7 October 2004
Letter from Ed...
I had a chance to share God’s word last night for the first time at church. Since this month the Small Groups are studying the theme of spiritual warfare, I opted to teach on the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). I knew I was doing a wonderful job when one lady got up about half way through and walked out while others fell asleep. Hey, it wasn’t supposed to be like this! Oh well, I trust somebody was listening.
I continue to be blessed at how well everyone seems to be adjusting. I’m in the midst of writing a New Believers Class curriculum, preparing to teach the Bible class to the elementary students at the Assembly of God’s Christian academy, to prepare for a “retreat” for new believers where I will be one of 4 speakers (my subject is God’s forgiveness- Psalm 32), and to devise a system for following up with and making disciples of new converts. I am editing Pastor David’s curriculum on Discipleship. Yesterday I inventoried all of the stuff in Roger and Katrina’s storage shed (a project which had been waiting 2 years to be completed). Last night six American medical missionaries arrived to begin a week of visits to remote sites. Karen, Gabrielle and Michaela just left to go with them. I had to stay home with a feverish Bethany (the first sickness anyone has had). I’ll get my chance tomorrow, God willing. Yesterday morning I ran into Pastor Ramon from Cauquira down at the pier. He told me he wants to work for me now, planting churches out in the remote villages. Please pray for this. I find myself so skeptical of anyone after hearing all of the stories of corruption. Pastor Ramon however is one of only two men in Cauquira who consistently gets classified as a good brother.
I just gave away two Spanish Bibles last night. Two men in our Monday Men’s Group Bible Study said they didn’t own one. One of the two refers to himself as a recovering drunk. He wears the same tattered turtleneck to every meeting (can you imagine a turtleneck in this heat?!!!!) He is the oldest in the group by far at age 60. Of course, given his drinking history, he appears much older. He walks a half an hour to get to church. I reserved the Bible that was still in its original wrapping for him. When I handed him his new Bible he just stared at it. With an air of utmost solemnity, he took it in both hands and carefully placed it on the chair beside him. He then proceeded to gaze at it as if it were a precious jewel--which of course, it is! He was literally speechless.
I had a chance to share God’s word last night for the first time at church. Since this month the Small Groups are studying the theme of spiritual warfare, I opted to teach on the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). I knew I was doing a wonderful job when one lady got up about half way through and walked out while others fell asleep. Hey, it wasn’t supposed to be like this! Oh well, I trust somebody was listening.
I continue to be blessed at how well everyone seems to be adjusting. I’m in the midst of writing a New Believers Class curriculum, preparing to teach the Bible class to the elementary students at the Assembly of God’s Christian academy, to prepare for a “retreat” for new believers where I will be one of 4 speakers (my subject is God’s forgiveness- Psalm 32), and to devise a system for following up with and making disciples of new converts. I am editing Pastor David’s curriculum on Discipleship. Yesterday I inventoried all of the stuff in Roger and Katrina’s storage shed (a project which had been waiting 2 years to be completed). Last night six American medical missionaries arrived to begin a week of visits to remote sites. Karen, Gabrielle and Michaela just left to go with them. I had to stay home with a feverish Bethany (the first sickness anyone has had). I’ll get my chance tomorrow, God willing. Yesterday morning I ran into Pastor Ramon from Cauquira down at the pier. He told me he wants to work for me now, planting churches out in the remote villages. Please pray for this. I find myself so skeptical of anyone after hearing all of the stories of corruption. Pastor Ramon however is one of only two men in Cauquira who consistently gets classified as a good brother.
I just gave away two Spanish Bibles last night. Two men in our Monday Men’s Group Bible Study said they didn’t own one. One of the two refers to himself as a recovering drunk. He wears the same tattered turtleneck to every meeting (can you imagine a turtleneck in this heat?!!!!) He is the oldest in the group by far at age 60. Of course, given his drinking history, he appears much older. He walks a half an hour to get to church. I reserved the Bible that was still in its original wrapping for him. When I handed him his new Bible he just stared at it. With an air of utmost solemnity, he took it in both hands and carefully placed it on the chair beside him. He then proceeded to gaze at it as if it were a precious jewel--which of course, it is! He was literally speechless.
posted by Eric Stephens at 08:49
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