Last night, I was teaching a class on Soteriology (hope I spelled that correctly for all of you theologians). Here the class is called Soteriología. Anyway, it was the second of nine weeks at the Bible Institute in this specific class. I was teaching on the reason for Salvation (the class is the doctrinal study of salvation and divine healing), on repentance, and on faith. When the class was coming to an end, the Holy Spirit began to move when I started discussing with them degrees of faith like small faith, big faith, tested faith, proven faith (at least that's how I translated them). Then, when I went into talking about active or inactive faith and how we maintain our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask them why they were at the Bible Institute or why they were attending Bible school.
I began by asking them their reasons for attending. Are you here to find a spouse? Are you here to earn a degree or title? Are you here because you think it will give you a name or make you into someone important here in Paraguay? Are you here to study and learn? Although that last one is a good enough reason to attend, I pushed a little further and told them that they are attending a place where they get to spend time with God in each and every class and chapel. They should be taking advantage of the next four years to ask God to speak to them, to minister to them, to teach them, and to show them His will for their life. They need to be here for the best reason: to see God, to know Him, to know His works, and to draw closer to Him and allow Him to reveal His plan for their lives.
As I was talking to them about faith and allowing God to give them more faith and them to receive it, tears began to fall on several students' faces (and mine). Several slipped out of their desks and went to their knees before a presence so holy that we all knew the Holy Spirit was ministering to us. I fell to my knees and began to thank God for meeting us in a small Bible school classroom with 14 students in Asunción, Paraguay. It was amazing!
We have been back "home" now for a month. There has been a lot of news of severe cases of abuse, neglect, murder, rape, and other serious crimes. Most of them are committed by fathers and mothers to their own children. Also, many of the young people of Paraguay have lost all hope and are taking their own lives. There has been such a feeling of sadness and despair in this nation that it has been difficult to break through this barrier. I have been asking God to help me break through this in some way. Last night, it was (at least to me) as if God was saying that He had everything under control. All I need to do is depend on Him, and He will help me get the job done.
Maybe you are struggling today with the feeling that God is not near you. He can't hear you, or He isn't answering your prayers. Instead of worrying about it, begin to praise Him and thank Him for saving you, for blessing you, or for something good in your life. Begin asking Him to give you more faith, then receive this free gift from Him. I promise you that the same Holy Spirit, the same God who met a small group of Paraguayan students listening to a gringo teach them about faith, will meet you wherever you are physically, emotionally, and spiritually!
Blessings to you all,
Charley
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Trip to Wisconsin
My family and I are still itinerating. This past weekend, we were given the opportunity to travel to Sheldon, Wisconsin. We stayed with some friends, who have become like family, in Holcombe, Wisconsin. Yes, there was still a lot of snow on the ground. It was cold, for me, but not for them. There were a lot of people walking around in shorts and t-shirts.
Anyway, the Sitler family took us to Grape's Sugar Bush where we went into the woods and learned how they tap maple trees for the sap to make maple syrup. Then, we went to the barn or workhouse to see it being boiled down into syrup. Of course, we had to taste some of the sap and syrup and had some maple candy. Really sweet! It was a wonderful time. I really enjoyed learning about the process of making maple syrup. They even gave us some root beer made out of the maple syrup they made at their farm.
Also, we went to a store where they sale cheese and other dairy products. The owners are the parents and grandparents of Dylan. Dylan was a young man that had cancer and his one wish was to own his own dairy. Before he passed away, his wish was granted and his family still runs it in his memory. If you've never had real Wisconsin cheese, then you haven't had cheese. It's amazing, and of course, we bought a few pounds of cheese and tried several different kinds.
On the trip to the farm and dairy store, there were many interesting conversations in our van between Chaz and two of the Sitler grandchildren. Their names are Zara and Zander Groothousen. Zander is 6 years old, and he kept trying to get Chaz' attention by yelling, "Hey, talker! Hey, talkative, talker!" Finally, Chaz asked what he wanted. Here's the conversation: Zander: "Chaz, have you ever been to Madagascar?" Chaz: "No." Zander: "Have you ever been to San Diego?" Chaz: "Yes." Zander: "What? You've been to San Diego? That's so cool!"
Anyway, we got a kick out of it. I guess San Diego was a bigger place to visit than Madagascar. He seemed more excited about it than asking about Madagascar. There were other conversations, as well, but I can't remember them all.
We went to Wisconsin to do a Faith Promise mission's service at Sheldon Full Gospel Assembly of God. Their regular monthly mission's giving has averaged around $890 per month. After the Faith Promises were taken up, they had commited to having God give $2760 per month in mission's giving. I can't wait to see what God is going to do for this church in the near future. Their faithfulness to obey God will result in every blessing being poured out in abundance so that every need is met and they have enough to do what God asked them to do. It says in 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.”
If there is something that you need or your church needs, why not take God at his word and step out in faith and obey Him? When we do this, He is able and willing to provide every blessing in abundance. If your church is struggling, why not take on some more missionaries and see what God will do for you.
We are almost there. We only have 8% to raise for our monthly commitments and $15,000 on one-time cash offerings. Please continue praying with us to see God finish up our budget so that we can get back to Paraguay and do what God would like us to do.
Blessings to all,
Charley
Anyway, the Sitler family took us to Grape's Sugar Bush where we went into the woods and learned how they tap maple trees for the sap to make maple syrup. Then, we went to the barn or workhouse to see it being boiled down into syrup. Of course, we had to taste some of the sap and syrup and had some maple candy. Really sweet! It was a wonderful time. I really enjoyed learning about the process of making maple syrup. They even gave us some root beer made out of the maple syrup they made at their farm.
Also, we went to a store where they sale cheese and other dairy products. The owners are the parents and grandparents of Dylan. Dylan was a young man that had cancer and his one wish was to own his own dairy. Before he passed away, his wish was granted and his family still runs it in his memory. If you've never had real Wisconsin cheese, then you haven't had cheese. It's amazing, and of course, we bought a few pounds of cheese and tried several different kinds.
On the trip to the farm and dairy store, there were many interesting conversations in our van between Chaz and two of the Sitler grandchildren. Their names are Zara and Zander Groothousen. Zander is 6 years old, and he kept trying to get Chaz' attention by yelling, "Hey, talker! Hey, talkative, talker!" Finally, Chaz asked what he wanted. Here's the conversation: Zander: "Chaz, have you ever been to Madagascar?" Chaz: "No." Zander: "Have you ever been to San Diego?" Chaz: "Yes." Zander: "What? You've been to San Diego? That's so cool!"
Anyway, we got a kick out of it. I guess San Diego was a bigger place to visit than Madagascar. He seemed more excited about it than asking about Madagascar. There were other conversations, as well, but I can't remember them all.
We went to Wisconsin to do a Faith Promise mission's service at Sheldon Full Gospel Assembly of God. Their regular monthly mission's giving has averaged around $890 per month. After the Faith Promises were taken up, they had commited to having God give $2760 per month in mission's giving. I can't wait to see what God is going to do for this church in the near future. Their faithfulness to obey God will result in every blessing being poured out in abundance so that every need is met and they have enough to do what God asked them to do. It says in 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.”
If there is something that you need or your church needs, why not take God at his word and step out in faith and obey Him? When we do this, He is able and willing to provide every blessing in abundance. If your church is struggling, why not take on some more missionaries and see what God will do for you.
We are almost there. We only have 8% to raise for our monthly commitments and $15,000 on one-time cash offerings. Please continue praying with us to see God finish up our budget so that we can get back to Paraguay and do what God would like us to do.
Blessings to all,
Charley
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