REACHING OUT 8

EPILOGUE: PAN DE VIDA NEEDS BETTER FACILITIES!

The Sunday service after the VBS was packed out; extra chairs had to be brought and the service spilled out into the dirt road. Parents and relatives of the children came along for the service. Wish it was like this every Sunday!

We do follow- up through home visits and are planning to invite the parents for dinner to re-establish links and to share with them our future plans. The dream of course is to purchase a property and start family enrichment programmes, workshops on personal development and a special tuition programme that will help children who are lagging in their studies. We hope to evangelise and make disciples of children and their families through these activities. The key is of course to train and motivate the leadership as we seek to improve our facilities in a better place. The leadership is praying for new premises. We saw a piece of property that is available for about $US60, 000.

Some of you have been faithfully following this series of 8 postings entitled REACHING OUT diligently. It began with a write up on the beginnings of Pan De Vida and ends with a future projection of the work. My task is to build the leadership, mentor the pastor and to help in the search for new facilities. A Christ centred gospel empowers converts and gives them hope and a future. Time and again we’ve seen the Lord do remarkable things in families, individuals and children. Praise the Lord! Please contact us at raph160157@hotmail.com if you wish to help in the areas of prayer and finances.

REACHING OUT 7

So What's Next?

Cristo Pan De Vida (Christ Bread Of Life) meets in a shed with an improvised roof. And that’s where we held our first Vacation Bible School in the neighbourhood, 2nd of April. In terms of attendance, families reached the programme, the VBS was a success. Close to a 130 children filled the shed; we just could not take any more.
We struggled with the lack of adequate facilities and were grateful that our neighbour allowed us to use her large patio for some of the games. The piping in the kitchen is worn out; roof leaks when it rains; the electricity at times cuts off during Sunday service.



This boy behind the locked gate was probably one of the many children who did not take part in the VBS. He seems interested but can’t get in. Many families and children are bound by the enemy and there are still locked out of the kingdom. Next year, God willing, we hope to do another VBS at 2nd Of April. This will require finances, planning, training and scheduling – its a lot of work; it will be worth it however if children like this boy can get in and hear the gospel!!



Jesus said, "let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". When he placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:14-15

REACHING OUT 6!
Anointed Leadership At Work In the Vacation Bible School

The Lord uses leadership to move and shake His plan into being. Here are only some of them. There were many others who deserve a mention. My apologies to them. Jack Mcdonald deserves some mention but I could not get a photo of him.

Rosie Bascuñan on the extreme left leads the children's ministry in Cristo Luz Del Mundo. On her left is Christine Frank; she teaches children and is a strict disciplinarian. Belisario Soleto, our deacon, has built a great rapport with the children; for some he is their surrogate father.

On your left is Marlene; She's the one with the white t-shirt helping the children with the craft work. Marlene's children came to our breakfast programme about 5 years ago. She accompanied her children to the breakfast and linked up with the church. She recieved Christ and began to serve the Lord. Marlene now heads the children's ministry at Pan de Vida.

Blanca Ortiz is the one with a black t-shirt. Blanca's ministry is in logistics and food. She, together with an army of helpers, fed the children at the VBS; we're talking about snacks, drinks, and lunch. The kitchen facilities at Bread Of Life are wholly inadecuate to the task of feeding 120 children and adults. We work with what we have; Blanca simply rolled up her sleeves and got the job done!

Mary Mcdonald on Blanca's right and her husband Jack were the ones who put the VBS together together with the leadership of Bread Of Life and Christ Light Of The World. Mary is an evangelist at heart. She evangelises thru the gospel cube and trains people to use the cube.

REACHING OUT 5!
VBS ACTIVIES - THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF MISSION PARTNERSHIP

The children are taught bible stories. Deacon Belisario, the pastor of Pan De Vida tells a story.

The children are seated quietly! Unbelievable but true.

Deacon Belisario is also in charge of the weekly Saturday breakfast programme. The children who attend the programme are called Hijos de Luz (Children of The Light). Through this programme the parents of the children have also been evangelised.



Wow look at the craftwork! They made their own plates. Don't they look like proud owners of what they've just made! The gospel honours Christ and empowers those who believe.




