class that I couldnt go to sleep that night. I was going to do some laps around the hood, but we have got this drunk dude that hangs out in front of our house and sings all night..(For a drunk guy he actually carries a decent tune) He is harmless, but i didnt feel like dealing with him. So I settled for staring at the ceiling rehearsing the night... Thinking that if you have Gods life you can be anywhere. You can be in the deserts of Africa, the islands of the South Pacific, the jungle of South America, or in downtown Dundalk. Where God puts us, mabey we dont like it at first but if we have his life with the body of christ, those dislikes will fade away. That I am not sustained by the local starbucks or beach down the street that I like. My pleasure doesnt come from the comfort that I form around me. My real satisfaction comes from beholding God daily. Thinking his thoughts toward me toward my life and toward others. His living word in us...
Living in the team house has been a great time. P. Stan is the man. He is allot of fun to be with. He is a great pastor, preacher and teacher. The people in the church love him.. We have a good time in the house... P. Stan , Stambo, and I have allot of battles on the b-ball court. We have a couple friends down at the local court so we have some heated battles. We were actually down there today, I dont want to talk about who won... Momma Collins is awesome, She is a woman that knows how to wip up some good grub. I have been here a month and you would think she would start recycling through the meals, Nope.The Hot new meals just keep rolling out of the kitchen, they dont stop. So good.. Stambo is the man. He is the walking Bible. You can ask the guy anything and he will give you chapter and verse, its unreal (He is the type of guy you want to sit next too in a Bible school test.. Ha ). We have been having a good time. We were down in the square tonight with the youth doing sketchboard. We have a good time out there with the youth, there at everything, its awesome.. We were coming home and he was telling that his Dad played for the Umass b-ball team with Dr. J... I told him that is hard to believe because I have never heard of a Jew playing Division 1 basketball, let alone on Umass with Dr.J... He said he rode the bench, basically there for high fives a couple of chest bumps and some moral support. We can all see P. Stambo on the side lines rooting on Dr. J. Popping in on Dr. J giving a post game interview for a couple lines.. That was more believable. P. Gary and Lecet Thorton have been down here for a week or so. They have been a great addition. They got a little something something that put them out of commish for a couple days (wasnt Momma Collins cooking, couldnt have been it is to good)...But They are back, a few pounds lighter, but back. P. Gary has given me and stambo a little work to make some cash.. It keeps us busy for a couple hours in the morning. We listen to these telemarketers call people and tell them that they have been selected for a 500 dollar gift certificate from them if they sign up for a 14 day trial with this insurance company for 1.95... So we have to listen to them to make sure that the people actually agree to the terms that were told to them. Me and Stambo have been laughing for the past 3 days, they are so good.. They call people all over the country, my Favorites are from either Georgia, or Tennessee. The deep southerns dont put up with there whole pitch.. They call "Bull" every time. Those southerns are real gems..... Continue praying for the team down here......
.I dont know who is reading these blogs, but thanks for the reading support. Ha, what ever that means.. Thanks for the emails, prayers, and calls. I have never checked my email so much in my life. Its nice to get a shout from you guys..... We are not only believing the Bible, we are living The Bible, We are walking Bibles... C.T. Studd said We are not chocolate soldiers that melt when the heat comes, we our Spiritual soldiers that have the Bible installed in us.... Love you guys God bless..
Monday, January 21, 2008
I LOVE CHICKEN AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY!!
Its 2:30 in the morning and I cant sleep so i figure i can type away for awhile. P. Stan and I pounded a roasted chicken, about a pound of fries and a liter of coke tonight around 11, it was so good but it is killing me right now. I never learn.... These people know how to eat down here, let me tell you. It doesnt matter what time it is, they will deliver a hot roasted bird to your front door on a rickety scooter, for like nothing. You get a whole bird, a huge thing of fries and a couple cucs brown lettuce and a year old tomato in plastic bag for like 3 bucks (As long as the chicken and fries are good who cares about the salad, they cant be perfect with everything). What more does a man need. I am coming home a few pounds bigger.
