8/4 - Day 3 - Visiting, evangelizing and prayer meeting

Since it's a bit chilly in the hotel, Keung and May (IBCB Church leaders) kindly brought us blankets at midnight. We are all touched by their generosity in the love of Christ, and they are indeed wonderful examples from which may learn how to love brothers and sisters. In the morning, Keung and May brought us to a European cafe for breakfast. After being energized by the delicious aroma of German pastries and Venezuela coffee, we were divided into three groups to reach out to the Chinese in the local stores. 

Walking through the streets and alleys, we noticed that there were many Chinese working in the stores. When we approached them, they were very friendly and willing to share with us the bits and pieces of their lives in Barquisimeto. Most of them are from Yanping District (the northern part of Fujian province of China) and came here with their family for business. Since the safety of the neighborhood is endangered by the kidnappers and robbers, most of the Chinese in Barquisimeto get off work at around 630 pm.

We visited about 10 stores and over 20 people in total, from teenagers to middle-aged. Most of them have been living here for more than 10 years, while some of them might have been here for only couple months. When we talked to each individual, we usually began by asking about their lives in a Venezuela, then asked if they had heard about Jesus. If not, we would try to share the Gospel with them and invite them to come to the local church here. Praise God that most of the people we talked to were willing to listen and share. One of the girls Eliz talked to made the decision to accept Christ! Please continue to pray that the seeds of the Gospel will continue to grow in their hearts and they will be able to come to church.

After lunch, we came back to church to prepare for the prayer meeting at night. At about 7pm, most of the church leaders showed up and the meeting began. Priscilla first led 3 hymns, then Kevin shared Psalm 103, and lastly Nathanie gAuided us through prayer using the ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). We first shared some thanksgiving items and prayer requests, then we were divided into 4 groups and started praying. Praise God for a precious time of sharing and praying tonight!

Prayer Requests/Thanksgiving Items:

1. Direction to move to a new place
2. Sister-in-law of Sister Ling, Sum Yu Ching, got kidnapped for 2 weeks, please pray for the release of Sum Yu Ching
3. Cantonese speaking Pastor/Missionaries for IBCB who could pastor and train the B&S there, appointed to take care of the growth of the B&S and the church
4. Specialist to carry out discipleship training, follow-up training and visitation training for the B&S there.
5. IBCB B&S will be able to apply and put into practice of what they learned in the prayer meeting

6. The seeds of the Gospel will continue to grow in the hearts of people who just received Christ and were visited by the STM members and they will be able to come to church

因為旅館有點冷, 教會領袖強哥與他的太太媚姐為我們寒風送暖(冷氣的寒), 我們為到他們基督的愛深受感動。 他們實在展示了如何在主裡愛弟兄姊妹的好例子。 早上強哥和媚姐帶我們到一個歐式的咖啡店吃早餐, 自得到從德式麪包和委式咖啡所提供的能量後, 我們分為三組去街頭探訪當地店鋪裡的中國人。

超個一個Block的銀行龍, 委內瑞拉的效率

當我們走到街上時, 我們發現很多中國人在店鋪裡工作. 當我們接觸他們的時候, 他們非常友善, 也願意與我們分享他們在巴城生活的點滴。 他們大部分都是來至恩平(福建省的北部 阿政說的, 根據google map恩平好像在廣東省的西部, 有待大家商榷)) 他們通常都是為著生意的緣故, 跟隨著他們的親戚來到委國。 因為最近的綁架個案頻起, 大部分的商店都在下午六時半關鋪。

生草的電線 Grass bearing power line

生草的電線 Grass bearing power line

我們探訪了十間店鋪, 二十個被探訪者, 當中有青少年到中年人。 他們大部分都已在那裡居住了十多年, 但有一些只是在當地幾個月的時間。 當我們跟他們每一個人傾談的時候, 我們通常都會問到他們當地的生活狀況, 跟著我們就會問他們有沒有聽過耶穌。 如果沒有, 我們就會跟他們分享福音, 也會邀請他們來到IBCB。 感謝讚美神, 大部分的受探訪者都願意聆聽與分享。 有一個女孩還願意在阿政分享後接受耶穌! 請繼續為到福音的種子在他們心中成長, 以及他們能夠持續地來到教會聚會。

太累了... Too tired...

聚會檢討 Meeting evaluation

準備祈禱會 Preparing prayer meeting

祈禱會的領詩 Prayer Meeting Singspiration

午飯後, 我們回到教會準備晚上的祈禱會。 大約在七時正, 大部分教會的領袖抵達後, 聚會便開始。 Priscilla 首先領了三首詩歌, Kevin分享了詩篇103篇, Nathanie 用ACTS (A- Adoration 讚美, C- Confession 認罪, T- Thanksgiving 感恩, S- Supplication 祈求) 的祈禱方式帶領我們的祈禱會。 我們隨後分享了代禱與感恩事項, 跟著便與當地弟兄姊妹分成四組, 開始用以上的方法禱告。 實在感謝神讓到我們有這麼寶貴的分享與禱告的時間!

Prayer Meeting 祈禱會

Prayer Meeting 祈禱會

代禱感恩事項

1. 從神得到搬到新堂址的指引
2. Ling姊妹的弟婦岑玉清, 被綁架了兩星期, 希望她會盡快被釋放
3. 盼望能有一對熟識粵語宣教士夫婦前來負責牧養及教導事工，培育信徒和領袖，一同肩負信徒和教會的成長
4. 專門人訓練當地弟兄姊妹作門徒訓練, 跟進與探訪訓練，過往在多次佈道會上決了志的人，因跟進不及時，而流失不少
5. 當地的弟兄姊妹能夠運用在祈禱會所學的, 實踐在日常生活中
6. 福音的種子會繼續在被訪者/決志者的人的心中成長, 他們能夠持續到返到教會