Hello Everyone,
We are still giving God praise for the wonderful trip we did in March-April of this year. The reports tell us that God's hand was mightily upon this project. I believe that the area of Lake Tipishca has forever been changed for the better. Only in eternity will we know the tremendous impact we have had in this area.
It is in my heart to do three more trips this year. This is a very aggressive schedule for South American Call. I will have been in Peru a total of 5 times this year which amounts to about 2 & 1/2 months of actually being there. This is not something I have chosen to do but God has called me to it. I don't want to fail Him.
When I was in Peru last December I believed that the long trip in March-April needed to be done. I believed that it was God's will for me to go back to Tipishca for a long trip to take the time with the people that was needed in order to create a Christian community there. I remember at the time that I could see no way of doing it. It just didn't seem possible. But it happened and God gave us great success.
I feel the same way about the 3 upcoming trips. I believe this is God's will for the rest of the year for SAC. That said, I really need pastors to talk to their people about having some of them go with me. I need about 15 workers for each of the three trips. I need money to pay for the boat. I will spend between 20 & 30 thousand dollars on boat, crew and fuel alone. I also need money for water filters, Bibles and clothes for the kids in our soup kitchens.
The trip in July will be to the same area where we will do the long trip in September and October. It takes several trips into an area to see results like we had on Lake Tipishca. I am asking everyone who can to help me. Be a part of planting another Christian community on the Amazon river. Here are the dates for the trips...
July 6-16
September 13-October 4
November 29-December 8
The July trip will soon be upon us. If you are going and don't have your passport, please send for it immediately.
God bless you as we labor together for him who called us to this marvelous light.
Bro Joe
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
May 7, 2010
Hello Everyone,
I just completed a phone call with Gerson in Peru. Gerson is the young man that is helping us on the river including putting together the ministry that we did on Lake Tipishca. He will be going back to the Contamana area in a couple of weeks to prepare for the last two river trips for this year.
I have talked to several people about the events of the last two trips on the river. Everybody including me believes that the trip in December set up the wonderful trip we did in March-April. So, we want to try to duplicate that again. Gerson will locate another area near Contamana that needs just such a ministry. In July 5-16 we will make the first trip into this area. Gerson will have prepared the area for our arrival. Then from September 13 to October 4, we will be back in this area to do the long trip and the congresso. We will immediately follow the October trip with a School of Christ with Eddie and Nook Burge. To God be the glory.
Following his work to prepare for the trip in July he will make a trip to Lake Tipishca to minister to these people again. There needs to be some follow up and who would be better for it than Gerson. There are two villages there who's leader did not complete the School of Christ. We will have another in the area in October and they may attend it. Gerson will preach, teach and fellowship with them in the villages. This will strengthen the brethren.
The trip in July will coat $1,700.00 and the one in Sep-Oct will cost $2500.00. I need people to go and help with the work. I need pastors and anyone who will to help finance these two trips. We will also have a trip in December to the Soup Kitchen Kids in Huaraz and Santa.
That's it for now. If you want to go I need you to call immediately.
God bless,
Bro Joe
I just completed a phone call with Gerson in Peru. Gerson is the young man that is helping us on the river including putting together the ministry that we did on Lake Tipishca. He will be going back to the Contamana area in a couple of weeks to prepare for the last two river trips for this year.
I have talked to several people about the events of the last two trips on the river. Everybody including me believes that the trip in December set up the wonderful trip we did in March-April. So, we want to try to duplicate that again. Gerson will locate another area near Contamana that needs just such a ministry. In July 5-16 we will make the first trip into this area. Gerson will have prepared the area for our arrival. Then from September 13 to October 4, we will be back in this area to do the long trip and the congresso. We will immediately follow the October trip with a School of Christ with Eddie and Nook Burge. To God be the glory.
Following his work to prepare for the trip in July he will make a trip to Lake Tipishca to minister to these people again. There needs to be some follow up and who would be better for it than Gerson. There are two villages there who's leader did not complete the School of Christ. We will have another in the area in October and they may attend it. Gerson will preach, teach and fellowship with them in the villages. This will strengthen the brethren.
The trip in July will coat $1,700.00 and the one in Sep-Oct will cost $2500.00. I need people to go and help with the work. I need pastors and anyone who will to help finance these two trips. We will also have a trip in December to the Soup Kitchen Kids in Huaraz and Santa.
That's it for now. If you want to go I need you to call immediately.
God bless,
Bro Joe
MAY 7, 2010
Eddie's cell 229-425-3274 Eddie & Nook Burge Nook's Cell 229-425-7249eddiewburge@gmail.co Home 229-423-32 ladyniurka@gmail.com223 El Harris Road - Fitzgerald, GA - 31750GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, PROCLAIM HIS GREATNESS,TELL THE NATIONS WHAT HE HAS DONE.1 Chron. 16:8May 2010Dear Family and Friends,We have just returned from being gone for almost the whole month of April. My computer crashed in March and there was no way for me to notify many of you of our whereabouts! Ouch! While we were gone, Matthew restored it and recovered most of my info. Although the email address book was GONE I had made copies of my 'email buddy list' on a document and saved it a few months earlier... just felt like it. Praise the Lord! I was sure excited to realize it had been recovered!! God is so good and so is Matthew!!! Thanks to both! PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT OUR EMAIL ADDRESSES HAVE CHANGED!Earlier this year we had been praying about doing a school for pastors in the northwestern part of Venezuela but things were not coming together. Ok Lord, if this is not of You, show us where we are to go next. The following Sunday evening after having gone to bed, the phone rang, it was Joe Mercer, “Can you come do a school in Peru in April?” Yes, of course! Joe continued, “the accommodations are primitive, you will sleep in a cot, no bathroom, kitchen or amenities of any kind except a mosquito net to keep the millions of critters at bay, but the village women will bring your meals, don’t know if Nook should go, we’ll talk more later.” Thus began God’s call for this trip.We called Hernan in Venezuela to see if he could meet Eddie in Lima in April to help with the school. He was willing. His passport was not valid and he was not sure if he would be able to get it renewed in time but would start proceedings right away.
We were down to the wire now, no hope for Hernan to make it. We didn’t feel it would be safe for Eddie to go alone, remembering the slight heart attack he had encountered on his last trip alone. We contacted Joe, Hernan would not be able to make it and Nook would be going, what were the possibilities of changing the location? Joe would work it out, he would transport the natives to another village where a motel was available! We got the tickets, found a motel in Atlanta where we could spend Tuesday night before the trip and leave our car for the next three weeks. Things were working out.
