Tuesday afternoon is usually a busy time of ministry. This week was no different. We had discipleship meetings early so that we could go on visitation. Brother Michael took us to meet a couple who know a lot about the Bible but don't understand that salvation is a free gift received by trusting in Christ. We shared some verses with them and prayed together. Next we met a young single mother in desperate straits - she even shared that the night before she considered ending her life. She has some very difficult things going on in her life and we spent time sharing what Christ has done and how He can help her. Although she still doesn't fully understand the Gospel, we were able to give her some hope and encouragement. Please pray for M. that she can fully understand the Gospel and trust Christ as her Saviour soon. When visitation ended, we hurried over to Claudette's house where they have been keeping wake since last Wednesday for her mother our friend, Grandmother, who went home to heaven last week. Claudette was so relaxed and willing to talk. Joe began sharing the Gospel and Claudette acknowledged that she is trusting Christ for her salvation. She was real clear about it. We are so excited as we have prayed for her for years and shared the Gospel many times. Will you pray for Claudette and her family as they adjust to life without Grandmother, but life with Christ as her Saviour?
-written by Terri
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Ring Ring!!
Ring, ring, what is that funny noise—the phone??
Whoops, they hung up!
God has answered all of our prayers by giving us a dial tone.
We praise God for His timely help. Now the funny part is that we can receive calls but we can not make calls until we go through another hoop. I want to think that I had learned enough patience for one lifetime but even at 58…!
Truly though we are rejoicing. I often go by the phone and pick it up just to listen to the dial tone and smile. YES!! Give us a shout. 322-3518 and internationally you may dial 011-592-322-3518
Connected,
Joe and Terri
Whoops, they hung up!
God has answered all of our prayers by giving us a dial tone.
We praise God for His timely help. Now the funny part is that we can receive calls but we can not make calls until we go through another hoop. I want to think that I had learned enough patience for one lifetime but even at 58…!
Truly though we are rejoicing. I often go by the phone and pick it up just to listen to the dial tone and smile. YES!! Give us a shout. 322-3518 and internationally you may dial 011-592-322-3518
Connected,
Joe and Terri
Monday, June 19, 2006
The second invasion—Dragonflies
First you read of the amphibian invasion, now this: Like hundreds of squadrons of miniature Apache Gun Ships rising up silently out of the marsh heading due south on some secret quest, 1000’s of brilliantly green dragonflies filled the sky with their wings for 45 incredible minutes as they flew all at the same speed, same direction, and same formation. Our wonderful Creator-God treats those of us around the world to some awesome displays of His unique creative genius. By the way we are still amused with the many frogs around the house. Mosquitoes are still among us at night for a few more weeks I think. They are the real Gun Ships—they bite, dragonflies don’t!
Now is the time to say a prayer for our phone situation. It may actually happen by Tuesday evening, so they say. We have heard it before but we are encouraged to pray again for this new deadline. Terri faithfully carries our laptop over to one of 3 friend’s house for a working phone to hook up to. She then fellowships, does all the email and internet business and then walks back home. There is so much more that we really should do but without a phone we are limited time-wise as to downloads and longer tasks.
Happy Dad’s Day. Pray, Pray, Pray! J
Now is the time to say a prayer for our phone situation. It may actually happen by Tuesday evening, so they say. We have heard it before but we are encouraged to pray again for this new deadline. Terri faithfully carries our laptop over to one of 3 friend’s house for a working phone to hook up to. She then fellowships, does all the email and internet business and then walks back home. There is so much more that we really should do but without a phone we are limited time-wise as to downloads and longer tasks.
Happy Dad’s Day. Pray, Pray, Pray! J
Monday, June 12, 2006
Temple Worship
6/11/06
As we were preparing our hearts to pray after breakfast this Sunday morning we were interrupted by a band of 5 Hindu men ceremoniously walking down the street collecting vegetable offerings from any of the faithful. This is done in preparation for their morning service. Every evening and some mornings the 2 young neighborhood men in their thirties collect hibiscus and oleander flowers as part of their daily worship in their family’s own idol house. While burning incense, waving something like sparklers, and ringing small tinny bells they appease their gods. If they stop doing this, sometimes they are plagued with demonic harassment. Many are afraid to stop being Hindu for this reason. Even now more drums are beating.
About one month ago during special ceremonies with the Kali Temple, worshippers dance and chant in the streets to the beat of their drums to call on the demons (they think they are calling on their gods) to indwell them and the demons do indwell them at times showing super-human strength! This special Kali ceremony goes on for a week and thankfully is only once a year.
