A Good Friday Reflection

They came to a place called Golgotha a place whose name means “The Place of the Skull.” As I understand it, there’s a hill outside Jerusalem presumed to be the place where crucifixions took place. The side of this hill has a few caves that create a skull-like image. It’s not a place to go for a picnic. Going to Golgotha was not a joyous occasion. Golgotha was a place of death. 

Then they divided his clothes. As if being beaten, whipped, mocked, and having nails driven through his hands and feet weren’t enough, they stripped him of any dignity that might remain. They take his clothes. They had already done this early that morning, but that time they placed a robe around him, along with a crown of thorns on his head. 

They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet robe. They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him: “Hail, king of the Jews!” Then they spat on him, took the staff, and kept hitting him on the head. Matthew 27: 28-30

The chief priests, the scribes, the elders, they all mocked Jesus saying, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He trusts in God; Let God rescue him now.” The criminals taunted him. Look to Jesus and find grace. 

Jesus was stripped of his dignity by the Roman guards. He was mocked and chastised by the chief priests and the Sanhedrin. He was taunted by the other criminals. He was deserted by his friends. And as he was on the cross, even the sun itself went dark…for three hours. 

From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. (Matt 27:45)

This was no solar eclipse…eclipses don’t last for three hours. This was more than that. It was more than a natural event. It was supernatural. That is…it was beyond nature. As Paul shares in Romans 8, when sin entered the world through Adam, the entirety of creation became tainted. 

So here on the cross, we have the sinless Son of God taking on the sin of the whole world. My sin and your sin. The Light of the World bore the full weight of sin, which is so dark and so heavy that not even the sun will shine. Stripped, mocked, chastised, and abandoned by Romans, by the Jews, by his friends, by nature…and then we read this: 

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemásabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matt. 27:46)

Do you understand? Do I understand? Why? What had Jesus done to deserve this? I thought God was a God of justice. This seems the most unjust thing that could ever happen. How can a man, who knew no sin, die on a cross? But this question only scratches the surface, for I can conceive of wrongful death. I can conceive of planted evidence, a case of framing an enemy, a jury that’s been bribed. But this is more. God himself has turned his back on Jesus. The Father has abandoned the Son. 

So let me ask again, “Where is the justice?” But let me counter that with another thought…the Bible also tells us that God’s mercy is everlasting. So we serve a God who is completely and wholly just yet who is full of mercy. How can this be? If God is just and merciful, how can it be then that Jesus was unjustly, mercilessly beaten, chastised, abandoned, and crucified?

God is just. Make no mistake about that. God is just and sin must be punished. To put the world in order, to make the world right, sin must be abolished. Paul in Romans tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” So, when the sin of the world was placed on Christ, He had to die. God is just. But there’s more. 

God is merciful. Just as fervently, here I stand. God is merciful. Jesus took my place. It should have been me. I am the sinner. We all are the sinners. Again Paul is helpful, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus took my place. God is merciful.

God’s justice and God’s mercy are perfectly satisfied in the simple statement, “Jesus died.” Look to Jesus and find grace.

The Bible also speaks of forgiveness. How does forgiveness work? To forgive is to absorb the pain, the hurt, to absorb the offense. My sin and your sin was credited to him so that he then absorbs the wrath that was due us. The wrath of God is poured out on all sin and ungodliness. The wrath of God was satisfied on the cross, as Jesus took the sin of the world on his shoulders. The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” 

In a grand cosmic display, God’s perfect justice collides with God’s unending mercy on the cross of Jesus so that you and I may be forgiven of our sins. 

I don’t deserve it. You don’t deserve it. Jesus didn’t deserve it. But this is grace. 

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. (Matt 27:47-50)

Jesus, abandoned by most of his friends, mocked by society, and forsaken by God, Jesus breathed his last. Look to Jesus and find grace. 

When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released.So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen,and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb. (Matt 27:57-61)

Jesus was crucified. His lifeless body sealed in a tomb. Jesus is dead. It’s good to stay here…but not for long. 

In the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, two friends discuss the ethics of theft. The exchange is lighthearted and amusing yet surprisingly enlightening. 