Thursday morning Nook woke up with a horrible headache and nasty cough. Dear Lord, please, not the flu, we have a trip to go on! Made an appointment with our doctor. Friday, symptoms were worse and we were told it was a virus and would not respond to antibiotics. She suggested a strong vitamin infusion to build up the immune system and hopefully the body would fight it off quickly. Since Eddie had also been exposed she would give him an infusion too, just to be safe, but first had to have his vitals checked.
The nurse did not look too happy, his blood pressure was extremely low, she notified the doctor who immediately ordered an EKG. He had been feeling unusually tired and weak. Obvious changes had occurred since the last EKG and she was sure another slight heart attack must have occurred recently. “I must put you in the hospital for tests. This is serious.” Eddie refused but promised if he had any pain or other unusual symptoms over the weekend, he would go to the hospital. The medication his heart doctor had prescribed must have been too strong and had lowered his blood pressure way below the normal range, no wonder he had been so tired lately. She told him to get off of it immediately and begin taking nutritional supplements to strengthen the heart and bring the blood pressure back up to normal.
By Monday we both felt better and she gave me another infusion and instructions that if Eddie had any pain I was to take him to an ER immediately…in the jungle? “Well then“, she said, ”we’ll PRAY!” Many of you prayed with us and he never had a bit of pain. Thank you Lord.
Tuesday we drove to Atlanta, had to be at the Airport Wednesday at 6am to fly to Miami. A long wait at the Miami airport and we were on the way to Lima where we arrived around midnight. It was after 1 a.m. by the time we had picked up our luggage and gone through customs. Joe had arranged for “Wilder” to pick us up and get us to Pucalpa, our next stop. “Wilder” was a precious young man who informed us that we had a choice, “spend the next few hours in the airport or spend a couple of hours at a motel and he would pick us back up and get us to the airport in time to take the next plane for Pucalpa. It seemed the motel operator was waking us up about the time we had laid down, but we were thankful for a couple of hours of sleep.
Each time we changed planes they seemed to be getting smaller. Pastor Melida met us in Pucalpa with our tickets for Contamana. Several hours later, our plane arrived. Melida would go with us, and Joe would meet us there. As we walked out on the runway, I couldn’t believe my eyes, we were headed toward a little ‘puddle jumper’ that Eddie said was from the ‘50’s’ with room for 4 of us. Melida was put in the tail with the luggage and Eddie and I squeezed behind the pilot! With nothing but jungles and rivers below, the flight seemed like an eternity and then we saw the little dwellings...Contamana was in view!
The narrow jungle landing strip was 'interesting' to say the least! A 'motorcar' (moped with 3 wheels, a 2 passenger seat and sun roof, the village's only mode of transportation.) met us to take us to the boat that would take us to Lake Tipishca, where Joe and his team had been evangelizing and ministering, not only spiritually but physically, to the five villages around the lake. They had been there a number of times during the past few months and now leaders and pastors had been raised up to minister to their respective villages and it was our privilege to take them through an intense 2 weeks of International School of Christ curriculum.
Contamana, the nearest village with an available motel had been chosen for the school. The leaders and pastors would be transported 30 minutes along the river to Contamana. They would be supplied 3 meals a day and they would spend the nights with friends or family in Contamana for the next two weeks. They were to go for breakfast and be at the designated place at 7 am sharp to start an hour of prayer before the school actually started each morning. Each day began with an hour of prayer then classes until lunch time, then after lunch classes until supper, and then classes until 8pm and an hour of prayer to finish each day.
It was a joy to be a part of this school. One morning the students had gone for breakfast but for some reason breakfast was late and they would not stay and wait. They would have no breakfast that morning because they did not want to miss their prayer time, what faithfulness! Eddie has done hundreds of schools, from Guyana to Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and now Peru, but none has been as rewarding as this one. The students were so intent on learning, attentive to the lessons (they filled the notepads we had taken), cooperative, even the exams showed the caliber of their integrity. Though they were open tests, they honestly told the errors they had made and asked for the correct answers so they would know the truths they may have missed. We were impressed. Several local pastors and young men also attended when word spread through town of what was going on at the “Sueno Dorado” Motel, which appropriately translates to…"Golden Dream".
We wish we had time and space to share all the wonderful things God did but we decided to pick this particularly special encounter He had planned for us. Friday evening when we arrived at the motel we noticed a young man sitting alone in the lobby. The following day he was still there and we asked if he knew of a place we could get something to eat and he cordially offered to lead us there. We thought he might be a hotel employee but he said he was a guest.
That evening we decided to invite him to have dinner with us and thus began our friendship. Over dinner he opened his lonely heart to us. His parents had been born here but he had never been here before. He had been born and raised in Iquitos. He was an engineering technician, had his own business and was on a month’s vacation. He had been to many large cities in many countries and had decided to make this a different vacation.
His parents had told him about the ‘healing hot sulfur springs’ that people from far and wide came to sit in for healing purposes, and he planned to go the next day and invited us to go with him. We told him we had a previous engagement at the local church to speak and would not be able to make it, maybe one day during our stay we would go.
He had been christened and raised Catholic and all his life, as far as he could remember, had wanted to help people. After the university he had decided to become a priest but after a while he knew this was not his call. After an unsuccessful attempt at suicide he joined a social organization, as a volunteer, where he felt he could be of more use to mankind. He would go with a team into indigenous communities and study what they could profit from most and then report back to the home office and begin the approved changes to better their way of life. He did this on the side while he ran his business through employees.
He continued to pour his heart out. He had been in Contamana a week and was ready to go to the Springs and on to Lima. He felt empty, unfulfilled and bored, maybe he would find something to do in Lima for the rest of his vacation.
The following day we found him in the lobby again. Yes, he would love to go eat with us and had decided not to go to the Springs. Would we mind if he went to church with us that evening instead? We spent the day together and all afternoon shared our mission for being in Contamana. We answered what seemed to be an avalanche of questions with no end. Would we allow him to attend the school? Of course, he understood it was for pastors and church leaders but seemed excited to be allowed to attend. Late that afternoon Gerson, whom Joe had sent to help us showed up and we introduced him to Gian Pierre.
Amazingly enough they were both about the same age, 29 and 30, both single and both from Iquitos, Peru. Gerson too had studied for the priesthood after college and also attempted suicide as a younger man before the Lord had saved him. Their similarities were incredible! Even their names both started with the letter G! They stayed up late that night getting acquainted.