Things are awesome down here. We had Bible college start up Sat. morning. We have classes only on the weekend because the work schedule for most of the students during the week is to long for them to try to fit school in at night. So we have class all day Sat. and Sun.. John Stambo and me had the first class of the day which started at 8:10. We are splitting a 2 hour class which is new this semester called "Biblical Biographies". We are going through choosing whoever we want to cover for the class week to week. The first class on Abraham was a success. Allot of fun. Then we had foundations after. With a break for a few hours, we came back and had anther 4 hours at night. P. Stan taught the first 2 hours then Stambo let it rip for 2 hours on the book of Acts. Stambo and me are teaching the book of Acts. We are swapping week to week. The best part is that the students are in this stuffy hot room for hours, and your teaching to them and they are receiving everything that is being said. They are so hungry for the word, for the life. Its has to be God for these people to stay alert hour after hour because I feel like I want to pass out under one of the benches and I am teaching. They are sitting on these uncomfortable benches beads of sweat dropping off there faces but they sit there content as anything. They have this vigor and enthusiasm for the word. Its so good.. Then Sunday we had ABD before and after service. Then at night we go to the south part of the city for radio and service with a small group. Its a full Day, with a good bit of coffee consumption..
Today we hit some waves down at the beach for laura schoenbergs going away party. Laura really has a ministry down here its cool to see. The people really love her.. Laura, Stambo, Karen Collins, a couple of the peruvian girls that hated to see laura go and me headed for the beach this morning. It such a sweet day, it was clear skies 85 degrees white sandy beaches and huge waves that were rocking me and stambo (Just wanted to throw that in there for every one back home throwing salt on the stairs and shoveling snow). We had a great time... Then we headed back, hung out at the house for a little bit then headed for the airport to send off Laura. It was a good day...
I have to hit the sack, so I am done....
Things are awesome down here. We had Bible college start up Sat. morning. We have classes only on the weekend because the work schedule for most of the students during the week is to long for them to try to fit school in at night. So we have class all day Sat. and Sun.. John Stambo and me had the first class of the day which started at 8:10. We are splitting a 2 hour class which is new this semester called "Biblical Biographies". We are going through choosing whoever we want to cover for the class week to week. The first class on Abraham was a success. Allot of fun. Then we had foundations after. With a break for a few hours, we came back and had anther 4 hours at night. P. Stan taught the first 2 hours then Stambo let it rip for 2 hours on the book of Acts. Stambo and me are teaching the book of Acts. We are swapping week to week. The best part is that the students are in this stuffy hot room for hours, and your teaching to them and they are receiving everything that is being said. They are so hungry for the word, for the life. Its has to be God for these people to stay alert hour after hour because I feel like I want to pass out under one of the benches and I am teaching. They are sitting on these uncomfortable benches beads of sweat dropping off there faces but they sit there content as anything. They have this vigor and enthusiasm for the word. Its so good.. Then Sunday we had ABD before and after service. Then at night we go to the south part of the city for radio and service with a small group. Its a full Day, with a good bit of coffee consumption..
Today we hit some waves down at the beach for laura schoenbergs going away party. Laura really has a ministry down here its cool to see. The people really love her.. Laura, Stambo, Karen Collins, a couple of the peruvian girls that hated to see laura go and me headed for the beach this morning. It such a sweet day, it was clear skies 85 degrees white sandy beaches and huge waves that were rocking me and stambo (Just wanted to throw that in there for every one back home throwing salt on the stairs and shoveling snow). We had a great time... Then we headed back, hung out at the house for a little bit then headed for the airport to send off Laura. It was a good day...
I have to hit the sack, so I am done....
Thursday, January 17, 2008
No more Buses
Olah! from Peru. What a place. I have been here a week now, and have seen half the country. We have squeezed enough activity in week that it seem s more like a month. I flew into Sanchez International thurs. night the 10th to be met by P. Stan and Stambo. There was a few hundred people waiting at the gate for arriving visitors, it took me a matter of a few seconds to recognize the two gringos. They were sticking out like a pair of sore thumbs. Two huge white guys in the midst of little South americans. I didn't realize how small the people are down here. I have been walking around with a new confidence towering over every one. If someone has a short man complex this is the place to come.
Friday morning John Stambo, leahky (peruvian member in the church, and interpreter) and myself took a walk around the neighborhood. Trying to get a feel for my new home. The team house is in the north section of the city, a nice middle class area. We have everything we need with in walking distance, and most importantly a B-ball court around the corner. P. Stan loves to lace up his sneaks and battle on the court, you cant ask for much more from the head Pastor.
That night i went with John Stambo and the youth to the south side of the city for soul winning. The youth down here are awesome, they are the soul winners in the church. The south side is the Gringo area so it was allot easier for me to speak to people. People are very open to what we are saying. It is not uncommon for you to tell a person the grace message and its there first time hearing it. The country of Peru has been greatly influenced by the catholic church for years, so the concept of a free gift is very strange, but they love it. It was allot of fun being on the streets speaking faith with the body in christ in peru.
