In need of Wisdom

Brethren I'm glad to be able to send you a report from Puerto maldonado, for my next report I will be in the USA. Things at church are going well but slow, people are starting to ask questions about faith, how to read the bible and more. Some people have grown into consistency, they are coming by themselves to church and getting engaged in it, although the number of people who are coming are varying, there is people willing to hear the Gospel at least. There is a young man whose name is Gerardo, he is one of the man who has the most consistency, so pray for him. Also there is another young man who rarely comes but he likes to talk, his name is Angel, even tho we had good conversations, he hasn't been involved too much with the things at church. 

Concerning the 2 old man whom I visit, Gerardo is doing well and he is always willing to listen but not too much response, Masao is getting more into the stories and ask questions and this past time I've visited, his wife joined us so that was great, we are going through 1 John and they asked just from reading the first chapter about universalism, who is truly a believer? Who is going to heaven? Why everybody doesn't go to heaven?. Visitations are getting better, people knows me, jokes with me and sometimes feed me, they say they don't want me to look unloved that's why they want me to gain weight, I'm not that skinny but Jungle love equals fat by the way.

I was planing to write this letter yesterday but I had a rough weekend with problems and stress, I was preaching in the morning and there was one 3 people and a kid and that kid wasn't quiet at all and was interrupting every minute and I felt praying to the Lord to give me patience or provide ducktape for her mother. But she got quieter, a little, and it was weird because when there is more kids, they normally aren't as loud, even tho sometimes they can make the church look like Chuck E. Cheese playground not kidding. But later evening I played a movie and after the movie I got to talk with Angel and he was telling me how the counsel I gave about how to make his relationship with his girl better was starting to work. Which is funny because I thought of myself very incapable to provide counseling for this because I'm single but heyyyyy the Lord provided wisdom, so he was very encouraged and he is committing again to get involved to church. He said that before but he never came, well most people here does that, they never do what they told you, I wonder if they ever wanted to be politicians, anyways. I love people here even tho they drive me nuts but then God reminds me that I can be also so annoying and I get over.

God then gave more reasons to rejoice at looking how He was using me, and told me to stop whining as a little kid for people. While I was being ungrateful, He gave me a reason for joy.

God has been speaking to me through His Word and through different things (not angels or anything supernatural, I'm not too high spiritually for that) about seeking to be filled with the Spirit, being in a place where my integrity and purity is often attacked I need not just do stuff. But to do ministry in the power of God, don't worry I didn't became charismatic, just biblical, while being fueled by His word, I saw that sometimes my frustrations when I don't get people to church or get excited to church, doesn't depend on what I do or what I know but how much I trust Him in light of it. So this is starting to be my daily pursue and prayer, and what I'm seeking is to be filled with the Spirit, I need it.

prayer requests: 

Character: pray that I get wisdom, humility and Love. Also for faithfulness, that I never diminish the greatness of the Gospel but remain sound in my preaching. I also need wisdom to make upcoming decisions concerning ministry/life. Also pray for me health even tho I've haven't been sick for 2 weeks, it seems that I may get sick again, I have headaches a lot lately.

Church in Pueblo Viejo: Pray that people have a desire to know God and the Holy Spirit to be working in them. Also that God shows through fruits those whom He is saving so I can disciple them, and to not be tempted to give false assurance of faith to those who aren't converted but faithfully persist in sharing the Gospel with them. Pray also for the time when I'm gone Dan Nagao is going to be with them, so they can learn as much from this brother.

3.  Family: pray they come to the knowledge of the Lord, hey y'all remember long ago when I told you about my mom making a profession of faith? Well lately she has been going to my church back in Lima for 3 Sunday's in a rode and she told me that she will mee with one of the ladies on Saturdays which possibly means that she will get discipled, so yayyyyyy Praise the Lord. So Keep praying for her, he name is Marlene and she goes with my sister Nicole she is liking it also.