Many times during the next two weeks we were to hear from Gian Pierre, what seemed to have become his favorite phrase, “You know the real reason you are here is because God sent you for me!” Then we’d all break out in laughter and praise God for all He was doing among all the students. He was as faithful as everyone else. At 7am sharp he would find a place of prayer and knelt with the rest. He helped with many technical problems that we could not solve and was a great asset. We didn’t push him - just loved him and he knew he was loved by all of us. Many times we saw tears streaming down his face as different messages reached his heart of hearts.
We had been invited to attend another village down the river on the following Sunday and Gian Pierre, would not be left behind. We had become inseparable now, camaraderie had taken place and there was no denying it. That morning on that muddy dirt church floor, he surrendered His heart to Jesus as the invitation was given, tears again streaming down his face. On the river on our way back to the motel we shared that he needed to be baptized, “Yes, let’s do it”, he enthusiastically responded. We got to the motel, changed clothes and headed for a river branch where Gerson and Eddie baptized him.
It was the last day of classes, we were sitting on the back row when we noticed he had quietly slipped on his knees and was asking us to please pray for him. He wanted to give his whole life to Jesus for Him to do whatever He wanted with him. He couldn’t wait to call his mom and tell her the Good News! He had not yet been to the sulfur springs but God had put within him springs of living water that would never run dry.
Thank you Lord for sending us to Peru and “thanks” to all of you who helped get us there. Many souls were saved besides Gian Pierre, hundreds of tracts were distributed and many Christians rededicated their lives. We wish we could tell you everyone’s story but it would consist of a full book. Pray for all those whom we (you and us) touched. The three maids at the motel, who snuck into classes every chance they had and quietly slipped in after their work was done, all 3 gave their hearts to Jesus by the time the school was finished; a young man whose 6 year old daughter had become sick and quickly died and his wife in her grief had turned against him and God and left home; the pastors and leaders that we graduated, to be strengthened and encouraged as they minister to those in their respective villages and anything else the Lord may lay on your hearts to pray about concerning these precious people of His, in Peru.
Cold showers, perspiration that we could wring out of our clothes, unusual native meals, millions of mosquitoes and a touch of ‘Montezuma’s revenge’ cannot be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in eternity. Again, thank you for your love and prayers, none of these lives would have been touched without you.
In HIM,
Eddie & Nook
Eddie & Nook
--
take time to pray
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
April 27, 2010
Hello Everyone,
Sorry about the multiple mailings. Having a little problem with my email program... I think I have it fixed now.
Judy and I just returned from Louisiana and Mississippi. We were in the Ferriday Church of God Sunday morning in Ferriday, LA, and the Parkview Church of God in Natchez, MS, Sunday night. Both services were wonderful. Both of these churches support us monthly. It was a blessing to be with them. We stayed with Jerry Warren and his wife. Jerry has been on several trips with me and hopes to go on another.
I am still receiving reports concerning the success of the School of Christ International. Rev. Eddie Burge who introduced me to this teaching series said that this was one of the very best he has done. We were thrilled to hear that. His wife will give me a report in a couple of days and I'll pass it on to you.
I believe this is a wonderful plan that we have in operation now. I also believe that one of these long trips is much better and accomplishes more and longer lasting ministry than three of the short ones. And the expense of one is less than the expense of three of the shorter ones. We have planted a Christian community with one or two trained leaders in each village. I am thrilled to say the least.
I am looking forward to the next one. I am tentatively setting the date for the next one from August 23 to September 16. I know this is a very long time for people to be gone but the rewards for these long trips are fabulous. We can never accomplish in short trips what we are doing in the longer ones. I intend to go into several villages in this period and do exactly the same thing we did on Lake Tipschca. I intend to take the leaders who God will raise up and put them through School of Christ International. I believe by the help of God we can do it.
If you are interested in going please contact me immediately. The base price for the trip from Atlanta is $2,500.00. Contact me by phone or email so that I can make plans for you to go.
God bless,
Bro Joe
Sorry about the multiple mailings. Having a little problem with my email program... I think I have it fixed now.
Judy and I just returned from Louisiana and Mississippi. We were in the Ferriday Church of God Sunday morning in Ferriday, LA, and the Parkview Church of God in Natchez, MS, Sunday night. Both services were wonderful. Both of these churches support us monthly. It was a blessing to be with them. We stayed with Jerry Warren and his wife. Jerry has been on several trips with me and hopes to go on another.
I am still receiving reports concerning the success of the School of Christ International. Rev. Eddie Burge who introduced me to this teaching series said that this was one of the very best he has done. We were thrilled to hear that. His wife will give me a report in a couple of days and I'll pass it on to you.
I believe this is a wonderful plan that we have in operation now. I also believe that one of these long trips is much better and accomplishes more and longer lasting ministry than three of the short ones. And the expense of one is less than the expense of three of the shorter ones. We have planted a Christian community with one or two trained leaders in each village. I am thrilled to say the least.
I am looking forward to the next one. I am tentatively setting the date for the next one from August 23 to September 16. I know this is a very long time for people to be gone but the rewards for these long trips are fabulous. We can never accomplish in short trips what we are doing in the longer ones. I intend to go into several villages in this period and do exactly the same thing we did on Lake Tipschca. I intend to take the leaders who God will raise up and put them through School of Christ International. I believe by the help of God we can do it.
If you are interested in going please contact me immediately. The base price for the trip from Atlanta is $2,500.00. Contact me by phone or email so that I can make plans for you to go.
God bless,
Bro Joe
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
April 20, 2010
The text below is an update I received from Gerson concerning the School of Christ. Also, I just talked to him by phone and internet and he is really excited about it. After each of the lessons there is a time of question and answer. He told me that the students really are learning. I think Gerson is learning, too. He is helping to teach and he is learning at the same time. I could not be more pleased.
The plan is working. I believe God gave me the plan. Succinctly put, we choose several villages, maybe 6 or 7, and spend two weeks doing dramas, showing videos, giving altar invitations, doing hygiene, dental, etc. We go in and out of the villages several times during that two weeks and they become friends. The last half week is spent in the camp meeting setting. There we preach and lead them in worship. We watch during the whole 2 1/2 week time as God raises up leaders. At the end we provide teaching through the School of Christ International for these new leaders. In the end we have several new congregations with leaders who know the basic doctrines of the Bible. I love it.
Bro Joe
Everything is going well. More updates coming soon.
Gérson Jofre Valencia PRAY BOY
The plan is working. I believe God gave me the plan. Succinctly put, we choose several villages, maybe 6 or 7, and spend two weeks doing dramas, showing videos, giving altar invitations, doing hygiene, dental, etc. We go in and out of the villages several times during that two weeks and they become friends. The last half week is spent in the camp meeting setting. There we preach and lead them in worship. We watch during the whole 2 1/2 week time as God raises up leaders. At the end we provide teaching through the School of Christ International for these new leaders. In the end we have several new congregations with leaders who know the basic doctrines of the Bible. I love it.
