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NEWS FROM THE VAN DER WESTHUIZENS IN CHILE (September 2000)
Casilla 27024, Santiago 27, Chile.
Visas, visas, visas
Casilla 27024, Santiago 27, Chile.
September, 2000.
From the heart of a missionary....
Newsletter time is always a challenging time. What do I communicate? I work with and meet people, preach, disciple, lead worship, lead Bible studies, etc. - over and above trying to be a half-way decent husband and father. Time flies. Suddenly I realize it is time to communicate. What do I say?
Should I communicate how grateful I am to a good God for His salvation, provision, protection and guidance? Maybe that is such a part of the Christian life that, although true, is hardly newsletter (headline) material.
Should I tell you that so much of our work is just plain pastoral - like in any other country? People are people everywhere and all have spiritual and physical needs. How can I relate the truth of the Gospel to them so that they can understand and respond? I am so aware that true enlightenment is the work of the Holy Spirit and that is why the prayers of the saints are so necessary. That it is God at work. It is the whole body of Christ in cooperation with the Lord. Consequently I should possibly tell our supporters how dependent we are not only on God, but on their intercessions on our behalf in order to see the ministry move forward. Is that what newsletters are made of?
I could equally tell you about the doubts I had. Am I really needed here in Chile? Pastoral work can be done by many. When I mentioned that to one person in the church I was astonished at how strongly he reacted and said: ".if the missionaries had to withdraw at this stage, the church will disintegrate. We are not able to stand on our own feet yet." Do I communicate in my newsletter that church planting and evangelism is much more than just sharing the gospel - that it involves preaching, and sharing our lives, and being their friends requiring long-term commitment to discipleship in the ways of the Lord?
Maybe I should mention Stephanie's involvement in the women's workshops and discipleship groups, both in Santiago and Reñaca. She is definitely not here as a wife an mother only. She has so many gifts and we definitely work more effectively as a team. How can I share in a newsletter the joy we shared this week when two of the ladies in her group gave their lives to the Lord. I wish a newsletter could carry the joy and appreciation to our supporters for their part in that miracle. How can that be done?
Maybe a newsletter should share our appreciation for the hard work and study of others in the Kingdom who are prepared to share their efforts with us missionaries so that we can translate the materials into Spanish to use here on the field. How can a newsletter describe the emotions of starting a Bible-study for unbelievers and new church attendees - and the joy of seeing their growing appreciation for the Lord?
In short, a missionary has to learn how to stop what he's doing and become the "eyes" for those who cannot be on the mission field. What do they think when we share? How do they see things? Maybe one of you can make a better newsletter out of all my questions. It is not that nothing is happening here, but how do I turn everyday events into news? Maybe someone else reading this can do a better job of writing news than me. Until then, you make your own news headlines out of all my questions. We all love and appreciate you lots.
Together for Jesus
Johan for Stephanie & Brendon in Chile and Lycia & Lionel in the States
P.S. Even though our present e-mail (jsvdw@bellsouth.cl) is still presently valid, please change our address to jvdw@mtwla.org as this account will forward mail on to us wherever we my be.
- Thursday, September 28, 2000
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