4. Missionaries in Puerto: Daniel and Becky Nuñez, they just had a baby Alejandro, yay babies. Scott and Tracy Blackburn, they re opened a girls home so praise the Lord. Dan and Ruthie Nagao, as they work in the Library. Buddy and Lauren Fitgerald, they lead a church in the city by the main square. Bud and Laura Lenz, as they work in the orphanage EL Arca. Pray for unity among all of us. 

5. Seminary project: My friend Mike who lives in Scotland is planing to put a seminary in the jungle region north Peru so pray for wisdom as he plans to do this. 

 6. USA trip: so yay I'm going to the states, but I made a fool decision which is I scheduled my trip for very long trusting that I would had my full support for those months which I'm only gonna have 28 percent of it, which my supporters are in their right because I won't be doing ministry all the time tho, so actually they are being so merciful to me. So if you have any project I can while I'm there let me know or if you would like to provide it by donation, do it prayerfully. .

7. Speaking opportunities: pray that I get speaking opportunities in church to encourage people to come to Peru and to give towards ministry funds, this funds are intended to help those who want to come, as example: with these founds someone who wants to come from the states can be half financed from these funds or someone from Peru like Lima can be fully supported for a month and it would help me a lot here, since I'm doing the work by myself and also other missionaries in here if needed. There is people interested in coming to Puerto from Peru and the USA so that would be a huge help for them.

8. Finances: The Lord has been so good by providing while I'm  here so pray that I be a good administrator of what He has given to me. For the ministry fund I plan to work there and maybe make a Peruvian meal and sell it there in order to raise funds and if you don't Iike any of the ideas above, you can give towards it but consider it prayerfully as you doing the will of God. Also pray that the Lord provides a laptop, the one I have is not working properly lately.

Please if you  have any questions, doubt, curiosity, complain, or something you just want to voice, please let me know. ALSO LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN PRY FOR YOU..........!!!!!!!!!!

Haha

I love you all, thanks for your prayers.

Edher

Only by His Grace

Hello Brethren

I hope all of you are doing well and having a blessed time wherever you are. 

 I'm back in Puerto maldonado, things here are going well thanks God. They are going slow but they are doing well, even tho the majority of the people are inconsistent, I'm starting to see consistency in few of the people at church. Today we had a review of what we've been studying so far which is Ephesians 1:1-2:16, and the responses were good, I gave them a time to ask things they felt curious about or they wanted to understand and they asked really deep theological/historical questions concerning election, adoption and circumcision. That really made me happy today, also one of the men Gerardo is getting more into it, even tho he is not always avaliable to go to church, he goes when he can, and something that really excited me was that in one of the prayer meetings is that he prayed for people in Pubelo Viejo to know God. Inwardly I was shouting out of joy because clearly God has been working in him, I will take him to lunch or coffee one of this days and ask him if I can personally disciple him because I see a big potential in him. 

Church growth have been progressive but people are inconstant that's why it's hard to see a growth but there actually is one. I know there is not a lot of numbers in my ministry but I can see there is a lot of joy so that's good for now. My desire is for more people to come to church and I always invite and go around and talk to them but many just don't come and there is nothing I can do about it. I can invite but not insist but persevere in how I encourage them to come to church. 

I personally been challenged lately because I have a lot of limitations as a single guy and being the only person at church working but if this is the way it is then must be good. I've been in Lima not long ago because of presidential election and visa interview which I have to say that I got the visa again yayyyy......!!!!!!!!  I've been struggling with depression lately also, but later on as I spend time with the Lord, I was able to see that it was a self-centered one. I can't call the attention anymore and what I have to say is not relevant for anyone, and that was kind of bringing me down, but I could see is a self centered struggle, because I'm not the center of the world. So even tho I can say there is genuine moments of discouragement, God gave me the joy to see that I'm not the center of the world but He is. The ministry is a place where you see yourself as who you really are, I know I say this a lot but is true. Many of our struggles are not as important as we think because sometimes there can be personal  interests where our ego is afflicted. I'm a window of what I preach so as much as I like doing this I need humility and love, and it will weed the ground of my heart so only it will grow what is good. Please I don't write this for you to feel sorry for me but to give testimony of what the Lord is doing in my life, this is a big responsibility so as I work and see the life of others, God is seeing mine.