Bro Joe
Report
We have 15 students who come every day for traning in the International School of Christ. We start 7 in the morning and we are finished by 9 at night. The students really enjoy the lesson. We have two tests in the week to check their progress. We are really impressed. They really are learning. We are preaparing a Graduation service in a local church. We will meet the students families. Also we are going to share a dinner for the Graduation.
Gérson Jofre Valencia PRAY BOY
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 17, 2010
Hello Everyone,
Here is a report on the March-April, 2010 trip as promised.
First of all the raw numbers..... A total of over 550 people, adults and children, gave their lives to Jesus. We had almost as many adults give their lives to Jesus as children. We had 40 baptized in water. We have now done hygiene programs in all the villages on the lake and given away over 100 water filters including 6 to schools. We have built a model latrine in each village and taught them why they have diarrhea. We had 25 to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
But the numbers do not tell the complete story.... not even close. This is by far the most successful program we have run on the Amazon River to date. To God be the glory and the honor and the praise for it all.
The first two weeks on the lake were spent doing basically the same thing that we did in December. We went village to village teaching, providing dental service, giving 330 pairs of eyeglasses, doing the dramas, showing the videos and much more. We played with their children, and gave gifts to them as well as little Bibles and treats. After we had been in all the villages once, we began to go back and revisit. It seemed to me that the second visit was better than the first. We were not new to them on the second visit... we were like returning friends or family. As we rode up and down on the lake in the speed boat we would see them line the banks to wave to "their gringo friends".
I had believed for some time that one of the keys to really establishing Christianity in these areas was to stay long enough to really get acquainted with them and to allow them to know us. The response in each village was overwhelming. Village after village responded in a positive way and in each village we watched as God raised up leaders. That was my greatest hope. We found men and women who wanted to be leaders for God. Some of them had been waiting for someone to come and teach them about the true and living God and help them become ministers. In every village we found one or more who God had been preparing for this position.
Then in the last half week we began our work in the village of San Martin where we would have the congresso or camp meeting as they would call it. This was awesome. It was a miracle. If you look at the group shot of some of the people in front of the "tabernacle", you will see a building that is very flimsy. It had been raining every day.... sometimes more than once up until we built the tabernacle. I looked at it and had little faith that it could withstand the rain and winds that we had been seeing. God must have looked at it too because from the time we built the tabernacle until the time we left not another drop of rain fell. WOW! God even controls the winds and rain when it serves his purpose.
650 people attended the congresso in total. That is about 1/3 of the population of Lake Tipschca. We fed them using large pots over wood fires (see attached photos). We had about 5 pots like this. They were 50 liters in capacity, I think. Everyone had plenty to eat.
From the very first service it was apparent that the people were hungry for God. We are new at this. We should have had more services and will do so next time. We will have 2 services in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and one at night next time. Pastor Doug Graham brought the first message concerning the family. It was much needed. In fact, in the biggest village we were asked to address the men of the village and teach them not to beat and abuse their wives. Graham picked up on that and did a great job of preaching about the love that should be between a man and his wife. Great job, Doug.
As the hours went by we saw the people wanting more of God. In every service people were coming forward for prayer, salvation, etc. But we weren't preaching to them enough. We just couldn't believe how much they wanted to hear the Word of God. On one Saturday the men of the villages came to the boat to ask Greg Causey to come and preach to them some more. He did. I grabbed my camera and went also. By the time I got there he had already preached and was beginning to lead the people in worship. I put a remote mic in his pocket and began to video the service. Just about the time I got started the power of God fell in that little tabernacle and shook the people. Young men came forward and fell as the power of God filled them with the Holy Spirit. Some received sitting and others received standing. Many were weeping. No one had preached on the Holy Spirit baptism, let alone speaking in tongues. They knew nothing of "falling out in the Spirit". It was just a sovereign move of God unlike anything I had ever seen.
We baptized 40 in water... mostly adults, but a few children too.
But the crowning touch is going on as I type this. Across the river from the lake is the village of Contamana. Pastor Eddie Burge and his wife are there teaching the leaders out of all these villages the School of Christ International. In just a few days we will have a trained, Christian leader in each village. They will also have the Proclaimer Electronic Bible (solar powered) which can read the Bible to them in their language so they can just sit and listen to the Word of God.
I am looking at another trip this summer, but have no details at the moment. If you want to be considered for this trip call or email as soon as possible.
May God bless you as we labor together for Him who called us to this marvelous light.
Bro Joe
--
Joe Mercer
423-309-5217 (Cell)
joemercer@bellsouth.net
judithelaine@bellsouth.net
southamericancall@gmail.com
Web address southamericancall.org
Here is a report on the March-April, 2010 trip as promised.
First of all the raw numbers..... A total of over 550 people, adults and children, gave their lives to Jesus. We had almost as many adults give their lives to Jesus as children. We had 40 baptized in water. We have now done hygiene programs in all the villages on the lake and given away over 100 water filters including 6 to schools. We have built a model latrine in each village and taught them why they have diarrhea. We had 25 to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
But the numbers do not tell the complete story.... not even close. This is by far the most successful program we have run on the Amazon River to date. To God be the glory and the honor and the praise for it all.
The first two weeks on the lake were spent doing basically the same thing that we did in December. We went village to village teaching, providing dental service, giving 330 pairs of eyeglasses, doing the dramas, showing the videos and much more. We played with their children, and gave gifts to them as well as little Bibles and treats. After we had been in all the villages once, we began to go back and revisit. It seemed to me that the second visit was better than the first. We were not new to them on the second visit... we were like returning friends or family. As we rode up and down on the lake in the speed boat we would see them line the banks to wave to "their gringo friends".
I had believed for some time that one of the keys to really establishing Christianity in these areas was to stay long enough to really get acquainted with them and to allow them to know us. The response in each village was overwhelming. Village after village responded in a positive way and in each village we watched as God raised up leaders. That was my greatest hope. We found men and women who wanted to be leaders for God. Some of them had been waiting for someone to come and teach them about the true and living God and help them become ministers. In every village we found one or more who God had been preparing for this position.
Then in the last half week we began our work in the village of San Martin where we would have the congresso or camp meeting as they would call it. This was awesome. It was a miracle. If you look at the group shot of some of the people in front of the "tabernacle", you will see a building that is very flimsy. It had been raining every day.... sometimes more than once up until we built the tabernacle. I looked at it and had little faith that it could withstand the rain and winds that we had been seeing. God must have looked at it too because from the time we built the tabernacle until the time we left not another drop of rain fell. WOW! God even controls the winds and rain when it serves his purpose.