Pete: You miserable little snake! You stole from my kin!
Ulysses Everett McGill: Who was fixin’ to betray us.
Pete: You didn’t know that at the time.
Ulysses Everett McGill: So I borrowed it until I did know.
Pete: That don’t make no sense!
Ulysses Everett McGill: Pete, it’s a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart.

We live in a post-modern world, where truth is relative. What’s true for you may not be true for me. You can have your own truth. In fact, the only truth is – there is no truth. Validation is rooted more in feelings than facts. Of course, no one really believes this. Even those who profess to adhere to this no-truth claim don’t live by it. They can’t. Just try to injure them or offend them. They are sure to point out that you shouldn’t or can’t do…that. I hope you see the failed logic of such thinking. 

Examples:
1. Use someone’s biological pronoun instead of the preferred, chosen one.
2. State that gender and biological sex are synonymous.
3. Make the exclusive statement that only women can become pregnant.

These statements, whether declared emphatically or, as in some instances, merely suggested, can trigger progressive, post-moderns into a tantrum. In bursts of outrage, you might be met with alternative language like “birthing person” or “people with the capacity of pregnancy.” You may also be told you have any number of phobias. 

But it gets even more bizarre. While speaking about biology and biological facts might be labeled hate speech, apparently speaking up in favor of a federally recognized terrorist organization falls under the protections of “free speech.” Yes, I’m speaking of Hamas and the pro-Palestinian rallies on some of our college campuses. I’m also speaking about much of the same language used by some of our elected officials! I’m not a legal expert, but this seems…treasonous. 

Pete was right, “That don’t make no sense.”

Now to be clear, I believe we can be, should be, pro-human (including Palestinians) while simultaneously decrying the actions, the ideologies of terrorists (including Hamas). We are to champion human life, ALL human life because, as Genesis tells us, all humans are created imago dei, in the image of God. At the same time, we denounce evil. So what do we do with evil people? 

But now we’ve come full circle. Who’s to say what is evil? What is “right” or “wrong?” The same terrorist groups, condemned by the US and our allies, believe the barbaric atrocities, the inhuman slaughterings of children, are good, right, and honorable. So who is right? A postmodern worldview has to conclude that neither side is right and yet both are right. Perhaps it is right for them in the moment. So what are we to do?

A biblical worldview is helpful here. We begin by recognizing the Bible’s teaching that every person has a predisposition toward evil because all of creation is now under the curse of sin. The end result of sin is death. Sin and death lead to broken lives, despair, and emptiness. People are longing for love, acceptance, worth, and security. God created us to be in perfect unity with him. Sin messed that relationship up, separating us from God. Our hearts are dark. Our minds are corrupt. This is where Ulysses was right, “…it’s a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart.”

You and I, and everyone else, have broken fellowship with God and can do nothing to resolve that. But, “Praise God!” Jesus DID do something about it. He paid the penalty I owed for the life I lived. He took my sin and gave me his righteousness. He took my broken life and made me whole. He took my despair and game me hope. He took my emptiness and filled me. He took my death and gave me eternal life! He changed my heart, my affections, my worship. I want to do what’s right. It doesn’t mean I have been made perfect, but the perfect One’s blood covers my sin. My heart has been renewed.

While it might sound nice to suggest there is no truth, the truth is, you can’t live that way. There must be truth or the whole universe collapses. There is truth and the truth holds many applications in our world. Out of truth flows justice and justice is established by right and wrong, fair and unfair. Additionally, an objective, moral standard exists. The God of the Bible is the moral standard and the good news about his Son is the only thing that can renew our minds and change our hearts. The gospel is the only truth where someone confused about who they are can find love, acceptance, and security. The gospel is the only power that can stop groups like Hamas. The truth is, the only message that can change a human heart is the message of Jesus Christ, son of the living God.