Here are two girls looking very happy after having printed their own t-shirts. This activity was a winner from the start. The recurrent theme of this VBS was that the children got to keep the stuff they made.
Children in Bolivia love t-shirts, especially when its made by them.


Lets not forget the new songs they learned with actions!!


The youth of Cristo Luz Del Mundo were heavily involved in the area of music and teaching songs. Here they are kneeling on the floor.


Under the watchful eye of the members from the short term mission team, the children get down to work on craftwork. Ahh...the diligence and the concentration!

REACHING OUT 4!
YOUTH POWER!

Like never before, the young people were involved in the minstry at the Vacation Bible School
Here are some of the youth dressed in a traditional Bolivian dance costume. Bolivia is a very "young country" in the sense that the youth and the young adults form the largest demographic.

Yup..Bolivians love to dance. Check out the cool costumes! I'm still trying to figure out what these dancers were doing at the VBS.

Here are a bunch of youth from Christ Light Of The World hanging out with 2 young people from the short term mission team. The blonde in the centre is Kelly Grainger - a SAMS USA missionary. She leads the youth ministry and is doing an outstanding job!

from right to left: Olgita (studying to be a physiotherapist), David (a student), Gabriela (a student - She's David's sister), Kelly, two youths from the US short term mission trip.

REACHING OUT 3
- Evangelising Children-

Jesus reached out to children and received them with open arms. Many of us came to Christ because of contact with Christians when we were young. Bread Of Life is an extension centre, from the parish Light Of The World, dedicated to evangelising and discipling children in poor neighbourhood called 2nd of Apri. Together with our mission partners from the US we reached out to about 100 children and their families through a Vacation Bible School

Here's a great photo of all the children in the neighbourhood at the Vacation Bible School. Children are a vulnerable demographic; they are, at times, subject to all sorts of abuse. It has been our priviledge to not only meet some of their basic needs but to also lead them to Christ.

REACHING OUT 2 !

PARTNERSHIP IN MISSIONS

In July a short term mission team from the United States arrived in Santa Cruz to help Bread Of Life (Pan De Vida) put together a Vacation Bible School. The VBS was held in the neighbourhood, 2 De Abril (look out for more details on the VBS in the next post).

Here's a neat photo of the short term mission team. Jack Mcdonald and his wife Mary put the team together and provided on site training. Jack (the guy on the far left in a sea green t shirt) and Mary are missionaries from Truro Episcopal Church. Jack works with World Concern (A Christian NGO) and Mary, a veterinarian, has a finger in just about everything: from running Alpha courses to birthing calves. They have 2 teenage children - Ashby and Jack Jr. The Mcdonald family have been tremendous! God Bless Em!

I'm a firm advocate of multi-lateral missions i.e the whole church reaching the whole world with the whole gospel- Although this is a title of a book, it captures in a nutshell, the Lord's end time missionary enterprise. He is raising a network of fervent Christ centred churches and mission agencies dedicated to the expansion of the gospel and the consummation of His creation.

Many members of this short term mission team came from various churches in the States and we warmly welcome them as our mission partners. This is multilateral mission at work!

REACHING OUT 1!

CHRIST LIGHT OF THE WORLD, a parish under my charge as Archdeacon, started an extension centre named, BREAD OF LIFE (see picture...Pan De Vida means Bread Of Life) about 5 years ago.

Here's the story: We started a breakfast programme with some of the poorer children from the neighbourhoods near the parish. The work began as an initiative by the lay people and grew rapidly.

It was only a matter of time before the parish saw the need to not only feed the children but to also meet their pastoral/spiritual needs. This got us involved with the families of the children; we saw first hand the destructive impact of poverty over families and neighbourhoods. Most of the children come from a neighbourhood called 2nd of April (in Bolivia, some of the streets and neighbourhoods are named after significant dates in the country's history).

2nd of April is a rough neighbourhood; children grow up in the midst of drunkeness, poverty and abandonment. Inspite of this we have seen the Lord move in wonderful ways; Jesus truly does heal the broken hearted; He gives hope to the downtrodden. We've had the priviledge of seeing lives change before our very eyes. Its takes time of course but the miracle of Christ's transforming power is not a gimmick but a reality! "Michael" (not the real name!) is the only male child in the family. He does not enjoy a good relationship with his mother nor does he go to school. He simply drifted in the neighbourhood; did some drugs and makes a buck or two cleaning cars. His sad and lost look used to make us feel impotent. The Lord however began to work in his life: he now attends church every Sunday and youth ministry; his infectious smile together with a changed atitude surprised many. "Michael" continues to struggle but we know that he is on the right path. Without Jesus he would have probably fallen into drug addiction and ruined his life. Praise The Lord!!

