Update from Dan in Venezuela

Hi All, We finally found a place with internet access today, so I'd like to update you a little bit. Last Friday morning Warren, David, and I had a very productive meeting with our friend Juvenal Perez, who is the bishop of the UMC in Venezuela. Then on Saturday morning we had a gathering of many of the UMC pastors from all over Venezuela. We enjoyed some musical worship and prayer time together, and then Warren taught for about 3 hours, sharing insights from the church at Antioch (Acts 13 and 14). I translated for this teaching time. Saturday afternoon we had lunch with a smaller group of UMC pastors, and heard some wonderful stories of evangelism, healing, restoration, and church planting.

Yesterday we worshipped with our friends at Ondas de Paz UMC in Cabudare. The Lord moved in a powerful way through worship, praise, dancing, singing, praying, and preaching. Six young teenage girls testified to a powerful work in their lives by the Spirit through a weekend retreat, with most of them coming to a place of forgiviness and reconciliation with their parents (all were from broken homes). Additionally, four persons made an initial decision to follow Jesus. There was great rejoicing in heaven.

The Seminary classes begin today. David will teach this afternoon, and then tomorrow morning Warren will teach, with me translating. Warren is teaching The Mission of the Church. We will teach/translate Tuesday through Friday mornings.

I don't want to burden you with an overlong post. I will share more details later on the blog, plus through our email updates and our hard copy newsletter (if you'd like to receive these, let me know). A few quick snippets of stories we've heard already: a man came back to life while on the autopsy table - another man with 30% brain function was fully restored and is now working full-time and testifying to his miraculous healing - a new UMC church plant has started in Caracas, plus another one in Maquetia - a new church plant in Valle Dorado is focusing on helping unwed teen mothers - and much more! It is a joy and privilege to be a teensy-tiny part of what God is up to in Venezuela. Please keep praying and giving. Much Love, Dan