just thinking today

[Sister Alvear]

As we cut travel through the heart of Brazil I am amazed at the opportunities that my eyes see. Where, oh where are young soldiers that are WILLING to leave the comfort zone and bravely march into the unknown?


The rituals of paganism enshroud City after city, village after village. The people are so poor for the most part. Their eyes have a hollow look, their hearts are empty their lives are void of the presence and the knowledge of God.


I see the rolling mountains before me but I painfully know that scores of village are hidden behind these mountains, I seriously doubt if any oneness preacher has ever been there.
I weep that the church does not seem to understand the Go Ye command. Of our Christ.


Though I have lived in Brazil over 42 years, I have not become accustomed to the heathenism. The minor tones of temple bells that ring to awaken the gods still pain me. Seeing people worship gods of wood and stone, gods who cannot hear or help send a pain to my heart. Idol temples that fill the cities and dot the hillsides and valleys, and the roadways, all filled with stone and chalk images so that some desperate soul to kneel down and try to find an answer to life’s problems.
It still brings tears to my eyes to watch them burn candles to help the dead find their way in the beyond. What light other than the light of Jesus can light our pathways? May our hears beat with joy, and our lips tremble with praise to Him that among all people, He has chosen us, and called us out for His service.
Yes, I know the dreary solitude of a pagan world, the heart-rending trials, and the soul-harassing temptations. I know the feeling of being separated from friends, home, and country. Cut off from the consolations of Christian Fellowship, a stranger in a strange land, hearing an unknown tongue, surrounded by scenes of lust, blood, paganism, and spiritual darkness.
But, I also know the joy of seeing the witchdoctors converted, idol gods being thrown away forever, seeing a shack become a home in which the presence of Christ Himself dwells. Yes, I have watched this glorious company of blood-washed saints keeping time with music with uplifted hands in praise and worship to Him who brought them out of darkness into this marvelous light. I could not leave these dear people without violating the most solemn convictions of conscience. I would not exchange my humble toil among them for all the positions on the earth.
Leisure I do not anticipate nor desire until reaching the fair land where it is said of the redeemed, “They shall rest from their labors.” Someone once said, “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him, the more intense missionaries we become.”
An Oxford University professor once said to his students, “Beware of having earthly future.” God would have us with our hearts and minds on His heavenly kingdom, and not on the perishing things in this transitory world. May we always remain untarnished in our devotion and in our love for the souls of men.

[Sherri]

You need to get the new book "Radical" by David Platt. He says EVERYONE is called to Global Missions in one way or another. You would enjoy the book, but it's very convicting. I'm having to read it in small doses. LOL

[Sister Alvear]

I want to get it next time I am in the states....blessings to you.

[Cindy]

I don't know why anyone that reads your posts, can argue with our brothers and sisters over the Scriptures and even God himself. Lord, forgive me.