Prayers requests

1. Character: to walk in Humility and Love, looking others as better than myself, I need a daily reminder of this so I can be a servant not just a leader. Also wisdom as I dear with some family issues, and find my encouragement and sufficiency in the Lord. 

2. Church in Pueblo Viejo: Pray we can grow in unity, and communion with the Lord and one another. They can grow in their communion with God and love for Him and that be reflected in their personal time with the Lord. 

3. Family: pray for their salvation and also there is a situation with my mother, please pray for wisdom, Grace and peace for this, I can't go into details unless you are really interested in order to be able to pray specifically. 

4. Missionaries in Puerto: Daniel and Becky Nuñez, they just had a baby Alejandro, yay babies. Scott and Tracy Blackburn, they re opened a girls home so praise the Lord. Dan and Ruthie Nagao, as they work in the Library. Buddy and Lauren Fitgerald, they are on family vacation but they are coming back soon. Bud and Laura Lenz, as they work in the orphanage EL Arca. Pray for unity among all of us.

5. Seminary project: My friend Mike who lives in Scotland is planing to put a seminary in the jungle region north Peru so pray for wisdom as he plans to do this. 

6. USA Trip: I got the visa yay..!!! So some people are wondering what I'm gonna do there, well this I'm going to a wedding of a good friend of mine also for a youth conference in the institute that I graduate from. Also seeking the opportunities to speak in churches so I can encourage people to come to Peru and help my ministry, and for people who want to support those who are willing to come but can't fund themselves whether they are in USA or Peru. I possibly be from June 16 through July 25, this will come to happen if I have someone who can preach while I'm gone otherwise I will just stay, for obvious and logical reasons. 

7. Support: the Lord has been faithful in providing while i'm here, pray that I can be a good administrator of His good entrusted to me. Also pray that the Lord provides for me while I am in the states. Also if you can pray, I need a new laptop, mine is falling apart, the wireless card just died and the one I got is not working really well. 

Thanks for your prayers and thanks for reading this letter which is a form of sanctification for some of you because of my grammar. Well..........Amon and Amen.

Let me know how I can pray for you or just maybe talk or Skype to encourage one another, unless you are teamCap. 

Love you all (oh and if you are female and this is awkward, I love you in Christ :D)

Edher

But the Lord was pleased to crush Him..........Isaiah 53:10

First at all, the person who is writing this article is a sinner, so this is why I am so grateful for this truth because otherwise I would not have hope whatsoever.

This has been the Easter week, and many of us have remember the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of us are going to hear a sermon about the cross, after having watched a movie about Jesus which for some ends being an emotional preparation for Sunday service even tho if it is not intended. 

Since I became a Christian, I've hear many preachers talk about the love of God, and how Jesus died on the cross for us, and the Romans beating him till death. Sometimes sermons will put up picture to make his death graphic so it moves us emotionally, which is normal. I remembered the once I heard a sermon where the preacher said this: "We are not saved because the Romans beated Jesus or because they hanged Him on the cross, that was necessary and is part of it but we mainly are saved because on that cross the Wrath of God was poured upon Him" ........this preacher accompanied the sermon with the passage Isaiah 53. Of all the passage a verse stood out to me “But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.”

Isaiah 53:10 NASB

But the Lord was pleased to crush Him........the preacher kept explaining that this mean that the death of Christ was necessary as a propitiation for our sins. No one else could have died, let me put it this way if you or me or any other human being would have tried to die on the cross for the sins of the people, that would have been a complete failure. Because 1. We are sinners who deserve death, so we wouldn't not be paying for the sins of the world but dying as a consequence of our sin. 2. Therefore God wouldn't have been so pleased with a sinful sacrifice because there was not righteousness to be imputed. The Lord was pleased to crush Jesus Christ on the cross, meaning that Jesus being fully human and fully God being obedient to the father in everything, without breaking any law or commandment gives Himself for us. 