650 people attended the congresso in total. That is about 1/3 of the population of Lake Tipschca. We fed them using large pots over wood fires (see attached photos). We had about 5 pots like this. They were 50 liters in capacity, I think. Everyone had plenty to eat.
From the very first service it was apparent that the people were hungry for God. We are new at this. We should have had more services and will do so next time. We will have 2 services in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and one at night next time. Pastor Doug Graham brought the first message concerning the family. It was much needed. In fact, in the biggest village we were asked to address the men of the village and teach them not to beat and abuse their wives. Graham picked up on that and did a great job of preaching about the love that should be between a man and his wife. Great job, Doug.
As the hours went by we saw the people wanting more of God. In every service people were coming forward for prayer, salvation, etc. But we weren't preaching to them enough. We just couldn't believe how much they wanted to hear the Word of God. On one Saturday the men of the villages came to the boat to ask Greg Causey to come and preach to them some more. He did. I grabbed my camera and went also. By the time I got there he had already preached and was beginning to lead the people in worship. I put a remote mic in his pocket and began to video the service. Just about the time I got started the power of God fell in that little tabernacle and shook the people. Young men came forward and fell as the power of God filled them with the Holy Spirit. Some received sitting and others received standing. Many were weeping. No one had preached on the Holy Spirit baptism, let alone speaking in tongues. They knew nothing of "falling out in the Spirit". It was just a sovereign move of God unlike anything I had ever seen.
We baptized 40 in water... mostly adults, but a few children too.
But the crowning touch is going on as I type this. Across the river from the lake is the village of Contamana. Pastor Eddie Burge and his wife are there teaching the leaders out of all these villages the School of Christ International. In just a few days we will have a trained, Christian leader in each village. They will also have the Proclaimer Electronic Bible (solar powered) which can read the Bible to them in their language so they can just sit and listen to the Word of God.
I am looking at another trip this summer, but have no details at the moment. If you want to be considered for this trip call or email as soon as possible.
May God bless you as we labor together for Him who called us to this marvelous light.
Bro Joe
--
Joe Mercer
423-309-5217 (Cell)
joemercer@bellsouth.net
judithelaine@bellsouth.net
southamericancall@gmail.com
Web address southamericancall.org
Friday, March 19, 2010
MARCH 19, 2010 UPDATEHello Everyone, Well it is almost 6 in the AM as I write this. Things are coming together as we work here in Pucallpa in preparation for the work on Lake Tipishca. Today we will build the latrine kits. Bobby has greatly improved the design so that it is much quicker to build. It also has a door on it now. Bobby has also gotten the cost down somewhat. He bought half of the buckets we use for the filters and will buy the rest today. In preparation for the cooking for the large gathering at the lake, Laly has bought some large pots along with assorted accessories. ... about $400.00 in cost. The costs on this trip are enormous. We will have 16 Americans and a crew of about the same amount to feed for 20 days. That will cost about 6K. It will cost about 3K for the food, etc for the camp meeting the last 3 days on the Lake. The cost of the boat is 12K and on & on. With God's help we will do it. The work on the Evangelista (boat) continues. Various improvements are being made in order to make the boat more livable. For the first time I will have a private room for meetings and to keep my equipment from being stolen. I carry several thousand dollars worth of cameras, computers, etc., with me on these trips. I need a secure place to leave it. I will be the only one with a key. Please continue to pray for us. More later. May God bless you as we labor for Him who called us to this marvelous light. Bro. Joe
Hello Everyone,
Well it is almost 6 in the AM as I write this. Things are coming together as we work here in Pucallpa in preparation for the work on Lake Tipishca. Today we will build the latrine kits. Bobby has greatly improved the design so that it is much quicker to build. It also has a door on it now. Bobby has also gotten the cost down somewhat. He bought half of the buckets we use for the filters and will buy the rest today.
In preparation for the cooking for the large gathering at the lake, Laly has bought some large pots along with assorted accessories. ... about $400.00 in cost.
The costs on this trip are enormous. We will have 16 Americans and a crew of about the same amount to feed for 20 days. That will cost about 6K. It will cost about 3K for the food, etc for the camp meeting the last 3 days on the Lake. The cost of the boat is 12K and on & on. With God's help we will do it.
The work on the Evangelista (boat) continues. Various improvements are being made in order to make the boat more livable. For the first time I will have a private room for meetings and to keep my equipment from being stolen. I carry several thousand dollars worth of cameras, computers, etc., with me on these trips. I need a secure place to leave it. I will be the only one with a key.
Please continue to pray for us. More later.
May God bless you as we labor for Him who called us to this marvelous light.
Bro. Joe
Well it is almost 6 in the AM as I write this. Things are coming together as we work here in Pucallpa in preparation for the work on Lake Tipishca. Today we will build the latrine kits. Bobby has greatly improved the design so that it is much quicker to build. It also has a door on it now. Bobby has also gotten the cost down somewhat. He bought half of the buckets we use for the filters and will buy the rest today.
In preparation for the cooking for the large gathering at the lake, Laly has bought some large pots along with assorted accessories. ... about $400.00 in cost.
The costs on this trip are enormous. We will have 16 Americans and a crew of about the same amount to feed for 20 days. That will cost about 6K. It will cost about 3K for the food, etc for the camp meeting the last 3 days on the Lake. The cost of the boat is 12K and on & on. With God's help we will do it.
The work on the Evangelista (boat) continues. Various improvements are being made in order to make the boat more livable. For the first time I will have a private room for meetings and to keep my equipment from being stolen. I carry several thousand dollars worth of cameras, computers, etc., with me on these trips. I need a secure place to leave it. I will be the only one with a key.
Please continue to pray for us. More later.
May God bless you as we labor for Him who called us to this marvelous light.
Bro. Joe
Thursday, March 18, 2010
MARCH 18, 2010 UPDATE
Hello Everyone,
Just a quick not to let you know that the Kovacs arrived this morning and are resting in their room. They had no problems in customs which is a real blessing.
I will be paying for part of the cost of the boat today. In a little while Bobby will get up and begin his work. I will be discussing the rest of the modification for the boat with the man in charge.
Sister Melida has asked me to preach a small crusade service in a colosseum sponsored by some of the local pastors. I will do so. Normally I do not preach here but handle logistics. However, I usually preach when asked to do so. That is the reason Chuck King calls me preacher, I suppose.