This is a first in a series of special posts concerning Bread Of Life (Pan De Vida).

EYE OF THE TIGER!!

Maintaining Our Focus In The Midst Of Social Convulsions

This is a decisive week for Bolivia; civic leaders in the East have given the central government until this thursday to respond to their appeals for changes in the constitutional assembly; some of the campesinos have retaliated by promising to block the roads that lead to the FERIA EXPOSICION. This is Santa Cruz's biggest and most prestigious annual international event. Business communities in Latin America, Europe and parts of Asia gather to display their products in specials cubicles/stands; relationships are built and deals are cut. Its a 2 week event which highlights Santa Cruz as the engine of growth in the Bolivian economy. This year however Bolivia's social problems have a cast a shadow over the event. People I talk to, especially the taxi drivers are pessimistic about the future. The alarmists are talking about a civil war (a bit of an exaggeration!). And the mass media has not helped with its emphasis on doom and gloom.

Jesus is building his church in the midst of the convulsion: people are won to Christ; members are discovering their gifts, and we receive short term mission teams and continue to plan for growth. This is the Good News that shines a light in the darkness. At church services and midweek meetings one can sense the anxiety of the folk. Although its always important to let people share their thoughts and feelings about the current crisis, we need to come back and fulfill the purpose of the meeting - be it a leadership or cell meeting. There have been exceptions. At a recent gathering of the men's ministry, we put aside the study and let people talk and pray about the national crisis. There is no doubt that the church cannot ignore its social realities but there is always the danger of losing our focus on God's purposes and plan. We are mobilizing the parish (its called Christ Light of The World) to double its membership in evangelism and follow-up; we are also gearing ourselves up for a building project which will thrust us into the community. Nehemiah kept his eye on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in the midst of opposition; his opponents were conspiring against him and his efforts. He did'nt allow the problems to distract him. Jesus grant us grace to imitate Nehemiah in this time of testing!

Although we take note of what's going around us, our focus - like the eye of the tiger- is on His divine purpose not only for the church but also for the nation.

WILL BOLIVIA FRAGMENT?

- Probably not but get ready for confusion & uncertainty-

CRISIS IN CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY!

4 STATES (nearly half the country) DECLARE GENERAL STRIKE THIS FRIDAY!

GOVERNMENT ISSUES STERN WARNING!

Bolivia, like a boxer in trouble, is clinging on to the ropes! And here's why:

The constitutional assembly seems to be going nowhere! They've not been able to agree on the rules of debate! The assembly is a body of elected representatives; their task is to put together a new constitution which reflects the indigenous component in Bolivia and address deep seated injustices .

In the past, indigenous Indians were marginalized; they normally got what they needed as they hung onto the coat tails of the traditional political parties. All that changed when Evo Morales was elected as the first indigenous president of Bolivia. After taking office he tried to nationalize the petroleum industry and proposed far reaching changes in the educational system; teaching indigenous religious beliefs and languages were some of the ideas. The Christian community viewed this as an imposition and reacted; the president later backed down. A 30 page document which purportedly outlined the ruling party's proposals for the new constitution was leaked, it was based on the Cuban model of Soviet style central planning. Many, especially in Eastern Bolivia (that's where I serve by the way) are appalled by what they percieve as the ruling party's intentions to influence the Constitutional Assembly with fundamentalist socialist ideas. President Evo's close association with Fidel Castro has only served to confirm people's worst fears. The other political parties are therefore not sparing any effort to block the ruling party's proposals in the Assembly.

The opposition and the ruling party are bickering over voting procedures in the new assembly. The former want every proposed article in the new constitution to be approved by a 2/3 majority in the assembly; they appear to have the law on their side. "A simple majority is enough to approve all the articles", say the the ruling party. The proposed new constitution will need to be approved by a 2/3 majority at a nation wide referendum . An absolute majority at the referendum will NOT be enough to put into effect a new constitution put together by the constitutional assembly.

