Friday, June 25, 2010

Not Goodbye....Just I'll See You Later

Today, Friday, we will travel back to Lima do some sightseeing and then return to the airport to go home. Like yesterday, this to will be another emotional day, as we part ways with our fellow team members for our return home. We all came from different parts of the country, different backgrounds, and different denominations, but we all had one thing in common. That is our relationship in Christ Jesus. Because of that bond, we become old friends who have never met. Bonds form quickly, and friendships develop that will last for years to come. We were all called for a purpose to this time and this place to be the tools of God's Kingdom. Tonight as we said goodbye, I simply explained that it is not goodbye, just I'll see you later. For if we don't see each other again on this earth, we have the joy of knowing that we will see each other in Glory!!! May God Bless the community of Sullana, the new Christians and pastors, and each and every team member that answered God's call this week!!!

In His Service Always,

Your Humble Servant Leader,

David

Let Us Go Up To Jerusalem

"Behold...we are going up to Jerusalem". These were the words of our Savior to the disciples in Luke 18. Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem represented the culmination of His ministry here on earth. For it was in this city where He made the ultimate sacrifice for you and I on the cross. While we cannot compare the culmination of this week's work to that of Jesus' ministry, in many ways our work here on earth must continue until we meet our Him face-to-face. Thursday was our last day in the field, and this day typically is designed to complete any last minute discipleship that needs to be done, and to say our goodbyes to the precious brothers and sisters in Christ. This is always an emotional experience, because of the bonds that have been form during God's work this week. Thursday night was the victory rally, where we celebrated everything that the Lord has accomplished during the week. As the church planter (servant leader) for this trip, it is tradition that I deliver God's message at the closing rally. As an added blessing from God, I was asked to dedicate the child of one of the local pastors to the Lord. I was humbled, as I was nervous that I would not have the words to effectively present this child to God for dedication. After several hours of prayer, the Lord presented me with just the right words, at just the right time. His timing is perfect!! It was a beautiful dedication, and this little 3 month old girl reminded me so much of when my daughter, Sarah Katherine was dedicated. It brought tears to my eyes. After the baby dedication, I lead into the closing sermon. I spoke about when Jesus asked Peter 3 times, "Do you love me", and each time Peter answered, "You know I love you". Then Jesus said, "Feed My Sheep". The Lord presented a powerful message that could have only come from Him. At the end of the message, I invited each pastor onto the platform, and asked each of them 3 times individually, "Do you love our Savior". Each time they boldly shout, "Yes, with all of my heart"!! I then presented them with the names and addresses of the people who received Christ this week, and then stated, "Feed His Sheep". It was a very touching display of their dedication to discipleship in this community. The Lord has done a mighty work in Sullana this week. We saw 160 gospel presentations this week. Of those gospel presentations, 100 people prayed to receive Christ. We saw 107 adults attend our evening cell group meetings, and a blessing of 211 children attend the children's evening meeting. In total 5 new churches were born this week throughout the community of Sullana. GLORY TO GOD!!!!

After the victory rally, I met with our team of North Americans and thanked them for allowing themselves to be vessels for the Lord this week. I end the formal part of our trip by telling them that God's work does not end here, but that we must and we will continue His work until the day of salvation. I closed by repeating the words of Lord, "Behold.....Let us go up to Jerusalem."

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Take Joy In Your Right Relationship

This morning during our pray and share time, we looked at a devotional from "My Utmost for His Highest". The devotional talked about how we should not rejoice in our daily successes on the mission field, but instead we should rejoice that we have a right relationship with God. Our tendencies as Christians is to ask if we or someone else is useful in the kingdom work. That is not something that is left for us to decide. All we are asked to do is simply be willing respond whenever He calls. If we have a right relationship with God, we will be able to clearly hear His call and respond. If we don't have a right relationship, then we will respond based on our own needs and desires, and not those of our Savior.

Today our teams focused on discipleship. We are gradually seeing the North Americans move to the background, as the local Christians move to the forefront in this process. No matter how many times I see this process take place, it still amazes me. Our South American brothers and sisters in Christ boldly take the baton of discipleship from the North Americans, and teach new believers as these new churches form. It is the true picture of Acts 1:8. Tomorrow will be our final day with the local Christians, and tomorrow evening we will gather these new churches together to celebrate what God has done here in Sullana this week. Continue to pray as our time here draws to a close.

In Christ,

David

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Church of the Harvest

Today I worked with the group planting a new church outside of Sullana in the rice fields that surround this area. Unlike the homes and villages in Sullana city, many of these homes belong to farmers and are spread far apart. So, it requires the team to walk many miles over hills and down into valleys in order to reach people. When we came to the top of one of the hills, you could see nothing but rice fields as far as the eye can see. One of the pastors commented saying, "Everyone is out harvesting today". As he said that, I couldn't help but think how true that statement was, in more than one way. Our teams, just like the farmers, were out harvesting as well.

