Dear fellow travelers of The Way,
May this letter find you praising our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ during this special month in which we give thanks!
Colombian plebiscite for “peace”
October started off busy here in the land between the Canal and the Equator. The first Sunday of the month was a plebiscite to see if the people of Colombia trusted the word of the government’s corrupt politicians and of the violent rebels that have been a scourge on the nation for the past five decades, or not. The campaign leading up to this poll was vicious on both sides, but surprisingly so on the so called “Peace” side. The media prognosticated a resounding approval of the agreement – but missed by a mile with the people voting “NO” in an impressive majority. They were NOT voting against peace, they were voting against the chicanery of the government, the rebels and the LGBTI agitators that had managed to get their agenda incorporated into the agreements. We still await to see what the long term response will be by those who said they were seeking peace. The Christian church (in the most ample sense of the word) has finally awoken and is demanding a say in the accords. We continue to pray for the peace of this nation, while preaching the Gospel of peace and making disciples of peace.
Sheri’s trip to Brazil
On the first Sunday of October Sheri left Pereira on her way to São Paulo, Brazil. She arrived there early on Monday morning and was soon joined by Ann Anderson and Paul’s sister Karen Oliveira. They were soon joined by dozens of other lady missionaries and were bused to a hotel on the coast where they spent a week of spiritual renewal and encouragement. Sheri was blown away by the generosity of the organizers of the event and returned on Saturday to Pereira full of enthusiasm. We thank God for those who took the time to breathe a breath of refreshment upon these ladies of the Kingdom.
“Transforma Eje Cafetero”
Paul has been participating in a college level course of study in “World View and Community Transformation”. The group is known here as “Transforma Eje Cafetero” (Coffee Hub Transformation). In October besides the usual lectures and reading the group organized into smaller work groups attending to different needs in the community. Paul offered our home as a place where the Family/Arts/Education group can meet to work together. We praise God for giving us the opportunity to live here in this house and to use it for His Kingdom in different ways. The group is large enough that it is difficult to find a home that can handle the numbers and they were glad to accept our offer. This also gives us an opportunity to work with church leaders from very different backgrounds and the chance to speak with them of the concepts behind the Restoration Plea.
Conversation Club
Each week during most of the year we have an “English Conversation Club” where we gather together with people from all kinds of backgrounds to speak in English for a couple of hours. We’ve had all kinds of people participate, from atheists to Jehovah’s Witnesses, from students to retired teachers. Our motto is, “We can speak about any topic – POLITELY”. Recently I was speaking with a preacher from another church in a neighboring city. He said “I have one of your disciples meeting with us, even preaching now.” We’d not seen the young man for some time, but are rejoicing that seeds planted in conversation have taken root and are producing fruit!
A Day Of Celebration
Sunday, October 30, was a special day of celebration with the church. It is Sheri’s birthday and everyone wanted to do something special for her, since she does so much for each of us in the church. A group chat was started on WhatsApp – without Sheri’s participation or knowledge – and plans were formed, committees delegated and everything carried out to perfection. First, we always have some kind of snack and fellowship time after church. Sunday we had cheese and cold meat and stuffed olives, something special and different for a special woman. With this her curiosity was allayed and she believed that “was it”. But after arriving home I sent her upstairs to check her email and relax “While I fix dinner”. The front door was left ajar and people started coming in, lending a hand with the salad, decorating the living room and preparing things for dinner. Meanwhile music was playing a bit louder than normal, which muffled the noise and gave her something to enjoy while waiting for dinner. When the time came I went up and called her down, it was a success! 27 people gathered for the special meal and time of fellowship. It was a blessed way to close the month!
Thank you!
Today, November 1, is a very appropriate time to send this note. We are beginning the month of Thanksgiving and it is with a thankful heart that I write to you today. Because of you and others like you, we are able to continue to minister here in Colombia. We are seeing lives transformed and the kingdom is growing. THANK YOU for being a part of our ministry. THANK YOU for your prayers. THANK YOU for your generosity in sharing the blessings God has provided to you. May this special month be one of many blessings in YOUR life and ministry as well.
In Christ,
Paul and Sheri Moreland
-- South American Christian Mission "... to prepare the saints..." Ephesians 4:12 www.sacm.net www.paulmoreland.com