Bolivian Journal 5, August 29, 2005
Hello folks,
Welcome to fifth edition of the Bolivian Journal.
The season of missions at Calama Baptist is an annual event that involves all four congregations, Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua and English. Each congregation is to focus message and ministries on the missions theme for each Sunday of the month of August and perhaps into September. The purpose of the season, generally, is to raise awarness of missions and specifically, to raise enough funds to help support the missionaries who have been sent out by the Bolivian Baptist Union. This past year or so is the first time the Bolivian Baptist Union has sent out their own missionaries, one to somewhere in Argentina and the other to Kurdistan. This is a big step for any denomination so the churches´ prayer and fininancial support will be put to the test.
We have just finished our season of missions at the English congregation of Calama Baptist, though the other congregations may continue for a week or two more. At Calama the month has given to congregations an opportunity to work and worship together. Last Sunday we all shared in an evening service. There was a parade the young people dressed in the different traditional outfits from the various regions of the nation.The English group gave power point presenation of their mission work: ophanages, CBM missionaries, volunteers etc.The service featured praise and worship in all four languages(not all at once thankfully !).The Portuguese praise team was terrific. Even for those of us without knowledge of the language the music and song drew us all into joyful worship. The sermon was delivered by the Portuguese pastor who for the occasion spoke in Spanish. At the close for the service we followed what seem to be international guidelines of Baptist polity and procedure by racing for and devouring all the deserts and refreshments available.
At first I wondered about the value of the missions emphasis for a whole month, but as it has turned out it has been an educational experience. The season, at least from my new perspective, has given the church an opportunity to look at hopefully evaluate itself in terms of it´s involvement in missions and then to adjust its ministry accordingly. The messages for the month of August were based on: Jonah chapter three- the renewed call to Jonah (delivered by Peter Moorehouse, and ex pat Australian who is "Dad" at an orphanage of about thirty children), Matthew 9:35-38( Christ basic motive and the disciples initial move in mission) Matthew 4:17-32 (" I will make you fishers of men."), and Matthew 28:16-20( The great claim, commission and encouragement)(delivered by yours truly).
After two months with the congregation I have come see my role as that of volunteer interim pastor. The congregation was formed four to five years ago and has survived with one or two volunteer pastors and shared leadership since that time. Considering the presence in Cochabamba of missionaries, short and longer term volunteers and Bolivians who like to learn and speak English there appears to be a potential for growth of the English fellowship. Since volunteer pastors come and go and others who have shared leadership are busy in other ministries, it looks to me as if stable, longer term , committed pastoral ministry would be one ingredient to move the church toward reaching its potential. I mention this assessment for those of you who will pray for the leadership of the church in seeking God´s guidance and wisdom in this area.
This week there is a change of pace. It has been decided that this coming Sunday there will be no English service due to the fact that Sunday September 4th is "pedestrian day" in Cochcbamba. We are told that there is no motor vehicle traffic and only pedestrians on the streets this day. This will make it difficult for most people to reach the English service. This change of pace, I hope, will allow additional time to catch up on Spanish study, to pray and to plan. The three of us have made plans to join the Spanish youth group on a overnight Saturday retreat to the jungle region a few hours to the north by north east ( I think)of Cochabamba. All we have been told so far is to take mosquito repellent. I have a nightmare of the three of us being carried off forever into the Amazon by condor sized insects. If we survive we will let you know all the details of our narrow escape.
That is all for now folks.
We appreciate your prayers.
In the Master´s service,
Kent
Welcome to fifth edition of the Bolivian Journal.
The season of missions at Calama Baptist is an annual event that involves all four congregations, Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua and English. Each congregation is to focus message and ministries on the missions theme for each Sunday of the month of August and perhaps into September. The purpose of the season, generally, is to raise awarness of missions and specifically, to raise enough funds to help support the missionaries who have been sent out by the Bolivian Baptist Union. This past year or so is the first time the Bolivian Baptist Union has sent out their own missionaries, one to somewhere in Argentina and the other to Kurdistan. This is a big step for any denomination so the churches´ prayer and fininancial support will be put to the test.
We have just finished our season of missions at the English congregation of Calama Baptist, though the other congregations may continue for a week or two more. At Calama the month has given to congregations an opportunity to work and worship together. Last Sunday we all shared in an evening service. There was a parade the young people dressed in the different traditional outfits from the various regions of the nation.The English group gave power point presenation of their mission work: ophanages, CBM missionaries, volunteers etc.The service featured praise and worship in all four languages(not all at once thankfully !).The Portuguese praise team was terrific. Even for those of us without knowledge of the language the music and song drew us all into joyful worship. The sermon was delivered by the Portuguese pastor who for the occasion spoke in Spanish. At the close for the service we followed what seem to be international guidelines of Baptist polity and procedure by racing for and devouring all the deserts and refreshments available.
At first I wondered about the value of the missions emphasis for a whole month, but as it has turned out it has been an educational experience. The season, at least from my new perspective, has given the church an opportunity to look at hopefully evaluate itself in terms of it´s involvement in missions and then to adjust its ministry accordingly. The messages for the month of August were based on: Jonah chapter three- the renewed call to Jonah (delivered by Peter Moorehouse, and ex pat Australian who is "Dad" at an orphanage of about thirty children), Matthew 9:35-38( Christ basic motive and the disciples initial move in mission) Matthew 4:17-32 (" I will make you fishers of men."), and Matthew 28:16-20( The great claim, commission and encouragement)(delivered by yours truly).
After two months with the congregation I have come see my role as that of volunteer interim pastor. The congregation was formed four to five years ago and has survived with one or two volunteer pastors and shared leadership since that time. Considering the presence in Cochabamba of missionaries, short and longer term volunteers and Bolivians who like to learn and speak English there appears to be a potential for growth of the English fellowship. Since volunteer pastors come and go and others who have shared leadership are busy in other ministries, it looks to me as if stable, longer term , committed pastoral ministry would be one ingredient to move the church toward reaching its potential. I mention this assessment for those of you who will pray for the leadership of the church in seeking God´s guidance and wisdom in this area.
This week there is a change of pace. It has been decided that this coming Sunday there will be no English service due to the fact that Sunday September 4th is "pedestrian day" in Cochcbamba. We are told that there is no motor vehicle traffic and only pedestrians on the streets this day. This will make it difficult for most people to reach the English service. This change of pace, I hope, will allow additional time to catch up on Spanish study, to pray and to plan. The three of us have made plans to join the Spanish youth group on a overnight Saturday retreat to the jungle region a few hours to the north by north east ( I think)of Cochabamba. All we have been told so far is to take mosquito repellent. I have a nightmare of the three of us being carried off forever into the Amazon by condor sized insects. If we survive we will let you know all the details of our narrow escape.
That is all for now folks.
We appreciate your prayers.
In the Master´s service,
Kent
posted by Bibliomaniac | 7:00 a.m.
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