I wrote this last week, but had no time to add the
pictures and send it until today.
It is certainly true that I am having far too much
“fun” to call this “work.” When a person gets old he is supposed lay down
his tools and go fishing. And if he likes to hunt deer he spends deer
season hiking through the woods seeking a nice deer and sitting by the
campfire. If he prefers to work in his garden, he does that. If he
likes to sit on the porch in his rocking chair and watch the sun go down that’s
what he does. They call this “retirement.” And if he happens to love what
he has been doing all his life… then that is what he gets to do as long as
breath and strength permit. So I can truly say that I am just as
“retired” as that other old geezer that is sitting on his porch in his rocking
chair… but I have an added blessing. I have the joy of touching many
lives. I get to preach every day of the week at least once.
We used to sing a chorus when I was a kid: “Every day with Jesus is
sweeter than the day before…” And it is really true!
Saturday October 25: Let me tell you about a fine
clean-looking teenage boy who patiently waited for me for about an hour while I
prayed with practically everyone in the church, did the hugs and kisses thing
and posed with cute chicks and elderly ladies for several dozen pictures.
I didn’t even notice him until then. He may not have even been in the
service at all. When no one was left he approached me and pulled me to
one side alone and whispered to me these tragic words: “I am a drug
addict.” I asked him for his name and his age. Emanuel is 15.
He told me that he was in the grip of cigarettes, marijuana and a series of
types of pills that kids take here. I asked him if he had surrendered his
life to Jesus. He had not. “Do you want to do that now?”
“Yes.” We prayed together as we held one another in an embrace. I
felt as though he belonged to my family, but was helplessly lost and surrounded
by wicked lions seeking to devour him. Our nearest Teen Challenge program
is almost a thousand miles from here. He wants out of his addiction.
Would you join me in prayer for Emanuel? He has the benefit of a great
caring pastor, Emilio Carrizo, here in this humble neighborhood.
Sunday October 26: An 8 year old boy took me aside
after all the greetings and prayer was over. He said he wanted to talk to
me in private. I took him to a place up near the platform. He told me
that his daddy had separated from his mother several months ago… His desperate
heart broke right there in my arms. He wept heavily with tears pouring
from big round eyes. As we were praying and both weeping I felt
something. It was his little brother who had sneaked up on us. He
slipped into the mix with his arms tightly around my middle and joined his big
brother sobbing bitterly. What can I say? What can I pray?
They had only one request. “Pray for my daddy to come back home!”
Oh God, please bend the rules and apply your love, mercy and grace to drag that
man out of his sin into a relationship with You and into the arms of two terrified
little boys!
Sunday October 26: Evening service: A young teenage
girl grabbed me and hugged me to her with all her might. She was sobbing
with emotion. I was unable to understand what she was saying through her
sobs, but Jesus knows and I prayed for her.
Another teenage girl slipped up and joined in the
prayer-hug. Afterward they wanted a picture.
Still another girl held me and prayed a powerful
prayer of God’s strength, blessing and protection over me. I could
practically feel the flow of love and strength pouring into my tired, ragged
frame. I was nearing exhaustion, but I was being lifted, strengthened and
blessed beyond measure by little people with great big hearts.
October 27: I have ministered in seven services
in the last 4 days, including special services for children that are wonderful,
but much more exhausting than ministering to adults.
Two back to back
evening services tonight, Monday… one with the little people at 7 PM (a wild
bunch to be sure) and another for Pastor Emilio Carrizo’s team of 20 lay
workers. I
resurrected an old chorus “Enciéndeme con brazas de tu altar. Enséñame a
amarte más y más. Atraeme, Señor Jesús a tí. Enseñame a conocerte a tí.” Translation:
“Set me aflame with coals from off the altar. Teach me to love You more
and more. Draw me to Yourself, Lord Jesus. Teach me to truly know
You.”
My text was “Did not our hearts burn within us as He
walked with us in the way!…” Luke 24. Lord Jesus, we need burning
hearts. Set us on fire for You!
Tuesday October 28: I ministered in a new little AG church only a
year old with pastors Jose and Betty Martinez. I was surprised and
thrilled to see Emanuel again. His church is far away from here.
His pastor, Emilio Carrizo, had brought him on the back of his motorcycle
at his request to see me again. He wanted to tell me that he just
completed three days of his new life in Christ with no cigarettes and no
drugs! I feel that God has his hand upon Emanuel. Who knows what
God can do with him!
I was just beginning my message at 10 PM when we were plunged into
darkness. Fortunately I had chosen to use my little battery powered amp
for my mike, so I kept right on preaching. Several people used their cell
phone lights to light me up. Oh what dear people! And how God
blessed us!
Heaven has got to be really great to be better than this!
I’ve got to hurry now about 40 miles down a rough gravel road to a
little town called Chuscha where they will be celebrating “Family Day” at the
elementary public school. I will be eating lunch with them, then
ministering to parents and staff and about 300 students. Later this
evening I will minister at the local AG church.
Talk about opportunities to share the message of Jesus! WOW!
Ralph
(Pictures taken at the public school)
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