Chained by Darkness
Since we have been on the mission field I have been surprised to see how prevalent evil and the occult is. That is not to say that there is not that type of activity in the US or other places, but it seems to be more prevalent or open here. I have heard many stories about people seeing ghosts and dwarves (no not the 7 from Snow White) and demons in the form of animals. Although, I am usually skeptical about such things, I have had some good friends that testify to having many experiences like that before they were saved. One of the most impacting stories that I have heard, happened recently to the mother of a lady in our church. Her mother was having major knee problems with lots of pain and didn’t know what to do, so, she thought she would try a spiritualist doctor because some one told her they could help. During her visit, they placed her in a room with all the lights off and she started feeling something touching her although there was no one in the room but her. Afterwards, the doctor told her that she would get a visit from the spirits later on to work on her knee. A week or so later, during the night she awoke to severe pain in her knee almost as if she were having surgery. The next day it was very sore but started to feel better. It really scared her but she was pleased that it “really worked” at least for a while, because the pain eventually returned. The saddest part of this is that she is not saved and has only visited the church a few times.
This is a story that sounds like it could be in a movie or just make-believe, but it is something that happens here on a regular basis. Although I have never had anything like this happen to me, it makes you wonder about all the things that go on around us on a daily basis. It could be a source of fear or worry of what might happen to us or our family, but as I thought about this several things came to mind that we can remember:
1. Remember that greater is He that is in us.
2. Remember that no one can harm us with His protection
3. Remember that only He can solve our problems.
4. Remember those that are still in darkness and bondage.
– We ask you to pray as we on a daily basis go up against the powers of darkness that are fighting for the souls of men.
Pray for Laborers:
This is something that we mention quite often in our prayer letters but it is hard not to when you see so much need all around you. Recently I preached in a friend’s church that is about thirty minutes outside of town and upon returning I had to drive through a fairly large section of the city. The whole time all that I could think about was how many people in that area needs a solid church where they can hear the gospel and grow in their lives. Many of these areas probably have close to a hundred thousand people and many times is an area that is more dangerous. Our desire is to send men into those areas to start a strong church for them. The need is definitely there what is lacking is laborers. This is obviously what the Lord was talking of when He said, “the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. The key to the passage is what He said afterwards. Our responsibility is pray for laborers. We know that many of you pray for us and that is why we ask you now to pray with us that the Lord will continue to raise up laborers.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for the Laura family working with us in the northern part of Bolivia
2. Pray for our upcoming financial conference in November.
3. Pray that the Lord will raise up leaders.
4. Pray for our meeting that we are having in Quillacollo on Thursday nights.