It has been a long time since we have posted a blog. There
has been a lot to report on but little time to write it out. The Lord has
blessed in many ways. I will do my best to stick to the highlights. As you may know
our ministry model is very simple. We exist to make disciples, teach them to
make disciples and disciple others until we see no place left (noplaceleft.net) in
Guatemala. We have been working to achieve this by networking with local
pastors and missionaries in various parts of the country. We offer free
training on sharing the gospel and discipleship. We give them the tools and ask them to continue the work. So
far, we have heard from the locals that they are seeing fruit and their
congregations are getting involved in the gospel ministry. We have trained in
churches with dirt floors and only 5 attended and in nice churches with AC and
up to 60 people. We have trained in homes and in garages. The main idea has
been to encourage and equip all believers to be the church of Christ and to
take the gospel into their homes, offices, farming fields and ball fields. We
have heard stories of this happening and that is exciting.
About seven or eight months ago, as we were training others
to make multiplying disciples, I asked the Lord to give me a “Timothy” - someone
that I could invest a great deal of time in and see the Lord working and moving
him to live a life on mission. Our faithful God answered with a young man named
Mario. Mario was already a believer, but he dealt with many typical youthful
temptations in his walk and struggled to grow and stay faithful to Jesus. God
put an interest in Mario to work with me and learn from me. Mario even asked if
I could spend time with him. So, I received Mario as a gift from the Lord
and begged the Lord to show me how to love Mario well. The Lord used me to
teach Mario how to share the gospel, study the bible, and teach others to do the
same. Mario is actively seeking opportunities to share the gospel and is now
looking for his own Timothy. He has a sincere hunger and desire for the Word of
God which has kept me on my toes. Mario now has his own in-home bible study and
from his group another has started. They are also using the same tools for
evangelism and discipleship. I have no claim or boast in this at all. I
completely credit the Spirit of God and the Word of God in Mario for this great
work. The only reason I am able to see this work take place is by the grace of
God. I asked and committed the time to do it and God was faithful to move.
I was once challenged to read the New Testament and observe
Jesus’ model of discipleship. As I read and observed Jesus’ example, I began to
see and understand that discipleship is God’s plan for expanding His Kingdom
here on earth. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus tells the disciples to go, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to do the same. The most valuable ingredient that one can
offer in discipleship is TIME - time to sit with someone pointing them to Jesus
in the scriptures, as well as spending time to model sharing the gospel and discipleship. The Word of God and the
Spirit of God will do the work.
I am now seeking another “Timothy” to invest in. I pray for another
Mario who has a sincere desire for the Word of God. It takes a real commitment
of time for someone to decide they will follow Jesus. Many people in many
cultures struggle to provide for their families. So, I am aware that I am
asking a lot of someone to follow Jesus with abandon. But Jesus asked the same
of his followers. He even told them to leave their stuff behind. Some left
their homes, families, their jobs and their money to follow Jesus. This should
tell us that we truly have nothing to offer.
He just wants our obedient hearts to follow and He will put what we need
in our hands, in our bellies, and on our feet. Even though we are here, I often
feel ill-equipped and out-numbered but I know that His grace is sufficient. I
am here and He is my strength. He is working in the hearts of men even more than
we can see or tell.
I admit that although I have been one who is passionate to
persuade others to follow Jesus, I have been very weak in the area of
discipleship. I am convinced that we all have time that could be used investing
in another “Timothy”. So, I will end this
post with an encouragement to consider your days and redeem the time that you
have left. Ask God for a “Timothy”, invest the time, and trust the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Then you will see what He does in and through you.
I also want to thank those of you who have come alongside us
to support us financially and through prayer.
We thank God for each one of you.
You are a major blessing and encouragement to us. We believe that the Lord will continue to use
your investment to reach people with the hope of the gospel!
