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Taking God's Healing Love to the Nations
Santa Cruz, Bolivia, January 8-14, 2007
"Be Happy, Don't Worry!"
January 19, 2007
Dear Friends,
What started out as a week of planning meetings turned out to be many opportunities to minister God's healing love in a variety of different settings. This is typical of every mission trip I've been on so far. And, it is always a great privilege to speak to some group, and especially a joy, to pray with persons. Whenever we say, 'yes', the Lord is faithful to provide blessings far exceeding our expectations.
On the Tuesday morning after I arrived in Santa Cruz, I met with the church leaders (concilio) of Cristo Luz del Mundo Anglican Church. All of them were very receptive to the plan to conduct a seminar for teaching and training in healing ministry, probably the first week of June. I learned that this congregation is very charismatic, exercising all of the gifts of the Spirit. And, they have plans to develop a "Family Care Center" providing counseling and other services to the community. The head pastor, Raphael Samuel, has a heart for inner (emotional) healing and restoration. He has a vision to train and equip persons for this ministry so desperately needed in Bolivia. Also, I learned that all the churches in Santa Cruz are "desperate" for revival. They hold 24 hour prayer meetings with "Alabanza and Adoracion" (Praise and adoration). The central theme of their heart cry is "Sana La Tierra", "Heal our Land".
One surprise was being asked to speak on a national television station. Tuesday afternoon I was invited to meet with a home group of about twenty women, part of a church called "La Vina", or Vineyard. After a long time of the whole group praying over every one present, one woman asked me to be on a television interview to give "a message for Bolivia". It turns out she is the talk show hostess of this station. So I prayed that night and the Lord gave me a simple message (non political) about the importance of receiving God's love and sharing that love with all people, rich and poor, and to pray for the president and government leaders. During this week a serious, and violent, confrontation broke out in one city. Bolivia needs our prayers, mucho!
On Wednesday and Thursday nights we held our meetings for pastors and leaders in the sanctuary of Luz del Mundo (Light of the World for those of you who no hablan espanol). There was extended worship time, my talks, a break, and more worship. The second night we decided to offer a ministry time and put together four or five teams for the 60-70 who attended. The praise was so anointed and powerful the presence of the Spirit of God filled the entire room both nights. I was moved to tears. Things got really out of hand, praise the Lord! Yes some individuals received healing. One older woman came with pain in her shoulder and spine. After several minutes of prayer she told us all the pain was gone. One pastor felt "electricity" on the side of his head where he'd been having headaches. He was praising God for this healing. What excited him, as he explained, he was praying for someone else when this occurred. Amazing.
Saturday was a full day of meetings with two different youth groups. Sunday I preached in the two Anglican churches. Then, that evening, we enjoyed a relaxed, small gathering of people in the home where I was staying with one the of the pastors and his family. Every time I appeared to express some concern, ok worry, about our planning, one response I received was, "Be happy, don't worry." I love the child-like sense of humor, and good-heartedness, of many of the Bolivianos. So, from now on, whenever I catch myself worrying I'll remember, "Be happy....."
I want to give very special thanks to all of you for your prayers! At one point I emailed Meg and asked her to contact our intercessors for Lion of Judah and ask for prayers for the tense situation in Bolivia. It was, and is, obvious that this country is caught up in heavy spiritual warfare. So, again, Thank you, thank you! Through your prayers the victory is being won. The Lion of Judah, Jesus , has won the victory, Alleluia! (Revelation 5:5). Please continue to pray for Meg and me as we discern, and hear, what God is saying to us about future plans for ministry. Gracias!
Every blessing,
Bob
View a set of photos
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