Times of Praise

Hola from Bermejo!

It is cloudy and cool, and we had some rain last night. It feels good to have some relief from the heat. Today is national Celebrate Pastors day for the Bolivian Baptist Church. It appears to be a monthly thing on the 20th of each month... Congratulations to pastors and all of those of the Royal Priesthod of Christ, everywhere. Today is your day.

We are all healthy -- a little tired and worn down from the heat and humidity, perhaps, but we are fairing well. Some us us have had more trouble than others adjusting to the climate, food, and insect bites, but seem to be settling.

We have been blessed beyond belief by our experiences thus far. Our devotional time this morning helped us to remember the diversity with which God created all the earth and all the people. We read from Genesis 1:31, which tells us that God looked upon all his creation and saw that it was very good. We spent some time talking about the beauty that God has created, and the beautiful things we can identify here in Bermejo. Much of the beauty we have seen is in the relationships we are forming. Many of us spoke of the relationships with the children here, who have such a fire for God, and cling to our sides for hugs and conversation at ever possible chance. There is beauty in the countryside, in the marketplace, and most especially, in the worship time we have shared with our friends here. Many of us had the opportunity to share in communion last night, and it had a profound impact on us as we passed the bread and the cup, and the Bolivians at the service began to sing spontaneously. It was such genuine thankfulness and praise, and we got to be a part of a deep spiritual experience.

Many of us have already shared our testimonies, and have also heard the testimonies of some of the people who live here. It has been a time of great joy as we celebrate together what God is doing in our individual lives. We all have much in common, in spite of the diversity with which we have been created. We are sharing our joys, sorrows, hopes and dreams as well as disappointments. We are, most especially, recognizing the richness of Christ in each other, and the real ways that God is providing every day, with great intention, for each one of us. In the same way God created all things with great intention, we also hold to the truth that he has also created this opportunity, and has brought us together with the same intention. This gives us confidence to do whatever it is we are doing with confidence and with the same intention and attention to detail. This is whether we are cutting vegetables for a meal, or cutting rebar for the construction of the church.

Psalm 104:14-15 says, "He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate - bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart." We see his provisions for us and for our friends here in the churches we are visiting. We see and praise God for his faithfulness to us and to the Bolivian Christians. We also praise God for our family at Westhill and our own immediate families, for we see his provisions there as well. To God be the glory this day and in the days to come!

- Donovan (a.k.a. Tony Montana ... don´t ask)