Wednesday, July 19 John 13:16 KJV [16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. This Team is comprised of true servants of our Lord, who are willing to help each other bring the Gospel to the people of Belize because we have been sent to do such. The Team awakened to the familiar sound of rain falling in the southern portion of Belize. It is now the “rainy” season of the year, and we have definitely seen a lot of rain in the past few days. After a quick bus ride back to the TFOCC compound, we had a breakfast of toast, pineapple, bananas, ham, eggs, and a couple of varieties of jam. The Team has been well-fed, which is much needed and appreciated, as the days are long and arduous. At 0840, the teams left for the drives to the two villages: 1) Independence, which is in the middle of the country near Placencia, and 2) Aquacate, located west of the TFOCC compound. For the Independence team, the drive was rain-filled, but after the arrival in Independence, the rain stopped, allowing us to begin getting ready for the service. It was interesting that we were having the service in a dental clinic, for the church had just been organized recently, and they did not have a church building. The pastor opened the clinic and showed us the rooms, we obtained additional chairs, while some of the Team went throughout nearby streets to invite them to the service. The service began with prayer by Brother Larry, followed by Elijah leading singing, trying to entice the children to participate. We divided in to classes, and spent the next 45 minutes in teaching the Scriptures. After classes were completed, we assembled back into the main hall, where Brother Layton Bentley brought the message. A total of 20 people made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. It was such a joy to lead many young children, many 7, 8, and 9 years old, to the Lord. After a quick meal, we were on our way back to TFOCC for the afternoon VBS. The other Team went to Aquacate, and was confronted with heavy rain during their trip to the village, as well as during their time there. The Team reported that there was a good turnout for the village (>100 people), but there were difficulties due to the rain - it constrained the classes to the building, which made hearing difficult due to background noise, etc. They brought the message of Christ to the people, but no conversions occurred, not for a lack of trying. The Team returned back to TFOCC for the afternoon VBS with the TFOCC attendees, confident that they had served as well as possible, seeds had been sown, and that the harvest occur for their work. 2 Chronicles 15:7 KJV Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. The afternoon was hot and muggy, but not rainy, as the buses arrived with the children from Punt Gorda and surrounding villages. The younger members of the congregation again assisted us in registration of the attendees, and in helping to direct the traffic in the service. Locations for the classes was the same as the previous day, and the teachers were prepared for their respective age groups. After the teaching, brother Steve brought the message from Daniel, addressing it to the 13-20 year-old members of the congregation. You are facing critical consequences like Daniel faced he was taken into captivity, and the king said you will become part of my house, or else you are my enemy. Satan is our enemy and he wants to destroy our lives (he wants us to join “his house”) Steve appreciated the little ones who came forward and wanted to pray, either for salvation or for other things in their lives. YOU ALWAYS have a choice about what to do in your life. You can go against the things that God tells you should do, and forgo what God has in store for you, for there is a consequence of sin. Steve goes into hospitals and very often he hears the regrets being spoken by the people in their 50s and the 60s; Satan wants to destroy your lives, but you have the choice of obeying God or not, just like Daniel Sadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylonia captivity.As a Christian for more than 20 years, Steve said his experience is that you should chose Jesus, and you will never go wrong. When Pastor Victor tells you aboutChrist, listen, and you will never go wrong. We are all sinners. The first choice is whether you will accept Christ as your Savior, and hold yourselves to the standard that God has for you. The second thing to consider is do you live your faith? Who you are in church is the same person you should be out of church; Daniel was taken to prison, and his choice was to stand for God or die. Steve had the opportunity to visit a village yesterday, and a young lady came forward with tears in her eyes. God has his hand on her life, and was dealing with her in such a spiritual way. When God works in your life, it makes a change. People who walk away with no changes in their lives are likely not saved. Each of you should consider asking Jesus in you life. We note in the Bible that we are called born again, and the old things are passed away and become new again. Look around! We came a long way to tell you that there was a change in our lives. We know that some will stand for Jesus; Daniel lived in one of the worst of times for the Jews; they were in captivity, and Daniel’s story teaches us that when we stand, it may not be perfect, but it aids our relationship with God. He wants us to have a personal relationship with God, and it is not important where we are or what we have. The good news of Jesus will surround us all the days of our lives. The third thing that we see is in the story is that Daniel moved and stood on his faith, and God responded in a positive way to Daniel’s needs. Steve has two sons and a daughter; when they asked him for help in school, he tried to help them; our Heavenly Father wants to help us in the same way, when we are in need, He responds. When old things are passed way, what a joy to know that He will make a way. The biggest thing that we have in our lives is the barrier that we have between us no our God. John 3:16 tells us that whosoever will come to him will be saved how do you know that? If you ask, God will touch your heart, and His love will surround and touch your lives. The invitation was given, and Pastor Victor spoke to the attendees. Many came forward saying they wanted to be saved, and the Team again led many to the Lord (53 accepted Christ). The Team, exhausted but very happy, had an early dinner of rice, chicken, and pork, with bread pudding. We discussed the day-off on Friday, and decided that we would like to go to the local Mayan ruins and to the waterfall in the area. Before that happens, however, we have another full day of VBS on Thursday, and are looking for more to be saved! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! It is such a joy and privilege to be able to see those coming to the eternal family of God, and we can only give God the thanks for His Saving Grace!
Posted By:Jerry McMurray
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