Greetings! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the beginning of Spring. Thank you very much for your support as you pray for the work God is among the displaced indigenous people here in Bogota. Pray that the Word of Christ would speed ahead and be honored and that the gospel would advance unhindered not only among the indigenous groups here in Colombia but among all peoples. Our desire is for people from every tribe, nation, people, and tongue to worship around the throne of the Lamb. And that task is accomplished as we faithfully preach Christ and Him crucified and send out missionaries to do likewise throughout the world.
This month, I made a trip to Guainía in the eastern part of the country. A fellow missionary and a team of four from Oklahoma went as well. We flew into the main town in the region and then went a few hours up river to a small indigenous community. We slept in hammocks and experienced the jungle culture.
While there we were able to teach four Bible stories. Pray that the Word would grow in the people we taught and that the Word would spread to others throughout the region. Pray that we may be able to do more trips to the region, that the churches there would be strengthened, and that many would come to trust in Christ.
Most of my work in Bogota is focused on the displaced indigenous living in various shelters and in a park just outside the city. My team visits the park and shelters every week to evangelize and teach Bible stories. We pray with them. We provide for a few of their material needs. We bring diapers with us nearly every visit, but we have also provided things like rice, flour, and soap. A few weeks ago, I provided some blankets for a few families. The displaced indigenous have very difficult lives. They have many needs. They live in spiritual darkness. Pray that we can provide them the hope of Christ, that the gospel would be clearly communicated, and that the Lord will open their hearts to receive the Word.
In order to help communicate the gospel more clearly, I have started learning one of the indigenous languages. A few of my indigenous friends will be helping me. I am meeting a few times a week to work with them on learning the language. In addition to practicing what I learn at the park and shelters, I have gone out to an area of the city where many of them sell handicrafts on the street. Learning the language will help build better relationships with the people and help to proclaim the gospel with greater clarity. There are no apps or books on this language, so the process is different. It will take a lot of hard work and patience. Please pray for me as I take on this endeavor.
Please pray for my visits with the Wounaan. I have been visiting them biweekly to read and studyScripture and to pray together. It is always and encouraging time for both me and them.
Pray for my visits with “Mike,” and indigenous man from Guainía living in Bogota. I meet with him about once a week for prayer and Bible reading. Pray that my visits with him would be fruitful.
Please continue to pray that more national believers would become involved in the indigenous work
in Bogota. Pray that local churches will see the need and become actively involved in an ongoing manner. Pray that my team will be able to help train national believers how to more wisely minister among the indigenous. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.
Thank you again for your prayers and support. They are a crucial part of the missionary task. May the name of Christ our Lord be glorified!
Mark 11 shows Jesus as prophet, priest, and king. He is shown as the promised messianic king in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zec 9:9; Gen 49:9-12). As prophet, He acts out a living parable when He curses the fig tree. As priest, He cleanses the temple. Upon cleansing the temple, He teaches the people from Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7. “My house will be called a house of prayer for the nations, but you have made it a den of thieves.” The money changers were set up in the court of the Gentiles which pushed out the nations instead of welcoming them.
Israel was supposed to be a light to the nations (Isa 49:6). That is why the temple had the court of the Gentiles. But the religious leaders were more interested in benefiting themselves and left no room for the Gentiles. Isaiah 56 which from which Jesus teaches is all about the messianic kingdom which includes outcasts and foreigners who look to the LORD (56:1-7). It presents a picture of a united, worldwide, spiritual community. It also teaches against wicked leaders (56:8-12) who were much like those of Jesus’ day. The salvation Jesus would bring through His death as the Suffering Servant (Isa 53) would be for all nations and all peoples. Thus, He bids all to come (Isa 55; Mat 10:28) to Him to find rest, hope, and salvation. We too are to boldly proclaim Christ, calling all men everywhere to repent, calling everyone to turn to Him and be saved all the ends of the earth (Isa 45:22). May we be watchful that we do not become like the self-absorbed leaders who made it difficult for people to come to God. May we seek to reach every tribe, nation, people, and tongue with the gospel. May we go make disciples of all nations. May we long for the day when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as water covers the sea (Isa 11:9). As we go, He has promised to be with us.
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