July 27, 2023

This morning we made our way north toward Quito into the city of Pujilí to observe a medical clinic and meet Pastor Felix Torres. This was day 4 for the medical clinic with 6 doctors, 3 dentists, 2 pharmacists, and many nurses, translators, and other volunteers. Most of the medical professionals came from a partnering church in Shreveport, LA. They have been coming once per year for about 17 years. Everybody who was seen at the clinic was given a gospel presentation using the evangecube, a New Testament, and a gospel tract. They were then triaged (blood pressure, temperature, questionnaire, etc.) before moving on to a deworming station. Standard procedure is everyone receives deworming medication once every six months unless there are complicating factors. The patients then tried on reading glasses and/or sunglasses. Many were able to see clearly for the first time in years. The next stop was in the doctor’s office who could prescribe certain medications. They would take their scripts to the pharmacy and be on their way unless there was a need to visit the dentist upstairs. Three dentists were working this week, 2 filled cavities while one other did extractions (25 by 10:30 AM). By Wednesday (day 3), they had seen 1500 patients. All heard the gospel and had the chance to respond and all who responded will be followed up with next week. Simply amazing! 

Oftentimes, one of the more difficult logistical hurdles is finding a space for the clinic. The facility being used this week is the meeting place for the local chauffeur association. The owner of the property told the clinic he would not charge rent because he knew this would be a good thing for the community. As it turns out, he also heard the gospel…and…is also now a believer! God is good. 

We came back to the Patate for lunch about 1:00 and then had some down time at the camp. This afternoon, we went back into Patate to visit the Catholic Church, Señor del Terremoto or Lord of the Earthquake. The church’s teaching is blended with local pagan deities and Mary is idolized. Chris wanted us to go back over to Baños to visit the larger Catholic Church there, also. Upon arrival, we noticed they had just started 6:00 mass, but the doors were open to visitors.

Immediately upon entering, I noticed Mary’s prominence in the church. Paintings and depictions all around the sanctuary made it clear that people must pray the rosary to gain access to Mary and then pray to Mary to gain access to Christ. Many paintings attributed local miracles to Mary. Another showed Mary crushing Satan under her feet as she stomped on his head. Still another showed Mary with a scale of justice in her hand enthroned over what appeared to be tormented people in purgatory. Jesus was always shown in a defeated state, mostly on the cross but in one painting a dejected Jesus, seated with his head in his hands, saying, “What more could I have done?” There was even a station that showed Jesus’ body in a casket. 

I felt myself becoming angry. Is this what Jesus felt when he called the Pharisees a brood of vipers? There may have been 100 in the congregation and I wanted so badly to tell them to read their Bibles but — no one had a copy of God’s Word with them. How can people be so blind? Can’t they just read the words of the Bible? How can the “church” leaders live with themselves, deceiving people in the name of King Jesus! 

To preach the gospel here, salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, is such a greater work because of the perversion of Catholic doctrine. The veil is torn. Jesus is the Great High Priest. He, alone, is our mediator. His blood is sufficient. I am saved by grace through faith, not of works. Mary has no more to do with my salvation than the llama that roams this campground. It’s Jesus, only Jesus. 

I could be wrong, but from what I understand, the IMB considers this area as a reached people group. I don’t have anything official, but my observation and estimation is less than 2% are true believers.

July 26, 2023

“Buenos Dias!” That’s what I said to Bob on this warm, muggy morning as I navigated the moss covered rocks down the short, steep trail to take a look at the river before breakfast. He must have wanted to look at the river also. What’s he doing? Why is wringing his clothes out? Did he wash his clothes in the river? Oh wow, that’s not Bob. Anyway, the man in his boxer shorts, wringing out his clothes was friendly enough to offer a “Buenos Dias” in reply. 

I made my way back up from the river just in time to meet Don and Bob for breakfast. Then we all checked out and loaded the van to attend a worship service at UNPES, the jungle camp we toured yesterday. As we pulled in, however, Luke (8 month old) was especially fussy and really needed a nap. So, we decided to skip the worship service and go on to our lunch stop in Puyo. We were going to be early so we stopped at the Nate Saint House, which serves as a conference center and museum memorializing the five US missionaries that gave their lives taking the gospel to the unreached people group, Huaorani, in the jungles of Ecuador. Jim Elliot famously said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Wow!

