Raul is working hard to build his family a small place to live, on the back side of the church. The terrain there is steep making this
more difficult.
Ely, Pastor Raul and Bro. Mickey
As we arrived the team carried the supplies on foot down a small road that led us to the church.
As we journeyed down the mountain road on Thursday March 25, 2010, we were all spent emotionally and physically. Ely had told us earlier that there was one more pastor to bless with food. He was a new pastor to Esfuerzo Cristiano and his name was Raul Lopez. The village where he lived and served was El Naranjo, a small place around 2000 ft in elevation in the jungle.
Pastor Raul, a member of another evangelical org, had learned a short time ago that his organization was selling his church building and the property there. They were simply leaving the area and the people he had come to know and love, he would have to leave behind. His Cr's and broken hearted plea's for the church to remain fell on deaf ears.
Raul had invested over a year of his life in El Naranjo. He had fallen in love with those he had ministered to and led to Christ. He knew if he were to stay there was only one thing he could do.
After much prayer Pastor Raul placed the only possession he had up for sale, his home which brought $5000. This would be enough money to purchase the church property.
In two weeks Raul, his wife and two daughters will be homeless. The church family at El Naranjo will keep their place of worship.
Raul is working hard to build his family a small place to live, on the back side of the church. The terrain there is steep making this more difficult.
Ely, Pastor Raul and Bro. Mickey
Jesus told a rich young man, Matthew 19:21, to go sell all he had and follow Him, but I had never met anyone who had really done such as that.
We prayed with Pastor Raul and his family, privileged to have met this man of faith.
Please understand that we share these stories with you only to let you know of our work and the condition of the people here. These are emotional stories and I pray they have stirred your hearts as they have mine.
We appreciate you and your prayers and financial support so very much. However, we feel led of the Lord not to seek financial help in helping Pastor Francisco and Pastor Raul. We believe God is already at work, Mars Hill Baptist will help Pastor Francisco on his housing situation and FBC, Shreveport is looking for a project for June. I feel they will help Pastor Raul build the parsonage at El Naranjo.
We will be putting a construction team together in May to go to Pastor Fransisco's. We are discounting this trip to bare bones minimum cost of $300 plus airfare. We want to do what we can to help this pastor. We will need those who are experienced in construction to go.
Other teams are also coming this summer and are willing to do what they can. I ask you only to pray. Pray for these men by name. I apologize for not knowing the names of their wives, but please pray for them daily. Pray also that our Lord will raise up laborers to go and help.
Pray that God will multiply our resources as we use them wisely. There are so many pressing needs-other pastors living in inhuman conditions.
Our God is not weak, nor does He grow weary and He is faithful.
" Father forgive me for ever complaining about anything ever again. My Lazy Boy is old and worn but it's so much better than a plastic chair. My house is dry and warm, my pantry is full as is my stomach. My children are safe and healthy and my pets have a better place to live than these men of God. How can I rest oh Lord? How can I sleep at night knowing the condition in which my brothers and sisters, co- laborers in Christ, must live?"
"Dubbie" Walter Smith, is on his first mission trip. He shared this morning from Corinthians. With a tearful confession he blessed our hearts, "The Lord is teaching me how to love. Something I needed to learn. How can you come here and not be changed?"
Father, teach us how to love.
Lewis
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