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Everyone & Everybody

Dear Ricardo and Beth,

When Jesus commanded us to, “go,” in Matthew 28:19 He was talking to everyone! When He said to “make disciples of all nations,” he meant everybody! This was especially clear when we attended the Community Church Planting Summit, a joint gathering of Impact Latin America and the Multiplication pillar of the FMC, in Montevideo, Uruguay November 9 and 10. 

We met 86-year-old Teresa and 80-year-old Dora who followed the Holy Spirit’s lead to share God’s love with the homeless people in the park near their home. We also met Tocoto and Jose, two men who received their message and allowed God to transform their lives. Tocoto has led others to Christ and opened a new House of Peace. I (Beth) had the privilege of attending the House of Peace in that park – one of the highlights of our visit!

We also met Sebastian Camilo and his wife Roxana, a 30 something couple who were led by God to sell their home in a small town and move to the capital city of Montevideo. Once there, they felt God leading them to share the Gospel with patients in one of the hospitals. As a result, not only have patients accepted Christ (some before graduating to Glory and some before returning home where they are opening new Houses of Peace), but so have doctors and nurses. 

We were reunited with 20-year-old Lucas (left). While on a prayer walk through the neighborhood near his university about two years ago, he met a professional soccer player. Together they began meeting in the park to play soccer with whomever happened to be there. After two visits, they started sharing God’s word with the people who joined them. We had the honor of meeting Valentin (upper right), one of the boys who began playing with them and whose life has been transformed both spiritually and physically. Now they have soccer/Bible study every Tuesday and have opened three Houses of Peace that will likely join to become one established church soon. Lucas has reduced his class load from full-time to part-time to allow more time for ministry – he is on fire for Christ and served communion with so much pure joy!

Those are just 3 examples of everyone and everybody! And what is better? This is happening in Montevideo, one of the most secular city in Latin America. When we arrived at the airport there were signs about Tarot Card Readings and other signs of spiritism.  Yet, God’s light is shining brightly in that context because people are obedient to God’s call. The best news is that anyone can reach anybody in any context. The Disciples Making Disciples training course that 12,853 people in Latin America have taken includes simple tools like the one below that shows how to share our own testimony with people in our circle of influence. We’d love to hear your story about how it works in your context!

We were honored to participate in the Biblical Seminary of Colombia’s 80^th anniversary November 14 and 15. It was a time of thanking God for the past and looking forward to what God will do in the future. It was also great to reconnect with old friends and make a few new ones.

While it was hard to leave the kids behind, it is great to back in Colombia…where the weather and the people are equally warm. We are enjoying a quick visit to Bucaramanga to celebrate Papa and niece Paula’s birthdays.  We also look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving next week…hopefully with our entire apartment building in Medellín (there are only 4 families living there so it won’t be as big as it sounds).

We are very grateful for each one of you! Thank you for your partnership with us as we participate with God in the restoration of Latin America.

Many blessings,

Ricardo & Beth