Rev
Just a quick not to let you know that the Kovacs arrived this morning and are resting in their room. They had no problems in customs which is a real blessing.
I will be paying for part of the cost of the boat today. In a little while Bobby will get up and begin his work. I will be discussing the rest of the modification for the boat with the man in charge.
Sister Melida has asked me to preach a small crusade service in a colosseum sponsored by some of the local pastors. I will do so. Normally I do not preach here but handle logistics. However, I usually preach when asked to do so. That is the reason Chuck King calls me preacher, I suppose.
Rev
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
MARCH 16, 2010 UPDATE
Hello Everyone,
Well I'm sitting in my hotel room in Pucallpa, Peru. This is where the river trip starts. Laly and her helpers are here and Gerson will arrive tomorrow. The Kovacs will arrive Thursday. We had no problems getting the filters through customs. That was a relief. If you are one of the missionaries coming on this trip, make sure you spread the filters out in all your pieces of luggage. That should work.
More later,
Joe
Well I'm sitting in my hotel room in Pucallpa, Peru. This is where the river trip starts. Laly and her helpers are here and Gerson will arrive tomorrow. The Kovacs will arrive Thursday. We had no problems getting the filters through customs. That was a relief. If you are one of the missionaries coming on this trip, make sure you spread the filters out in all your pieces of luggage. That should work.
More later,
Joe
Monday, March 8, 2010
MARCH 8, 2010
Hello Everyone,
Well Judy and I are sitting in the airport in Corpus Christi, Tx, waiting for our flight back to Chattanooga. We have had a good weekend. This was our first time in this church and the reception was wonderful. Pastor Wisehart and the whole church received our ministry with open arms. In fact, I don't remember ever having a church respond just like this one. A question and answer session began at the end of my presentation Sunday morning and we did not finish until close to 1 pm. I hope this is the beginning of a profitable relationship between this church and SAC. I am also hoping the pastor will make a trip with me soon.
I will be leaving for Peru a week from today. There is much to be done. If you are going with me and have not completed payment for your trip please send the balance as soon as possible. This is a very expensive trip and I need to get the finances setteled before I leave.
We will buy the remaining supplies this week and Judy will finish packing for me. Yes! She does my packing. Isn't that nice of her? I have several odds and ends to get cleared up such as a visit to a doctor for a problem that I want settled before I leave. Pray for that.
My friend Dan Waite here in Corpus along with his wife made it possible for Judy and I to have a few moments of relaxation before the month long trip. I don't like leaving Judy for that long but it has to be done. Of course, it will be hard on her as well.... all that shopping!
More later,
Rev
Well Judy and I are sitting in the airport in Corpus Christi, Tx, waiting for our flight back to Chattanooga. We have had a good weekend. This was our first time in this church and the reception was wonderful. Pastor Wisehart and the whole church received our ministry with open arms. In fact, I don't remember ever having a church respond just like this one. A question and answer session began at the end of my presentation Sunday morning and we did not finish until close to 1 pm. I hope this is the beginning of a profitable relationship between this church and SAC. I am also hoping the pastor will make a trip with me soon.
I will be leaving for Peru a week from today. There is much to be done. If you are going with me and have not completed payment for your trip please send the balance as soon as possible. This is a very expensive trip and I need to get the finances setteled before I leave.
We will buy the remaining supplies this week and Judy will finish packing for me. Yes! She does my packing. Isn't that nice of her? I have several odds and ends to get cleared up such as a visit to a doctor for a problem that I want settled before I leave. Pray for that.
My friend Dan Waite here in Corpus along with his wife made it possible for Judy and I to have a few moments of relaxation before the month long trip. I don't like leaving Judy for that long but it has to be done. Of course, it will be hard on her as well.... all that shopping!
More later,
Rev
Friday, March 5, 2010
MARCH 5, 2010 UPDATE
Hey Everybody,
I am sitting in Corpus Christi, Texas, with my good friend, Dan Waite sipping coffee. We will be in his church Sunday. I came down early in order to have a time of fellowship. Judy is with me.
Much progress continues on the trip. I have sent all the filters out to those who will carry them to Peru for me. Please pray that God will help us get them through customs ok.
I will be leaving the 15th to go down and begin to prepare for the trip. For a trip of this magnitude much work is called for.
More later,
Rev
I am sitting in Corpus Christi, Texas, with my good friend, Dan Waite sipping coffee. We will be in his church Sunday. I came down early in order to have a time of fellowship. Judy is with me.
Much progress continues on the trip. I have sent all the filters out to those who will carry them to Peru for me. Please pray that God will help us get them through customs ok.
I will be leaving the 15th to go down and begin to prepare for the trip. For a trip of this magnitude much work is called for.
More later,
Rev
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
MARCH 2, 2010 UPDATE
Well it looks like Facebook came back up. All my videos are operating normally. Joe
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
MARCH 2, 2010 UPDATE
Facebook seems to be down at the moment. My videos are stored on Facebook. The videos should be available as soon as Facebook comes back on line. Rev
MARCH 2, 2010 UPDATE
Hello Everyone,
We continue to make progress toward the March-April trip. Yesterday I distributed all of the water filters that we will use in the hygiene programs to the various missionaries that will be traveling with me. I mailed them to some of those who live far away and took the others by car to those who live in the Knoxville area. I still have a suitcase with stuff to transport and 4 filters waiting for Breland Millican, my photographer, to pick up on his way down. I don't know how many trips Breland has made with me but he takes personal offense if we go and he can't go. He thought about this long one for a while but in the end he couldn't resist.
A missionary that I helped get started will be coming in tomorrow; Dan Susong. He and his wife and his youngest daughter work full time in Ecuador now. I will pick him up in Chattanooga and he will spend a couple of nights here at my house. Dan did several videos for me. He is a professional videographer. I do my own videos now but I wish he could do them. His work is much better. He has taught me a lot and I really appreciate it. He crashes at my house sometime when he is in doing fund raising, etc.
I will be in the Portland Revival Center in Corpus Christi, Texas this weekend with Dan Waite and his family who are living there now. Judy is going with me. The church is paying my airfare for the trip. I look forward to seeing Dan and Karen. I believe the last time I saw them was when the snow was knee deep in Michigan.
Later,
Rev.
We continue to make progress toward the March-April trip. Yesterday I distributed all of the water filters that we will use in the hygiene programs to the various missionaries that will be traveling with me. I mailed them to some of those who live far away and took the others by car to those who live in the Knoxville area. I still have a suitcase with stuff to transport and 4 filters waiting for Breland Millican, my photographer, to pick up on his way down. I don't know how many trips Breland has made with me but he takes personal offense if we go and he can't go. He thought about this long one for a while but in the end he couldn't resist.
