I have spoken of Jose Manuel before. He is a man who is working with one of our missionaries and is leading several groups. A few days ago he suffered a mild heart attack. Well, I suppose it was mild. They called the ambulance early in the night, and then called the missionary who works with him. That missionary lives a good hour away. He went to the house...and beat the ambulance there...says something about emergency service here. Anyway, he stayed at the hospital that night and went home the next morning.
Jose is now back in full swing, but still needs our prayers.
A few months ago a volunteer group worked in a little village called Buena Vista. Several people were interested in a Bible study, so one was started. They are now functioning as a church and meeting regularly for worship and study. This is what makes us happy.
It's really amazing how many people express interest in studying the Bible. The Bible isn't a new and strange thing to folks here, but they're not familiar with it at all generally. They revere it, but don't know what it says. They are not encouraged to study the Bible, being told that the priest will tell them what they need to know.
One lady who is in an English class that Mitzi teaches related that several years ago she decided that she was going to find out for herself what the Bible said about things she had been taught. She began to read and, of course, found that some things weren't as she had believed. However, that is rare.
By the way, it seems that God is opening some doors through those English classes. Mitzi teaches an advanced class, so they are able to speak pretty well in English, and are beginning to have some good discussions about what the Bible says and "religious" issues.
Pray that we will be able to discern what areas and towns God is leading to and how to best reach people for Him.
