APRIL UPDATE

As we shared with you last month, we are now involved in the ministry at the church in Pontevedra. Daniel has had several opportunities to preach and will begin teaching a two-month block on Jeremiah in the Sunday School hour. We have enjoyed deepening the relationships with the people in the church. We try to have at least one family over every week.

I have been able to start a bible study with a new member of the church and her mother. It is a blessing to see spiritual growth and  a desire to learn more.

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IT’S THE RELATIONSHIP

Changing up our usual pattern of news, we want to dedicate this newsletter to sharing with you the importance of relationships here. In Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot– and Cold-Climate Cultures, Lanier explains that learning the “temperature” of the culture is vital to reaching the people. She describes “hot” cultures as those that place more value on the individual person whereas the “cold” culture is often dictated by time, convenience, etc. Colombia would be described as a “hot” culture. People greet each other warmly with kisses on the cheek or hearty embraces. If someone has an appointment, but meets someone on the way, he will  stop and chat with the friend, asking how the family is and how things are going… because the person is infinitely more important than the appointment. Although this can be a source of chagrin for the busy, time-and-schedule-oriented American, we see the need to try to slow down and seek to reach out to the Colombians in ways significant to them.

How do we do this? Remembering that our ultimate goal is to reach these souls for Christ, we have begun to see strategy in our everyday tasks. For example, we try to go to the same fruit and vegetable market where Andres and his friend are the owners. We stop by the drycleaners (and get 3 suits and 9 ties cleaned for $5) where Andrea and her husband work (she is 6 months pregnant). We make frequent runs to the corner bakery about five blocks away where Diana and Olga work (they love to see Eliana.) And our daily routines often take us past the little jewelry repair shop of Juan de Dios (who made a precious pair of tiny emerald earrings as a gift for Eliana) and the guard shack around the corner where Santiago always greets us.  Each day as we meet these people, we attempt to show them that we care. We want to show Christ’s love to these lost souls. We often have opportunity, as the relationship deepens, to share why we are here and what we are doing. It may be that spending a few extra minutes talking with them, showing them that we care will be the key to opening up their heart to the gospel.

Some of these relationships have deepened and have reached the next level. Freddy, who owns a bike shop and with whom Daniel goes biking every other week, wants to begin studying the Bible with Daniel. Alfonso, who came with his little boy to our Resurrection Sunday service and then to our house for brunch, has already started reading and studying God’s word with Daniel. Emiliano, who is teaching Daniel guitar lessons, has conversed with Daniel about his disillusionment with the Catholic church and his desire to know truth. Julian, the university student who wants to practice his English, started the Bible study with Daniel and was thrilled with it. He also brought a friend who was excited to study!

We remember the joy it was to see both Guillermo and his wife Janet (in Costa Rica) come to know Christ. We first built a relationship with them that was followed by their interest in our “work” which led to the Bible study through which the Holy Spirit drew them to Himself.

We are reminded that we can do all we know to do but we can never bring conviction to the heart of anyone.

Psa 127:1  Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Our ministry right now is building these relationships that we pray will lead to souls saved and the beginning of new churches. Our ministry would be completely futile without the work of the Holy Spirit and your prayers. Thank you for praying for these souls we are seeking to reach. Thank you for praying that we have courage and boldness to always speak the truth of the gospel.

Prayer Requests:

• That God would make us worthy of his calling and fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power 2 Th 1:11
• That God would give wisdom for several teaching/preaching opportunities coming up.
• Wisdom for where we will live and start a new work
• Salvation of Emiliano, Juan, Freddy, Julian, Alfonso, Robinson, and Alejandra

PRAISES

• God continues to give open doors for ministry in the NU and here in Pontevedra
• God is clearly moving in the hearts of several  with whom we have been building relationships