What Does All This Mean?

Firstly, the ruling party is percieved as wanting to effect deep seated fundamental changes that will make Bolivia into a socialist indigenous state not unlike Cuba. They believe that they will never have a similar opportunity like the one they have now. They form the majority in the congress and in the constitutional assembly. Their majorities however are not enough to bring about the revolution they seek; hence, the need to make alliances and build a consensus with other political parties. This will not be easy because the radical wing in the ruling party show no signs of compromising with anyone.

Secondly, Bolivia has severe fault lines between the East and the West. People in the West are different from the people in the East when it comes to food, music, skin color, accent, political ideology. The voting patterns almost always reveal the cleavage between the East and West. The majority in the East will NEVER accept dominance from anything resembling a socialist indigenous state resembling Cuba. The present controversy has brought to surface the old talk of secession and the creation of a new political entity in the East.

Thirdly, the ruling party appears to be supporting the illegal migration of settlers from the West to the East; they squat on fertile land belonging to landowners of the East; this has only made matters worse. Almost everyone knows that a just land reform is inevitable where landowners will have to give up parcels of unused land but the presence of these illegal settlements in the East could very well provide the flash point that sends Bolivia into the black hole of violence and secession.

There are also indicators, thankfully, which do not suggest Bolivia's fragmentation. Bolivia, unlike Sri Lanka and Colombia, has never had to face armed insurrection from within; we have not seen this sort of internecine violence; people in the East also don’t have a secessionist leader ready to lead a revolt.

Although the overall situation is patchy, unpleasant and fragile we are prayerfully hopeful that a constitution respectful of everyone's rights (indigenous, property owners, foreign investors) will emerge from the constitutional assembly.

Pray that the elected members of the Constitutional Assembly will not seek division but consensus. Pray for justice to prevail as competing needs for indigenous rights and socio-economic cohesion slug it out! Pray for president Evo Morales and his cabinet to be driven by national interests and not sectarian ones. Pray against the work of the Evil one as he spreads seeds of violence and extremism. And most importantly pray for many to come to Christ through the present crisis.

THE HOLY SPIRIT, BLOGGER-IN-CHIEF!

AND YES... THE BIBLICAL WRITERS WERE HOLY SPIRIT BLOGGERS!

Blogs buck the mainstream press; their take on issues is different; blogging is homespun and free from censorship driven propaganda. Some of it is also junk.

Bloggers interpret history; at times they highlight issues, events and people that never get a fair hearing; Some of the groundbreaking news surface in the internet first; mainstream press, at times, simply follow the lead of bloggers. Worse still is the definition of "news". Madonna and Britney Spears appear in the media because they’re "newsworthy" (And they call this mainstream media!). Newsworthy is sometimes a euphemism for notoriety. Ever heard of Stacy Orrico? She's is a great talent: fantastic singer and knows how to work the stage. The press don't stalk her. The reason is simple: She's a christian and is'nt into slutty antics. So she's not "news".

The gospel writers were bloggers in that they reported the Good News; the gospel narratives never made it in the Roman Empire’s mass media. No one reported Christ’s life - his birth, death and resurrection- the way gospel writers did. Josephus made a passing reference to Christ and his followers. Herod would never have ordered a positive write up on Christ’s birth. And Jewish religious leaders would never have soiled the pages of their history books with the name of Jesus except of course if they had wanted to do a chapter on loony prophets; Jesus would never have been interviewed by the CNN of his epoch. The gospel writers, ignored official propaganda, did underground journalism and changed the world. Remember the guy who posted stories on the Israelite exodus from Egypt in the Old Testament and Pharoah's humilliation; don’t expect to find anything from him in the Egyptian archives.

Yup...the biblical writers were bloggers! And that makes the Holy Spirit The Blogger In Chief because He inspired them to write as bloggers.

A THEOLOGY OF LAMENT!

Is It Ok To Express - In Some Measure- Doubt, Anger, Disappointment, Complaint, Agony and Confusion?

Ajith Fernando, in his book, Jesus Driven Ministry - Crossway Books 2002 - talks about "Lament" as a supplement to praise and power in church life. Although this insight only covers 4 pages of a 272 page book, I found it quite enriching.

