|
So far in the meetings being held in San Salvador we have collectively had around 600 baptisms. Our goal by the end of the week is for 50 and we’ve had ten already, eight are planned for tomorrow night, and the rest should take place Sabbath afternoon.
 Today we actually got to visit in some of the homes of people who are making decisions for or against eternity. We were told, “No watches, no cameras, nothing valuable at all.” I brought a cheap disposable camera anyway. Their concern is for our safety as this is a very bad part of town. My translator (Mario) was very nervous driving into the area. His counsel to me before we left was to have $20 or so on you so that if you are robbed, you will have something to give. He said it will be worse for you if you have nothing. Fortunately, because of your prayers, nothing bad happened to us. We hope that trend continues!
 Our first stop was at a very small house on top of what seemed like a mountain. I should have worn my hiking shoes because we had to hike up to the house. The house was a room about 10 x 10, made of corrugated tin. It does not offer much protection against the elements. The stove is outside and is really just a small grill. They must collect wood and cook their meals in this way. This was a family of five. The father had indicated that he wanted to be baptized. The mother, however, did not. After talking with her for a while, she consented to be baptized. She came to the meetings this evening and did come forward when the call was made. For this I rejoice.
We then visited the church where I will be preaching this Sabbath. It is amazingly small and in bad shape, but it’s a church and it’s where they meet. The members here have been the most faithful at our meetings. The come every night and do the lion’s share of the work in setting up, taking down, helping with the children, attending to the people who come up during the calls, and filling in on the platform when needed. They have not missed even one night. They are exemplary people and very kind as well.
They want to purchase the lot just behind the church. It will cost them about $4,000, which of course they don’t have. They have shared that Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) will help them with a building if they have a lot. I wish I had the money to share – it would be an excellent investment of souls. This group started with nothing, not even a place to meet. Now they have a small place with 50 meeting each week. I may make this my special project. These people are worthy of help.
While there, we prayed with a man who was in a wheelchair due to an automobile accident. Church members (who have nothing) scraped together the money so that he could have a wheelchair.
Our next visit was with the woman, Carolina, of whom I wrote last night. When we walked into her home, there were crafts that Wendy had brought and the kids made hanging up on the walls. Anyway, here is her story. She is 17 and already has one child. Her dad left the family when she was little. Her mom and brothers and sisters have all told her that she’s good for nothing and they don’t want her. She was living on the streets at age 14. She was addicted to drugs and sold herself for food and drugs. She said it was an awful life. The man she’s now living with took her off the street and got her off drugs and is providing a home for her. He does not, however, want to marry her, even though she wants to get married and be baptized. He has no interest in spiritual things and would not even talk with us while we visited. She cannot be baptized while she is living with him and she won’t leave him. She has nowhere else to go and he alone has shown her any kindness in life. They live in something of a hovel, but it is much better than the streets. We can’t ask her to go back to the streets. We have asked her to think through what options she can, and do what is necessary to live for God. Pray that God will show her a workable solution. If there was ever a case where the Holy Spirit is needed to provide an answer, it is this one.
Our next visit was with a woman named Anita. She lives in a house of tin and sticks with little protection from the elements. She has attended the meetings faithfully and has come forward on nearly every call (if not every call). When we asked her if she wanted to be baptized she said, “No.” When we pressed her as to why she said that her mother said it would be the worst decision of her life and that we were wrong in our teachings. Her mother is Catholic. She then said, “And you teach that she is wrong.” She said she doesn’t know what the truth is. We asked if she had a Bible. She said no. The previous woman did not have a Bible, either. We will be purchasing Bibles for both of them before we leave. We encouraged Anita to make her stand for God no matter what her mother’s opinion was. We are praying for Anita to make her choice for God no matter what.
 Our last visit was with two women: Lydia and Veronica. Both women are living with men and are not married. Lydia is 22 and is a Baptist. Veronica is 17 and three months pregnant. Their home is the backdrop to our meetings. They don’t come to the meetings but have listened from their house. They like what they are hearing. Both want to be married. Lydia wants to join the church by profession of faith. Veronica wants to be baptized. They must both get married first. With God’s help, we will talk to their boyfriends on Friday to see if they are willing to marry. In Veronica’s case, because she is only 17, we will also need her mother’s consent to marry. She can have all the kids she wants without her mother’s consent, but to get married, by law, she must have parental consent prior to age 18. We have hope for these two for the future.
We also learned today that there is a rule regarding those who have divorced and the divorce is their fault. They can never be baptized—ever. I’m not sure if this is a Conference, Union, or Division rule, but it has in essence turned divorce (if you’re at fault) into the unpardonable sin. In my opinion, this is utter nonsense. There are some who want to be baptized, but are not allowed to be because of this rule.
Tonight’s meeting was about hell. It went very well and we have a number of people come forward to accept Christ and to be baptized. I am very pleased. God is working. I am watching God work. |
