CT News November 2023
November 2023
Dear praying family!
Can we task you with a deep pressing need affecting us these months that has recently escalated in ways we never imagined? Our pictures this month include just a small summary of what that is. So, please keep us in your prayers! We stand strong and confident, that though in our weak vessels of clay we feel like dwarfs looking at our towering challenges, we shout along with the Psalmist: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Please see our pictures here!
Teaching marathon in the mountains
Having already walked the maze (or perhaps the mess!) of legal issues related to the orphanage land that intensified in recent months, we celebrated the opportunity to breathe fresh and cool air teaching in the mountains. Typically, they align two speakers to cover the day and night speaking for 3 days. But this time I was it. Amid all going on, I prepared well in advance and was ready for the lessons requested. I was excited to leave the city and see the saints in a region often labeled as the Peruvian Alps. The beauty was breathtaking when we arrived. In the morning one felt like walking on the clouds as you could literally feel and “touch” the gently moving shapes. The challenging parts were the rain during the day and the bitter cold at night. Rain did not stop believers from coming to hear the teaching, and the cold pressed us to huddle together and keep warm under the fire from God’s Word. I enjoyed 1 ½ hour sessions with a little break in between. They wanted me to keep going, but I began to feel the weight well into our second day. When we left, they wanted us to secure a future visit. We are working on it as we speak.
Dangerous confrontation
“Christians, eh! You’ll see.” A week after he blurted out these words, our neighbor claiming a big section of the orphanage land, attacked four men from our assembly including two board members. The unfortunate event took place while I was away teaching in the mountains. He was enraged when our brothers came to plant posts with banners affirming our possession of the land. He, his son, and four of his workers in three pickups rammed our folks that were still setting up the banners (the ones he destroyed the week prior). Not happy with his attempt to run them over, he stepped out and began beating them. Then at gunpoint, forced them to hand over their phones where they had been recording the entire event. Everyone was shaken up! When his fury found no answer from our people, he went away with the phones after destroying our banners.
What ensued placed us in the eye of the storm like never before. We were already spread thin emotionally, physically, and materially, taking care of the convoluted public registry issues. Adding theft, battery, and attempted homicide, were going to intensify our activity even more. As a man of wealth and power, he insists we are at fault because we trespassed his land and he was just protecting it. He denies any wrongdoing. He is incredibly confident that he’ll prevail. Our evidence was destroyed and have only the word of our brothers already going into the DA’s office to give their statement. We might be in an uphill battle, but we know the One who made the hills, the heavens, and the earth. Your prayers are much appreciated, especially for our neighbor. May this unfortunate set of events allow us to shine The Light he does not want to see. For now, he might be looking at us in disdain for opposing him in the name of the Lord. Pray that He gets to know our Lord before it is too late!
Prayer & Praise
- Thankful to be able to trust and depend on the Lord for the circumstances we are going through. We know our faith can only get better with trials of this sort.
- For the way the Lord is allowing us to see His body flexing spiritual muscles by connecting us with believers in a position of authority.
- For everyone involved in the penal case. May our lawyers guide us armed with the truth. And that our neighbor would be open to a healthy resolution and perhaps look up to Jesus in the process.
- The orphanage director has resigned to keep a lower profile under current circumstances. Thankful that he is willing to stay till the end of December to help us stay at bay.
- We thank the Lord that one of our board members, Jorge, has agreed to take the directorship. He is already doing work overload. He has become our face before the authorities accompanying our lawyer.
- We will be looking for an administrator to help our brother Jorge as he transitions into his new responsibilities. Many hours are being spent doing paperwork.
- After 18 years, our sister Reina, the most veteran house mom is retiring. Pray for a suitable replacement for her.
Coming up
- Dec 6th, installation of our new orphanage director and saying goodbye to our most experienced house mom and outgoing director.
- Dec 11th, our daughter Abi arrives from Maryland to spend the Christmas season with us. We are so happy to have her with us at a special time of the year.
- Dec 13th, we conclude our home bible study for the year. Pray we can do a follow up of everyone, especially the newcomers during our recess.
- Dec 17th, CBT’s special Christmas program. We are expecting a large turnout. Pray for my evangelistic message.
- Dec 17th, Hannah, Gabriela, and Selah have their year end ballet recital. Please pray for them as they continue to build relationships with their classmates and as they seek to do their best in the performance and be a light for Christ.
- Dec 22nd, twelve students graduate from the Elliot Christian School. Pray for the last nuggets of wisdom they are packing as they leave.
Thankful for keeping us before the throne of grace!
Pablo &Sarah CT
