{"id":3962,"date":"2020-12-07T08:35:15","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T14:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=3962"},"modified":"2020-12-07T08:35:15","modified_gmt":"2020-12-07T14:35:15","slug":"west-newsletter-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/west-newsletter-december-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"West Newsletter: December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Seasons Greetings!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

As this year quickly (and thankfully!) comes to a close, I am amazed to ponder all that God has done through us in such a difficult and uncertain time. By God\u2019s grace, we have been able to not only feed hundreds of hungry families but also give away countless thousands of Bibles and tracts to spiritually starved people.<\/p>\n

Two Ways to Starve<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Notice that I just referred to two distinct kinds of hunger or starvation. The first is when you lack food for your belly, and the second is when your soul is famished for the Word of God!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m here to tell you that many people in Peru seem as excited to receive God\u2019s Word as they do to receive a bag of groceries. I\u2019m not sure that is the case in our more \"developed\" nations. Unfortunately, as Paul wrote in the letter to the Philippians, most people walk \"as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.\"<\/p>\n

In contrast to this, let me share with you a beautiful testimony from earlier this year in Peru...<\/p>\n

Jumping for Jesus<\/span><\/h2>\n

I met this one special young man, slightly handicapped, while stuck in traffic at a busy intersection where he was polishing car windshields for tips. After he finished, and I had given him a bit of cash and a New Testament, he excitedly told me that he too was a Christian. We shared a few brief moments of friendly fellowship, and then the light turned green and traffic began to rumble on.<\/p>\n

As I drove away, I happened to glance back in my rearview mirror, only to see him with hands raised to the sky, pumping his fists like a basketball player who had just hit a game-winner, jumping up and down for joy! I rarely cry, but my eyes immediately welled up with happy tears as I drove away, thankful that we\u2019d met and hoping that I'd see him again someday.<\/p>\n

Why was he so happy? Well, I don't think it was the small tip I had given him. The kid loved Jesus and, in spite of his tough situation, was simply excited to meet a like-minded friend who shared his love for the Lord.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/a>

Man Reading Tract<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Girl<\/a>

Girl with Bible<\/p><\/div>\n

Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice<\/span><\/h2>\n

Speaking of rejoicing in Jesus, I want to share the following story from the famous Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who languished in a Communist prison for 14 years in the 50s and 60s. If this doesn\u2019t encourage you to be truly and deeply grateful this Christmas season, nothing will!<\/p>\n

The vile, greasy smell of the soup preceded its arrival in the cell. Shreds of rotten cabbage and unwashed offal (intestines) floated in a scum. But to eat was a duty, and I emptied my dish.<\/p>\n

\"How can you?\" asked [my Muslim cellmate], whose stomach had revolted.<\/p>\n

It was a Christian secret, I said. \"I think of St. Paul's words 'Rejoice with those that rejoice.' Then I remember friends in America who are now eating grilled chicken, and I thank God with them as I take the first mouthful of soup. Next, I rejoice with friends in England who may be eating roast beef. And I get down another mouthful. So, by way of many friendly countries, I rejoice with those that rejoice---and stay alive.\"<\/p>\n

The [Muslim] and I had to share a bunk through the hot, stuffy nights. I was lucky not to be on the floor.<\/p>\n

\"You lie very still,\" he said as others coughed and fidgeted around us. \"What are you thinking? Does St. Paul help you now, too?\"<\/p>\n

I replied, \"Yes, for now I rejoice with those in the West by thinking of their comfortable homes, and the books they have, the holidays they can plan, the music they hear, the love they have for their wives and children. And I remember the second part of the verse, from the Epistle to the Romans, 'And weep with those that weep.' I am sure that in the West many thousands think of us and try to help us with their prayers.<\/p>\n

Heaping Helping of Intercession<\/span><\/h2>\n

Oh, Lord, may it be so with us! Although, how easy it is for us to rejoice in our own blessings and neglect to weep and intercede for our brothers and sisters who are suffering.<\/p>\n

Pastor Wurmbrand is now with Jesus, but there are still thousands like him today in places like China, Iran, and North Korea. The least we can do is add a heaping helping of intercession to our Christmas spread, fulfilling the command in the book of Hebrews:<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

We are one Body, whether in a Chinese jail, polishing windshields at a Peruvian stoplight, or at home on Christmas Day in the middle of the USA.<\/p>\n

