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.

Faithful - To Whom?

Carnaval-worshiping the Virgin

Living in a foreign country gives one the opportunity to observe traditions and customs and see how these are reflected in the lives and attitudes of the people.  Recently we have been able to see the festival to the god Ekeko who is said to bring good luck and prosperity.  After that we watched carnaval groups as they danced in honor of the virgin promising her their devotion.  Then came the Challa Tuesday in honor of Mother Earth who is also said to be the giver of all good things.  The following day many people went to church in honor of Ash Wednesday where they bowed before Jesus-whom they also call Savior.

Ekeko, the virgin, mother earth, Jesus - devotion and worship is varied and divided between different deities.  All are seen as means of receiving blessing and all are seen as valid.  The more gods you worship the closer you are to attaining eternal life.

Challa to mother earth

 "I have been a member of this church all my life".  This is another kind of devotion that is thought to result in merit.  Even if the church does not have a solid doctrinal base and any pastor is welcome to come and teach his views, I still have been faithful to my church.  This results in devotion to a building - and not to any belief or doctrine.

People are searching for peace and the hope of eternal life.  They hope Ekeko or mother earth will give it to them.  They are more faithful to a building more than to maintaining true teaching within the building.  When belief is so divided how can they find the truth?

Paul had the same dilemma when he came to Athens.  So many altars, so many gods - but no truth to be found.  Paul presented the truth of God's Word and prayed the Holy Spirit would work in their hearts.  With God's help, we are doing the same here.  Many false gods, many traditions, many voices are calling out to the people's hearts.  Only the truth of the true gospel can sound a clear call in the midst of all the babble of the false teachings.  We pray daily that God would reach into the hearts of those who are hearing the preaching of His law and gospel and create true faith in the Savior and the strength to resist and reject all the false teachings that surround them.

Challar

Offering to Mother Earth-Pagina Siete

The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is known as "Martes de Challa" which is the day dedicated to honor Mother Earth.  Offerings, petitions and thanksgiving are given to Mother Earth because "she is the one who provides and blesses everything we have in this life and she makes everything better" said one faithful follower.








The traditional offering consists of candies, flowers, fruits, spices, cereals, nuts, a llama fetus, streamers...sprinkled with rubbing alcohol and then set on fire.  As the offering burns, one dances and sings around the offering.  The president offered a challa in front of a newly purchased property where a new government palace will be built.  They thanked Mother Earth for this property and asked that she bless the new construction.

Challar van

 A more modern version of this offering is to decorate your house or business with balloons and streamers.  Rubbing alcohol is sprinkled in all the corners of the home.  Then prayers and petitions are given to Mother Earth.

Many people who work in the transportation business will decorate their taxis or bus in dedication to Mother Earth.  They are hopeful that this will guarantee them success in the coming year.

challar house

Candies to challar home

 Another way to worship Mother Earth on this day is the throw hard candies on the tin roof of your home.  The loud noise this makes is said to frighten away any evil spirits.  The modern version of this is to set off fireworks.  In their efforts to keep these evil spirits away we heard fireworks going off from before dawn until the late hours of the night.

Carnaval 2012

 Carnaval is a big celebration in Bolivia.  Many groups began practicing their dances way back in December right after the Day of the Dead.  On the main day of the carnaval, over 50,000 dancers participated in the parade.  At the end of the parade route, all the participants kneeled down and worshiped and prayed to the large image of the Virgin.

Carnaval participants worship the Virgin

Saved - by grace

This past week, by the Lord's grace, the congregation here was blessed with another infant baptism.  Another soul was added to the community of believers.  Through the blessed water of baptism, the water connected with the Word, faith was given to this baby.  The promise is that the Holy Spirit has entered into his heart to give him forgiveness, faith and eternal life.

What blessings God promises to us in His Word.  In His grace and mercy, God has given us His Word, faithful pastors who teach us that Word and Christian family and friends that encourage and counsel us according to that Word.










But what happens when hearts rebel against what God says in His Word?  What is the result when we disobey God's commands?  "Can the pot say to the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" (Is. 29:16) 

"When I called, no one answered, when I spoke no one listened.  They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me." (Is. 66:4)

"When I called, they did not listen, so when they called, I would not listen, says the Lord Almighty." (Zach. 7:13)

Pray with us that by God's grace, hearts that are rebelling against God's clear Word would repent, receive the refreshing waters of forgiveness and would rest in the peace the Holy Spirit brings.

It's Raining!!??

December, January and February are the rainy months here in La Paz.  We have rain almost daily and lots of cloud cover.  This past week we had a heavy hailstorm.  The hail accumulated on the window sills.  In some parts of the city the hail fell so forcefully that it damaged the roofs of some homes.

During these months we carry our umbrellas since it may be sunny when you leave the house but the clouds come up over the mountains quite rapidly and it may be raining when you least expect it.







