Clear Days

As we look out our living room window toward the east we have a beautiful veiw of several “layers” of mountains in the central range of the Andes. Our friends have told us that on clear days we should be able to see Nevado del Ruiz an 18,000 foot glacier capped giant that is also an active volcano. In the mid 80’s Ruiz erupted melting most of the glacier ice pack and sending a forty foot wall of mud and rock down the side of the mountain and into the river valley below. Forty minutes after erupting, the wall of mud destroyed the city of Armero and 25,000 of its 28,000 inhabitantes died without warning. Our dear friend Pastor Conrado Uribe’s sister died in Armero that day.

Early Friday morning as the sun was beginning to rise over the mountain peaks on what was to be one of the clearest days of the winter so far (winter here means a little more rain and a high of 82 instead of 86) we noticed a dark shadow in the middle of one of the clouds. When we took a closer look through our binoculars we saw that the dark shadow was actually the majestic and awful Ruiz rising above the clouds. What from here appeared to be another cloud at the top was actually the snow capped glacier.

Nevado del Ruiz was there in our sight all along, we just didn’t know what we were looking for or even where to look. It’s alot like that for the lost, they know God is out there but they really don’t know what they are looking for or where he can be found.

Paul wrote this to the Ephesians:

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. (Eph 3:8-12)

And this in Romans: for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Rom 10:13-15)

Showing the lost the location of the Mountain of Salavtion, the Rock – Christ Jesus, is our life and greatest Joy.

Friday Kevin share in an evangelistic service where people were previously encouraged to bring their Roman Catholic friends and family. He shared a message called “Following traditions of men or the commandments of God.” Twelve people accepted Jesus that night and many of them returned to the church on Sunday morning. The evidence of Christ transforming their lives was displayed in the look of joy on their faces.

As always, thank you for your prayers and support. We love you all and we are…