"To pray is to let Jesus come into our hearts. It is not our prayer which moves the Lord Jesus. It is Jesus who moves us to pray." O. Hallesby
Thank you for being moved by Jesus to pray for the IMPACT group and us the Jackson's these last couple of weeks. You can read some of their own experiences here. They were a great group of students (disciples), willing to go anywhere, do anything at just about anytime. They are a real credit to the CLBI. I was especially impressed by their desire to go out visiting on the streets in a strange place, listening for long periods of time without knowing what's going on. That can be scary and tiring, yet they were eager to do it.
Yesterday in Buenos Aires when we had our testimony and prayer time appreciation was given, in tears, over how good the church looks, and how the kids and even Dan and Leonie Gomez spent so much time on their knees cleaning and painting. Pastor Antonio said that even the folks out in Mascarenas were inspired to make and sell food to earn money to improve their church.
They were also a blessing to my family. This was the first time our Michelle has seen a group of youth on fire for Jesus. She cracked us up when she first discovered that Canada was not part of the USA ("but they look like Gringos." Gringo is a Latin American term for a white foreigner, especially for Americans). Gracie of course is very much at home with groups like this, growing up around this sort of thing. Cesar, nonstop questions about who, what, and why they're here.
Our brother Alfonso had some bad news from the doctors office on Thursday. They said his kidneys are bad and that it's terminal. He is seeking another opinion, but it doesn't sound good. He is a trooper though, and says he'll continue to serve the Lord until He takes him home. His own words, "the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord!" And that with a big grin. Praise God!
Pastor Antonio wants to start visitations with Alfonso and I, so he asked if we would preach once a month each to free him up to come. So, I will preach this coming Sunday there. I also have been invited by Pastor Paul in Tucson to preach a bilingual message this Saturday with the hopes that they will be able to reach out to the Hispanics in the neighborhood and even had Spanish services in the future.
Thank you all for your prayers. I hope to work on our website soon. Sorry it is soooo far out of date. Your friends and fellow workers,
Darwin, Mary Ann, and Gracie Jackson (Michelle and Cesar too!)