I will never forget the words of my teacher Michael Garreau when we were talking about the doctrines of salvation he said: "the Lord was pleased doesn't mean that the Lord was jumping happy because Christ was dying, but what it means is that the demands of the Justice of God were met on Jesus Christ on the cross and His wrath was being satisfied at that moment. Justice which the nature and character of God demands so the sinner could not just be forgiven but also be declared righteous and blameless before God."

What a great do we have, who is so wise and powerful. So many times we look at the cross and we are very self centered about it, we highly everything Jesus did for us. He died for ME, loves ME, He forgave ME, He did it for ME, and we can go forth with more ME, ME and ME. But the demonstration of the Love of God on the cross is an spark of His being, therefore this should lead us to worship Him. Yes it is true that He did it for you, but he did it for you to be something. God showed His love on the cross so we will come to Him, and if we have come to Him, we will love Him. Loving Him demands that we obey his commandments says John 14:15,23; so it means that if we are not obeying Him then we are not loving Him. God was pleased to crush Christ so you can be righteous, obeying and loving God genuinely is not forced by the human efforts but it flows out of a heart that has responded to the sacrifice of Christ in repentance and faith  who's heart has been changed. 

Yes He died for you and He loves you so you will look to Him, so you will be His child and live like one. It doesn't matter how well your doctrine may be or if you believe the right things but if you don't love God and neither obey Him just because you don't want then you need Him. Doesn't matter if you say the right things, or if you say amen in the right parts of the sermon, We Need Him.!!!!! Doesn't matter how pity or how low you think of yourself, you must go to Him. Self-pittiness doesn't mean that we already have come to Him but it should lead us to Him. God will not overlook our hypocrisy doesn't matter how much we pity ourselves or how much we exalt self. 

Brethren, don't let this precious gift becomes so normal and common for you that you are not amazed anymore at the thought that He gave His only begotten son and was pleased to crush Him so our sins are gone and we receive righteousness. Because it's really easy to buy the next Christian book or study bible and conform ourselves with little of Christ while we lead our own lives. But seriously, if He gave His son and was pleased to crush Him, what excuse do you think you have to not give yourself to the one who died for you.

He is risen and He reigns. He will come back for His church, how do you think that he is going to find you? Our holiness is the mark of our thankfulness for the gift of Salvation in Christ, may God not find us ungrateful on that day.

Love

Edher

“Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.”

Psalms 24:7-10 NASB

God is good

Hi Brethren

I know that I've said before that ministry is about learning but I feel as I walk more into it, more things I see. The commitment of people to some things, and the love that other can have for their beloved ones, sometimes its just little acts of service that others do which reminds me of how I ought to walk. Yes, ministry can be really stressful and sometimes you feel that you can't handle it, sometimes you have joyful days and others are more depressing but I am greatly thankful for where I am. Also, even tho if I have many limitations because of my age, status, and time at place, I am here because God wants me to be. God is good brothers and sisters and He place us where He want us, even tho our mistakes, limitations and our sin still there, He remind us of His greatness because is not about who we are but about who He is and what He can do in us.

The church is growing in number in attendance on Sunday, from 3-6 people we have gone to 10-16, and its really cool and exciting. Now, it is growing in number of people, because there is not outward fruit, I can't tell if most people that are starting to come are truly saved, but I am glad they are coming so they can hear the Gospel. And even tho I would like more people to come, my desire is that this group starts to be consistent and God saves them. Visitations are getting better, people are more receptive and accepting more my leadership in the church. People are asking more, people are digging more, people are getting more curious about things, and I work in making my sermons as simple as I can but as sound as they ought to be. Because although I must be clear to them, I must be faithful to God, so receptiveness of people is a great answer to prayer. From the beginning of this year, I've started a series on the book of Ephesians and that  has been good to them for it has raised many important questions. Praise God for that.

There is a family which lives next to the church and they have been attending the church almost every Sunday. This past Monday, their daughter passed away because of Dengue complications and they are now devastated, I am doing everything I can to encouragement but im trusting the Lord as He uses m to comfort them and draw them nearer to Him.

Prayer Requests

1. Character: Pray that I can grow in Prudence, Humility, Wisdom and Love. Also for my relationship with God to increase, I need more of Him as I work for Him. And Faithfulness in my life and preaching.

