Lovin' Missions

The Smoke of a Thousand Villages

2012-01-16T14:28:00.006-05:00

These past few weeks of visiting the States have been a great time of renewal, rest and fellowship with family, friends and churches; however, this Friday I will begin the journey back to Cusco, Peru--my home now.

As I go back, 2012 looks to be a very intriguing year with so many opportunities. As we have already begun the work in the Quechua community of Ampay, I look to the amazing things that God has in store for that community and it's people, but also to the countless others that are still out there. This is the year that we get to them with the life-changing Message of Jesus, through proclamation and demonstration. We are looking towards a year of supernatural ministry as we are guided by the Holy Spirit into communities, homes and lives.

I love to immerse myself in stories. Especially stories of missionaries from the past. One quote from Robert Moffat (a Scottish missionary to Africa and father-in-law to David Livingstone) has continued to stick with me as we continue to allow God to use us for the Quechua-"I have seen, at different times, the smoke of a thousand villages - villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world." Missions was truly a different world then, but I can imagine Robert sitting on the banks of the Vaal River near his home, looking out across that vast continent and seeing the smoke of villages, some that perhaps he had been to, but many that he hadn't. That charged him up because God had given him such a deep and profound love for those people that he would stop at nothing to see them come to know His Savior. How do I know that? Well, another quote helps paint the true picture of his heart: "Oh, that I had a thousand lives, and a thousand bodies! All of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ to these degraded, despised, yet beloved mortals."

So, that quote continues radiating through my mind and spirit. Why? Because I know that there are just as many villages of the Quechua that are "without Christ, without God and without hope in this world." As with Moffact, that spurs me on. Our vision and declaration over 2012 is this: "The Quechua for Christ!" Declare it with us!

"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. "
-Jesus (John 10:16)

'Til they all hear, Eric

From Spirit-Led, with love...

2011-01-06T10:37:00.002-05:00

Howdy folks! Wanted to share the links for......

Our new full-time outreach packet to the Quechua!

And...our current newsletter for January, 2011! Check it out!

'Til they all hear, Eric

A truly mountain-top experience & more to come...

2010-10-31T23:00:00.002-04:00

July 18, 2006. That date is marked in the back of my pocket Bible, and reminds me of a cold night, high in the Andes--one of the greatest nights of my life.

Beside that date is a name and small commentary: “Erlinda (12 yrs.), Comunidad: Chanta (cerca Limatambo, 2 horas).” All that I have to do is read that entry and my mind traverses over 3,000 miles into the Andes Mountains, to the secluded Quechua community of Chanta.

There had been a small, mud-brick church constructed there in Chanta (This is somewhat of a rarity as many Quechua communities do not have a ‘building,’ or even a meeting, local body of believers). We went there with the local pastor from Limatambo in a bright yellow station wagon to hold a night service. As the powerful sun went down over the mountains welcoming the crisp, cool air, Quechua people could be seen walking, making there way to the small building (some with circa 1970s flashlights in hand). We surveyed the building, greeted the people, and waited for the service to commence.

It started out as an ordinary night, the local minister spoke, our team was presented, and I was able to share the Gospel message. This is when the transfer from ordinary night to “one of the greatest nights” begun to take place. That’s when I met Erlinda. She was the only one to approach us at the end of the service, and the look on her 12 year old face was of one that had truly discovered an amazing treasure-the power of Jesus Christ. Luckily, Erlinda spoke Spanish (not just Quechua), making it easier, and we went through every Scripture from Romans 3:23 to 2 Corinthians 5:15 to make sure that she fully understand salvation, Jesus and what this new life was all about. Then, she prayed to receive Christ. A glorious celebration ensued.

I cannot explain the joy I experienced riding down the mountain in that over-packed station wagon (A situation that I soon would experience many more times). I am not sure exactly why Erlinda’s conversion, specifically, has stuck with me so much over the years. Her name, haphazardly scribbled in the back of my Bible is a constant reminder, though, to pray for her.

Today, Erlinda would be around 16 years old. I haven’t seen her since that cold, miraculous night, but I long to return. I remember praying with her, encouraging her to stay strong and keep seeking Him and praying that I would be able to return one day. It is my prayer that she is growing as a mighty woman of God. A voice for Him on the mountain.

We get wrapped up with many things in life, church and every other aspect of life, but that, my friend, is what it’s all about-lives coming to Him in transformation. That was literally, a mountain top experience in life, and I long for many, many more. That is a place that I am called to, a people I love and that continues to give me determination to see it all through. What is He calling you to? Who are those people around you that need Him?

Sadly, I have forgotten many things that people have told me over the years, but one that continues to stick with me, and sometimes wakes me at night, was told to me by an 85 year old man. His name is Reese and he accompanied me to give out Christmas gifts to Quechua villages in December of 2007. We stopped on the side of the road and gave a Gospel presentation where 10 ladies prayed to receive Christ in a ditch (another awesome experience). As we all got back in the van, tears flowing, Reese stopped in his tracks, turned and looked me straight in the eyes and said, “How can you go back to dispatching (my ex-job) after this?” God used Reese that day, and my answer to that question: “I can’t.”

Tonight in the Andes...What's your 'bit more?'

2009-12-05T23:10:00.001-05:00

“And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” -Mark 13:10

Tonight, I can't help but think of the Andes. I close my eyes and try to go back in my mind, up out of Cusco, out of the Sacred Valley and up higher and higher into the hills. We start passing 11,000 feet, you know, up 'till we start touching the clouds....literally...

That's where my minds at, not so much with the geography, but with the people. The millions and millions of Quechua and Aymara people nestled up high in the Andes. What's going on there tonight? What's going on with 'the forgotten?' Is it cold? Are people hurting? Are they wondering, "is there more to life?" Many don't really know or understand His love for them, His crazy, deep love for them. Many are living in darkness. Few or no Bibles, and even so, many cannot read. There are few to preach, proclaim, disciple, just plain love.

Yet, how much do we hear about Him? We've almost grown cold to it. Why, just in a few hours, I will get up and go to church. I will go to one of 90 something churches within a 30-mile radius, and worship and fellowship and hear about Him. But in the morning, their situation will still be the same. They will not hear. In the words of Pastor K.P. Yohannan, "Believers who have the gospel keep mumbling it over and over to themselves. Meanwhile, millions who have never heard it once fall into the flames of eternal hell without ever hearing the salvation story." We must do everything in our power- pray, learn, support, go!

"'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face -- whose mercy you have professed to obey -- and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.
- William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

So, once again, my mind goes back to that special place. Yes, of course, I know it's not the only place. However, it is a representation of many places around the earth, even some at home. But it does beg the question....the same question that J. G. Morrison begged of people in the 1930s depression era when asking for support of missions..."Can't you do just a little bit more?" Seek God and let's find out what that "bit more" entails...

Daniel 7:13-14
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him…”

Matthew 9:35-38
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

New Website and Newsletter for Spirit-Led!

2008-11-03T22:27:00.000-05:00

Well, we have a great new website for Spirit-Led Expeditions! We will now be releasing a quarterly NEWSLETTER! Whoohoo!

Here is a link to the website as well as the newsletter:
Website: www.spiritledexp.com

Fall '08 Newsletter: http://spiritledexp.com/Fall2008.pdf

We will continue to update and add to the website and be looking for our Winter '08 Newsletter coming soon!