Challenge to Make a Change in the Lord

With the mist of seeing the Lord fulfilling Shari's part in the trip still in our eyes, we loaded up for our next ministry activity. Although I told you the whole story of how God used Shari to make Pastor Pablo and Elva aware of the need for ministry to deaf people, we weren't aware of all of it at this point. We were just moved to see Shari, and Elva talking to Rosamarie.

We loaded up the bus and drove to a men's drug and rehabilitation center run by a local church. Last year we had visited the men at this center and many of us had the opportunity to kiss an alpaca named Natasha. The Gathering place at HGBC was graced with a picture of me and Natasha for a few months, until more current missions events replaced it. This time Robert Isenhour attempted the feat, but he lacked the necessary appeal. Those of us who kissed Natasha last year attracted her with lemon drops that some of the men at the shelter shared with us. Lacking lemon drops, Rob tried to use breath mints. Natasha was not impressed. She sniffed curiously, but turned him down--several times.

If you had seen last year's pictures you might have noticed, Marron, a brown alpaca in the shelter compound as well. It turns out that Marron is male, so he and Natasha now have a baby. What a cute family. Maybe this contributed to Natasha's reticence. She has family responsibilities now; she's a one alpaca gal; she can't be stepping out on her family.

Bruno translating while Rob tapes evidence to the wall.

Kissing alpacas was not our purpose in going to the rehab center, of course. We were there to have a worship service with the men, encourage them, and have lunch. Our service started with a group of about eight men singing. Two played guitars, but the voices rang out louder than the instruments. Joyful song filled the room. Next the rest of the men joined them to sing for us. Then our young people sang a song for the group and I was asked to present the evidence wall again. Bruno translated and Rob and Ginger Isenhour worked furiously to tape pictures and words to the rights spots on the wall hanging as I explained how evidence from eyewitness testimony recorded in the Bible demonstrates that Jesus is God's Son, that He was more than just a man, that He really did die, and that He is alive. I ended with the question, "What will you do with the evidence?"

What will you do with this evidence?

Pastor Pablo then challenged the men that even though things are hard for them now, they can change. He shared that as a young person he was severely injured when he drank too much and then stepped out in the path of a car. Both of his legs were broken. During his recovery he became a believer in Jesus and that changed the entire course of his life. He sternly challenged the men that even though it might be hard, God can change them if they rely on Him, because as we saw in the evidence, Jesus was more than just a man, and He can do things no man is able to do.
 

Elva signing for Rosamarie as the Peruvian men sing.

Shari signing English parts of the service for Rosamarie

Rosamarie came with us, so when Spanish was spoken Elva would translate for her using sign language; when English was spoken Shari translated for her. After the service Rosamarie and Shari came to the front to look at and discuss the evidence wall. Shari had given her a wordless bracelet, and went through the presentation of the gospel several times so that Rosamarie would know it well enough to share with her deaf friends. Shari knew she would be leaving in another day, so she was investing in someone who could stay and make an impact in the deaf community. That is a missionary vision.

Some men from the center help Pastor Pablo and Bruno prepare lunch.