Wednesday, April 8, 2015

My Easter Miracle

I said I wasn’t going to let things get out of hand again.  I was going to carefully pace myself to preserve my fragile voice.  Now I look back at my last 5 days of ministry and realize that I have preached 8 times… plus taught choruses and often prayed with kneeling seekers most of an hour after services!  

But there is definitely a miraculous factor here.  Since arriving back from a heavy preaching schedule in Argentina last December my voice had become weak and scratchy.  I could not sing or even hum clearly and even speaking was difficult.  In early March a specialist scoped my vocal chords and discovered what he called permanent damage from over usage.  The chords refused to meet together as they should.  Here in Argentina in several churches the pastors and elders laid hands on me and prayed for healing.  On Monday, March 23, Missionaries Kim and Shari Babcock and a group of young people from California laid hands on me and prayed specifically for my voice.  Since that date, my voice has seemed stronger every day.  I was especially concerned since I was committed to minister 5 times Friday through Sunday in Montevideo.  Well last Sunday night after preaching and praying with many people… my voice seemed to be in much better condition than when I arrived in Argentina three weeks ago!  

Wednesday, April 1st I was invited to minister in an assembly at a Christian School in Llavallol, a suburb of Buenos Aires.  How could Felipe resist such an opportunity?  It ended up being two assemblies, since they have a totally different student-body in the afternoon.  This school is an evangelism project, offering an excellent education and reaching many children from non-Christian homes.  In both assemblies from the youngest to the high school seniors they enjoyed Perfume and Felipe and showed genuine interest and respect for my messages.  

Then on Thursday I was invited by Pastor Osvaldo Carnival to minister to about 2,000 of his lay leaders in their monthly meeting.  He just wanted me to encourage a “Jesus kind of passion” for saving the lost.  How can I turn down a privilege like that?! 


Then came Uruguay…  Pastor Roberto Mairena has served as national superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Uruguay.  Frances and I knew him and his parents who were evangelists and church planters in both in Uruguay and Argentina.

Good Friday night we stood close to the cross and listened to the conversation of the mockers.


Saturday morning I ministered to a local church “Youth Camp.”  We uncovered the truth that we can give away our life to God… and yet keep it… with the promise of much fruit.  The youth responded with their whole heart. 


A Uruguayan brother that is known for his caricature art work presented me with this gift: above left.  



The next day a teenage girl gave me one in her style… really cute. 


Saturday night the whole church was invited to join the Youth Camp kids… with a challenge to new beginnings.

Sunday morning the resurrected Christ stood among His startled disciples with “So send I you” and He sent them… and us… out into a dangerous, cruel world driven by God’s love within.  

And Sunday night I told the story of growing up with a mother that felt that God had called her to save all the drunks in Portland, Oregon… a mother who took us kids along to participate and to become forever marked… branded with that same love for the lost.

After every service we had a precious time praying around the altar.  I believe often the most important things happen on our knees before the Lord.

I’m planning some rest time… I leave the Buenos Aires area soon. Car insurance paid, oil changed yesterday, brake pads replaced today (by Hugo, my faithful personal mechanic), tires checked and balanced… and soon I should be ready to fly away and hide for a couple of days

Ralph

  


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