Church Planting
Images of Paraguay
I have put most of my pictures from Paraguay up on Flickr. I have continued to add pictures after we got back. There are still a few more pictures that I need to upload, so check back in another week or two. If you want to look at the set, here is the link.
Snapshot 3 - Translators
I can’t say how important the translators were on this trip. Yes, there language skills did come in very handy. I am saying that as one of the members of the group that was able to survive in Spanish. I was very proud of being able to have a short conversation without a translator, even if it did make my brain hurt. I was also able to jump in and help as a makeshift translator once or twice when the “real” translators were busy elsewhere.
Snapshot 2 - Jorge
At the right is a picture of Ale, one of my translators, and Jorge, who accepted Christ while I was in Paraguay. Jorge taught me how bad I am at reading situations. On the first day that we were out doing evangelism, I (along with Rebe - another translator - and David) sat down with Andrea and her young son. It was almost the end of the day, and Andrea was sitting in front of one of the local stores. We weren’t sure whether we should talk to her or not, but David encouraged us to go ahead and talk with her.
Shortly after we got started, Jorge walked up and sat down. It was clear that he was with Andrea, and it seemed to me that he was coming to check out who was talking to her. We later learned that Jorge and Andrea are brother and sister, and that Jorge runs the store. As we presented the Gospel, I got the feeling that neither Jorge or Andrea were particularly engaged in the presentation. When they both prayed to accept Christ, I figured that they were being polite, or trying to get rid of us. They did make an appointment to meet with us the next day, but still didn’t seem excited. › Continue reading
Snapshot 1 - Birth of a Church
The first snapshot that I want to share is how much I like the vision of e3 Partners and the pastor in Paraguay who leads the movement to plant churches there. The goal is aimed more at discipleship than evangelism. The first night that we were there, Pastor Alcides told us that we did not want a big church from this week; we wanted big Christians. The emphasis was very much on making disciples, not just converts.
I see this as very similar to the methods that Paul used. Paul came into a city and began teaching. As people accepted Christ, he continued to teach them and developed leaders. Paul never stayed in one city, he always looked to move on to other areas. In order to do that, he had to equip the local church to survive in his absence. He appointed elders and then stayed in touch. › Continue reading
A long day. I need sleep.
Today has been a long day. We got up around 6:15 to get ready for breakfast. We had a quick team meeting around 7:45, and then headed to the site. Once there we gathered everyone and had some introductions and prayer. Then we went in groups of 3 to pray for the neighborhood and invite people to the evening´s activities. Each group was assigned one block. We had a chance to share the gospel with one girl while we were handing out invitations. Rebecca said she had to go to school in the afternoon, so she wouldn´t be there when we came back. At the end, she prayed for Christ to forgive her sins.
After lunch and a relaxing siesta, we went out in groups of 3 to share the gospel and invite people. We spoke with people at 8 houses. We were able to share the gospel at 7 houses. In all, a couple of people were not interested, one said that he already agreed with us, and 4 adults and 6 kids asked Christ for forgiveness.
I am wiped out. We got back to the hotel around 10pm. Then, we ate dinner. It is almost midnight, and I need sleep. We need to be up earlier tomorrow because we are going to a Christian school.
I will have to just give quick reports while I am here in Paraguay, and then fill in more details when I get back. I am trying to journal more details, so I don´t forget. I will probably not even journal fully tonight, so I can get some sleep.
Categories
Archive
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- August 2008
- June 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
