Post Three - Iglesia Bautista Church "Rios De Agua Viva"

This was my third visit to this Church, but I was not here last year.  It was good to be reunited with some familiar faces.   The Pastor that was here last time I was here has left and they are pastorals right now.

It was planned for us to come Monday Evening to show a movie, but when we arrived there was one there.   Our interprtor Maricella made a few calls and one of the laymen arrived with keys.  He said there was nothing planned - so we asked if we could set up outside on the Church's front porch and show the movie.  He agreed and we scrambled and found all we needed. 

We prayed and started the movie.   By the end of the night some 50-60 people stopped and watched "Son of God."  

At the end of the evening we have a simple invitation and about 10 people indicated the wanted to follow Jesus.  What was amazing was out of the 50-75 people at the end - only 2 were members of the church - the rest were just people who stopped.   

So many want to hear about Jesus but will never enter a church.   We must find. Way to get the message of Jesus to them rather than demanding they come in to hear a song and sermon.

The next morning we met with Pastor Juan, his wife and several members of his church to look at some land in a neighboring community named 

Melchorita.  It is about. 30 minute drive from Rose of Sharon Church.  The land for the new church would cost $1300.00 and the awning they would start with would be about $600.00 more.  

Here are some photos of the community.

They asked if we could help th buy this land and start a new work there.   They have so little and it seems we have so much.   One of the most difficult tasks I have is to discern how best to help in situations like these.  Please pray that God would guide me in making the proper decision.

Here are some photos of the land.  The house does not go with the land, but will be disassembled and moved to a new location.  The people that own the land are taking their house with them.

Please pray the God will provide.

We showed "Son of God" again at the Baptist Church - many of the church people were there this evening and the crowd was greater than the night before.

During the invitation there were several that responded.  It was another amazing night.  

While we were in the village today - Sharon found this broom.  I think it is one of the early models that my Mother-in-law flew!   (Grin)

Here are a few more photos through the day.

We had prayer for this woman who was suffering from some malady.  

I told the old man that if I wasn't married I would steal his wife away!   He said go ahead and take her!   They were A very funny and spunky couple. 

Post Four - An Unscheduled but Fruitful Day

We were scheduled to leave San Carlos but had our stay extended by one day.  We were invited to a barrio named Treinta De Mayo named after Nicaraguan Mothers Day.   Apparently many towns have a barrio by that name.  So out we went.   Here are some photos of the barrio.

And here is a photo of the Church.

It was a very poor area and the sound equipment the had was inadequate at best.  Through this trip we relied an the churches sound equipment rather than bring our own.  But with an old amplifier with one channel burned out and on blown speaker we showed "Son of God" with our interpreter reading and telling the stray along. 

At the end of the evening several decisions for Christ were made.  It was a great evening!

Post Five - Crusade in Juigalpa

Each year there is a gathering of several of the churches that were involved in the simultaneous meetings all week.  This time it was in Juigalpa.

I estimate the crowd between 700 - 1000 people crowded into a downtown street. 

As in all Nicaraguan worship the music was lively and loud!!!

I had the privilege to preach the crusade that evening.  It was a high energy sermon that focused on Evangelism and the Churches call to carry out God's Work. 

Many decisions were made for Christ as well as re-commitments and people asking for prayer.

Here is the mission team that worked this week.

After the service, we went to Pastor Abel's home for a huge meal and had a band come to his home and play!   Great way to end a great night and week!

None of this trip would have been possible without your gifts and prayers!

Thank you for helping to make a difference in so many lives!

Final Blog Post - Summary

It has been a good trip.   Overall for the entire campaign, some 300-400 people indicated a desire to follow Christ.  Many of those were in Prisons and Schools were other teams ministered. 

Our team had some 13-15 people we felt we becoming followers of Christ.  We had a vast mixture of people stop by and watch "Son of God."   We are praying that the seeds that were sown in those lives will grow and they will be open to following the Lord.

The Crusade Night was an estimated 80-90% church members - while a few decided to follow Jesus, most decisions were re-commitments or asking for prayer.

OBSERVATIONS

I truly believe that the most effective evangelistic work was done through the showing of a movie OUTSIDE the building of the church.   

Children's programs, medical clinics, ladies bible study can all be effective ministries at the Church.   Preaching  encouraging sermons can and are effective in the Church, but I truly think that moving outside the four walls for sharing the message of Jesus is the most effective.

We already are planning a return Trip to San Carlos around this same time next year.  Hopefully we can do children's ministry, ladies teaching, perhaps an eye glass ministry, movies, preaching and maybe some physical church repair/building.   our hope is to have. 7 day footprint for the trip and keep it under $2000.00 a person with everything but your shopping included.  

Finally, this was the first mission trip Sharon went with me on.  It was an amazing experience to be able to share with her.  Also, let me thank Maricela "Orasco" Gonzalezz  for being an amazing interpreter and ever better friend.

Come go with us next year!!!