Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Errores


Sometimes I wonder if, in God’s economy, once you’re a believer,
if there is such a things as mistakes.

Take Romans 8:28

We are assured and know that [ God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. (AMP)

or

Even Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith”. A lot of the people mentioned have some pretty bad sins in their lives, but those pecados are remembered no more in the New Testament.

or

“We do not know what God’s compelling purpose is, but whatever happens, we must maintain our relationship with Him. We must never allow anything to damage our relationship with God, but if something does damage it, we must take the time to make it right again. The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack.”
Oswald Chambers, August 4th My Utmost for His Highest

My mistake:

I got Wayne’s F-250 stuck on this road, that was more like a path. A really, really steep and muddy (more so, wet clay) path. I was lending and delivering the Ranch’s metal chairs to some local Christian brothers for an all night prayer meeting. In my haste, I didn’t check the path and, well, got stuck. Bad.


We, the Brothers and I, tried for over an hour to push the truck up and out. We got far, but not far enough. It was dark, late and they were ready to start their meeting. Therefore, Tyler, our young, temporary Gringo helper and I spent the night in the truck. The next morning, with the connections of our Brothers we got the truck out with six oxen. Yeah, you read that right. 6 OXEN (big bulls, that have no more huevos)!!!


In the process of it all, the truck lost all of its transmission fluid. Did I burn up the transmission? I’d soon find out, that by pure miracle of God, I did not!

Mistake? Of course! Stupid, stupid mistake. But God used it:

-I was humbled.

-Tyler got a great story to conclude his time volunteering at the Ranch.

-I was humbled and had to rely totally on God’s help and the intervention of my Honduran Christian brothers and sisters.

-I met a lot of local believers (and was humbled in the circumstance).

-I met a great mechanic (the brother of one of the gals from Calvary Chapel Tegus). Alec is not a believer, but I think it is the start of a good friendship – we have a lot in common: roughly same age, kids, mountain biking, and playing music. It was so humbling to tell him the story of the truck and amazing to watch God work it all out. “Heal this truck, in Jesus name!”

-A simple, but humbling revelation, Jesus is God, I’m not. He controls all.

-My father-in-law took the “mistake” in stride! This was a humble action being lived out in real time.

Needless to say, my “mistake” was a great teacher, faith and relationship builder! (It was also pretty humbling).

PRAYER REQUESTS:

PRAISE: As stated in my latest prayer requests, our one-year residency application was accepted. Now we wait!

PRAY: Still working on the bus plates! My meeting with the President’s assistant was rescheduled for next week. Pray that God would bless us with great favor and all would go well with the bus.

PRAY: Internet, you know. Still waiting for installation.

PRAISE: Met Dona Tina, a local midwife. Great lady and we think we are going to use her for the baby birth in Decemeber. We still would like to meet the other local midwife, her sister, Dona Tilde. They’re as traditional as you get – taught by mom, who was taught by grandma, taught by… etc. Mare is doing well, but sore. Pray for strength.

PRAY: for Jon’s parent’s visit in Decemeber. They are bringing a bunch of “missionary contraband” pray for favor as they go through customs.

PRAY: Mare’s mom, Brooke, is back in the States for a spell. Pray that God would bless her time as she builds connections for the Ranch with local churches!

PRAY: Literacy class has wavered. Back to two students and Miriam, our teenage teacher, didn’t show up last week. I’m not sure if she was prepared for the commitment and spiritual warfare in being involved with ministry.

PRAISE: For some financial help with new expenses. Continue to pray for God’s provision for the ministries expenses.

PRAY: For the completion of our home’s construction.

PRAISE: The “remodel” of the little house is going great! Oscar, a local brother in Christ and Jose Alfredo, the unsaved, cousin of a Christian friend are doing great! Pray for Jose’s salvation!

PRAY: Jose Luciano, our helper is extremely inconsistent. He is a great worker, when he shows up, but will go days without work and no phone calls. Not sure what do, but it seems like mercy is running low. Can I say that? Pray for wisdom on how to best minister to Jose.

PRAISE: Guitar class is awesome! Weekly new faces arrive, while familiar ones are beginning to rock out for Jesus!

PRAY: for the transition of the help on Sunday mornings without the group from Tegus (coming in October). Looking for wisdom and direction.

PRAISE: Still have strong attendance for the teen bible study; we just started Acts. Pray for God’s help as I communicate with the teens.

PRAY: For Naomi and Tabi – what can I say they are adorable little Beardos!




3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a blessing to ear all abaout the goings on at the rancho! Yes, God uses all kinds of things to draw us closer and teach us. Sometimes I think I learned best in Honduras :)

So sorry i never got to connect while you were in Chicago area, but faithfully read the newsletter and when I return to Honduras I will try to come and see your expanded family. Blessings and God's joy, Gail Mellish, Elburn, IL

Unknown said...

Hi John:
Just curious as to why the shower caps on you and your darlings?

Diane in WV
(Josy's mom)

Ibriz AI said...

This was a lovely bblog post