Jorgito

April 8th, the day before I arrived here marked the 8th anniversary of Jonathan's death from this world into heaven. Jonathan was the eldest son of Norman and Marlen and his blood was spilled here in this country of Venezuela. As missionaries, part of an apostolic team they have fought through the grief and are now seeing the harvest of the seed that was buried.

Jorge was only 4 months old when the Santos family moved here to be part of our team. As you can see he hasn't stopped growing since he's been here. He is now 19 years old. Jonathan would have been 23 years old. He was like a grandson to me.

revolucion bolivariano

I try not to get political and I won't really express any opinion now, just a few observations on the socialist revolution here in Venezuela. When I arrived in the International Airport there were huge banners hanging everywhere saying how great it was to live in socialism. When I walked over to the domestic side of the airport to catch my flight from Caracas to Puerto Ordaz I had to stand in line for almost two hours because the electricity was out and no computers were working.

When I asked why all these apartment buildings were empty I was told that the new laws protect the tenants so much that if they decide not to pay rent then the lanldord can't do anything about it.  So, obviously owners would rather not rent to anyone. The longest lease you can get is 6 months so if someone does find a place to rent they have to move on in six months. This is creating a sort of nomadic community.
 Almost all privately owned companies that were profitable have been seized by the Chavez government for the cause of the people and socialism. A lot of U.S. franchises are closed and gone. Huge factories sit empty because when the government took them over they could not sustain them because the profits were not re-invested into the company, they went to the State.
There are shortages of milk, eggs, meat etc.. for the same reasons. After the dairy cows were milked the government didn't figure out you have to breed new stock to keep it going.

 The good news is, last night we filled up the tank of a Toyota Forerunner  for ONE DOLLAR! Yes, it is 5 CENTS a GALLON for gasoline. I could not believe it, of course I offered to buy the tank of gas and bless my friends.
Overall however, it does SEEM to be better than the last time I was here and the oppresiveness is not as heavy as it was two years ago. Of course, I am not as heavy as I was two years ago either.
Things do change and as a recovering pessimist, i am going to say they change for the better. So, I am believing Shalom will come to this nation and it may start right now this week right here!
PEACE OUT.

comunidad cristiana koinonia

Sunday Morning, high octane worship. Great time had by all. I shared on HOPE, Paul, when facing certain shipwreck had an angelic visitation. A word of secure future hope was downloaded from heaven to him, he then could impart this hope to others, who by the way were all saved by this word. Even venemos vipers couldn't mess up the hope he had. (Acts 27) Romans 15:13

Venezuela shalom workshop

Well, i just finished about 6 hours of ministry. I did most of the workshop today, morning and afternoon. It was quite powerful and during ministry times the prayer and declaration levels were off the charts. I haven't been in that level of intensity in a long, long time. We were calling prodigals back and proclaiming healing for Norman. I wish i had a video.
Much of last night was spent in the emergency clinic due to intense lower abdominal pain in Norman"s urniary/bladder area.  He did not make the workshop today and now he and Marlen are at the clinic again getting an ultrasound and some other test to see if there is a stone. ( I feel that's what it is and I'm declaring disolution of all foreign particles.)
So, it has been quite interesting with little sleep and obstacles in the way, but of the increase of His kingdom and Shalom there is no end. Thanks for all your prayer, i actually had plenty of energy and my Spanish was better than ever. I was flowin baby!  The sphere is expanding, there were probably a hundred folks there today on a Saturday when a lot of people had to work.
We have two meetings in two churches tomorrow an hour apart. B-12 drops and coffee are awesome.

Venezuela

After 16 hours of travel I finally reached my friends Norman and Marlen in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela.

Tomorrow (Saturday) we have and all day and night workshop on the Prince of Wholeness; His waging of Peace. I fully expect to wage some Shalom tomorrow. Pray with me that His wholeness breacks into the lives of the 100 or so people that will be attending.
The church (Comunidad Cristiana Koinonia) was started by our team in 1992 and has recently moved into a building which they are renovating and they're bringing life to the surrounding neighborhood. It brings great satisfaction to me to see the faithfulness and the fruit of these folks over the years. God is in a good mood!

Workshop

We had a great Prince of Wholeness workshop last weekend at Clearwater Vineyard. People were equipped and participated in an interactive afternoon and evening. We even had good Cuban food for dinner. Peace was waged as we saw Holy Spirit's power heal and touch several folks.


I'm off to Venezuela for a few weeks. I'll be doing two workshops and ministering in several of our churches there.
Thanks to Raul Pons, my good friend I now have the booklet translated into Spanish.

The Shalom Covenant

The Prince of Wholeness;

His Waging of Peace

For a child has been born—for us!
   The gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
   the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
   Strong God,
Eternal Father,
   Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
   and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.