Caracas Report from Leo Guerra (Austin, Tx)

In October of 2007 the Venezuelan Baptist National Convention entered a partnership with the BGCT. While in Amarillo for the convention, I had the opportunity to speak with two leaders from Venezuela. One of the guys was Jacobo Garcia, and he asked that if I went if I could speak to the men about our ministry and how to start a men’s ministry there in Venezuela.

I really got enthused about the trip and prayed that I would be able to join my Christian brothers from Texas. I was not sure if I was going to be able to go. I needed financial help. After some communication with brother Isaac Rodriguez I was told that there was a scholarship for people interested in going to Caracas. I spoke to Kerry Peacock, sent my money and I was ready to go.

I was in Caracas from very early Saturday the 15th. to Wednesday the 23rd. Those five days were very special to me.On Saturday I spoke to Paul, who heads the men’s ministry for the Venezuelan Baptist Convention that morning. We set a date for when I would get to speak to the men about our men’s ministries here in Texas.

On Sunday we were one of the last groups to get picked up to go to church. The pastor’s name who picked us up was Jesus Pinto of Bethel Baptist Church. They cancelled their morning service and decided to have it at 3pm. They were waiting for people to come from all over the country to be part of an evangelistic team who would be working from that church. I had a chance to meet many nice people. One person I met was a lady named Rosario who heads the Venezuelan WMU. And I also met a young man who heads the youth for his church.

I translated for Jacob Harris from Georgia who brought the sermon. I enjoyed being with him and Tommy Holtzclaw from Tennessee. Pastor Jesus showed us several churches before we went to his church. One of the churches was a Korean congregation. After Sunday I did not see my new friends anymore.

On Sunday night several of us went out to eat, and it was fun to talk about what we had done that day.

On Monday we went out to evangelize with some people from a church named Luz del Mundo. The pastor of that church was sick so his wife spoke to us of what we would be doing. They gave us New Testaments to give out and some other material. There were four people in our team.

In the morning we were only able to visit one apartment, but the lady did accept Christ. We walked back to the church and had lunch. After lunch we went to a different place, it was one of those areas that has homes on the side of the hill. We had to take a jeep to get there. We went there with a lady who lived there. We visited with three of her neighbors and two accepted Christ.

After we left that neighborhood we went back to the church, and then we took the taxi back to the hotel. Not many of the other folks had gotten back, so it was just a small group that went to have supper at a nearby restaurant. I purchased a steak and it was very large so I shared it with one of the others in our group.

On Tuesday morning a pastor picked up Miguel Conseco and myself got to go to the church where I was going to go speak to some pastors and men’s ministry leaders.

I felt very honored because I was the main speaker. As president of the Varones (Baptist Men) of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas, I was unofficially representing Texas Baptist Men. I spoke about how to start a Baptist Men’s unit and also spoke about the different ministries of TBM.

On Wednesday I flew back to Austin. It was an event that I will never forget.

Too Long Without a Post

I can't believe it's been 4 months since I posted on this blog! As you can tell, it's been a busy summer. But I have had several e-mails from people who have discovered our blog and wanted more information about our work in Venezuela. AND...my apologies to Leo Guerra...as I have had his report since April. We were serving meals to the FLDS women and children back in April and ran across Leo who was down here with the Texas Baptist Men. He gave me his report then, and I never got it posted to the blog. So I am going to do that TONIGHT!

Many have asked what is next on the agenda for Venezuela Vision. While we do not have specific plans for a trip right now, there are several ideas being tossed around. Please pray for us as we seek God's guidance on our next steps. I have asked Buck to get some information together for me to put on the blog, so that will be coming in a week or so.

One of the ideas we are praying about is the distribution of one million New Testaments in Caracas and surrounding areas. We would like to get some of the Directors of Missions in the Baptist Associations involved and, in turn, get them to get some of their pastors involved.
We are also talking about another crusade or perhaps a week of revivals perhaps next April. Again, this is all up in the air...in prayer...and we are awaiting the Lord's direction.

One project that Buck is working on right now is raising money for another missionary house. I will get the details on that for another post.