We then that night hopped on a bus for a 8 hr bus trip to trijullo ( the spelling is probable botched, but it sounds alright) which is north of lima on the coast. When we got there we met the pastor, Pastor Julio. He has been doing the trip from his home town of trijullo to lima every weekend for Bible college. He loves the word. I told him when I heard that he does the 8 hr trip every weekend for class and he never missed, I could never think about missing a class myself. That when I am thinking about being lazy he will come to my mind, and be a motivator. We were in the trijullo for a couple days evangelizing, sketch boarding, knocking on doors, and fellowshipping in the word. The word gives us the focus of who we are and what we are doing on these missionary trips. We then took another 8 hour ride into the mountains to a city the church has never been. Cajamarca is a city that was so open to are message. We had nothing to do for 2 days then to preach non stop in the center square and do sketch board. It is so much fun because all you have to do is set up the sketch board, not even paint, and the next thing you know you have a hundred people waiting for you to speak, and we did just that. Preached the Finished work message, with people wanting what we were talking about. They kept asking us when the Greater Grace church was coming to there city? How could they keep in touch with us? What should they do to get closer to God? It was such a Joy. In the natural sense we had no idea what we were doing but we knew that God wanted us there for his purpose, and when the few days were over we could see Gods hand on us during are few days in the cities.
We arrived back Wednesday morning, happy to be off the bus that we were on for 14 hrs. We had service last night and now we are getting ready for Bible college to start up on Sat. and Sun. John Stambo and myself are teaching a new course P.Stan and Stambo came up with called Biblical Biographies. Then on Sunday Stambo and I will be teaching the book of Acts. Its going to be fun. Thanks for the prayers and hopefully I can keep up with this whole Blog thing
Justin Schaller
Friday morning John Stambo, leahky (peruvian member in the church, and interpreter) and myself took a walk around the neighborhood. Trying to get a feel for my new home. The team house is in the north section of the city, a nice middle class area. We have everything we need with in walking distance, and most importantly a B-ball court around the corner. P. Stan loves to lace up his sneaks and battle on the court, you cant ask for much more from the head Pastor.
That night i went with John Stambo and the youth to the south side of the city for soul winning. The youth down here are awesome, they are the soul winners in the church. The south side is the Gringo area so it was allot easier for me to speak to people. People are very open to what we are saying. It is not uncommon for you to tell a person the grace message and its there first time hearing it. The country of Peru has been greatly influenced by the catholic church for years, so the concept of a free gift is very strange, but they love it. It was allot of fun being on the streets speaking faith with the body in christ in peru.
We then that night hopped on a bus for a 8 hr bus trip to trijullo ( the spelling is probable botched, but it sounds alright) which is north of lima on the coast. When we got there we met the pastor, Pastor Julio. He has been doing the trip from his home town of trijullo to lima every weekend for Bible college. He loves the word. I told him when I heard that he does the 8 hr trip every weekend for class and he never missed, I could never think about missing a class myself. That when I am thinking about being lazy he will come to my mind, and be a motivator. We were in the trijullo for a couple days evangelizing, sketch boarding, knocking on doors, and fellowshipping in the word. The word gives us the focus of who we are and what we are doing on these missionary trips. We then took another 8 hour ride into the mountains to a city the church has never been. Cajamarca is a city that was so open to are message. We had nothing to do for 2 days then to preach non stop in the center square and do sketch board. It is so much fun because all you have to do is set up the sketch board, not even paint, and the next thing you know you have a hundred people waiting for you to speak, and we did just that. Preached the Finished work message, with people wanting what we were talking about. They kept asking us when the Greater Grace church was coming to there city? How could they keep in touch with us? What should they do to get closer to God? It was such a Joy. In the natural sense we had no idea what we were doing but we knew that God wanted us there for his purpose, and when the few days were over we could see Gods hand on us during are few days in the cities.
We arrived back Wednesday morning, happy to be off the bus that we were on for 14 hrs. We had service last night and now we are getting ready for Bible college to start up on Sat. and Sun. John Stambo and myself are teaching a new course P.Stan and Stambo came up with called Biblical Biographies. Then on Sunday Stambo and I will be teaching the book of Acts. Its going to be fun. Thanks for the prayers and hopefully I can keep up with this whole Blog thing
Justin Schaller
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