Lesson 8...

We taught lesson 8 of our Bible study series about five weeks ago in San Benito Poite. I have been meaning to tell you all about it, but I keep getting tied up with other things. This scorching Sunday afternoon seems like the time to do it. It is 96 degrees in my room at the moment, but the humidity is down to 20%, so that helps a good deal. Not sure I remember the humidity being this low here before, but then I haven't always had a gauge.

This morning I went to church in Santa Cruz. There is a fair going on at one of the local high schools, and bus loads of people were going from every village, so the attendance at church was low. In fact, besides the pastor and my neighbor/friend who came with me along with his wife and children, there were no other men present. However, there were four or five women, plus a couple of young ladies, and some children. We had a good service in spite of our small numbers, and I think they were encouraged by my coming, since I don't get there real often. I ended up taking the pastor and his motorcycle back with me, as the bike was not running.

But back to Bible study lesson 8...

The first seven lessons of our Bible study series deal with the topic of "Who is God." We explore various names and attributes of God before moving on to lesson eight, entitled "Who is Satan." Lesson eight explores the fall of Lucifer, the current state of the enemy, as well as his prophesied future. After lesson eight we move on to the creation of man, God's purpose for man, and then on through main highlights of the Old Testament.

In each of the three places where we have progressed through to lesson eight, it invariably has the same effect. In this culture, we struggle to get discussions going in the Bible studies. People are geared to sit and be "lectured" in the Bible, rather than discussing the truths for themselves. And so... during the first seven lessons, we work hard to try to get involvement, but it usually doesn't progress too well, until... we get to lesson eight.

Lesson eight comes along, and every one starts talking, discussing the scriptures, exclaiming over the truths. It is a remarkable thing. And yet, really it isn't. Not if you understand the background of the culture here. It is a background steeped with darkness and evil. A background where people live in fear of 'obeah' - a curse inflicted by a bush doctor. Some people hire bush doctors to obeah their enemies. Difficult sicknesses are usually blamed on obeah. In fact, a long time member of one of our churches refused to let me take his wife to the doctor because his bush doctor told him that another bush doctor had obeahed the lady and it was too strong to be broken. Going to the doctor would be a waste of time. The lady died. From complications of a miscarriage.

Darkness. Fear. It is here. Even among church-goers there is talk of it. Sick people are told, "maybe someone has obeahed you." I have been told that.

And so... a lesson showing the limited power of the enemy. A lesson declaring the truth speaks volumes. Even though we don't go into great detail of Christ's power over the enemy (that comes in a later lesson), the verses we do share promote discussion, give hope. Maybe, just maybe there is freedom from this fear.

Please pray that God's word will continue to go forth, shine its light, and bring hope to a needy people.

We saw this fellow on the road to Poite Friday evening... the week before we saw 9 Toucans!!!

Baptisms!

Yesterday I went to San Jose for service... well I shouldn't say I did... there were 11 of us in all, plus some speakers and keyboards... let's just say we were loaded!

It was a lovely service, special guests, a baby dedication, but the highlight was the baptisms. It was Pastor Bernaldino's first time to conduct baptisms, and he did a wonderful job. Seven young parents were baptized. What a joy to see them taking this step! Please pray for their spiritual growth, and that they will remain faithful to the Lord and forsake their former way of life.

What a mighty God we serve!

First Program on the Air!

We are so blessed that the Lord made it possible for the first Maya program to be aired on the small Christian radio station down here. Several of the local Nazarene pastors have worked together with us to record some discussions of our Bible study lessons, and Clifford has spent many hours editing and preparing them to air. Saturday evening the first lesson aired!!

Please pray with us:

That the lessons would help many come to know God in a way they never understood before.

That believers would be strengthened in their faith.

For provision to keep the program on the air - it costs us to have it aired.

Above all... That God's name would be glorified!!!

More details about graduation/ordination

The people of southern Belize are often looked down upon by the rest of the country. Those of Maya and K'ek'chi descent are even more so. They struggle to get adequate health care... prejudice abounds. Things are changing, but ever so slowly.

