If any of you lacks wisdom...

Some time ago, Juan Alvarez started asking for prayer for wisdom, specifically, so that he can share God’s word more effectively with pre-believers.  On February 15 Juan was giving a ride home to a co-worker when the subject of conversation turned to spiritual things.  The Co-worker was a Jehovah’s Witness (as least in name - not practicing very much) and he asked Juan what he believed happened to people when they die.  He explained to Juan that JWs believe that the soul sleeps until the resurrection and the judgment. 

Juan told his friend that the Bible says that when a believer dies his soul is immediately in the presence of Jesus.  As they were discussing the idea Juan told his friend the story of the two men who were crucified with Jesus.  When he finished he reminded his friend of Jesus’ words to the man who believed, “This day you will be with me in Paradise.”  Juan asked, “If Jesus said that THIS DAY you will be with me in Paradise, when did his soul have a chance to sleep?”  Juan’s co-worker replied, “You’re right!  He had to be with Jesus that same day.”

I was very impressed… and blessed.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  -  James 1:5

Open Gym in Full Swing

On January 4 we began a new year of Open Gym.  We meet at 6:30 pm at Talbot Community Church's gymnasium.  We have basketball for the men folk, activities for children, and mostly visiting for the ladies.  We also have English classes when there are people who are interested.

At about 8:00 pm we have a break for some refreshments and a short devotion.  This year I began sharing short Bible stories with a twist.  After sharing the story in Spanish and English I ask everyone to help me rebuild the story (retell the story with everyone's help).  Then I ask two questions:

·       What does this story teach us about God?  

·        What does this story teach us about people?

Everyone participates in rebuilding the story and answering the questions.  Right from the beginning of the year members of our church noticed that everyone was paying better attention to the story.  This is GOOD! 

Please pray for our Open Gym ministry and for everyone who comes, that God would reveal himself to them in a very real way.

Telling a Bible story

A Trip into Paradise?

We are half way through our trip in Mexico.

Last week we drove through Puerto Vallarta on our way to visit the family of Gaby Martinez.  They live on the coast just south of Puerto Vallarta… or so the map says.  The road out of Puerto Vallarta was very difficult to find and so full of pot holes that it took us almost an hour to go the first 10 miles.  Getting to Puerto Vallarta was almost as difficult as we were on a small windy road going up and down steep hills.  The country side was nice but we were stuck with everyone else behind large trucks that could only crawl up the hills and wouldn’t go much faster down them.  It took us over 3 hours to go what we thought would be the last hour into town. 

We originally thought that we would make our destination an hour or two before dark but that became impossible.  We were driving since 9am and it was getting dark when we found a hotel to spend the night in.  An hour earlier I had said to Jerilyn that probably God wanted to use us in a great way in Campo Acosta (our destination) because, due to all the problems and stresses I was facing, my attitude was going south faster than our car was.  We needed to stop at that hotel to wash up, to rest up, and to pray up before we arrived to minister to others.  The rest and our prayer time was just what we needed.

The next day the road was much better and we arrived by 9am and found the family easily.  We had a great visit.  Gaby’s brothers took us to the beach and Gaby’s mother treated us to some yummy meals.  That night we had a great time of singing praise and worship songs together.  One of Gaby’s brothers, Antonio, appears to be a believer.  He started reading the Bible while in an Oregon prison.  His wife and three children live in Salem and he will be returning there next spring.  He told me that his wife is “very Catholic” and does not want to read the Bible.  I got their address and will make contact when we get back.  I am hoping to have an evangelistic home Bible study with them in the spring when he returns.  We had a great time and the whole family wants us to return for a longer visit.

We are Visiting Mexico Again.

We are leaving for Mexico on October 22, so many of you will be reading this as we are on the way.  We will return from Mexico on time to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family.

The primary reason we go to Mexico is to encourage the believers that we sent back to shine Jesus’ light in their community — especially Lupe and Leti.  Lupe is pastoring the church in their small town of Negritas.

Lupe’s mom passed away a couple of months ago (after receiving Jesus as her Savior in March) and the believer’s are facing a lot of rejection as they were not following tradition as to what to do when a loved one dies.

We will also be visiting the families of several people that we minister to in Oregon.  When someone comes to Christ they want their family to know him.  Their family is often very concerned for them because they are leaving the religion and traditions of their  ancestors.  We have often faced hostile family members in Mexico and been able to calm their fears and share Jesus with them.

We will also be visiting several people who we have ministered to while they were in Oregon.  Many people that we have ministered to and led to Christ are now back at home in Mexico.  We want to visit them and encourage them to follow Jesus where they are.  We also want to follow up on some    people we ministered to in    Oregon that did not receive Jesus here — to encourage them to seek him.

 

Good News from Lupe and Leti

Today I just received a text message from Lupe while I was out of cell phone reach. This is his message in its entirety (translated):

 

"Hello Mr. Jon Sousa, I’m Lupe.  I tried to call you but you did not answer.  I will try another day.  We are moving forward, having the studies on Saturdays and encouraging the people who give us opportunity.  May God bless you.  Thank you."

What this means is that God is answering YOUR prayers by encouraging Lupe and Leti.  They were extremely discouraged less than a month ago (read the previous posts).  Please continue to pray for their ministry in Negritas, Mexico.

Keep Praying for Lupe and Leti

For those who are new to this blog, Lupe and Leti Alvarez went back to their village in Mexico 3½ years ago to shine Jesus light and plant a church with some of Lupe’s brothers.  Living for Jesus in their small community where no one else is a believer is extremely difficult.  Lupe’s mom just past away last week after receiving Jesus as her Savior a few months ago.  While Lupe is happy that his mom is in heaven, her passing has brought new challenges that are greatly distressing to them.

We talked with Lupe and Leti over the weekend and they are very discouraged.  Many people in town are very mad at them and are not speaking to them.  Others are spreading many lies about them.  Most of this stems from the fact that Lupe and Leti are not following the traditions of the town concerning what “must” be done when a loved one passes away. 

Another source of grief is coming from Gris’s mother who is blaming Lupe and Leti for changing her daughter.  Gris came to Christ a few years ago under our ministry in Oregon and is now back in her town trying to live for Jesus.  (If her mother is mad, she must be doing something right.  Matthew 10:34-39)

None of what they are suffering is unusual or unexpected, but that does not make it any easier.  (John 15:18-21, 1 Peter 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:12)  They need our prayers. 

If you would like to send and encouraging card to Lupe and Leti, Email me and I will give you their address.  My Email is sousaj@bauercom.net

Pray for Lupe and Leti

Pray for Lupe and Leti in Negritas, Mexico, as Lupe’s mom just passed away.  She has been in various stages of liver failure for over two years due to excessive alcohol consumption.  The good news is that a few months ago Lupe’s mom put her faith in Jesus and was growing in faith little by little.  Lupe’s dad is also in very poor health as he has had tuberculosis for years and is now on oxygen all the time.

                                                                                      Lupe's parents.

This situation gives Lupe and Leti an opportunity to show to their community what faith in Jesus and Biblical Christianity is all about.  Normally, when one dies all of their family and friends get together every day for 10 days to pray for the person’s salvation.  Lupe and Leti will be under a lot of pressure to conform to this tradition.  Pray for strength and wisdom to shine Jesus light in a loving yet uncompromising way.