2. Family: Pray for the salvation of my family. I'm going back to Lima in 3 weeks for voting and also for my visa interview so pray that I can minister to them as I am there.

3. Church in Pueblo Viejo: There is more people coming and pray that I can remain humble and always quick to serve those who are in need. Pray that they come to Salvation which is more important. The city in general is getting a little bit more dangerous so pray the Gospel spread more around the city. Also pray for Gerardo and Erica, parents of Geisha, the little girl that just passed away.

4. Help: Pray that I can get helpers from out of Puerto or from other countries that want to help with the ministry here in Pueblo viejo.

5. USA visa: I'm going to a visa interview in 3 weeks in order to go back to the states for a short time. pray that it will go well. Also if there is a chance, I plan to speak in churches to encourage people to come to Peru. but well let it be whatever the Lord wants.

6. Missionaries: pray for the Missionaries nationals and internationals: Scott and Tracy Blackburn (Canada), Buddy and Loren Firtzgerald (Greenville, South Carolina), Dan and Ruthie Nagao (Texas), Bud and Laura Lenz (Texas), Daniel and Becky Nuñez (Lima and USA).

7.Seminary Project: A Peruvian missionary in Scotland is praying about the possibility to open a seminary training center in the jungle but up north, he also would like me to teach there. Pray for him and this project his name is Mike Fernandez. pray for God's confirmation, and provision for this and this is a long term project so it will take time for the confirmation of this.

8. Support: God has been faithful to provide for my financial needs. Pray that I can be a wise steward of what He has given to me, If you would like to support me financially, you can do it through TD Bank or The Great Commission, ask for more details if you are interested. Also you can send electronic gift cards from amazon or apple to buy eBooks.

Thanks for your prayers, thanks for your encouragement, please feel free to ask any question you have concerning ministry or personal questions. Don't forget to pray, and also tell me how can I pray for you.

Love you all

Edher

Redirecting Passions, Reaching out in Love.

For those who read this blog for first time, I'm a Peruvian missionary in Puerto Maldonado (City in the jungle region). In the ministry that I do, i regularly visit 2 old men, today I want to share the story of one of them and how has this impacted my life.

Gustavo (88 years old), shared a story which reminded me of an important truth which we sometimes ignore. When i visited him for the first bible reading, he welcomed me in a joyful way. I meet with him 2 or 3 times a week to read the bible to him. After our bible reading, he said: I want to share with you a story.

                Long ago his wife was diagnose with a disease (he wasn't sure about which disease was), and she was on treatment for years, he was with her day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. He said: "as her husband I had to be there in her sickness and remind her how beautiful she is and how much I love her". She wasn't always in a happy mood because of her sickness and the treatment, but for Gustavo all he cared about was that she still there and he was there for her.

               After a while the sickness got worse and she got more sick, one day they took her on emergency to the hospital. The doctor said that she wouldn't be able to move as she used to before, her body got weaker and she needed to stay in the hospital. She was at the hospital for a moderate length of time (he didn't specifically say how long), after that he said: "she wasn't treated as she deserved, she was dying, and I needed to take care of her". Not long after this, Gustavo asked the doctor if he could take care back home, and they said yes but also that she would need a person who dedicates full time to her. Gustavo left everything else that he was doing at that point, and he decided to dedicate fully to serve his wife, getting help from a nurse when needed, he would stay at home taking care of his wife.

                     After a while he said: "she was in pain and something she would groan because of it and I had to do something, so I asked to a catholic priest to pray for her, also a group of nuns would visit her regularly and pray to Mary for her. After a while that I asked an evangelical pastor to come and pray for her, also the mormons but nothing was resulting or making her better. I finally tried a witch doctor to treat her but also that neither worked, I knew she was about to die and i didn't know what to do" said Gustavo in tears.

                      He described the impotence of not being able to do anything for his wife, and that she was about to die. The passion of his words and the tears coming out of their eyes wasn't a sufficient expression of how this man loved his wife, not longer after she passed away.