I could tell you story after story of battles I have fought trying to get necessary medical attention for my beloved Maya and K'ekchi friends and fellow heirs of the kingdom of God. It has wounded my heart to see them treated so.

Adding to these difficulties, misunderstandings even developed in the church. Perhaps because of the difficulties in traveling to the southern area, the difficulties of the Indians traveling north, the lack of funds to attend Bible Schools or training, and/or the communication problems, the Indian pastors had not been able to receive the same opportunities for education and advancement as those in the northern parts. Because of these difficulties and the fact that the larger population was in the northern part of the country, the leadership of the Church of the Nazarene was mainly from the north. These difficulties separated the two uniquely different cultures and it was difficult to gain an understanding of the people’s needs in the southern part. There were only 2 ordained pastors in the south and the plight of the Indian churches remained unnoticed.

Occasionally, people from the States would come and hold workshops for the people in the South, trying to do what they could to help, but it was sporadic, and the records were often lost, or they were told that it wouldn't be credited toward the course of studies. This went on over a period of more than twenty years (more than that if you count from the establishment of the first Church of the Nazarene in Toledo)...

The churches struggled, the pastors became discouraged, but they kept on. In January of 2002, following a hurricane in October of 2001, a series of seminars was begun by my uncle, Tom Pound to try to help the pastors finish the course of studies, with the goal of graduating and getting ordained. I was privileged to come and help with that first seminar, caught a glimpse of God's heart for this beautiful people, and came to stay in October of 2002. Since then I have had the privilege of doing the footwork for many seminars, coordinating services for local licenses, helping with lots of the logistics, but most precious to me is the times I have spent listening to the heart cry of the pastors, talking through their frustrations with them, encouraging them to press on. Sharing in their frustrations and tears. Feeling their pain. Sharing in the prejudice from others, since I was working among these people.

Thus... this Sunday, as I watched eleven people from down here, plus two Mayas living up north (two other non-Mayas graduated with them) march up the aisle wearing the caps and gowns of graduation, tears coursed down my cheeks. This was a great cause for celebration...my tears previous tears of sadness were replaced with tears of joy. What an accomplishment for these men and women! Years and years of study, wondering if it would ever be counted and result in graduation, were finally culminated in this joyous day. Many people had worked, hoped, and prayed for this day, and what a day it was!

Moments later, six of those men walked forward again, this time welcomed by a choir made up of the the ordained elders of Belize singing "Called unto Holiness." Now they were being ordained as elders. More tears. What a blessed time!

We are so excited for all of those that graduated and those who were ordained, those from down here in the South, as well as those from elsewhere. God's goodness and mercy is great! We rejoice in this step for the church here in Belize, and pray that continued changes will occur. I pray for those that were unable to graduate. Some stopped because of sickness, some for other reasons, but my heart cried for them on Sunday, they should have been among those graduating. But... we trust God's plans and purposes and pray that His will continues to be done.

This is Bro. Ramon, now Rev. Ramon Coc, a man I greatly admire, his wife, and I. He is 66 years old, and remained faithful through years of study to graduate and be ordained this past Sunday. Ever since I came to Belize, I have watched Bro. Ramon faithfully ride his bike ever Sunday and Wednesday over ten miles one way to go preach. He was saved as an older adult, and taught himself to read so he could read God's word.

He was given a motorcycle, but continues to peddle to preach. When asked why, Bro. Ramon said something to the effect of, "If I take the motorcycle, I have to buy gas to power it, but if I go on my bike, I just need to eat." What an amazing man of God he is! I pray God multiplies his ministry, as well as the ministry of the others who graduated or were ordained. I also pray God continues to work mightily for those who just as faithfully serve Him without graduation.

Graduation/Ordination Day - Give glory to God!!!!

More details soon! :)

Please pray... for the District Assembly

We are looking forward to the annual District Assembly for the Belize District Church of the Nazarene being held for the first time ever down in Toledo! It will take place right at the center/campground where I used to live starting tomorrow, and concluding Sunday with a graduation/ordination service. We are excited about several of our pastors here in Toledo finally getting ordained after many years. This is a great milestone!!!!

Please pray for everything to take place in a way that honors our Lord.