For those of you who have been watching the blog for updated posts, thanks for hanging in there! I'll try to do better! Now...I've got to get Leo's Caracas report posted!

Jeff Siegel's Photos

Jacob Harris & Bill Cashion with a couple of young baseball players at one of the clinics.

Jacob Harris, Bill Cashion, Dave Altopp and several other team members went to the Tiberones playoff game

"La Luz del Mundo" Iglesia Bautista

"The Light of the World" where Jeff shared his testimony on Sunday morning.

A young man and his son who helped with the baseball clinics all week

A group of kids at a baseball clinic listening to Bill Cashion share the Gospel with his Evangi-cube

Boys praying following the testimony time

North Americans and Venezuelan baseball clinicians and interpreters

Dave Altopp & Hector Rodriguez

Jeff Siegel with Carlos, a young man who helped with the clinics

A very young baseball enthusiast and clinic attendee!

Don & Maud Thorp's Pictures

Zach Olson and the student interpreters

Joyce Graves and De & Sherryl McCleery with a family they befriended in the market


Mike Brown playing the guitar during a group session for House Church Team

Mike Brown leading a ministry team in praise and worship on the campus of the University of Caracas

Don & Maud, after a worship service at the Caracas International School

Buck Smith speaking during orientation (Diane Peacock, Cathy & Jim Mellon, Mike Brown, Joyce Graves)

De McCleery sharing Christ with a Caracas family

Don & Maud Thorp singing in a house church setting

Kurt & Zach Olson with Aura & Soily, interpreters

New believers, a couple with their little girl, pictured with Melody, De, Sherryl, Don and a couple of women from the local church

Buck Smith, Maud & Don Thorp at a Bible Study

Pictures from Melody Wong

Rebecca Portillo & Tia Maud Thorp

Melody & Raquel

Aura & Melody

Don & Maud Thorp with Melissa Portillo (Buck's daughter/Melody's sister who lives in Caracas)

group looking out down below from the dining room window

Maud & Don Thorp sing for House Church in Las Minas

House Churh with the Guyanese from Rios church

Photos from Lorene Heskett

A cloud in the Bible was a symbol of the presence of God. We had been praying for God to pour out His Holy Spirit on Venezuela, and He did! Amen!

The pastor and his wife who live in Las Minas. Anna Lee & Lorene worked with them.

Anna Lee & Lorene visiting in the home of one of the church members. It was 72 steps UP the mountain to the street level of this house!

The Venezuelan flag flying over a city of 6 million in need of the freedom in Christ!

#1, trying to follow the example of the big boys and the leaders...awesome responsibility

Jeff Siegel signing a baseball.

Christopher, the boy in the striped baseball shirt, is 12 years old. He has never been to school because his mother did not register him when he was born. Since he wasn't registered, he doesn't 'exist', so he can't go to school. One of the ladies in the church has taught him to write his name. He is very intelligent. God arranged a divine appointment and Buck met a man who is in the department of education. Buck talked to him about Christopher's situation, and things are in the works to help him learn and take the test until he catches up with his level.


This is a picture of a mosque with it's tower for the call to prayer. However, notice the cross on the church steeple across the street reflected on the mosque. It's shadow is resting on the mosque. The cross of Christ covers it all!

The lady in the gray slacks and white top had just prayed to receive Christ. This is her family and friends.

Look at that smile! This is Tigisoy, the lady who cleaned our rooms every day. This picture was taken just minutes after Lorene shared Jesus with her, and she prayed to receive Christ! Lorene was tired that day and was resting in her room. They had given her a Bible and when she came to bring towels, she asked Lorene for another Bible for a friend. Lorene asked her if she had ever asked Jesus into her life. She said no. Lorene asked if she would like to know how, and she said yes. Praise the Lord!

These are some of the children in the church that Lorene & Anna Lee worked with.

In the middle of the excitement and noise of the baseball field, this dog was king of the gravel pile, asleep in his comfort zone and oblivious to the world around him. How can we see the spiritual hunger and close our eyes to it, content in our own little world? We have a choice to get involved in the work and excitement around us and be blessed, or close our eyes and sleep contentedly through it.

Jacob's Pictures