August Campaign--Guatemala

We rode the church bus to Guatemala on Saturday, July 30, with the rest of the team from Vida Nueva, San Salvador.  The trip was uneventful--just the way we like it.  We arrived with about a half hour to spare before the scheduled evening event.  

Forty-six people from four different churches (First Baptist, Ferguson, MO; First Baptist, Gulf Shores, AL and Bell Shoals Baptist, Brandon, FL) came to Guatemala to help us share the gospel and help our Guatemala church.  

Instead of a regular family festival, after a short meeting to assign translators, the team went out on the streets around the hotel to share one-on-one.  It was awesome to see the group jump right in and share with the people on the street.

There was a 5K road race near the hotel on Sunday morning, so after orientation, the group picked up some bottled water to pass out and headed over to the park.  Although the church had a regular church service, it was the first time I can remember not joining them for worship.  There were hundreds of people in the race so there were many opportunities to share with the runners and their families and friends who came to watch.  Even when the race finished, this area of the city is full of families who spend their Sunday running, walking and visiting.  

  
After a quick lunch break and a short rest, we all returned to the park for the afternoon.  The crowds seemed even larger in the afternoon.

June Campaign, Day 2

In order for Pastor Steve to do the orientation for the week, the team went to the second service at our Lourdes church on Sunday morning.  We took the simultaneous translation equipment with us so they could understand Pastor Steve's sermon on Revelation.

Sunday afternoon we went to a neighborhood in Zacamil.  It was threatening to rain so we didn't unload the inflatable, but the team was able to go door to door at the apartments.  

As it started sprinkling, we set up the sound equipment, chairs and refreshment in the community room of the apartment complex.  Minutes later it was raining buckets upon buckets.  Some of the team were still out in the complex getting soaked.  Little did we know that there was a giant hole in the ceiling of the community room and the buckets and buckets of rain were coming inside.  The men quickly grabbed some buckets to catch what they could and then began sweeping the water out of the door as best they could.  It was quite a challenging night, but people still got saved!

Saleeby Family in Guatemala--Sunday

Even though I've gotten behind, I felt like I should finish out the "series" on the Saleeby's visit to Central America!   Sunday morning we were up and out of the house by 8:30 and arrived at the Hotel Westin in plenty of time to help set up for the service.  As usual, it was great to see all our friends at IBVN, Guatemala, the music (led by William) was awesome and Joseph did a great job sharing his passion for evangelism.

After church, we went to Oakland Mall and had lunch and then also visited Starbucks for coffee.

Something out of the ordinary and a great Sunday morning worship

Instead of having a regular family festival on Saturday evening, Pastor Rodolfo explained that we were going to walk along with the people on their pilgrimage to the Catholic church in Cartago, Costa Rica.  Here is a bit of information about the pilgrimage.  

In August the Basilica of our Lady of the Angeles is the object of extensive pilgrimage and visitation by about 2.5 million believers throughout Costa Rica and other surrounding countries, many of whom join in the celebrated 22-kilometer walk to the basilica during the Romería. Though many people start the pilgrimage from locations all over Costa Rica, some, as a demonstration of their piety, choose to crawl the 22 kilometers on their hands and knees.  (Click here to read more about it.)

We joined in with the walkers at a point inside the city and walked (and prayed) for a distance of about a mile and a half.  We then turned around a walked back to the park where we started.  While we were going against the flow, we passed out tracts called, "The Words of the Virgin Mary," to all who would take them.  It was definitely a bit intimidating to be going the other direction.  

I probably write a post about Sunday morning worship almost every time there are gringos around for a campaign.  I think it's because it is so impactful to worship together.  Sunday morning at IBVN San Jose was no different.  

Depending upon who is leading the music, occasionally we sing the worship songs in both Spanish and English.  However, this time it was a bit different.  Instead of changing the slides from Spanish to English for each verse/chorus, where they were able to they put the Spanish words and the English words for each line of the song.  As a result, the gringos were singing the English words while the rest were singing the Spanish words.  It was very cool!

Pastor Chris Sprires from First Baptist Church, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, gave the message, with Vladimir translating.  

El Vive! He Lives!

It was great to be back in El Salvador to celebrate Easter with Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva this morning.  Unlike in the states, Easter Sunday services are not well attended.  Because most of the country is on vacation during Semana Santa (Holy Week), anyone who is able to "get out of town" does so. 

Nevertheless, we celebrated the risen Savior today. 

 Pastor Julio preached from 1 Corinthians 15.  

14 And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Everything is different because He Lives.  Let's live like we believe it!