“El Corazón Verde” of Colombia!
Translated “el corazón verde” means the green heart of Colombia. The city we live, Pereira, is situated in a valley surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains. The city is built in an area of the valley that contains many rolling hills, similar to perhaps San Francisco. A few miles south of the city on the road to Cali, the terrain becomes perfectly flat, lush farmland. There we can see mile after mile of the most wonderful pineapple we have ever tasted. Pereira is the geographic center of the nation of Colombia and this is why it is called “el corazón verde”.
When our friend who was taking us on a tour of the area said it was the “green heart” my first thought was green, meaning not ripe. When we first came here 7 weeks ago we wouldn’t buy oranges or tangerines at the market because they were a deep green on the outside. Now we know in this area if you only pay attention to the way a thing looks on the outside naturally, culturally and socially, you may miss the delicious fruit on the inside. It’s not so different anywhere else in the world.
One of our favorite messages from our pastor at our home church in Knoxville was entitled “The Tasty Food That Jesus Loves”. This was the main text from that sermon:
Meanwhile, the disciples urged Him saying, Rabbi, eat something. But He assured them, I have food (nourishment) to eat of which you know nothing and have no idea. So the disciples said one to another, Has someone brought Him something to eat? Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work. Do you not say, It is still four months until harvest time comes? Look! I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields and see how they are already white for harvesting. (John 4:31-35)
We want you taste some of the fruit that was harvested here last week. This fruit belongs to the Lord and those of you who have sacrificed to send us here. We thank Him for it and for you. You are daily in our prayers.
Wednesday, Christine ministered powerfully to a group of singles here. It is Valentines MONTH here in Colombia. This should give you insight as to the sensuality of the culture here. Two women left the meeting and immediately ended sinful sexual relationships.
Kevin preached at an evangelistic outreach on Friday night. Fifteen people prayed a prayer of salvation, many of them were in a Christian church for the first time. God began to move in healing as we prayed for the sick. Many later testified of the power of God touching their lives and delivering them from illness, pain and suffering. At the very end of the ministry time a mother brought her young daughter to us for prayer. The little girl was afraid but the mother was determined. They had come from the doctor earlier that day, the little girl was wearing some of the thickest glasses we’ve ever seen. The doctors had told them that there was nothing more they could do. They said very soon the little girl would be completely blind. We laid our hands on her eyes and prayed for her healing. Sunday morning after service her mother brought her to Kevin and said “She doesn’t want to wear her glasses anymore!” Kevin told her mother that we need to know if she needs the glasses, not whether she wants them. The mother told us she doesn’t want to wear them because she can no longer see with them on! The little girl who was on the brink of blindness Friday was running up and down stairs with the other children on Sunday… completely healed! God is so good we give Him PRAISE!
Thank you all again for your prayers and support. With your help, the arm of God is reaching the nations.
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