According to him the Church Growth mentality promotes praising God and celebrating the power of his works at the expense of lament. This does not give room for people to lament their sins or to share daily struggles and problems with others. It reduces the gospel to the level of a life enhancing product. This only reinforces an ambience which discourages people from sharing weakness and issues which might give the impression that there is something defective in the Christian gospel.

Fernando’s prescription is a reminder that the kingdom has not come in its fullness; on this side of eternity we are subject to weaknesses and frailties. Romans 8:23, according to him captures the essence of his position: the Christian although in possession of the first fruits of Christ’s Kingdom nevertheless groans inwardly as he waits the consummation of Christ’s work. We cope with a creation that is subject to frustration (Romans 8:20). Lament and groaning is part of the Christian response to human suffering and loss. He also mentions lament as a key theme in the Psalms, Lamentations Job etc.

Is he right? Fernando is on solid biblical ground. Space probably did not give him the opportunity to expound the biblical themes of lament and agony of our Lord as he approached Jerusalem, in the final week of his life, and his cry of dereliction on the cross. Old songs like, The Old Rugged Cross & At The Cross were part of a spirituality which helped people to configure their sufferings within the hope of Christ’s redemptive suffering. The lyrics of these songs broke our hearts; our sins were responsible for the Saviour's suffering.

C.S Lewis’s, A Grief Observed, and David Watson’s, Fear No Evil, are excellent examples of contemporary lament within a Biblical paradigm; Lewis was grieving over the death of his wife; Watson struggled with terminal cancer. Bible based lament helps us find the gift of God’s holy strength to move on. The Biblical witness is clear: Job’s wealth is restored after suffering catastrophic loss and the writer of Psalm 22 begins with lament and ends with praise. In the past 6 years news of clergymen who unexpectedly died in Singapore were not only a shock but also made me see the need for lament in times of sorrow and grief. One died in a car crash; the other from a massive stroke. Both left young families.

In Bolivia we minister to people who suffer on several levels: divorcees building a new life with their children; unexpected accidents which leave people maimed and dead; abuse in the family etc. Give space for folk to lament as they discover God’s sovereign care in the valley of the shadow of death.

On the other hand lament without a sense of Hope in the gospel quickly descends into self pity and morose self absorption. Hence the need to integrate our experiences, good and bad, in Christ. Our celebration is not empty triumphalism but one that is forged in the pain of failure. And our failure is never far from the Hope that is ours in Christ. David not only grieved but also picked himself up and moved on after a number of very painful events. He not only experienced the full consequences of his own failures but was also the victim of betrayal, persecution and abandonment. His psalms, a mixture of lament celebration and praise, become ours as we engage with the pain of our loss and frailty.

There are other interesting insights in Fernando’s book; next time you’re in a Christian bookstore, check it out.

