A Pastors' Prayer
We were eager to reach our destination to evangelize and help start a new work in the mountain village of Chupadero after a bumpy, dusty 2-1/2 hour ride. As the trusty Good Samaritan bus approached the area our driver suddenly stopped as off in the distance he saw a group of people in the road. They were forming a human chain across the road and holding a large banner. As we came closer we could make out the sign which said "Welcome Servants of God from the United States to Chupadero".
Former school teacher and newly-ordained pastor Ledis Ismael Osabas and a group of believers had walked the mile out from the village to greet us! That would set the tone for what was to transpire that day.
Sign translation: Welcome servants of God from United States to Chupadero
Our group divided into teams of 4 and started going from house to house, presenting the radio as a free gift and then sharing the Greater Gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Pastor Ledis happened to be on my team. As we were inside the home sharing, I noticed that he was gone. I went outside to look for him and found him kneeling with his arms extended heavenward and fists clenched in fervent intercessory prayer for the souls in the valley of decision.
God honored Pastor Ledis' prayers and 159 adults professed faith in Christ that day as well as many unnumbered children. He was so excited that we could hardly get him off the bus so we could return to mission headquarters! Meanwhile, Good Samaritan heard about what had happened and the joyous news was broadcast over the Radio Samaritano network.
Please pray for Pastor Ledis as he disciples the new believers.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." - James 5:16(b)