I want you to see the love and passion that this man had for his wife, I know that many of the things he tried was wrong but there is one thing he wanted and was really passionate about, and that was to save his wife life. He had a big love for her which made him be passionate for anything that would be for the good of her, no other object he was sharing this passion with but only with his wife because he wanted her.

What about us? who probably have the right answer. Are we as passionate like this man that we will do everything it takes to save someones life because we love God and we are passionate about Him? what do we want in this world? and why?

I know too many questions but once in a while is healthy to question ourselves and get offended so we can redirect our minds and lived to what really matters. There is many people like Gustavo, many their stories are not as beautiful even tho mess up likes his. But there is people whom love different other things that are not God, and they are willing to give their lived for it. And it seems that must of us who claim to be believers are willing to be the audience of how this people runs down the pit and we wont tell them about it because of self-preservation.

We just love them we say, oh my dear friend if you love them then you would see that what expects them is eternal destruction. But the Spirit is the one who does the work you say, but the same Spirit also inspired the word of God which tell us to: Love your neighbor as yourself, go preach the Gospel in season and out of season.

Believer what are you living for? what do you want? a mate, career, success, richness? you may say but that's not wrong if we want it in a moderate way. Well let me ask what is consuming our time the most to get those things or God? You don't have time? how come you never have time to the one who always have time for you?

What we live for is a matter of eternity, don't live for things that you may lose of may give you security and satisfaction only in this world but live for God, and you will have eternal security and satisfaction. Love Him with passion, let Him consume your time, your thoughts in such way that you will love other in the same way because the greatness, love, mercy, grace and power of God.

Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' (NASB)

God is enough

Hello brethren.

I'm glad of greeting you all again, I feel that writing this monthly letter helps me to share the burden of the ministry with others. It has been lately a challenge to find joy, people are not coming and they don't get serious about God and I'm like hey can't you see it. This is really clear, you need Christ and you think you are doing a favor to Him by accepting me? (I had this conversation with them in my mind, so this actually didn't happened, so don't get afraid). The thing is that y efforts are there but people don't respond, they actually believe they deserve the goodness of God, they don't know the concept of Grace because they don't understand sin at all. And it frustrates me but, at the end I think, wasn't I like that with God? So why I complain instead of trust the God who was patient with me. It doesn't matter how much I do try, God at the end have the last word, and if I'm not rejoicing in Him and find Him sufficient for my beginning and the end of my day, I will probably keep trying harder for self. 

Has there been more struggles coming to my life lately, but I can tell that the misery or burdens of this life are to point us to something higher than them and ourselves. Now not everything is frustration and fighting, God has been answering prayers. The couple that lives next door to the church are getting involved more actively, even if there is not many people in church and sometimes is just them, they can sing and listen carefully to the word. They don't know but their willingness to enjoy that make me feel ashamed for my personal complaints about not having people. Their names are Gerardo and Erica, also there is a lady named Erica who is starting to come more often with her kids. Most people around told me that the other pastor had the same struggle around these dates to get people, because since is vacations for the kids, some people take the time to travel or get out of the city for a while. 

These 3 people have been really encouraging in their concern to invite more people to church, they say sometimes people comes for interest when the Americans come. And they kind of were bitter about it, and at some point I a little bit, but then I don't know but I told them, that even if they come with the wrong intentions, we should always encourage them to come all the time of the year. Whether they come only when we have visits, let's make that time even more meaningful. Also I'm trying to do fun things to engage and connect with the community, we have movies night on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, on evenings. I've tried to get the men on soccer, but they haven't come at all, so I may try something different. I'm trying that to get to know them, and share the Gospel also, if they don't come to church, I need to create interaction that helps me to connect with them. I just need to be careful I don't want also to make the church a six flags over Jesus by doing that.

People are asking for the kids ministry a lot, but since I'm alone there I can't do too much about it, but I  call try to figure out something, because it seems big for them. We are on elections and I will have to go to Lima soon, like in April. Pray for our country, it's a mess, probably yours too so we all feel the pain. I'm also going to the gym 3 times per week, playing soccer with other missionaries, doing weekly sporadic visitations to people, evangelism, cleaning the church, study for my sermon, I normally takes Tuesdays as day off to rest read and My personal study. Services are Wednesday 6pm, Sunday 10am, 5pm. It's sounds a lot but it's not really.