INTERVIEW - Bp MOSES TAY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MOSES TAY The Bolivian Beat launches a special feature today- interviews with global south christian leaders and their partners. More than one historian has said that the centre of Christianity is shifting to the global south – Asia, Africa South America and elsewhere. And our first interviewee, Bishop Moses Tay, represents this shift. He was the Bishop of Singapore and the first Archbishop of the Province of South East Asia. Bishop Moses represents a generation of passionate Christian leaders in Asia whose contributions reached global proportions. He also, together with others, began a movement which is stemming the tide of unchecked liberalism in the worldwide anglican communion. J. I Packer, in the 1990's once called the diocese of Singapore, under Bishop Moses' leadership, the charismatic capital of the anglican communion. Bishop Moses was the Lord’s instrument in facilitating our sense of calling to serve in Bolivia. 15 years ago, Bishop Moses, his wife Cynthia and I went to Bolivia & Peru to explore the possibility of building links with the Anglican Church in that part of the world. It was during this trip that Lord’s calling to serve in Bolivia was confirmed. In human terms I would not have had the opportunity to serve in Bolivia and this blog would not have existed if it was not Bishop Moses Tay’s decision to ordain me and to later open the door to Bolivia! Although retired he still serves the church in Singapore and loves playing grandad! Here is the interview: BB: How Did You Come To Know Christ On A Personal Level? MT: I came to know Christ early as a child through my mother's teaching and prayer and through a special prayer with a Chinese evangelist. BB: What Was The Most Memorable Moment In Your Life? MT: When I got married to Cynthia over 21 years ago! My first wife died after a brain operation for ruptured aneurysm about 2 months before I became the Bishop of Singapore in 1982. It was the most difficult period of my life because of my transition from work as a doctor managing a big hospital to become the Bishop responsible for work in 6 countries, with two teenagers needing care in bereavement. The way the Lord brought Cynthia is a story by itself. BB: The Biggest Challenge You've Faced In The Ministry? MT: Negatively, it was battling with Anglican Communion leaders who did not subscribe to biblical authority and biblical morality. Positively, it was the business of sending out missionaries from the Diocese! The owner of this blogspot is a happy story! BB: Who Are Some Of The Christian Leaders That Have Influenced You And Why? MT Firstly, it was my godly mother (a leader in her own right) who laid the foundation of faith and prayer. Secondly, it was the late Mr David Adeney, IFES General Secretary and later Dean of Discipleship Training Centre in Singapore, who encouraged me at a crossroad of my life. Thirdly, it was my predecessor Bishop B.I Chiu who led me in the things of the Holy Spirit and who influenced my appointment as his successor. BB: Any Wise Counsel For The Diocese Of Bolivia? MT: Wise counsel? I don't think I can do better than recommend Paul's counsel to Timothy in his two epistles. To that I would simply add:

(a) Obey and fulfil the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) as you also obey the Great Commandment of love (Matt 22:32-40).

(b) Build up disciples on the one foundation of relationship with Jesus Christ so that in turn they may disciple others (2 Tim 2:2).

(c) Press on to know Jesus, and the power of His resurrection, and to share in His suffering (Phil 3:8-14). Thank you Bishop for the interview.

BACK IN ACTION!

Preaching…Counselling…Praying For The Sick To Be Healed

It Does'nt Get Any Better Than This (well almost)!!

Yesterday I returned to the pulpit and preached my heart out on Pleasing God. It was great to be back in the pulpit; I shared extensively my furlough experiences and tied them to the sermon’s main theme. These days I preach inductively. It’s lively and holds their attention. The 3 point pedagogic style just doesn’t cut it in Bolivia. After the sermon we confessed the Apostle’s creed, sang a warfare praise song, took the offertory, interceded and said the collect. We closed the service with a praise song that fired everyone up. God’s people are blessed as heralds in the benediction and sent to the world as instruments of His blessing!

Evangelical churches miss out on the power of confessing the creed. Confessing the Creed is proclaiming the works of God against the principalities and the powers; in the midst of nihilism, unbelief, agnosticism, God’s people confess the gift of their mighty faith… We Believe In One God…This is the faith that not only pleases God but also overcomes the world. Many came up for prayer and ministry…all wanting to please the Lord in their lives. Ahh…the joys of the ministry!

At night I visited a very committed couple in the church. They’re in charge of the marriage ministry and never fail to attend our courses. He is running an import and export business. We shared our lives over tea and soda biscuits. Their children are doing well in school. God’s people always need encouragement!! Yup..its great to be back in the front lines of ministry!!

IMPROMPTU MINISTRY
Machine Gun Counselling In A Bank!

Ministry happens anywhere in Bolivia. The lady helping me with a financial transaction at one of the local banks made some queries about Singapore as she looked at my identity card; she asked me questions about languages and culture. The conversation suddenly shifted to a domestic problem; her husband was not a Christian and was giving her a hard time because of her midweek cell meetings. The agony of her situation slipped through, "You are a missionary...what should I". She´s a stranger. Her marital problem is plaguing her mind; she´s reaching out for help. Maybe she was praying for the Lord to send someone. And I sort of turned up.

What could I possibly say to encourage her...there was no time to build a pastoral relationship;there were people behind me waiting their turn. So of I go like a machine gun, "Win his respect...He allows you to go to church on Sundays...that´s a plus point...obey him if he does'nt want you to for Tuesday midweek cell meeting...Christ want's your marriage to work...Its a difficult situation...trust the Lord...I know of men who've come to Christ through the patience and prayers of their believing wives". Marriage is divine institution; we need to do whatever we can to make it work. She smiles and nods her head. I pick up my bank extract and walk away; the man behind me steps up and takes my place. And life goes on!!

