Witnessing - From Theory to Practice

These past few weeks our congregation has been studying an evangelism course.  We have dedicated time to learning some basic passages and how to present them to others in a witnessing opportunity.  Now that we can all recite the verses, we have begun practicing witnessing in the Bible class. 

Each person takes a turn practicing the presentation.  In the meantime, everyone else has a chance to listen to the presentation.  We all get to review the presentation while observing the different techniques each person uses to present all the verses.  After each presentation, we encourage each other to go out and witness to other people.

These "practice" sessions have given all the members more confidence to do more witnessing to others about their faith.  The desire is to be faithful in speaking to others about the Savior, to share with them the joy of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life in heaven.

Market Makeover

These past few months the main market here has been under construction.  The cobblestone roads were removed and blacktop put in its place.  Water pipes were also changed.


Here are some photos showing what it was like to go shopping while the construction was underway.






The construction was to be finished before the rainy season began, but things got behind schedule and we had to trudge through muddy streets while the work advanced.

High piles of dirt, gravel, tractors and fresh blacktop were daily encounters until the work was completed.

Even though the work took longer than expected, it is now finished and we do not have to climb over any more piles of dirt or gravel in order to shop !

A Right Relationship with God.

We have been studying evangelism in our weekly Bible studies.  One of the main questions we focus on is: How can I have a right relationship with God?

The answer starts with the Law - God is holy.  Can I, a sinful person, keep his law perfectly? What happens if I don't?  The answer is that God cannot except anything less than holy.  As sinful humans, we are unable to meet his demands.  We have nothing to offer a holy God.











What is the answer?  The answer comes outside of sinful man.  The answer comes from someone who was able to fulfill all of God's holy law.  The answer comes from someone who was able to pay the price that God demanded for sins committed.  That answer is - Jesus.

The presentation emphasizes two important things Jesus did.  The first was in His life.  During His life Jesus was fulfilling the Law of God.  He kept all the commandments - perfectly.  He did all this as my Substitute.  The second thing Jesus did was in His death, when He paid the price for my sins.  This He did as my Substitute.


These are the points we want to communicate in our witnessing opportunities to others.  God's law-which we cannot fulfill, and God's Gospel, Jesus lived a perfect life for me and died an innocent death to pay the price for my sins.

How can I have a right relationship with God?







The only answer is - Jesus.

Promises

Ekkeko

Last week La Paz celebrated the festival of the Ekkeko god.  Thousands of people showed their dedication to the Ekkeko by purchasing items to be blessed by the shaman and later blessed a second time with holy water by the priest.

Virgen - La Razon

This week was the inauguration of the largest religious statue in all of South America.  Bolivia now has a statue of the virgin Mary, larger than the statue of Jesus in Brazil and just slightly smaller than the Statue of Liberty.  Again, thousands of people flocked to see the new statue.

Rainbow - La Paz

As we observe the multitudes participating in these activities the thought occurs, "How can Jacob (believers) survive?  He is so small?" (Amos 7:2)  While pondering on these things, I happened to look out the kitchen window and saw a beautiful rainbow encircling the city of La Paz.  The rainbow reminded me that God is still in the heavens, He is still controlling all His creation, and He is still faithful to all His promises.

"The Lord knows those who are his",  2 Tim. 2:19.
"He that believes and is baptized will be saved", Mark 16:16.
 "I give them eternal life... no on can snatch them out of my hand" John 10:28.

Alasita, 2013

Alasita

Shaman blessing purchases

January 24 is the day Bolivians celebrate their worship and dedication to the Ekkeko god or the god of abundance.  People crowd around vendors to purchase what they hope to receive in the coming year.  According to their traditions, if they have enough faith, the Ekkeko god will bless and grant their desires.

Miniature money

After purchasing a miniature of what you hope for in the coming year (money, cars, diplomas, food, trips, etc) , it is taken to the shaman who blesses your gift, giving you a better chance of receiving this gift.

It is saddening to see the multitudes of people flocking to purchase their miniature items and have them blessed by the shaman.  Even more distressing, is to see them going from the shaman to the church to have the priest add his blessing.

So many people, looking for guidance and direction in their lives, but being led astray by false beliefs.  God, in His infinite love and mercy has given us the truth.  Please pray with us that many more people hear and believe His message of hope and forgiveness in Jesus our one and only Savior.