Pray Requests:

1. Character: I tend to think a lot how things affect me, well I need to look up more than down here, I need to learn that not always will find encouragment from people, they may not even have time for that. So I need to rely in the Lord's sufficiency through prayer. Pray that I be faithful in my personal obedience and the my ministry, that even if I have a lot or a few people, I can be humble and loving. 

2. Church: there is some awakening in 3 people but guys is 3 people and those people are dear to God even if they aren't dozens and hundreds. So pray that they can still encouraged, and encourage others to come to Christ. Pray that we can grow as a church but that we learn to rejoice in our lack of multitude so when we grow we don't become prideful. 

3. May team: there is a team coming from Tennessee, so yay, so pray for their coming and as well for their preparation while they are in the states. The leaders are Scott White and Jill Denney, pray for them as the heads of the teams.

4. Find an appartment: so things where I am at are okay but the person who runs the place is not being that pleasant so I need to find an appartment soon, by March 3rd I must know where I am gonna move so pray for it. So people can see the privilege of having me with them ;D...........Just Kidding. If you know me you will get it.

5.Help.....!!!!! : okay I'm being dramatic, not in that way, but I actually need help if I want to work with the ladies and the kids, I can't do it by myself so pray for helpers to come, whether from Lima, USA or anywhere in the world. Doesn't matter their denomination as long they bring me Reeses ;D, or their last name be MacArthur, Washer, Calvin, Luther. Yes you supposed to be laughing, you are welcome, now read next.

6. USA Visa: I'm starting my process to get a tourist visa, since I'm not coming back to school this year. I plan to be from 20 or 40 days in the states. I'm going to be in 2 weddings during that time, 2 of my bests friends are getting married, and apparently I'm invited lol. But the other purpose to travel to the state is that I'm looking to connect my ministry with church in the states that want to do trips oversees, long or short doesn't matter. Or Volunteers that want to come for a certain amount of time, and also do fundraising for 2 projects. I'm gonna have this all written in a more detailed format soon, so if you think you or your church may be interested, send me a feed back so I can send you the letter I'm preparing. But pray that I get the visa first, and the Uncle Sam land admit cinnamon cute Peruvians back the country, you are welcome.

7. Puerto Maldonado: pray for the Missionaries nationals and internationals: Scott and Tracy Blackburn (Canada), Buddy and Loren Firtzgerald (Greenville, South Carolina), Dan and Ruthie Nagao (Texas), Bud and Laura Lenz (Texas), Daniel and Becky Nuñez (Lima and USA).

8. Support: pray that I can be a good steward of what I have and wise with it. People once on a while ask me how they can support me: well you can do it through my TD bank account or the great Comission for tax deductible (ask for more info). Or also you can send electronic gifts cards from Amazon or ITunes so I can get Ebooks. 

Please also tell me how I can pray for you, and if you have any other question, concerning anything in this letter please feel free to ask.

Thanks so much for praying for me, I need it as much I need to breath. I really thank you guys.

 Love you all.

Enjoying Christian Diversity

Hi brethren

I am reading a book named Strange Fire by John MacArthur (aka Juanito Macar or Johnny Mac), the book goes directly to address the issue of the false fire that are created by charismatics and Pentecostals churches. Now, one thing that i found kind of not good/nice is to put all Pentecostals and charismatics in the same bag. Why? may you ask yourself, well because i know Pentecostals and charismatics who also feel ashamed and indignation of the teachings of so called professing Christians under the same denomination.

I'm not a charismatic or a Pentecostal first at all, but i think what MacArthur has done in his book is the evidence of a particular and common trend we have. This is that we don't know how to enjoy our brothers and sister in Christ by who they are. I think that through church history denominations has helped in some sense to characterize a system of beliefs, which i think is healthy at some extent. the problem is the exclusivity we are taking out of this mindset to receive and kick off people by belonging to a certain class of denomination. Don't take me wrong, you and I may share the same disagreements we have with Pentecostals, Charismatics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists and Anglicans. But that doesn't give me a right to give a final judgment of how genuine may be the work of regeneration in the life of this Person.