Hey ministry is exciting!!

MARRIAGE IS NOT PURGATORY BUT A BLESSING!

Michelle and I have been married for almost 21 years; Yup that's her next to me. We were married in the old Church Of Our Savior at Prince Charles Crescent, Singapore. The children involved at the wedding have grown up. Our page boy, Teofilus, recently got married; his sister, Teonna (my god daughter) was one of the flower girls; she is happily married lady with a baby! Teorine, the other flower girl is a teacher in Sarawak, East Malaysia.

My wife is good looking classy lady. She's into worship and the creative arts - music, dance, silk painting. Where to get such a mix in a woman? We are very very different; complementing each other can be joyous, frustrating and rewarding.

So would I recommend marriage? Yes, marriage is a good thing; its challenges have constantly brought us to the foot of the Cross. Without Christ there can be no happiness in marriage; He sustains and keeps couples together, be they Christian or not. Don't forget, marriage was embedded as part of God's creation in Genesis. That's why marriage is a universal cultural phenomenon. Man's disobedience however has sadly left a trail of marital misery. Its painful when couples split. Its also very exciting to see couples rebuilding their marriages in Christ. There is hope always in Him.

Can't take the other half for granted. Your spouse is like a little plant in a pot. Make sure the plant is well watered and protected from bugs of resentment every day. To the guys... just love your woman; work at trying to please her. To the gals...just hug him and stand by your man!

BOLIVIAN HEROES AGAIN!
This lady is carrying her sick child over a bridge (puente paile in Santa Cruz) which was blocked by protesters. Cars, lorries and in this case an ambulance were prevented from passing through the bridge. So this brave mother got out of the ambulance, carried her baby and walked across the bridge. The baby was breathing through a mask; some good samaritans volunteered to carried the oxygen tank that may have kept the baby alive.

The daily newspaper, EL DEBER (THE DUTY in english), carried this dramatic photo today in the front page; the social agitators were criticized for not allowing the ambulance to go through the bridge.

Blockades trigger social change in Bolivia. The president of Bolivia, when in the opposition, brought the country to a standstill, on more than one occasion, to change government policy. Other groups in various parts of the nation have followed suit; they cordon of bridges, roads and sometimes even walkways to get the attention of the authorities.

Can blockades be justified if the cause is righteous?

ONGOING IMPACT FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAMP

NOTHING...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF THE HOLY SPIRITS POWER!!!

One of the most excitng events of 2006 was the Provincial Youth Camp! We are stll reaping the fruit from this groundbreaking event! The youths are still on fire; there's and upbeat "lets-get-on-with-the-ministry" atitude in the church. Praise the Lord!

Here is an excerpt from Michelle´s (my wife) report concerning the camp:

The theme of the camp was "¡Aviva el Fuego!" ('Fan into flame' the gift of God... - 2 Tim.1:6). The main teaching, devotionals, were based on 2Timothy - very appropriate texts for the young people.There were 4 different workshops to set us all on fire - Leadership,Spiritual Warfare, Worship, Evangelism. The opening sessions by Shawnee Lyons (our Bishop's wife) led us into a much-needed discovery and assessmentof our spiritual gifts and ministries. We had the priviledge of having the great Alf Cooper (Anglo-Chilean evangelist) as our main speaker. ALL WHO ATTENDED THE CAMP, NOT ONLY THE PARTICIPANTS BUT ALSO THE LEADERS AND ORGANIZERS WERE BLESSED OUT OF OUR SOCKS AND MINDS!!! From the first eveningof the talks, youth were dedicating their lives to Christ, being restored,the move of the Spirit was so powerful, no one got away untouched in one wayor other... Throughout the week-long camp, lives were being healed, therewere miracles, signs and wonders, deliverance, inner healing, - you name it!!! Every night there was a special visitation of the Lord, the HolySpirit was present in a myriad ways... IT WAS MIND-BLOWING NOT ONLY TO BE MINISTERED TO BUT TO BE ABLE TO MINISTER 'OUT OF THE BOX'!!! The youth fromthe youngest to the oldest were ministering to each other and even to their leaders.