The museum was closed but we thought we might peek through the windows. Across the street was a hangar and airstrip. The air strip, now paved, was the same one that served the mission team and pilot Nate Saint. As we were hanging around the house a young lady, Maddie, walked up. The Yancey’s greeted her and we chatted for a bit. She is the curator of the museum and offered to open it up for us. I have always loved this story but walking through the museum was fascinating. Before we left, Maddie’s husband walked over and Bob, Don, and Marcos began talking planes and avionics, etc. etc. Marcos is the airplane mechanic at the hangar and works with Mission Aviation Fellowship. Soon enough, he offered for everyone to walk over to the hangar and learn more about the mission work still happening out of that air strip. 

They are currently down to only one pilot but are looking to hire at least two more. They make trips into the jungle to deliver supplies everyday. Sometimes it’s supplies for Compassion International children. They also work with the Ecuadorian government to fly extraction missions for medical emergencies. We also learned there is a large area where Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru meet that is off limits. The governments will not allow anyone to fly into these regions. The assumption is there are dozens of people groups who have never been contacted by the outside world. They are living in the jungle, just as they have been for thousands of years. 

How do we get the gospel to them? What can I do? 

Stop now and pray. Don’t keep reading until you have prayed for these people. 

After lunch, we continued our climb up the mountains to the city of Baños. There’s a beautiful waterfall that comes down into the town. This town is situated in the primary vein of the Andes, near the continental divide. Since we were stopped, I just had to use the baño in the city of Baños. (Probably on funny to English speakers with sophomoric humor.) We tried to tour the Catholic church but it was closed due to a Feast of Jesus’ Grandparents. I’m not sure if that was Jesus from the Bible or a very prominent Jesus (Hay-Soos) from Baños. So, we traveled on to the mountain camp, Chacauco. Chris and his family have lived in one of the cabins for four years.

When we arrived a Chacauco, Chris took us on a tour of the campus. We saw cabins; dorms; dining hall; basketball, volleyball, and pickle ball courts; former location of the prayer chapel; new prayer chapel; a squatter’s house; worship center; lots of gorgeous flowers; a Llama named Fernanda; Yancey’s soon-to-be-completed house; and God gave us a beautiful sunset to highlight to volcano in the distance. There’s an incredible story about God’s providence and faithfulness in acquiring the land for this campus…but that will have to wait until a another day. After we returned from dinner, we got a chance to look up at the sky and see the Cruz del Sur, or Southern Cross constellation.

I still can’t get over, not just unreached people groups, but un-touched people groups. When I look around and see God’s glory displayed in the mountains, the rivers, the volcano, the flowers, I am reminded…none of these bear God’s image, only humans were created Imago Dei. That’s why we’re here. I am on this earth to proclaim the gospel to God’s image bearers. That’s my purpose. What’s your’s? 

Today we met the rest of the Yancey family. We started out with a good breakfast at the hotel. I don’t typically eat wontons and fried plantains for breakfast but I did today. The best part was the coffee and the fresh pineapple. We checked out and headed down to the valley which also means down into the jungle. The elevation near the airport in Quito is about 9,000 feet. This morning was nice and cool and dry! Then we began our climb over the mountains before descending into the valley. We climbed close to 12,000 feet before stopping for lunch at Puerto Mono in Puerto Misahualli: potato soup, grilled pork chop, rice, beans, and jugo jamaica.

After lunch we checked into our hotel, Banana Lodge, and dropped off Madeline, Gloria, Levi, and Luke for afternoon naps. By the way, the altimeter now reads about 1300 feet, the thermometer is several Celcius notches higher, and the hygrometer only reads 100% because that’s as high as it’s capable. Chris took Bob, Don, and me over to the jungle camp, UNPES, to observe a typical youth summer camp. The youth check in on Sunday evening and camp runs from Monday breakfast through Wednesday lunch. (Madeline had told us earlier today that some of the kids, from the same tribe that Jim Elliot and Nate Saint tried to reach, have walked 17 hours in the jungle just to arrive at camp on Sunday night. Parents sent their kids off through the jungle, not on a well worn path, but just through the jungle to go to summer church camp. The same jungle with anacondas, jaguars, etc. Wow!) Anyway, back to camp UNPES. Chris showed us the soccer field, swimming pool, kitchen, dining hall, and training area for pastor and church leaders. Then we made our way to the arena where all the teens were gathered for worship. We heard them sing a few songs but the excitement was all about the race…

The teens were divided into 4 teams, rojo, amarilljo, azul, y verde. There were about 75 students on each team. The teams were released in 10 minute increments to compete against the clock. We got to watch part of the race. When it was time to go, the teenagers would sprint uphill to a water balloon station. Only these were no tennis ball-sized water balloons; they were at least the size of volleyballs and players had to bust them by hugging each other. Next they head to the pool to look for rocks on the bottom. Kids had zero regard for clothing, zero, though some did take their shoes off. Many jumped in with bluejeans, dresses, etc. I’m not exactly sure which route was next but they had to climb a muddy hill with a rope, army crawl downhill under tires buried in mud, run through the jungle, crawl in the mud under a system of ropes, and climb a utility pole to reach the prize at the top. I noticed some never put their shoes back on after the pool. What a crazy sight! And all the smiles and laughter!

Before we left, we met Pastor Jorge. He’s a pastoral giant in my book. He has planted over 35 churches and the one he leads now has planted 15. He looks to train up men from within his own congregation and send them to be pastors at new church plants. He also looks within his own church to fulfill ministry positions. He says the benefit is you already know the character and work ethic, you know their doctrine, you know their family. When you hire someone from outside the church, you don’t really know what kind of man you’re hiring. I told him I loved that model and wished more churches in America would do this.

After our tour of the camp concluded we met back up with the rest of the Yancey family and headed toward the boat dock on Rio Napo. We went down river (a couple miles?) to a village that, until recently, was only accessible by boat. There’s a museum and zoo there where you can learn about the indigenous people. Our tour guide, Byron, knows Spanish, Quechua, and is learning English. His father-in-law is pastor of the local church but has been sick recently. This has left Byron to lead the church but he admitted he knows he is not a pastor. He asked for prayer before we left and expressed a desire to work with the jungle camp. Our canoe returned just before dark.

We concluded the evening at a nice restaurant sitting outdoors along with the monkeys. After my milanesa, I found some ice cream. Now back at Banana Lodge, it’s time for a shower and some sleep. Tomorrow we leave the jungle to go back to the mountains with cooler temps, lower humidity, fewer bugs, and less oxygen.

Bob. Don. BJ. We left the church about 1:30 this afternoon. Ten hours of travel later, we’ve arrive at the hotel for our first night in Quito. Nothing too extraordinary happened today, other than I woke up in the middle of summer and now it’s time for a nap in the middle of winter.

It’s nice traveling with retired pilots who know the best places to park. Also, the TSA security line was incredibly short. The flight was a little slower than anticipated but still faster than I could have walked here, so no complaints. Hopefully we all get the rest we need for the coming week.

Chris met us at the airport in Quito and helped us get to the hotel. His family traveled to the city but were already at the hotel. We get to meet them at breakfast tomorrow morning and share all the toys and treats from FBC Senoia.

After breakfast, we head down into the valley, into the jungle, to tour camp UNPES. It’ll take a few hours to get to the camp where we will have lunch and observe some of their activities. Mid-afternoon includes a canoe ride on Rio Napo to visit some other areas.

I will be 43 this year and this is the first full day of my life in which Roe v Wade is not the law of the land. I have friends who are overwhelmed with joy, others who are sad, and others still who are enraged. Those who are celebrating do so because they have prayed for and with young pregnant women; counseled young mothers-to-be who are scared; given or donated to countless entities who come alongside and provide care and assistance; adopted, fostered, or supported those who have; given respite care to young mothers who just needed a break; and have seen the joy that a newborn brings. The ones celebrating, at least the ones I know personally, understand love, grace, and mercy. They understand that while mistakes happen, babies are not mistakes. Children bring hope and promise of new life and joy. They are indeed a gift from God. (Psalm 127:3)

From those who are sad and/or angry, I have observed various justifications. “The doctor’s office is too small for a woman, a doctor, and the government.” “I’m not pro-baby killing. I am pro-(insert mother’s name here.)” With these arguments and those similar, I would simply argue, there is at least one more person to consider. And this is where I think the real argument lies. My understanding is life begins at conception and that life is therefore entitled to all the liberties actually provided in the Constitution. Again, when it comes to this argument, I frame it very similarly to the argument against slavery. That slave is a human, not property of its “owner” and deserves every right and protection. I believe everyone, every race, every age, every ability, every human is created by God and in the image of God.

Oftentimes, another argument follows: “If a ‘group of cells’ in the womb is protected then let’s begin child support payments during pregnancy” (or something similar) Simply put…I don’t have a problem with that. In some cases, perhaps a paternity test would need to be established so the right guy is paying, but so what? This would actually be more inline with traditional Christian orthodoxy. The man, the father, cares for his child and the mother of his child. The Bible has a word about this also. (1 Timothy 5:8)

I try to not be lead by my emotions. Rather, I wish to be lead by rational thought. My emotions can cloud my thinking. However, if my emotions accompany, well that just makes life all the more interesting. So yes, today, I am celebrating. I am not happy that “women have had rights taken away.” Rather, I am happy that children will have a chance. I also know that the church, and Christians I know, will continue to support families and champion life. It may take some time, but I pray those who are outraged today will one day see this as a great time in our history.

Due to COVID hitting our household, my family and I were unable to attend church recently. No worries, we’ll just find a good service streaming online. We did. It was great. Some of us were sill in our PJ’s but we each grabbed our Bibles and settled in. The music was upbeat and lively. The lyrics rich in theology and doctrine. The sermon was expository and challenging. I found myself praying for the pastor as he shared his heart, his vision for his church.

But something was…off. It just didn’t feel right. And it had nothing to do with what was on the screen. Actually, I think it was the fact that it was on a screen. Church is the body of Christ. Imagine a part of your body, say your foot, deciding to never join with the rest of your body. Not only would your foot eventually die from not being joined to your body, but your body would not function properly. Something would be missing. That may be a gross parallel, but it’s fitting.

The internet, the information superhighway, has brought us some wonderful things. Ideas. Networking. Research…My kids have no idea what a card catalogue is or why library books have weird numbers and letters on the spine. In an instant, I can open up peer-reviewed articles and any number of books from authors who are experts in their fields of study.

When I want to know something, I just ask the good folks over at Google or, my preference, DuckDuckGo. When I see an actor in a movie and I can’t remember where I’ve seen him before, I just open up my phone and in about 3 clicks, I now know what I didn’t just 10 seconds prior.

You get the idea. I am afraid though, that content has replaced community. I can read about WW2, but that will never replace sitting down with a 95 year old vet and hearing his story. I am in seminary and can take class remotely, via Zoom or Bluejeans, etc. I get the content of the course, but that doesn’t buy me a cup of coffee with the professor or dinner with fellow pastors where we just “talk shop.”

We are intended to live in community. Even more so for the church. While I am grateful for the church that live-streamed last Sunday. I pray that never becomes common place for my family. The handshakes, the conversations before and after worship, I missed those. The off-key singer three pews to the right, that knows it isn’t the tenor of the voice but the posture of the heart that matters most. I missed the light that flickers over the piano every couple minutes; the stains on the carpet; the same old altar that has heard the prayers and soaked the tears of faithful saints throughout the ages; the old pulpit where the gospel has been proclaimed, wedding vows exchanged, and lives changed; the hearty “Amen!” from the faithful old saint…no, my couch sufficed for a day. But ain’t nothing like being in church.

Acts 8

Here we have Philip, a deacon in the early church, one of the seven chosen according to Acts 6:5. As we open chapter 8, we’ve already encountered another deacon (Stephen, chapter 6-7) and seen his life taken. It’s interesting to me that the religious elite of the day, who wanted to stop the teachings promoted by the followers of Jesus, actually are helping fulfill some of His last words as recorded in Acts 1:8 “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

They grabbed Stephen and threw him out of the city, Jerusalem. Now, he is preaching beyond the walls of the city, in the providence of Judea. Even at his death, Stephen utters words eerily similar to those of Jesus on the cross. “Forgive them.” “Receive my spirit.” Only that then, Jesus was praying to the Father and now, Stephen is praying to Jesus.