A missionary that I helped get started will be coming in tomorrow; Dan Susong. He and his wife and his youngest daughter work full time in Ecuador now. I will pick him up in Chattanooga and he will spend a couple of nights here at my house. Dan did several videos for me. He is a professional videographer. I do my own videos now but I wish he could do them. His work is much better. He has taught me a lot and I really appreciate it. He crashes at my house sometime when he is in doing fund raising, etc.
I will be in the Portland Revival Center in Corpus Christi, Texas this weekend with Dan Waite and his family who are living there now. Judy is going with me. The church is paying my airfare for the trip. I look forward to seeing Dan and Karen. I believe the last time I saw them was when the snow was knee deep in Michigan.
Later,
Rev.
Monday, March 1, 2010
MARCH 1, 2010 UPDATE
Hello Everyone,
Well the trip is drawing nearer. Today I will make a trip in the direction of Knoxville to distribute items to some of those going with me. Yesterday Judy and I were at the Pine Hill Church of God with Pastor David Beatty. We had a good service and the people were very generous with their help. This is the church where Judy and I were married years ago. As they say, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then.
Judy and I will leave Thursday for Corpus Christi to be with Dan Waite's church. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends there. This will be my first time in that town.
I have a full roster of people for this trip. I see no reason that this trip will not be a wonderful success. God gives REAL success, you know.
God bless,
Bro Joe
Well the trip is drawing nearer. Today I will make a trip in the direction of Knoxville to distribute items to some of those going with me. Yesterday Judy and I were at the Pine Hill Church of God with Pastor David Beatty. We had a good service and the people were very generous with their help. This is the church where Judy and I were married years ago. As they say, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then.
Judy and I will leave Thursday for Corpus Christi to be with Dan Waite's church. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends there. This will be my first time in that town.
I have a full roster of people for this trip. I see no reason that this trip will not be a wonderful success. God gives REAL success, you know.
God bless,
Bro Joe
Saturday, February 27, 2010
FEBRUARY 27, 2001 UPDATE
Hello Everyone,
I have just added a blog to my web page. You may see it by going to my web site and clicking on the words "CHECK OUT MY BLOG". Or you may go directly to it by clicking on this link http://joemercerblog.blogspot.com/
I intend to post all updates there including this one. The purpose for this is so that people who become interested in SAC can go there and see the latest updates.You may read my updates there, as well. The picture you see when the page first comes up was shot by Abigail Causey as I was getting on the bus in Huaraz, Peru, to take the children shopping in December of '09.
The March-April trip continues to make much progress. I have a total of 16 people going. That is the largest group I've had on the Amazon in some time. This is amazing because I never dreamed that I would have over five or six on such a long trip. But, as you know, God can do things that you and I can't do. The main group will be on Lake Tipishca for 2 1/2 weeks. As we are leaving Rev Eddie Burge will be beginning the School of Christ International teaching for the new leaders in the seven villages on the lake.
God has so marvelously provided for this trip. I am amazed. We will have about $3,500.00 dollars worth of filters with us to be distributed to the people in conjunction with the hygiene program. It is difficult for me to comprehend what God is doing here. When we are finished with Lake Tipishca there will be an autonomies Christian community there that can live out their lives with the knowledge that one day they will be in Heaven with Jesus Christ for all eternity. They will be capable of passing this on to their children, as well. The eternal soul is the most important thing, of course, but we will also leave them with wonderfully improved health because of the hygiene program. This truly is an awsome time for SAC.
Just about everything is set as I write this. I have 5 going from Louisiana. They are bringing almost all of the food that we will take, along with about 20 water filters. I will be distributing the other items that we will carry with us to the rest of the group early next week.
On thursday Judy and I will fly to Corpus Christi, TX, to be with Dan Waite's church there. I am really looking forward to this. I first met Dan in Key West and then he moved to Michigan and I found him again there and then he moved to Texas and I found him again. He just can't get away from me. HA!
This week end I will be at the Pine Hill Church of God with Pastor David Beatty. This is the church where Judy and I were married. That was a long, long time ago.
--
Joe Mercer
423-309-5217 (Cell)
joemercer@bellsouth.net
judithelaine@bellsouth.net
southamericancall@gmail.com
Web address southamericancall.org
I have just added a blog to my web page. You may see it by going to my web site and clicking on the words "CHECK OUT MY BLOG". Or you may go directly to it by clicking on this link http://joemercerblog.blogspot.com/
I intend to post all updates there including this one. The purpose for this is so that people who become interested in SAC can go there and see the latest updates.You may read my updates there, as well. The picture you see when the page first comes up was shot by Abigail Causey as I was getting on the bus in Huaraz, Peru, to take the children shopping in December of '09.
The March-April trip continues to make much progress. I have a total of 16 people going. That is the largest group I've had on the Amazon in some time. This is amazing because I never dreamed that I would have over five or six on such a long trip. But, as you know, God can do things that you and I can't do. The main group will be on Lake Tipishca for 2 1/2 weeks. As we are leaving Rev Eddie Burge will be beginning the School of Christ International teaching for the new leaders in the seven villages on the lake.
God has so marvelously provided for this trip. I am amazed. We will have about $3,500.00 dollars worth of filters with us to be distributed to the people in conjunction with the hygiene program. It is difficult for me to comprehend what God is doing here. When we are finished with Lake Tipishca there will be an autonomies Christian community there that can live out their lives with the knowledge that one day they will be in Heaven with Jesus Christ for all eternity. They will be capable of passing this on to their children, as well. The eternal soul is the most important thing, of course, but we will also leave them with wonderfully improved health because of the hygiene program. This truly is an awsome time for SAC.
Just about everything is set as I write this. I have 5 going from Louisiana. They are bringing almost all of the food that we will take, along with about 20 water filters. I will be distributing the other items that we will carry with us to the rest of the group early next week.
On thursday Judy and I will fly to Corpus Christi, TX, to be with Dan Waite's church there. I am really looking forward to this. I first met Dan in Key West and then he moved to Michigan and I found him again there and then he moved to Texas and I found him again. He just can't get away from me. HA!
This week end I will be at the Pine Hill Church of God with Pastor David Beatty. This is the church where Judy and I were married. That was a long, long time ago.