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all this Christmas!<\/p>\n

\"Pachacutec<\/a>

Pachacutec Outreach<\/p><\/div>\n

In Christ,<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nThe West Family<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Seasons Greetings! As this year quickly (and thankfully!) comes to a close, I am amazed to ponder all that God has done through us in such a difficult and uncertain…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":3494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1,4],"tags":[367,165,265,31,121],"class_list":{"0":"post-3962","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-missionary-newsletters","8":"category-uncategorized","9":"category-world-missions","10":"tag-367","11":"tag-ben-deysi-west","12":"tag-december","13":"tag-missionary-newsletter","14":"tag-west","15":"entry"},"title_es":"Bolet\u00edn Oeste: abril de 2020","content_es":"\u00a1Saludos en el precioso nombre de Jes\u00fas!<\/strong> Es un placer estar con socios y amigos para agradecerles personalmente por sus continuas oraciones y su apoyo incondicional. Hemos estado viajando en los Estados Unidos desde el 6 de diciembre de 2018, desde California hasta Carolina del Sur y del Norte. \u00a1Dios es bueno! \u00c9l siempre nos proporciona un lugar para quedarse y un autom\u00f3vil para usar para desplazarnos. Agradecemos a las siguientes iglesias que hemos visitado por su amabilidad, calidez, hospitalidad y generosidad: la Comunidad Internacional de Cristo, los Ministerios Cristianos de Berea, Jes\u00fas es el Se\u00f1or, la Iglesia de la Ciudad Cristiana, la Cruz a la Vida, la Palabra de Vida, la Iglesia Cristiana Filipina, Springfield PH Church, Laurinburg PH Church, Woodville PH Church, Abundant Life Church, Goose Creek PH Church y Brock's Chapel. Nos sentimos honrados y encantados de testificar de la bondad y la fidelidad de Dios. \u00c9l continuamente prospera y bendice el ministerio en Tailandia y los pa\u00edses vecinos (Laos, Vietnam y Myanmar). El 23 de diciembre, 24 budistas recibieron al Se\u00f1or Jes\u00fas durante la celebraci\u00f3n de la Navidad en nuestra iglesia en Don Muang, Bangkok. El 24 y 26 de enero, el pastor Steve Willis y Jim Cox de Valley Harvest Ministries en Virginia llevaron a cabo un seminario de liderazgo en el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n de Misiones Indo-China (Mekong Bible Training Center) en Mae Sai con la ayuda del Pastor Chi Chang, el Pastor Big Laddawan, y los misioneros, Doug y Jill Nelson. Fue un gran seminario al que asistieron 40 l\u00edderes provenientes de Tailandia, Laos, Camboya y Myanmar. El tema de la conferencia fue \"S\u00e9 fiel\". La construcci\u00f3n de la tercera fase del dormitorio en el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n B\u00edblica Mekong y la cafeter\u00eda en el Seminario Teol\u00f3gico de Tailandia est\u00e1n avanzando. Ambos proyectos deben completarse para obtener mejores instalaciones y programas de discipulado efectivos para nuestros estudiantes. Si desea ser parte de este esfuerzo, env\u00ede su contribuci\u00f3n a IPHC WMM, Oklahoma City con el n\u00famero de cuenta del proyecto designado: 74015 para MBTC y 74520 para TTS. Gracias a IPHC WMM, a la subvenci\u00f3n del Proyecto Antioch, a Valley Harvest Ministries en Virginia, a Bible Temple Church en Toledo, Ohio, y al Equipo de Construcci\u00f3n de Cornerstone por apoyar el proyecto MBTC. Agradecemos a nuestro director nacional, el Dr. Wallapa Wisawasukmongchol, por asistir a la sexta Asamblea Mundial en Chile, del 20 al 22 de febrero, para representar a Tailandia. Ella fue animada y tuvo un tiempo maravilloso con hermanos de diferentes partes del mundo. Damos gracias a Dios por su liderazgo. Tuvimos la suerte de participar en los eventos de comidas de la Gran Comisi\u00f3n de Carolina del Norte, dirigidos por Doug Bartlett, que comenzaron el 14 de febrero y se extendieron hasta el 7 de marzo (totalizando 12 reuniones). \u00a1Estas comidas estuvieron llenas de grandes personas, excelentes informes de misioneros, excelente comida, excelente compa\u00f1erismo y una gran oportunidad para que las iglesias se asocien con misioneros! Gracias a los representantes de IPHC WMM, el Dr. Terry Tramel y el Reverendo Brian Nix, por animar a las iglesias a ganar almas para Jes\u00fas en todo el mundo al apoyar a los misioneros y diferentes proyectos. Sus oraciones y amables invitaciones para que vayamos a su iglesia son muy apreciadas. Puede contactarnos al (916)841-7412 o jiepalbert@hotmail.com. Por favor, oren para que podamos cumplir con nuestro presupuesto y regresar al campo en o antes de mediados de junio por otro per\u00edodo de tres a\u00f1os. Que se haga su voluntad. Gracias y que Dios los bendiga a todos.<\/strong> Sus<\/strong><\/em> colaboradores<\/strong><\/em> en Cristo, el<\/strong><\/em> hermano Albert y la hermana Jiep<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0<\/em> Gonzales<\/em><\/strong>\r\n

<\/div>\r\n

<\/h2>","author_name":"Ben, Deysi, Gabriel, Ariel & Abriana West","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/01\/man-in-black-backpack-during-golden-hour-1230302.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-11U","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}