February is also carnaval time here.  Some carnaval activities have already started but the main events occur the week of Ash Wednesday. 



One of the carnaval traditions here is to throw water balloons at other people.  Some people will drop them out of windows or off of balconies.  So water may be falling on your head - but not necessarily from clouds!!

Other gods

All this I will give you if you bow down and worship me.

This past week marked the festival to the god of abundance, Ekeko.  The fair grounds were full of vendors selling their wares to the followers of this god.  At the entrance to the fair, there stands a large statue of the Ekeko god.










What is the belief about this god?  Followers are encouraged to buy products in miniature that represent their desires.  If you wish to travel, you purchase a miniature suitcase.  If you want to graduate you purchase a miniature diploma.  The most common miniature sold is money - miniature bolivianos, miniature dollars and miniature euros.  The belief is that in the coming year, Ekeko will make these miniature objects become real.

Another belief is that Ekeko can change your life.  If women buy a miniature rooster, they will get married in the coming year (men buy miniature hens).  Miniature dolls will help you to have a child.  Frogs and elephants are said to represent good luck.  Owls will bring wisdom.

Amauta - La Razon

Amauta - La Razon

 After making your purchases, they are taken to the amauta (shaman) who blesses your miniatures.  He sprinkles some water over them and then waves them over a small fire of coals or incense.  Some people, as a final step, will also take their miniatures to the priest who sprinkles them with holy water.

Ekeko

You can also purchase your own Ekeko to keep in your home or business to ensure good luck

Ekeko

Worship the Lord Thy God and serve Him only.

Touching the Sky

Have you ever been told that you "have your head in the clouds"?  Most people know that Denver, CO is known as the "Mile High" city.  Well, here in La Paz we are over 2 miles high (11,975 ft.).  So I guess, technically,  you could say that we "have our head in the clouds"!

One of the drawbacks of living at such a high altitude, is that any time you are coming from a lower altitude up to the city, you are likely to suffer from altitude sickness.  This usually affects people with the following symptoms: throbbing headache, nausea, dizziness, sleep disturbance, fatigue.

What should you do?  The first recommendation is to rest.  Since the air is so thin at this high an altitude, your body needs to produce more red blood cells to be able to absorb more oxygen.  When  you sleep your body produces more red blood cells.  (Sleep is usually not a problem since  you are not feeling so well, anyway.)  Another recommendation is to avoid any kind of physical effort such as lifting, going up and down steps, etc., and eat  light meals.


Is there any way to relieve these symptoms?  The local residents recommend drinking coca tea made from unprocessed coca leaves.  This tea is readily available at stores or at the open market, or you can buy some raw leaves and brew your own.  There are also "soroche" pills to help you sleep through the night.

If you follow the recommendations and rest, avoid strenuous activity and drink your tea, you should start feeling better in 2-3 days and then you can start enjoying La Paz, the city where we touch the sky!

Celebration X 5

The church was decorated with white gladiolas and white carnations.  Ribbons and flowers adorned the benches.  A bowl with water and a drying towel were placed on the altar.  The guests had been invited and the service prepared.  All was ready for the great celebration.

 After the opening hymn, Pastor Julio invited five people to come forward.  These five were all brothers and sisters, the oldest was only 10 and the youngest were 1 year old twin boys.  The brothers and sisters came to the front of the church, along with the witnesses, to be baptized.  After having studied baptism with Pastor Julio, the parents asked that their children receive this wonderful blessing of baptism for the forgiveness of sins and the gifts of faith and eternal life.  What joy for us and for the angels in heaven to see the Holy Spirit creating faith as promised, in the hearts of these little ones.  May God be praised!


After the ceremony, all were invited to participate in a meal with the family.  We were also treated to some typical Bolivian dances presented by the children.  The dances were very traditional and the children dressed in typical costumes.

We are thankful for the spiritual blessings of this day, when we were reminded of the work of the Lord among us through the blessings of baptism, and also for the blessing of fellowship with fellow believers.

Day of the Dead

November 2 is celebrated here as the Day of the Dead.  People visit the tombs of their loved ones and prepare "offerings" for them.  The belief is that the souls of the dead are released for 24 hours, from noon on Nov. 1 until noon on Nov. 2.








In preparation for the arrival of their souls, relatives prepare a table (altar) for the dead.  Essential elements of each table are water (to calm their thirst), bread in the form of a ladder (symbolizing their climb out of the afterworld), merengue candies called "suspiros" (sighs) which symbolize their dying breath, breads, fruits and other favorite foods of the dead person.





Relatives will spend this day talking, reminiscing or singing with their deceased loved ones.  At noon on Nov. 2 they must "send them back".

 What great comfort we have as believers to know that our souls will go to be with Jesus.  He promises to take us to be with Him and we will not be continually sent back to this world of sin and sorrow.

"And so we will be forever with the Lord".