--
Joe Mercer
423-309-5217 (Cell)
joemercer@bellsouth.net
judithelaine@bellsouth.net
southamericancall@gmail.com
Web address southamericancall.org
SAC UPDATE
Hello Everyone,
Just a few lines to tell you about the trip that is upcoming. We now have 14 people going. This is actually more than I asked the Lord for. God has brought in people from all directions. I have four people going from Louisiana. This is a result of the actions of one person; Shirley Davis. She made a difference. You can too! After one of her trips to Peru with me she put an article along with a picture in the local paper and through that made contact with the Kovacs, Bobby & Roxie. These two have have made great contributions to SAC. They have participated in the dramas, the well drilling, and anything else I ask them to do. Roxie is teaching the hygiene program. She is a retired school teacher and is very good at anything she does. But they have introduced others to this ministry. Two of the people on this trip are going because of them. I might also mention that the Kovacs have been responsible for a lot of money coming in for this trip.
The trip continues to evolve. If you will look at the two attached files you will see a GoogleEarth shot of Lake Tipishca. Just across the river is the town of Contamana. In "Tipischa 2" you will see a larger view of Contamana. The word "Airport" is written in red letters just above the little runway where we fly in and out of sometimes by small plane. I have four people from Pastor Causey's church in Knoxville, TN, including the pastor, coming in on the 30th of March to this little airport.
Lake Tipishca is where we will be spending 2 1/2 weeks to minister to the seven villages on that lake. I am very excited about this. For the first two weeks we will go village to village teaching, preaching, doing hygiene, giving water filters, building latrines, showing videos, giving away Bibles, etc. The last three days we will have a campmeeting at one of the villages and invite all those who know Jesus and anyone else who wants to come. We are expecting 500 or more. I will provide food for them and they will sleep wherever they choose under their little mosquito nets. We are expecting a great revival during that time. Please pray for this campmeeting.
Rev. Eddie Burge will be joining us the last couple of days. Eddie is an experienced missionary who specializes in "School of Christ International". He has done hundreds of these classes, I suppose. This is the program pioneered by the late B.H. Clendenen. It consists of prayer, fasting and teaching for 12-14 hours a day. Eddie will convene this school across the river in Contamana. The leadership that God raises up in each village will be invited to this school. As a bonus, the other pastors in the area will also be invited. I have built a total of 4 churches in this area; one of them is in Contamana. We will have the school in that building. At the end of this school which will last for 15 days, the leaders from the lake will have sufficient knowledge to go back to their villages and lead their people in their Christian walk. They will be able to do this unassisted by outside help.
What we are doing here is planting an autonomous Christian community in the jungle. I expect them to be able to survive on their own and to also spread the Word of God to others. This will be a pattern of things to come. If this venture is successful, and I have every reason to believe it will be, this will serve as a model for future ministry in these remote areas. These people are so deep in the jungle and it is both logistically and financially impossible to have outsiders come in to supervise. They must be given the tools to live for Jesus on their own.
Following this trip it is my intention to go further down the river and repeat what we have done here... i.e., find 6 or 8 villages in close proximity to each other and work there long enough to bind them together with the Words of Jesus so they form a Christian community to nurture one another in the love Jesus. They must be taught to do it without outside help. In this area there will never be outside help on a regular basis.
May God bless you as we labor together for Him who called us to this marvelous light.
Bro Joe
Just a few lines to tell you about the trip that is upcoming. We now have 14 people going. This is actually more than I asked the Lord for. God has brought in people from all directions. I have four people going from Louisiana. This is a result of the actions of one person; Shirley Davis. She made a difference. You can too! After one of her trips to Peru with me she put an article along with a picture in the local paper and through that made contact with the Kovacs, Bobby & Roxie. These two have have made great contributions to SAC. They have participated in the dramas, the well drilling, and anything else I ask them to do. Roxie is teaching the hygiene program. She is a retired school teacher and is very good at anything she does. But they have introduced others to this ministry. Two of the people on this trip are going because of them. I might also mention that the Kovacs have been responsible for a lot of money coming in for this trip.
The trip continues to evolve. If you will look at the two attached files you will see a GoogleEarth shot of Lake Tipishca. Just across the river is the town of Contamana. In "Tipischa 2" you will see a larger view of Contamana. The word "Airport" is written in red letters just above the little runway where we fly in and out of sometimes by small plane. I have four people from Pastor Causey's church in Knoxville, TN, including the pastor, coming in on the 30th of March to this little airport.
Lake Tipishca is where we will be spending 2 1/2 weeks to minister to the seven villages on that lake. I am very excited about this. For the first two weeks we will go village to village teaching, preaching, doing hygiene, giving water filters, building latrines, showing videos, giving away Bibles, etc. The last three days we will have a campmeeting at one of the villages and invite all those who know Jesus and anyone else who wants to come. We are expecting 500 or more. I will provide food for them and they will sleep wherever they choose under their little mosquito nets. We are expecting a great revival during that time. Please pray for this campmeeting.
Rev. Eddie Burge will be joining us the last couple of days. Eddie is an experienced missionary who specializes in "School of Christ International". He has done hundreds of these classes, I suppose. This is the program pioneered by the late B.H. Clendenen. It consists of prayer, fasting and teaching for 12-14 hours a day. Eddie will convene this school across the river in Contamana. The leadership that God raises up in each village will be invited to this school. As a bonus, the other pastors in the area will also be invited. I have built a total of 4 churches in this area; one of them is in Contamana. We will have the school in that building. At the end of this school which will last for 15 days, the leaders from the lake will have sufficient knowledge to go back to their villages and lead their people in their Christian walk. They will be able to do this unassisted by outside help.
What we are doing here is planting an autonomous Christian community in the jungle. I expect them to be able to survive on their own and to also spread the Word of God to others. This will be a pattern of things to come. If this venture is successful, and I have every reason to believe it will be, this will serve as a model for future ministry in these remote areas. These people are so deep in the jungle and it is both logistically and financially impossible to have outsiders come in to supervise. They must be given the tools to live for Jesus on their own.
Following this trip it is my intention to go further down the river and repeat what we have done here... i.e., find 6 or 8 villages in close proximity to each other and work there long enough to bind them together with the Words of Jesus so they form a Christian community to nurture one another in the love Jesus. They must be taught to do it without outside help. In this area there will never be outside help on a regular basis.
May God bless you as we labor together for Him who called us to this marvelous light.
Bro Joe
Something New
Hello Everyone,
I am opening a new blog site as a communications tool so that anyone can read my updates. Updates will be posted here. It will take me a few days to get the hang of this thing. Be patient.
Bro Joe
I am opening a new blog site as a communications tool so that anyone can read my updates. Updates will be posted here. It will take me a few days to get the hang of this thing. Be patient.
Bro Joe
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