Since the Sonrise EFC Evangelism Team visited Montana during Thanksgiving week, we have been working with the local Christians to follow-up with those who made decisions for Christ. There have been many challenges along the way, not the least of which was our bout with Dengue Fever coupled with the Christmas holidays in which everyone is either extremely busy or gone to visit family in other parts of the island.Previous to this fall's evangelism efforts, there was a women's Bible study meeting, a kid's club (some of the kids are pictured with Rick in front of the church) on Saturdays and regular services on Sunday. There were a few new believers that we began to work with in preparing for the evangelism week. Currently there are two new Bible studies going on in lower Montana. This area is some walking distance on the two lane highway from the church in upper Montana. Both are lead by Ramona, a resident of the area. One Bible study is for the workers of the Racquetball club neighborhood. The other is for those living along the main road and is held at the home of a faithful believer.
The women's Bible study has started trying a new study method which encourages shared leadership through guided discussion of a progression of Scripture passages. We are borrowing this idea from some research we did on the web looking for a group Bible study method that doesn't depend on imported materials or a high reading ability. Basically we read the passage and ask 5 questions:
While Montana had some Bible studies and now has recently started new ones, from what we understand, there has never been a Bible study for men. The most obvious reason for this is the lack of men in the church. Culturally, women are expected to be more "spiritual" and see to the spiritual upbringing of the children. Often, the men are on the sidelines. This is a big area of prayer for all of Latin America. Pray for a revival among the men. The churches need strong believing men and women.
Rick and Damaso, a Dominican who attends the Jarabacoa church, have begun going out to Montana with the desire to start an evangelistic Bible study for men. They have been out there a few times, working to build relationships. What we thought would start on the February 13, is now planned to start in February 20. We feel pretty certain that 3 men will be there for the first study. Two are believers, one of them came to Christ in the fall, and the third is seeking. One of them attends the church every so often and the other two have never attended the church. Our studies will meet each week in a different house (they are all within a blocks distance). Last night, as I sat with all three of them at a Valentines meal, my new friend who is seeking volunteered his house for our meeting. We feel good and thankful to God for the progress so far. Things move slow here, but then, if someone wanted to start a Bible study in your neighborhood with men who don't attend church, it might not be a simple phone call to the different men.
In addition, Rick has been talking with a lady named Ingrid about creating a Bible study for the young people (ages 15-25). Ingrid lives in Montana and has some boys in that age group. Her house is the place in lower Montana in which many of the young people "hang out". In November, she spoke to us about helping her start a Bible study with the young people. So, we plan to help her with this.
In early December, we were somewhat frustrated with our role here. We felt called of God to be here, but didn't feel like we had found our place and we didn't see how we could have any impact. One day, Rick realized that the best thing he can do, is to daily say to God, "I am here, I am yours, take me and work through me however you see fit." It is a simple prayer of availability and dependence for God to work. Since then, we feel God has been shaping our work. We came here with a desire to be a part of equipping Dominicans for ministry. And now, we are seeing some places in which we can do just that. We know it won't be easy but we are faithful that God is bigger and better than any challenge we will face. He knows today what those will be and all we can do is make ourselves available to Him as He walks us through the easy and tough times.
- What do you like about the passage?
- What don't you like about the passage?
- What don't you understand about the passage?
- What does the passage teach you about God?
- What can you do this next week, as a result of what you learned about God and His wisdom for our life?
While Montana had some Bible studies and now has recently started new ones, from what we understand, there has never been a Bible study for men. The most obvious reason for this is the lack of men in the church. Culturally, women are expected to be more "spiritual" and see to the spiritual upbringing of the children. Often, the men are on the sidelines. This is a big area of prayer for all of Latin America. Pray for a revival among the men. The churches need strong believing men and women.
Rick and Damaso, a Dominican who attends the Jarabacoa church, have begun going out to Montana with the desire to start an evangelistic Bible study for men. They have been out there a few times, working to build relationships. What we thought would start on the February 13, is now planned to start in February 20. We feel pretty certain that 3 men will be there for the first study. Two are believers, one of them came to Christ in the fall, and the third is seeking. One of them attends the church every so often and the other two have never attended the church. Our studies will meet each week in a different house (they are all within a blocks distance). Last night, as I sat with all three of them at a Valentines meal, my new friend who is seeking volunteered his house for our meeting. We feel good and thankful to God for the progress so far. Things move slow here, but then, if someone wanted to start a Bible study in your neighborhood with men who don't attend church, it might not be a simple phone call to the different men.
In addition, Rick has been talking with a lady named Ingrid about creating a Bible study for the young people (ages 15-25). Ingrid lives in Montana and has some boys in that age group. Her house is the place in lower Montana in which many of the young people "hang out". In November, she spoke to us about helping her start a Bible study with the young people. So, we plan to help her with this.
In early December, we were somewhat frustrated with our role here. We felt called of God to be here, but didn't feel like we had found our place and we didn't see how we could have any impact. One day, Rick realized that the best thing he can do, is to daily say to God, "I am here, I am yours, take me and work through me however you see fit." It is a simple prayer of availability and dependence for God to work. Since then, we feel God has been shaping our work. We came here with a desire to be a part of equipping Dominicans for ministry. And now, we are seeing some places in which we can do just that. We know it won't be easy but we are faithful that God is bigger and better than any challenge we will face. He knows today what those will be and all we can do is make ourselves available to Him as He walks us through the easy and tough times.
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