WELCOME TO 2007 A.D!

The Hope Of Christ's New Creation In Bolivia

BOLIVIAN CHURCH WITNESSES TO THE NEW CREATION 2007.

We celebrated the gift of the new year at a special midnight eucharist: the covenant was renewed, God's word was proclaimed and Christ's new life was shared in the bread and wine. In the midst of hugs and congratulations God's people affirmed the hope of Christ in 2007. After the service a light supper was served - Chicken soup with some pork and herbs. The youths gathered at the Pastor's home; there were close to 40 to 50 youths; many were newcomers. Shawn Grainger our youth worker missionary will be away on furlough in the States for 6 months. A team of local leaders is now overseeing the young people; Luis and his wife Claudia are a part of the team; they are key players in this ministry. Pray that the youth of the church together with the new leadership willl grow in Christlike quality and quantity.

GOD'S CREATION IN BOLIVIA STILL GROANS.

Bolivians greeted the new year at parties in hotels, homes, clubs, street-corners, restaurants and auditoriums; cheap fire crackers cracked the atmosphere; fireworks lit the sky; booze flowed, girls strutted around in revealing clothes, groups walked the streets, shattered glass from accidents and broken beer bottles cluttered the roads. Its a custom to to wear white attire during new year festivities.

Before I gave the benediction at the Sunday morning service, I confronted those who were thinking of going to parties where drunkeness is common with the consequences of falling into sin. People were encouraged to flee from temptation and to attend the midnight covenant service & eucharist. God's Creation still groans under the weight of sin.

THE INEVITABILITY OF CHRIST'S NEW CREATION IN BOLIVIA.

Christ's triumph is inevitable in Creation as His kingdom unfolds itself in a forward movement toward the end of human history. Chronological time is measured universally in accordance with Christ; its been 2007 years since Christ, the later Adam was born. He is God's new creation, born of a virgin, concieved in the power of the Holy Spirit; Christ, free from the ravages of sin, renews and transfigures creation through his resurrected life. The message of redemption continues to sing throughout the ages : man must be born again as part of Christ's new creation. The secular and non christian forces although striding like a colossus take their bearing from Christ and fix their schedules around His plan. One day the colossus shall bow down before Him and confess His Lordship.

Bolivian social instability is birthing a new hunger for the gospel of God's new creation in Christ. My hope is that the church will respond in the power of the Holy Spirit to the opportunities of reaching out to the lost.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!