What a fast four days! Almost from the time we got settled into our hotel on Thursday until we left for the airport on Sunday morning, we were in planning mode. From our 'scheduled' meetings to our meetings at mealtimes to spontaneous planning while driving from one place to another, God was with us as we tried to determine how best to do this thing we are calling La Cruzada para Valores Familiares.
We were met at the airport by Buck Smith and Gail Graves who had flown in the night before. We got settled in to our room, then left for a late lunch at Leonel & Melissa's house...Melissa is Buck's daughter. (We finally got to meet Buck's famous grandchildren!) This turned out to be our first meeting. They gave tremendous imput and shared their thoughts on our endeavor, offering to help in many ways. From there we went back to the hotel where Jacobo and Ladimiro were waiting for us...the first of our 'scheduled' meetings. Bill Rowland, IMB missionary near Caracas, joined us and spent the weekend with us, planning and translating. We discussed many aspects of the crusade itself; then Jacobo briefed us on the meetings which would take place over the next two days. We followed that with a huge dinner while watching the US soccer team get slaughtered by the Argentinians in the America Cup. All the while, the planning never stopped...
Friday morning we traveled to the Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel and met with a group of pastors and church leaders. Kerry shared the vision God had given him concerning the crusade and encouraged them to be a part of what God is doing in Caracas and throughout South America. Gail shared the concept of the House Church or Simple Church with the group and told testimony after testimony of how people had come to know Christ as Lord through these small groups.
There were training sessions in five areas of Caracas on Saturday, and we met with two of the groups, again sharing the visions God had put before us. The response was positive on every front.
Friday afternoon, our little group of seven rode the cable car up to the top of the mountain to pray for the city of Caracas. (See "Praying for the City" post.) The planning never stopped. We had coffee and hot chocolate at a little place on the top of the mountain, and Jacobo was making notes on a napkin as we continued to discuss details and logistics. That evening, Jacobo's wife, Sarah, and daughter, Rose, and grandson, Santiago, joined us for a light dinner at a place familiar to us all.....Wendy's! It started pouring down rain while we were there, so we were stranded there for a while...no problem....more time to plan.
Saturday evening, after a full day of meeting with churches (and a quick trip to a "Commercial Center"...their word for a mall...for some pizza in the food court) it began to rain again, so we quickly ran next door to a small sandwich shop. You guessed it...eating and planning...and watching Venezuela win their game against Colombia in the America Cup...oh, what a celebration in that city that night!
We left very early Sunday morning to return home...full of new ideas, tasks to be done, and additions to our prayer list. (See 'Prayer List' post) Buck, Kerry and Gail will return at the end of September to meet with the other groups in their training sessions. Gail will take a team to train the church members in organizing Simple Church groups.
Yes, it was a fast four days...so much was done...so much remains to be done. We are excited as the Lord continues to lead us on this journey, allowing us to be a part of His work in Venezuela.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment