Excerpt from 

Bolivia Bulletin- Nov 2019

Missionary News Letter by Jurgen Schulz

NOW FOR SOME GOOD NEWS

In the midst of the chaos, some good things are happening. People are going into the streets and parks to pray, to preach, and to sing. Others are providing food for those stationed at the road-blocks. Groups of people are requesting Christians to lead them in prayer. It's remarkable!

One dear friend of ours has been going out to preach, and he informs us of 24 decisions for Christ on one occasion and more than 40 on another Something unusual is taking place. People are looking to God. Many are turning to Christ. In the midst of the turmoil, God is working in fascinating ways.

There are video clips showing thousands of people on their knees praying for their country. One brother wrote: "I have never seen so many believers on the streets praying for the nation, for the government, for its leaders, for the police… I have never seen so many people speaking about God in public speeches, interviews and in the press." Things are very precarious and tense, and many are sensing their need of God.

The future of Bolivia hangs in the balance. Will you pray with us?

Carmen's health March 2016

Many of you have been asking for updates about Carmen's health.  I have decided to put more detailed progress notes here on the blog and provide a link from our newsletters.  This way those who wish to keep up with the prayer needs can check them out here as we are informed.

Monday February 29 she had a endoscopic procedure to insert a shunt to bypass a blockage in the hepatopancreatic duct.  At that time they believed that the obstruction was caused by a tumor.  But, upon attempting to insert the shunt, they discovered that she had stones there, obstructing the duct.  They removed the stones, and told the family that now they believe that she does not have a tumor.  Everyone was thrilled to hear that they finally found a clearly defined diagnosis for her problems.

She was doing better that day, and went home.  But, by Friday night she began to have intense pain.  They rushed her back to the hospital and discovered she had an inflamed pancreas.  When she had the endo procedure they had told her that she may have some problems with the pancreas as a result.

She has gone 4 days without food or water, only IV fluids.  We visited and prayed with Fernando & Carmen last night in the hospital.  She was calm and talking and feeling better.  The Dr's are going to stop her pain medications and start with liquids today.  She may be able to go home Thursday.

Thank you so much for praying for our brother & sister!

After more than a year on the breathtaking roller coaster of health crises, we are thrilled to let you know that Marisol is recovering after a very successful operation to remove a non functioning kidney.  Linda spoke with her sister in law earlier today.  She is in discomfort but the surgeon is very pleased with the results of the procedure and they anticipate full recovery.  The Dr's had expected the surgery to last as much as 7 hours, but everything proceeded without mishap and they were done in a little over 4 hours.  Arturo is very thankful and he asked us to share with all who have been following the news & praying for his wife since I began to put up these posts in September of 2011.  Please continue to pray for Arturo & Marisol, and their children Areli & Efrain.  The same day of the surgery an organization offered Marisol a job where she would be able to work in her field as a Nutritionist.  This is a big answer to prayer, please pray that the organization would take into consideration Marisol's situation and keep the position open until she is fully recovered.  Thank you again!  We are so pleased with Gods blessing upon our family, it encourages our faith mightily to see God work in spite of distance and failing resources!  Praise the Lord!

We had a nice talk with Marisol again today.  The Dr's have explained that while trying to insert the central IV  earlier this month they perforated her lung.  Possibly some liquid remained or some scarring has occurred.  The good news is that this problem seems to be resolving itself.  They want her to heal another 10 days before bringing her in again for surgery.  The Dr's have told her that her bad kidney must be removed soon.  *Please pray for Marisol's health, for the Dr's and for everything to come together for this surgery.  *Pray that this time it would be beneficial for her in every way.  *Pray for Arturo and the children, Areli & Efrain, this is a very difficult trail for the family.  My brother in law, Arturo, is legally blind.  In spite of many challenges he maintains almost full time employment and is a ministry leader in his church.  They have thanked us for posting this, they thank you for your prayers!

While trying to insert a Central IV, Marisol began to have severe pain and shortness of breath.  The Dr. said that they will not be able to operate until this problem clears up.  She will be rescheduled for Friday, thank you for praying.

Thank you for praying for Arturo & Marisol!  Marisol finished her 9 months of difficult treatment for renal Tuberculosis.  The Dr's say that she is free from the illness.  Sadly, one kidney did not recover function.  This coming week she is scheduled for surgery to have the bad kidney removed.  We would appreciate your prayers for this family, pray that this operation would be the last of this problem for Marisol.  Pray for peace for them through these trials.

A Sabbath Rest? Today? NOW?

Encouragement for the Weary,

Often I feel like we are scourged & chased through the fleeting checkpoints of time.  Although, it's not an oppressive dictator that relentlessly forces us on, this taskmaster seems to reside within us.  I believe that our propensity for extremes, either pointless business or mind numbing sloth, reveal the desperate need that we have for frequent breakaways with our maker.  In either case, intimate worship & communion with God corrects and fine tunes our life's navigation, purposes, & priorities. As we get to know God, he brings balance (wisdom) to our work/rest/play, agendas.   In Israel the call of gainful enterprise often eclipsed the command to take 1 out of 7 to get to know Jehovah; even the religious leaders blew it!  Under the law Israel was commanded to keep the Sabbath holy.  Now, in the church age we are encouraged to continually, draw near.  1 Pet 3:5  As you keep on coming, returning, to him, that amazing Living Stone, censured and brutally cut off by man, but precious and joyfully promoted by God!  (Paraphrased LRC)

Jeremiah 17:19 This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and stand in the gates of Jerusalem, first in the gate where the king goes in and out, and then in each of the other gates. 20 Say to all the people, ‘Listen to this message from the Lord, you kings of Judah and all you people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem. 21 This is what the Lord says: Listen to my warning! Stop carrying on your trade at Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day. 22 Do not do your work on the Sabbath, but make it a holy day. I gave this command to your ancestors, 23 but they did not listen or obey. They stubbornly refused to pay attention or accept my discipline.

My friends, PLEASE!!!

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

William D. Longstaff

MINISTRY NEWS

There is good news to share with you!  we have had a full building for the past few Sundays.  Our maximum capacity is 105, and at that point I believe we may even be breaking some fire code. We are challenged by having so many new people and young believers.  Our five ministry leaders, are straining to keep ahead of the needs.  This is really a good problem because it is causing us to break with some traditional ways that are less effective at producing growing believers that stick around, in exchange for some new solutions that are beginning to lead us to lasting results.  This growth is also forcing us to seriously consider finding a new place to meet by January when our current lease is up.  We are convinced that if we stay here, the building size will limit the growth the Lord is indicating for us.

Linda & I have been increasing our pastoral visits to help with those questions about our assembly and why some of our practices are a little different than other churches.  I am working on a small publication that will summarize our Values, Doctrine, Practices and Thought.  Please pray for us, the next 6 weeks are going to be very busy! 

*Please pray for the Lord to provide the building/property to accomodate our growth, 

*Linda & I are organizing Family Camp

*Two college students (Peter & Allison Thomas) will be living with us for a few weeks

*Linda & I have a heavy teaching and traveling schedule