Below you will find the newsletter for the month of November. (Last month said this that should have been October)
The pictures are included in the newsletter in the .pdf form which is attached.
Please let me know if you have any trouble viewing it.
In our precious Saviour Jesus Christ,
Jonathan
. . . To Live is Christ . . .
Phil 1:21
Visiting Pueblos (Villages) Oct 19th - 24th:
-
Ministry: The week started off early Monday morning as I got into a pickup that would take me to San Hilarion where Brother Augusto lived. Throughout the week, Brother Augusto and I went on his motorcycle from pueblo to pueblo. Sometimes we spent the night at his home and other times elsewhere. It was a time filled with meeting pastors and believers in the villages. Also, I was privileged to see Brother Augusto at work as an encourager and edifier. The open houses and visiting reminded me of Bible times when the disciples were sent out. Throughout the trip many were very hospitable, and often, a meal was eaten at each stop. Above is Brother Augusto, his wife and two of his six children.
On Monday a good portion of time was with Augusto's brother, a pastor of one year, who was serving in Chimbote. Tuesday found us mostly in Paujilzapa were Brother Augusto preached and where we spent the night. On Wednesday, we got sunburned from all our time on the motorcycle as we visited more villages. I even got to see part of an adobe house construction project. Brother Augusto's wife and family were very very kind to me. We spent several meals together. Thursday found us headed to Nueva Lima. On the way, we visited a family in Bellavista. Here Brother Augusto encouraged the wife of Brother Milton. Because she has migraines, Brother Augusto encouraged her by using some of the things his own wife was going through as an illustration. We also visited the pastor of the two churches in Nueva Lima. The picture to the left is me with the pastor of Nueva Lima to the left of me, and a native missionary, Pedro, to the right of me. That night we spent in the quarter of a brother while he slept someplace else, hospitality abounded, he had given up own bed. On Friday, we rose early to visit two more villages, and passed back through Bellavista again, visiting the same family there. Their son knew some English - what a gift during a week where almost all communication was in Spanish! We went to Juanjui and Zaposoa before returning to San Hilarion that night. That evening we got to see Brother Eulogio indicate that he wanted to follow God once again! The joy of this was evidenced on so many faces! I came back home Saturday morning with my new mascot (shown in this picture) who was soon to become Marcos, Lucas, and Sarah's bunny. I also returned with a better understanding of Spanish and culture in the pueblos. I have much to learn from their hospitality. God was saying throughout the time, "listen, listen, listen." I want to listen to their hearts, to the Spanish, and to more. Are we listening daily to those around us?
-
Culture: Here is a cultural setting in the pueblos: The rain is falling outside, and a few chickens have huddled under a motorcycle for some shelter. The ground squishes under your feet as you cautiously step toward a shelter. You approach a little area with a fence of sorts and a few people linger outside. You enter a rough shelter. The doors hang on their hinges at different angles. You enter the dark room and are given a chair near the back. Next to you are some bags with clothing - perhaps this is like a dresser. You sit down and so does Brother Augusto. He lets the man of the house (you suppose) listen to a DVD for a bit. On the way in you saw a 12-volt car battery on the floor below a table that holds the DVD player. Nearby is a boom-box (radio). By rigging the DVD player to the battery and using the boom-box, those that live in this shelter with no electricity can listen to DVDs! The ingenuity in the jungle is striking. The importance of entertainment is apparent, and the lack of wealth is revealed. And yet the door was open for us to come in and sit down out of the rain. This is life in some parts of the hilly jungles of Peru.
Spanish with Frank:
-
Learning: My Spanish comprehension is increasing bit by bit. Some days it seems there is so much more to learn of grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Recently we looked at 4 past tenses in Spanish. A bright spot in these studies - besides grasping more and more - is often reading the Bible in Spanish with my teacher.
-
Opportunity: A while back, Delwin suggested reading the Bible in Spanish with my teacher, Frank. Since that time we have completed reading through San Juan (John) and now started into Hechos (Acts). I'm encouraged when Frank asks questions or when there are opportunities to explain from the Word of God or what something means. One of these times was explaining the phrase, “It is finished.” It does not just mean Jesus died. It also refers to His work related to paying for sin which was completed on the cross. Praise be to God that sin is paid for! Have you receive that payment by believing in Jesus Christ alone? (John 1:12) Do you trust that He is God? Do you trust that He died for your sins? Or are you rejecting Jesus? Do Please pray for my wisdom to know when to share. Sometimes I feel that the excitement of wanting to explain the Word of God causes me say too much, and other times I feel like I don't say enough. God has also caused my Spanish learning to progress to a new level. First, I got to teach at the Bible Institute, and now God has given me preaching/teaching opportunities in Spanish on the same series in the church. Praise to God!
Teaching/Preaching in Spanish:
This past Sunday, November 8th, I preached (in a teaching format) my first sermon in front of the church in Spanish. Praise be to God for this step forward in my language knowledge! Please pray for my clarity in Spanish, that the message of salvation in Jesus Christ would come across very clearly. Lord willing, I will be teaching/preaching for the next 4 Sundays. Thank you so much for bringing the ministry here before God in prayer, and for your continued provision to the ministry.
Praise & Prayer on the next page. . .
Praise & Prayer:
-
Praise and prayer for strength, encouragement and health day by day in ministry.
-
Please pray for provision for Augusto and his family and their health.
-
Delwin teaching at a Pastor's Conference 19th – 21st. Lord willing I will be going along as well, to be with the brothers in Christ and to learn more.
-
I need God's direction in sharing in churches, with families, and other places during February 5th through May/June 2010. If you know of any interest please let me know. Also God's direction in another very important area as well.
Your little brother in Jesus Christ,
Jonathan G. Koehn
Brother Augusto and myself at the bocatoma
(where a canal starts).
-- Jonathan G. Koehn serving in the San Martín Project in Peru. Serving God with http://www.tentmakersbiblemission.org If God has directed you to support please go to https://tentmakers.webconnex.com/giving/southamerica Skype: jonathan.g.koehn Facebook: Jonathan G. Koehn Email: Jonathan@customgraphicwork.com Website: http://jonathankoehn.customgraphicwork.com ----If you would like to be removed ----from my emailing please let me know, ----thank-you.
