Doors of Opportunity

Two weeks ago Sunday I met Daniel and his mother Norma. They had begun attending church during our furlough. A week ago I was informed that Danny wanted to be baptized. We set up a meeting for Monday, June 23. In the meanwhile, I learned that he has been told that he has cancer and a terminal diagnosis.

When I arrived tonight, I found a full house. In addition to Danny and his mother, His father, uncle, and two family friends were there. I began by asking Danny to tell me a bit about himself. He is 34 years old, had been raised in church, but had wandered far from the Lord when he got out on his own. Nearly three years ago he awoke to find one side of his face grotesquely swollen. At the hospital he was told that he had lymphoma and would need immediate chemotherapy. After three rounds of treatment, he could not take it anymore and declined further doses.

Throughout the ordeal he thought back to his childhood instruction in the Word of God and cried out to the Lord for salvation. A second doctor advised that the cancer had spread and would require radiation. He consented, but after one treatment, he became so ill that it took a week before he could function normally. As a result, he declined further radiation.

As I spoke to him regarding the nature of saving faith, I became convinced that he has truly repented and is not merely reaching out for a cure. Since there were so many others present, I tried to include them in the explanation of the Gospel and other Scriptures used to counsel Danny. At one point I began to inquire of the others if they attend church anywhere. I found that none of them goes to church or knows the Lord. Yet each of them listened well to the entire two-hour conversation. I was able to leave them each a Gospel tract and an invitation to Danny's baptism as well as to come to church.

I was excited to see the way the Lord opened so many doors at the same time. We will be able to renew contact with each of these persons since they all live in the same general area. Pray with us for Freddy, Miguel, Wanda, and Wendy. God is able to bring them each to Himself. Pray also for Danny's physical and spiritual needs. I will be discipling him as he is able.

Back at Home

On June 6 we arrived in Ponce, PR once again. We praised the Lord for His goodness in returning us to the place that has become our home. Our hearts were especially gladdened to see three familiar faces in the crowd of waiting people. It was especially remarkable that they came since our flight arrived at 2:00 AM! We exchanged hugs and typical Christian greetings with our friends and then headed home to get some rest.

Energy costs have soared in our absence. To help control our expenses, we had already decided not to use the window AC units in our home. We have purchased some fans to increase our comfort, and the Lord is giving us grace in spite of the heat. Our overnight low temps get into the low 80s and when we are blessed they drop into the high 70s. We have to wait a while to see what the damage will be, but the bill should be manageable.

Food costs have also jumped. Milk was $4 per gallon when we left, but now it is $5.60. All other costs are significantly higher, but we are sure the Lord will provide and give us wisdom to cope. Gas is hovering just below $4 per gallon. I know you can identify with these prices since things have gone up around the world. Still it is good to know that the Lord is on the throne.

Today I began a series of messages on the book of Daniel. While 1:1 tells the historical facts of the Babylonian invasion, 1:2 tells the real tale. It says that the Lord [Adonai -- the supreme King] delivered Judah into Nebuchadnezzar's hands. Daniel is a historical case study in the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations. Just as He controlled all that happened then, so He controls all that happens today -- both the good and the bad. It is remarkably easy to affirm that God is in control when all is well; it is an entirely different thing to declare God's sovereignty when the ungodly prosper and the people of God suffer. Yet this fact is the bedrock of Biblical truth. God's sovereignty is reality; perception is deceptive.

We are more than content to be back where we are supposed to be and to await the Lord's continued blessing. We are attempting some ambitious construction projects this summer. The school year begins in early August, so we have to be quick. We will also have several interesting ministry opportunities. A mission team will arrive July 1. They will help us with some projects and assist us in a youth rally on July 7.

Thank you for praying and helping us continue our ministry here. May God bless each one of us and use us for His glory.