Freely received, freely given!

This weekend we had a Re-encounter weekend. The last Re-encounter weekend was last December and is a tremendous opportunity for God to remove the stones that have blocked up the wells of living waters from flowing freely bringing life to those around her.
It was tremendous to see how the church is growing and maturing. Pastora Gloria had gone to visit her father (who is in his 90’s) in Belo Horizonte. Pastora Jackcilene is in Manaus with her daughter during the two week school holidays (Brazilian Holidays are January-February months). Missionary Rebeca was looking after our two (Daniel and Betchie) and two other children to let a cell group leader go to be part of the support team and another cell group member to go to receive. Pastor Tinho who went on the Re-encounter weekend was unable to preach due to being completely hoarse. And another Pastor from a local church who ministered last year wasn’t required.
Yet the Re-encounter weekend was a powerful weekend, where God’s power was evident and His word ministered through cell group leaders. Leaders who over the years have not only received the word but with willing hearts learnt how to put into practice His word. Even the task of cooking for everybody, which usually depends on Pastora Jackilene and Gloria was carried out with efficiency and excellence. Where every member lent a hand and an attitude of doing all for His glory was evident. Some young ladies learnt how to make rice (fried in garlic, boiled in water, then diced carrot added before being served), for the first time.
Ephesians 4: 11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
We see that the first duty of the ministers is to equip the saints for ministry. Ministry for the building up of the body of Christ. Please be encouraged not just to use those gifts that God has given you for His Glory but teach others, show them, train them, nurture them and your fruit will bear 30, 60 to 100 fold.
It is with great delight that we see that the church members are being equipped in turn to equip others.
Next year we look forward with excitement to the fact that those who were ministered to will be part of the ministering team!

Something's cooking in the Kitchen

What is it they say ‘al fresco’ ? In the Amazon there are so many differences to the U.K. and after being here several years ‘normal’ changes and you forget to mention the strange and bizarre.
This is the new outside cooking stove for the jungle base. We do have a gas stove but most of the cooking takes place here!
This is a simple mud stove, set at an appropriate height with wooden slabs and several metal rails to provide support for the pots and pans.
Not so long ago Rebeca and I were invited by the youth of the church to supervise their weekend retreat. We made it clear that we would happily supervise but the organisation and administration was up to them. The first night went well and breakfast too then someone came running, “Come quickly, Sharlon is cremating the chicken.” I was greeted by foot high flames engulfing the chicken! Thankfully the BBQ for 60 hungry youth was rescued with just a few burnt wings.
The strange and bizarre range from constant electricity shortages, which means no tap water! A family of 6 passing on a 150cc motorbike to motorbikes pulling little trailers around the city.

Couples Night

With many decisions to receive Jesus as their personal Saviour the new convert becomes a target for the enemy. Unless the new convert or as we often call them ‘babies’ in the Lord (as they need the care and attention that you give to a newborn infant) is taken care of, brought into the fellowship of other believers and friendships established. Many return to their old lifestyles, habits and customs becoming further hardened to the ‘Good News’ of the gospel having in their minds tried and failed.
We use many methods to help establish friendships and relationships within the church body. One of these is the ‘Couples Night’, which is for married couples.......obviously enough!
Once a month we arrange a ‘Couples Night’ at a venue outside of the church premises to provide a less threatening environment for those couples were one or other is not a church goer. The nights are a lot of fun with a mix of food, both spiritual and physical, games and relationship builders.
The photo above shows just one of the games. Here the wife, nominated as ‘not the greatest cook in the world’ by her dear husband gets to practice her egg breaking skills. From the photo you can see that we were able to gain the full support of the husband in his loving encouragement of his wife in her quest for improvement!

It isn't always 'what you see'

What is interesting about this photo is what it doesn’t show. Only those who were there know that all eyes are looking at the guard dog! The guard dog at the jungle base is so protective that he needs to be tied up whilst visitors are present. Even a guard dog tied up knows his limitations. Unfortunately the camera man (me!) had just stepped inside the limitations of the rope securing ‘our’ guard dog and has the whole in the trousers to show it!
This marked the start of an eventful day at the jungle retreat. Several men went on our overnight excursion with the objective of having good fun, fellowship and work! The work being the clearing of the jungle overgrowth under the electric cables leading to the base. If the trees reach the cables it causes a break in the circuit and an ensuing delay in the return of the much needed electricity to the base.
Clearing the jungle is quite the monotonous task but was spiced up by ‘running away’ from attacking hornets, ‘hopping about’ as unsettled ants scaled legs for a bite of lunch and the odd ‘masked shriek’ as the tree being cut down touch the electric cables and gave the hatchet wielder an electrifying tingle to remember!

Thanks

Thanks to the runners above who participated in the Lisburn 10K run to raise funds for Outreach Amazon Ministries.
The money raised will be used to support the work of the Living Word School in Maues. If you are interested in the work or would like to organise an event please feel free to look up the website http://www.outreachamazon.com/ and enter in contact.
Runners in pic from L - R are, Johnny McKinley, William McShane, Steph Prentice, Chris Wing & Phil Uprichard

Faith comes by hearing

God is brilliant! Many people struggle to receive God as their loving ‘Abba’ father. Depending on their own experiences many people have blockages and mindsets about ‘fathers’, which overflows into their relationship with God.
Over the years as my relationship with God has deepened, I am so aware of how little I know Him and with each new discovery comes a desire to know my heavenly dad more and more.
Ignorance is a terrible thing, so often we suffer in our ignorance and when the light switch of revelation is turned to ‘on’, we see that which we had never seen or understood before.
Life can be tough enough, can’t it! But a question begs to be asked, where do you turn to for your encouragement? For that hand up!
After years of running to people and looking for approval and encouragement from people, I have learnt to run to God. Share with Him my feelings, hurts, frustrations and ask for His help and encouragement. ‘Abba’ father has never failed, left or abandoned me, always bringing a word of encouragement at the right time.
In Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)
The Greek word used for the ‘word’ of God is rhema.
Rhema: simply put, means the ‘now’ word of God. What God is saying to you specifically, individually, ‘now’ at this moment.
In layman’s terms we could read Ro 10:17 Then faith comes by hearing and understanding what God is saying to you specifically today.
God has a specific word for you today to cause faith to come into your heart, bringing life and refreshing and the strength to go on. Ask ‘Abba’ father for encouragement today.

Where your treasure is?

The other day we took the children out to the YWAM base for a swim and afterwards put up hammocks to relax in (if that is possible with two livewires). Maues is situated on a river, but we decided to drive out to the base, as, due to it being the rainy season, there is an awful lot more raw pollutants in the river in front of the city.
We had a splashing time! Daniel is a very natural swimmer and Betchie are fearless “stone”, forever sinking.
I have to say I love being a dad and they are so wonderfully precious, what tremendous gifts from God.
Jesus says "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6vs21

Really where your focus is, what you spend most of your time thinking about, investing your time and energy towards.
As you read the gospels you can’t help be overcome that Jesus did what His Father willed. He was always listening to His Father’s direction. His heart was to do His Father’s will each and every day.
There are many demands on our lives in the various positions that we fill, being mum, dad, husband, wife, employee, boss, student.........but are focus needs to remain fixed. Remember to ask God, what He wants you to do for Him today. Be open, be willing....it will completely change your life!
C.S.Lewis summed it up when he said “All that is not eternal is eternally out of date”.