Merry Christmas / Feliz Navidad

Merry Christmas from hot and humid Asunción, Paraguay. 

The forecast says that we are in for 110 degree weather all week long. That is definitely preaching with a towel weather. Normally, I preach with a handkerchief or rag, but with the way this summer is starting out, I will need a hand towel if not a full towel to preach with. One of the members of our church told me after preaching on Sunday that she thought I had a hose on the back of my head because sweat was just pouring down from the top of my head. It definitely is a hot one.

 We have been seeing God do some amazing things in our small church. We have been focusing on Acts and seeing how the first church did things and how, normally, we do things. God is showing us all that His way of "doing church" is in no way the same as we normally do church in the U.S. or in Latin America. Most of the time, our churches are focused on us, the believers, when that is not at all what church or christian life is about. It is amazing to see what God is doing in the lives of the children, youth, and adults as we see God opening our eyes and understanding of what it means to be a part of His church.

 We are learning that we must die to ourselves, stop thinking only about us, and focus more on others, serving others by serving God with all of our heart and reaching out to a community that is dying without knowing of His love and forgiveness. We are learning that the first church dedicated themselves to the Word of God, to fellowship (meeting each others' needs), to the breaking of bread (remembering what Jesus did for us), and to the prayers (praying, praying, and praying). As they did this, God performed many sings and wonders and miracles, and HE ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED!!!!

That's the key! God is adding to the church daily, not me, not us, not the programs, not the music, not the preaching, not the buildings, GOD and ONLY God adds to the church daily those who are being saved. And He is doing just that! We are beginning to see Him move in the lives of so many people. Many are still uncertain or afraid to enter a church because of the negative light that has been placed on organized religion over the past several years. Also, there is a focused intent by the catholic church to try and evangelize more. Many Latins are afraid to go against the teachings of the church; therefore, they are afraid to enter into an evangelical church for fear of being excommunicated. Please pray with us that they allow God to free them from this trap. We are praying for the same thing.

I have uploaded a few pictures from our kids program. You can find more on our Facebook pages.

Blessings from Paraguay,
Charley