It was a real ROCKING TIME! As in the camp, we sang, danced, praised God with all our strength and mind and soul... and believe me we were all really and still are physically exhausted, so it was a work of the Spirit! A Pastor from Panama preached a powerful sermon on Ananias and Sapphira (definitely not an easy text!) We all feel a bond in the Spirit to pass on what we have received during the time of laughing, weeping, persevering, empowering in the Spirit this past week. It is contagious and is spreading like wild fire!!! Praise God!!! May this be the beginning of great revival, evangelism and discipleship for all our countries and this wonderful continent!

I am so encouraged to see so many of our youth - Alvaro, Alfonso, Julio Bascuñan, Gabriel, Sisy, Olguita, Gigi, Zulma, Andrea Rojas, Julio Cesar, Marisol, Nathaly, Karla, Gerardo, Andres, and Elijah, our son, being set free into their calling and giftings. this is but the beginning of so much more to come! Please keep us and the youth in our churches and other countries in your prayers - you and all our overseas partners have a very important roll to play in all of this and we desperately crave your intercession and prayers.


Editor's Note: TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE!

BOLIVIA REDEFINES HEROISM

ALEJANDRA AND HER TAMALES

Who are the present day heroes in Bolivia? Certainly not the corrupt rich who exploit her endlessly!

The heroes in Bolivia are those who struggle to make a living; some of them are only children. This is a tribute to one of them. Her name is Alejandra; she sells tamales – a soft, boiled corn cake wrapped in dry banana leaves.

My first conscious memory of her was about 7 years ago. She was 14 years old, carried tamales in a bag, rode her bicycle around the neighborhood and shouted at the top of her lungs “tamales, tamales”.

Our part time secretarial help, Vanessa, always bought tamales from Alejandra in the afternoons. She would cycle to the fence near the church and Vanessa would dutifully buy tamales for tea. One day Vanessa fell sick and didn’t come to the church office. Like clockwork Alejandra appeared in the afternoon and began shouting without stopping - Tamales, Tamales; I was busy at my desk and hoped that she would simply leave. She did not. I went to the window, looked stern, waved my hands angrily and urged her to go away; she fled on her bike!

A few minutes later the Holy Spirit stirred my consciousness with a discipling moment: Alejandra was not an unpleasant interruption to my work but the embodiment of consistency, diligence and labor – the Godly virtues we were trying to facilitate in our people. She returned minutes later; quietly hoping that Vanessa would appear. I saw from the corner of my eye; walked out of my office and approached her looking very apologetic and kindly. It seemed to work because she looked relieved and broke out into a smile. We began conversing and it wasn’t long before she told me her story. She sold tamales to help pay some of the bills at home: her brother’s education, her father’s medical bills etc. Bolivia depends on persons like Alejandra. I invited her to our Saturday breakfast programme and encouraged her to attend the church.

Alejandra is part of a common third world phenomenon: adolescents and children who work to support their poverty stricken families. These kids, and not the Brad Pitt clones, are truly our modern day heroes! They work hard because of loyalty to their families: mum, dad and their siblings are not there for their convenience but are companions in the common struggle for daily survival. A times they are not recognized for their efforts nor are they treated humanely by family members. But they soldier on anyway! They are not only Bolivian heroes but ours as well!

Thank you Alejandra for enriching my life.

BACK IN SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA

IT’S HOT AND HUMID!!

We’re back in one of our “homes” – Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Our other “homes” are Singapore, Penang and HEAVEN. The dogs, mosquitoes and ants gave us a warm welcome.

The flight was delayed because one of the passengers checked his bags in with the flight and mysteriously disappeared; He did not take the flight. The rules are clear: if the passenger does'nt turn for the flight, his bags are removed from the plane. So they had to rummage through all the baggage and take out the bag that belonged to the missing person.

We arrived at about 9am. It’s hot and dusty in Santa Cruz; there’s a new entertainment joint with some fast food restaurants nearby; the roof is thatched and the place looks, from the outside, like a huge hut. Our interior clocks are still on Singapore/Malaysian time. So we don’t sleep in the early hours of the morning because we’re still in “afternoon” mode. It takes about a week for our inner clocks to adjust to Santa Cruz time.

Thanks for all your support and prayers.