In light of all that has happened in Guyana in the last 4 years we are clinging to the Lord being reminded of the Apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 8: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As we were preparing our hearts to pray after breakfast this Sunday morning we were interrupted by a band of 5 Hindu men ceremoniously walking down the street collecting vegetable offerings from any of the faithful. This is done in preparation for their morning service. Every evening and some mornings the 2 young neighborhood men in their thirties collect hibiscus and oleander flowers as part of their daily worship in their family’s own idol house. While burning incense, waving something like sparklers, and ringing small tinny bells they appease their gods. If they stop doing this, sometimes they are plagued with demonic harassment. Many are afraid to stop being Hindu for this reason. Even now more drums are beating.
About one month ago during special ceremonies with the Kali Temple, worshippers dance and chant in the streets to the beat of their drums to call on the demons (they think they are calling on their gods) to indwell them and the demons do indwell them at times showing super-human strength! This special Kali ceremony goes on for a week and thankfully is only once a year.
In light of all that has happened in Guyana in the last 4 years we are clinging to the Lord being reminded of the Apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 8: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Progress??
Hot showers – wireless internet – roads without potholes – Popeye’s Fried Chicken – Bath and Body Works products - is this really Guyana? In some ways, there has been some real progress towards moving into the 21st Century. A new cricket stadium is being constructed for the International Cricket World Cup to be held in the Caribbean in 2007. Hotels, new homes and restaurants are being built every where.
On the other hand, there are other things that haven’t changed – if anything, they have gotten worse: execution style killings, violent crimes, robberies, suicides, political unrest. A dear brother in Christ, who was a security guard, was shot to death on the job this week, leaving behind a loving wife, son, daughter and precious 10 month old grandson – all for a mere $1,500. Life is so cheap here. We know that these things are happening around the globe, not just Guyana. However, it really hits home when it directly affects someone you know.
We used to visit this brother at his work place and are grateful that Br. Allan knew Christ as his Savior and had a good testimony in the community. As I (Terri) sat with his widow, Sis. Yvonne, I could sense the peace and comfort she has in the Lord. “He’s home with Jesus,” she told me tearfully. “I know where he is.” So many people live and die without the comfort and peace of the Lord. That is why we are here – to share the comfort, peace and joy we have in knowing Christ. People are frightened and worried. You can sense how vulnerable and insecure they feel. Will you pray for us 1) that we can make a difference in this dark place 2) that God will use these difficult times to bring people to Him 3) and for our safety and protection as we go about our daily life and ministry? “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:5, 6
>written by Terri on June 8, 2006
On the other hand, there are other things that haven’t changed – if anything, they have gotten worse: execution style killings, violent crimes, robberies, suicides, political unrest. A dear brother in Christ, who was a security guard, was shot to death on the job this week, leaving behind a loving wife, son, daughter and precious 10 month old grandson – all for a mere $1,500. Life is so cheap here. We know that these things are happening around the globe, not just Guyana. However, it really hits home when it directly affects someone you know.
We used to visit this brother at his work place and are grateful that Br. Allan knew Christ as his Savior and had a good testimony in the community. As I (Terri) sat with his widow, Sis. Yvonne, I could sense the peace and comfort she has in the Lord. “He’s home with Jesus,” she told me tearfully. “I know where he is.” So many people live and die without the comfort and peace of the Lord. That is why we are here – to share the comfort, peace and joy we have in knowing Christ. People are frightened and worried. You can sense how vulnerable and insecure they feel. Will you pray for us 1) that we can make a difference in this dark place 2) that God will use these difficult times to bring people to Him 3) and for our safety and protection as we go about our daily life and ministry? “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:5, 6
>written by Terri on June 8, 2006
Friday, June 02, 2006
Amazing!
Check out Joel and Bethany’s blog site: danielael.blogspot.com
Amazing things!
Pray for us as we settle in to our discipleship ministry for real. We will be working with 7 total—4 ladies and 3 men including one couple. For this reason we are here. We are not here to complain about the present blackout (no electric), the flooding at times (like can we get to the street without getting stuck in the mud type of thing, the 75 volts of electricity that greatly damages your electrical equipment, or the lack of a phone where we can do our own email (isn’t that a fundamental right like free email?!
We are excited about the possibilities.
Pray for Terri too as she is helping to head up the Ladies Rally that happens in about 10 days. Will keep you posted.
Amazing things!
Pray for us as we settle in to our discipleship ministry for real. We will be working with 7 total—4 ladies and 3 men including one couple. For this reason we are here. We are not here to complain about the present blackout (no electric), the flooding at times (like can we get to the street without getting stuck in the mud type of thing, the 75 volts of electricity that greatly damages your electrical equipment, or the lack of a phone where we can do our own email (isn’t that a fundamental right like free email?!
We are excited about the possibilities.
Pray for Terri too as she is helping to head up the Ladies Rally that happens in about 10 days. Will keep you posted.
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