Cell Phone vs. The Bible

Remember our recent blog entry about the popular use of cellular phones in Lima? After posting that blog I received the following in my email. I thought you might find it interesting. It is real food for thought:

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

• What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
• What if we flipped through it several times a day?
• What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
• What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
• What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
• What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
• What if we used it when we traveled?
• What if we used it in case of emergency

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities?" And no dropped calls!

Children prepare a card for Father's Day.

Not So Happy Father's Day

Yesterday was a sad day for many of our church children. About 25 children had worked hard on preparing a special card for Father's Day. The cards looked like a men's necktie. Many had written poems or written special messages inside. The cards were to be presented to all the fathers during our regular afternoon service. The kids were all sent home and told to return with their dad. We only had three fathers present for the service.

"My father is drunk and doesn't want to come." commented one little girl. "All the dads are together drinking, I'm scared to ask." said another. The same story was repeated over and over again. Many went home with the card in hand, saddened that their father wouldn't take the time to see the program they had prepared.

It was a reminder of the great need in Vina Alta. The people are so receptive yet many still find their comfort in alcohol. We'll press on telling the truth of our loving heavenly Father and hope that next year more fathers will see the importance of being their for their children.

Witnessing Made Easy

Tonight we had a unique witnessing opportunity in Vina Alta. Mauro, a Christian man that has been attending our church invited us to have a Bible study in his home. He wanted to invite family, friends and neighbors that can't make it to our church during regular church services. We arrived to find a room full of people waiting on us. In all total 14 people filled the tiny room where Mauro lives. We were able to have a good Bible study and discussion.

Mauro was determined that his guests would clearly here the Gospel. He began to ask all sorts of questions. "How can we believe in a God we cannot see? How can we have a relationship with God? What do we have to do exactly to be saved?" That dear saint of the Lord already knew the answer to each question, he just wanted to make sure his loved ones heard the answers. They all listened well and in the end even had some questions on their own. It was a wonderful time of planting spiritual seeds in the lives of many. As we went out the door Mauro thanked us for coming. Next time I see him alone I will have to thank him for making it so easy.

You Rang?

It seems that nearly everyone in Lima has a cellular phone. They are fairly inexpensive and widely advertised. A recent newspaper article noted that there is an increasing number of cellular phones across Peru. Nearly 60 percent of the citizens in Lima have a cellular phone. (That includes children!) Yet, less than 9 percent of Peru's residents have a traditional land-line phone.

These cellular phones are actually a help to us on visitiation. Often when we meet someone in the street or park they will give us their cell number. We keep track of all the numbers and use them to track down people for follow-up. It seems we have a modern tool for old-fashioned visitation!

You're not from around here, are you?

This past Sunday evening I had the privilege of speaking at a church on the other side of Lima. It was an exciting visit. The building was packed and almost everyone in attendance was young. The pastor wanted me to come, as a young missionary, and speak on marriage to the many young couples in his congregation. As I came in the door I was greeted warmly. The service went well and the people were very attentive to the message. Following the service I was humored by the comments I heard from two different people: "We thought you were Korean, our pastor told us a foreign missionary name John Poe was coming. With a name like that we thought you must certainly be from Korea!"

Brrrrrr!

Winter has certainly arrived here in Lima. Last night temperatures dropped to 52 degrees, that was a record low! Our weather is very consistent here during the winter months. Each day the daily high will be 66 degrees, at night it will usually be 58 degrees. That may not sound cold to you, but with 80-90 percent humidity that feels cold! (Especially with no heat in your house.) Thankfully the cold weather only lasts three months. I think I will go fix myself a cup of hot chocolate and try to warm up.