April 2013 Update

Partnering Together

 

Ahhhhh, that was awesome!! That's how we felt after hosting two teams that came from South Carolina to minister with us during the first two weeks of March. One of our desires in coming to Colombia has been that we wanted to be used by God to help others come and see what God is doing here and how they can be used to reach the nations the with gospel. 

It's so interesting and incredible to see how our God worked in a very personal way in each of their lives giving them exactly what they needed. It reminds me of John 4 and the woman at the well and how Christ's promise to us is that when we "drink" from Him, we will never thirst again. Now I realize that what Jesus is referring to here is more than an experience, but a new life that can only be found in Him.  Though sometimes God gives us a double shot of that living water and lets us see glimpses of Himself that encourages us and changes us in ways that we never dreamed were possible.

Cienaga, Colombia

Many of you might not know that God used an organization called E3 partners to help train me in evangelism and discipleship right here in Colombia. It was through my trips with them that God allowed me to see how the people here are ready and waiting to hear the gospel. I was able to use what I learned during those trips to help lead our first solely evangelistic team since coming to Colombia. Even before the team arrived, we went to the city of Cienaga to help train a church in how to share their faith using the Evangecube. Let me just say that before this trip my thoughts about this city were extremely negative. I had heard so many bad things about this city that it made me somewhat apprehensive about taking a team there and working for an entire week. But once again, God changed my perspective 180 degrees. To say that this week was impactful would be a huge understatement. 

Opportunity to share Christ at a public school

What I had thought to be a cold and spiritually oppressive city turned out to be one of the most open and hospitable places that I have been in Colombia. I expected closed doors and an unwelcoming people who would only talk to us through the doors, but what we found over and over again was a warm and welcoming people that over and over again welcomed us to share the Great News that Jesus loves them. It was so great to see our American friends working arm in arm with our Colombian brothers and sisters to share Jesus with so many people over the course of the week. Now, not everyone who we shared with accepted Christ, but I believe with all of my heart that many of the people who we shared with truly put their faith in Jesus and His sacrificial work on the cross. The team and myself developed many relationships in the community and the church that we will forever treasure. We are praying that God will use this trip in the life of the church to encourage them to keep pressing on and sharing Christ with their community and their families. 

She received Jesus!

 One of the things that God has taught me over the years is that when someone puts the full weight of their trust in Christ that it is so much fun to celebrate with them what they have just done. I have the distinct privilege to tell them that they are now a child of the KING! I even get to tell them great news that we are now family! (I hope they think this is good news because I surely do).  In the photo to the left, the lady standing beside me put her faith in Jesus and is now apart of the family of God.  She is now able to share that great news with her daughters and the rest of her family.  Please pray for Leydis that she would continue to follow Jesus. 

Breaking the Ice

I've started working on the campus of one of the local universities because there are so many students that are willing and ready to hear the gospel. Last week I went with one of the students from our church who is extremely gifted in sharing her faith. It is so much fun to walk around and to pray and seek opportunities and to work shoulder to shoulder with another believer. One thing that I've come to understand is that evangelism and discipleship are so enjoyable when done in a team.  In the photo, we are using a group of 50 photos called Solarium.  The purpose of the photos is to get people talking about their lives and about who they think God is.  These young girls opened up and shared about their desire to know God personally!  Please continue to pray for this time that we have every week in the University.  Pray that God would lead us to the people who are ready and waiting to hear the Good News.    

 

God is blessing our family with another little man who is coming the later part of August.  With this bundle of joy, comes an increase in medical and other expenses for which we have the opportunity to trust God.  Please pray with us as we seek and pray for more folks that have a vision and desire to see God reach the people of Colombia.  If you would like to know more about what God is doing here or you are interested in how you can support us through prayer or financially, please send us an email at jahoward@southamericamission.org or give us a call at 803-572-4396.

 

Prayer Requests:

 

1.  Pray for the people that we are discipling in small groups.

 

2.  Pray that we would be able to integrate new believers and new members of our church into a discipleship group

 

3.  Pray that our church would function in harmony and peace and that we would love each other with the love of Christ.

 

4.  Pray that God would continue to lead us to people that are ready to hear the gospel.

 

5.  We are praying that God would provide someone to come and help us for a few months after the baby comes in late August.

 

Praises:

 

1.  God continues to sustain us and give us grace to do what He's called us to do.

 

2.  We are seeing many people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

 

3.  Our children as growing in their faith and wanting to express it to others.

 

4.  We are so thankful for all those that have been faithful in their giving and prayers for our family.