But alas, now we’re on to chapter 8. Again, have the followers of Jesus been witnesses in Jerusalem? Indeed. Has Stephen born witness in Judea? Yes. Furthermore, Acts 8:1 tells us, “On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.”

Ain’t that something? Here we have those opposed to Jesus of Nazareth actually helping His cause. You can shut up the preacher. You can scatter the flock. But you can’t stop the gospel. The Spirit comes and goes like the wind. Just look back at Acts 4. The very night that Peter and John are arrested, 5,000 men believe!

Ok, back to chapter 8. Of those who were “scattered,” Philip went to a city in Samaria. (Acts 1:8 again) There he began to preach and perform miracles, “so there was great joy in that city.”

Let’s move on to 8:26 Philip is led by an angel to a certain place along the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he encounters an Ethiopian official who has somehow sequestered a portion of an old writing of one of the prophets. Untrained and foreign to the culture of Judaism, the Ethiopian didn’t understand what he was reading. Philip offered to help him. Philip must have identified himself or at least been easily recognizable as a Jew. The Ethiopian asked “Who is the prophet talking about?” Philip replied, “Jesus” and told him all the good news about the Him, beginning with the very scripture he was holding.

Aaron Jeoffrey wrote a song awhile back entitled, “He Is.” The lyrics of which are here. Basically, the Old Covenant is a testament to the coming Messiah. The New Covenant is a testament of the crucified and risen Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ. It’s all about Jesus. And that’s all that Philip had to share.

And that’s all you and I have. It’s all we have and it’s all we have to share. The gospel has been preached in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, but we’ve still got work to do to reach “the ends of the earth.” May we pray and give and go, until the whole world knows…Jesus.

This is Thursday night. Last night was late and this morning was a little early so I apologize there was no update. Yesterday we stopped by the regional airport to try and get information on flights from Quito to Esmeraldes, which would sure beat an 8 hour ride through the mountains. As it now stands, we think because of COVID, there are no commercial flights. However, there are charter flights. But, these 6-passenger flights are super expensive and not ideal for a mission trip.

We then took some long routes through country side to reach some remote villages where there is no gospel presence. Two of these villages are of particular interest to the missionaries here. They have soccer fields and/or large community buildings where a church could meet. We are also looking for decent housing for teams that may come in the future. Ideally, the team would stay close to the work but that isn’t always the possible.

We also stopped at a large farm that belongs to a husband and wife that Johnny knows. The wife is a believer but doesn’t like the Catholic or charismatic churches that are nearby. She was thrilled to learn that Johnny had recently started church in a nearby village, Palestina. The farm or ranch has cottages, tree houses, where guest can stay. One of the houses shares its tree with a sloth! How cool! The name of the ranch is Adonay.

Last night’s meal was a special treat at a restaurant that is a little ways out from town. The restaurant and village is where the road ends and turns into a swinging bridge. Yep, we crossed the bridge over this beautiful river to get to the village and restaurant. I had shrimp cooked in coconut milk.

I lied earlier. Last night wasn’t so late, but I was really tired. So I went to bed by about 8:30.

Today was an adventure. We traveled down a cobblestone road for about an hour and a half before finally reaching a village whose name I don’t recall and met a missionary, Rocio. She is from the region but studied in one of Ecuador’s large cities. While attending the University she went to church and became a believer. She is now sponsored by her church as a missionary to her own people. She took us to San Fransisco. (No, not that San Francisco) to get in a canoe. Farther down the river we visited 3 villages, which are only accessible by boat.

It was a truly awesome experience, but also heartbreaking / gut wrenching. These people do not know the Lord. Who will tell them? Who will go? As of right now, if you fly from the US, you would take one day to fly. One day to drive from Quito. Another 2-3 hours to reach the villages. It would be most effective to stay the night in the village. Pack your food, pack your hammock, pack your water. But the fact is, the very reason there remains unreached people is because they are not easily accessible. So again, who will go? Is it you? (I ask my self this question.)

Who is dying apart from Jesus today? Do we as believers really believe in heaven and hell? Do we really believe that Jesus is the only way? Then why are there still unreached people?

Yes, today was convicting. Lord, forgive me. Help me.