The messages for Thursday covered the commands, "Thou shalt not kill" and "Thou shalt not bear false witness". Mason taught chapel in the morning, and did an outstanding job of clearly presenting Jesus' teaching on that command about murder. Of course, Jesus equates anger with murder. Mason presented the gospel once again, as he explained that the only genuine way of "anger management" is to have the indwelling Holy Spirit through salvation in Christ.
Our character focus for the day was forgiveness, and in-depth teaching about repentance if you are the offender, and forgiveness if you are the offended. This is new information for the campers, but was such a good reminder for all of us mature Christians. God used it to put us to the test in the evening, and gave us an opportunity to live out His Word and our teaching.
We have one camper who is a live wire, but who professed to be saved. He is an impulsive prankster, and most often acts without thinking. He had been given one last warning earlier in the afternoon, and was to be expelled for one more offense. That offense came in the form of spraying the other guys in the cabin with shaving cream, after getting into a leader's belongings and being told to put it away. He was taken to the ultimate authority (the missionary pastor), who sent him packing.
When we passed by on our way to dinner, he was just leaving the cabin with his belongings. He tearfully came up to me and asked if he could talk with Pablo (the pastor) -- and this is a very tough kid. After discerning that his repentance seemed real, we went to ask the pastor if he would listen to Yoan, and he agreed - as long as no one told him what to say, and he would speak of his own volition. We all agreed that the real proof of repentance would be confession and asking forgiveness of all the group, including leaders. This was all accomplished, and he truly had a new countenance when he came to the evening service. This is one of those kids that will truly be hard to leave, as he goes back to a very difficult family situation where there is no love. I told him that God has great plans for his life, and that I had a son just like him one time (David!!). Please pray that Yoan will grow spiritually through the school and church here.
The evening message by David about not bearing false witness also include much about the tongue, and how it can destroy relationships, families and communities. Once again, the gospel was presented as the only hope for controlling the untameable tongue. A longer invitation was given for the first time this week (having wanted to build the foundation). You could feel the presence of the Spirit, and he was working in lives. One of our prayers was answered as Arturo came to the Lord!! We are all so rejoicing over that! He also comes from a broken home, but lives at a higher standard of living than most of the villagers. His dad is a pilot, and Arturo is very intelligent and articulate (an advanced English student) and a true leader. God has great plans for this young man!
The older guys cabin (including Yoan & Arturo) had an extended time of prayer and sharing after the service. We excused them for having lights out late :-). We also have a situation with some of the older girls, and after a time of counsel are waiting to see if God can break through their hard shells. Please pray for them - God knows their names!
There is a difficult situation in the church that needs urgent prayer. There is a developing relationship between a short term American visitor and a church member. It is a hopeless dead end for both of them, and can only damage the reputations and the ministry. Please pray that God will intervene quickly.
We are bound heart and soul to this place, and it will be difficult to leave the unfinished work and the dire needs. Please pray for the village of Juan Tomas!
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