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
No comments:
Post a Comment