Yesterday afternoon, this new body of believers held a funeral for one of their members who had recently past. The pastor asked one of our team members, Brian Nelson, to preach the funeral.
Brian did an excellent job and even concluded the message with the presentation of the gospel. I can't think of a better place to present the gospel than at a funeral.

Many of the church members are very excited, and I pray that this new church will continue the unique mission to the farmers of this area. The fields are white and now the time has come....

In Christ,

David Coram

Monday, June 21, 2010

New Churches on the Horizon

Today was the first full day of evangelism and church planting here in Sullana. This morning began with all of the teams going out with the pastors to the areas where they will be planting new churches. I have the pleasure of working with Pastor Jorge, the coordinator, of this weeks work. He has a special church plant of his own. In an area outside of the city called "New Esperanza" or "New Hope", they have begun building a church out of coconut tree limbs and bamboo with an aluminum roof. The church building is a room that is about 20''x20" with a dirt floor. This is common in many villages in the Peruvian "outback". No matter how many times I see a worship center like this, I cannot help but think about how we take for grant it the church buildings we worship in each week. The church is not the building but the body of believers. Pastor Jorge has this vision for the New Hope community. As families move into the area, it is his desire to reach those families for Christ, and then have them join this new body of believers. We spent some precious time walking around this new building and prayer for the future that is this church. We prayed for the individual people that would be won for Christ. We prayed for the pastors and church leaders who would be shepherding this new flock. That God would protect, bless and strengthen them for the work ahead.

After checking on the teams and praying for this new church, we had lunch with Pastor Jorge. Even though we do not share the same language, we share something that is so much more valuable than that, our relationship in Christ Jesus. Because of this shared relationship we were able to share so much about each others lives with little or any interpretation at all. With God no interpretation is necessary. Our teams are hard at work accomplishing what it is God has called them to do. This morning's devotion was about how God's work will be accomplished whether we are willing to participate or not. However, the Bible tells us that "IF" we are willing to be a part of his work, that we will be blessed immeasurably for our obedience to his call. Many times we go on mission trips with the mindset that we are here to help the local christians, when in reality we are here because God wants us to grow in our faith and show us the work he is doing at the other end of the earth. It is simply our honor to be part of such an awesome plan God has for Peru.

In His Service Always,

David Coram
God's Servant

Sunday, June 20, 2010

What's the Spanish word for blog?

For starters, this post will likely ramble. My apologies.

So today is the second day we've been in Sullana, and the first day we've actually been working with the Nationals and evangelizing. I was here last year, but I have to keep telling myself, things will not be the same. Today my team partner, Pat Shelton, and I were picked up by our pastor Enrique. About 30 minutes away from our hotel is a small villiage called Namara. We met in a person's home to go over how to use the EvangeCube and then we went out for a prayer walk. We walked through the villiage and Enrique explained to us many of the specific issues that we needed to pray for.

After that we were able to begin door to door evangelism. Our nationals didn't have a church service the way we think of them, and so we started with the discipleship meetings early. Again, I have been/will be working with the children, who were not to keen on my "creation stroy" version of duck duck goose (Instead of saying "goose" you say any animal you want, and must run around the circle pretending to be that animal). Now, whether they were just too shy around the random white guy they'd never met, or didn't fully understand the nature of the game, I don't know, but it was funny to see their faces as I ran around the circle making monkey noises as the example.

I'm very excited to be working with the same translator, Maria, this year as last. God has made it clear that this week is going to be a big deal, and so far I've been very encouraged by the people I'm working with. I don't know what to expect from here on out, but I know it will be so incredible.

-Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

Saturday, June 19, 2010

First Day After A Long Journey

The team that God has brought together from every corner of the country to serve him has arrived safely in Sullana, Peru!!

After traveling for what seemed like almost an entire day, the team arrived in Sullana about 7:30 this morning. After a few hours of rest, the team gathered for a lunch of Lomo Santado (Beef with Tomatoes and Potatoes). Then we began discussing the activities we will be doing this week. After lunch a few of us went to a local church to train pastors on how to do evangelism and discipleship. The day ended with an opening rally at the mother church to welcome everyone and to meet the pastors we will be working with this week. Tomorrow we will joining the local pastors at their places of worship. Continue to follow this blog as we will be posting about the awesome work God is and will be doing here in Sullana!!

In His Service,

David Coram
Church Planter
e3 Partners Ministry