Let me say that i also feel indignation before false doctrine, mostly at this present age where everybody wants to be heard but not many people wants to be understood. Many will try their best to write quotable phrases that may tickle the ear of many, but only few will take the time to define what they mean. So, i feel your pain Bruh or Sis. 

Now, what do you mean with enjoying Christian Diversity? well i mean this, not everyone have to agree with you. Of course i'm not compromising the essentials of the christian life such like the Depravity of man, Salvation by faith alone, the nature of Christ and the attributes of God. They are non negotiable doctrines doesn't matter what is your denomination (including baptists and Presbyterians). Now you may ask yourself, what makes the difference in someone under a certain denomination (specifically Pentecostals and charismatics, lets be honest we are harsh on them and sometimes we wrongly like it)?

Well the difference is made by what the bible says about true believers, so before you run to give a final judgment on people who's denomination seems to be sketchy, ask yourself this questions:

1. Has the Heart of the person be changed? The scripture says that everyone who is in Christ is a new creature, and a new creature doesn't just supresses immorality but loves, desires and want God. So if a person shows a desire for God, not just to keep the morals right but a desire to know Christ in an intimate way, then my friend you have a believer. And you will see of course a behavior that matches this desire, but they will do it because of their delight to obey God, not because they just want to stay out of church trouble. 

2. Diligent study of the scriptures: a desire for God will lead us to know who God is, what He has done and how we should act before Him and all this is revealed in the scriptures. So if you see a person going to the scriptures diligently to know more about God so he or she can enjoy Him, you should encourage the pursuit of this knowledge. Remember Jesus said: This is eternal life, that they know you, probably at this moment you may not agree with them but take the time to let them share with you. I know you are right an he is wrong and he should listen you because you are so sound in your doctrine but if you who claim to be right, don't dig into the theological worldview of the person you hardly will be able to contextualize what you want to say. And to be honest, listen to people with different views challenges my views and sometimes it makes me think more than speak. But I know you still won't change after reading this so imma pray for you.

3. prayer: now any pagan or so called pseudo Christian can pray, what I mean is that this person goes to prayer regularly and enjoys God and being with Him. Is not a just imma pray for you, but he prays because he needs of God. Let's be careful to not discourage prayer, and I know in this one I will be honest charismatics are more intentional about it than any other denomination. Yes, sometimes there is more things to learn than to condemn in people who we judge regularly.

4. Enjoys fellowship: maybe you disagree with them but you can see the joy of the Lord in them, and even if you drive them nuts, they enjoy to hang around with the brethren. Christ is the link for those whom Him has redeemed, even if you disagree with a brother, spend time with them. Because if you think he is weird, he thinks the same about you but you need to realize that both of you have been bought with a price. 

5. A desire for evangelism: the reality of eternity will be evident in this person, looking up more than down here. A desire to see souls saved and coming to Christ, ministering won't be just a part time job but a style of life. This person will share your zeal for evangelism and see people confessing Christ. 

So there is only a few of steps that you may want to consider, I bet you can recognize a heretic and someone who disagrees with you in minor points. Before I finish I want to also talk about a subject which doesn't matter your denomination, I think will be helpful.

Don't judge people by your personal preference: I know that there is things that personally people considers sin which are not necessary sin. As example: drink a cup of alcohol or listen music with drums. Guys, really? Don't use your personal preferences as an standard of godliness, and don't use please the excuse of the weak brother if you are not, or unless a weak brother have witnessed the imprudence. Let me encourage you to examine your motivation to judge someone who doesn't fill our personal expectancies or standards. You know how to recognize sin from personal standards and if you don't, use the bible, it helps.

I hope this blog nurtures your desire to engage into fellowship with people from different denominations in a very discerning and thoughtful way. 

Let the bond of Christ salvation be stronger than your denomination.