August 2022 Update

Greetings! Please continue to pray that the word of Christ would speed ahead and be glorified, that the gospel would advance unhindered, that many would come to faith in Jesus, and the gospel will demolish any and all barriers raised up against it. Thank you for praying for me and for the work God is doing among the indigenous peoples of Colombia and throughout the world.

I recently finished my last session of physical therapy for my wrist. It has healed up nicely and has its mobility and strength back. Thank you for praying for me regarding this. It has taken up a lot of my time. But we know that God is in control and his providential hand is in all of this. 

Continue to pray for the thousands of displaced indigenous who have been living in the city parks. They are living in very poor conditions. Pray for us as we visit with them each week. It can be difficult at times to find them available to visit. There is also a language barrier with many of the indigenous whose Spanish is limited, so pray for clarity as we communicate with them. Some of them have plans to return to western Colombia at the end of the year. Pray for wisdom as we plan how to make use of our time with them while they are in Bogota and how to continue with those who remain here. 

Continue to pray for the Wounaan work. I have been meeting with one believer and his family with whom I have been studying 1 Peter. We just finished up; now I'm seeking what to go through next. There is a small Wounaan church in Bogota, but many of the Wounaan are still unreached. Pray that the Wounaan believers can reach out to their own people with the gospel. 

Also, continue to pray for "Mike" and his family. He is beginning to open up to gospel discussions. He asked me about heaven and hell, so I was able to walk him through the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16 and the crucifixion in Luke 23. Pray that God would open up his heart to receive the gospel and trust in Christ. 

Daniel and his family from Betania Church have been ministering in their neighborhood Las Cruces. I have been helping them in this for some time now. They have Bible studies for the neighborhood children on the weekends. They are also beginning to have music and English classes. Pray for them as they seek to reach those in Las Cruces. 

A few weeks ago, I had a trip to Medellín to meet with several other missionaries working with indigenous. It went well. I was also able to visit an indigenous church and worship with them. Please pray for us as we seek wisdom in spreading the gospel to the displaced indigenous peoples of Colombia. I don't have any trips planned for September, but in October there are two trips planned. One trip will be in Costa Rica and the other in Quindío, Colombia. Pray that these meetings go well. 

Thank you again for your prayers. Prayer is vital to the work. May God’s grace and peace be with you all.

First Peter brings together two themes: the glorious salvation we have in Christ and our sufferings we endure in this world. In Christ, we have a living hope, a imperishable and undefiled inheritance which will never fade away, and inexpressible joy (1:3-4; 8-9). Yet in this life, we endure various trials (1:6). We pass through this present evil age as strangers and pilgrims (2:11). We have been called out of this world and by his mercy been included in the people of God (2:9-10). 

Just as our Lord experienced sufferings with glory to follow (1:11), so too the church will experience sufferings now with the glory to come (5:10). Yet in any suffering, persecution, trial, temptation, or difficulty we face, God has dominion (5:11). Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth and promises to be with us to the end of the age (Mat 28:18-20). 

Therefore, let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, for he will exalt us at the proper time. Let us cast all our anxiety on him, for he cares for  us. Let us be alert and watchful, for we have an adversary seeking to devour us. We must resist him by remaining firm in our faith looking unto Christ Jesus and his vicarious death on the cross through which he not only saved us but defeated our ancient foe (Col 2:15).  

We must go forward each day in the midst of all our trials in light of the promise that the god of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us, that he will glorify us at our Lord’s return. We go forth in this world proclaiming the excellencies of the one who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light (2:9). We go forth in love encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ who are also experiencing various trials, for we are all one body in Christ. Let us bear the cross together with the hope of glory.