Please pray for Chema

Jairo just called and asked me to send word to everyone who knows the church that tonight Chema (Jose Maria Centeno) was almost killed in an assault.  Jairo's voice was shaking and breathless as he told me the story.

For anyone who may not know him by name, Chema is the man who wears the church's uniform brown vest every week.  He sets up the chairs, passes out the bulletins, and takes care of the collection.  Chema's son tags along at his father's side in the same brown vest, which comes down to his knees.  They find seats for the late-comers and make sure that everything goes smoothly every Sunday.  During the service Chema stands in the back of the church, with his arms raised high, praying over everyone.

Today Chema was working.  He is a journalist, which means he travels around the city by collectivo to cover stories.  Collectivos are taxis that are cheaper because you share the cab with three other strangers who are going in the same direction.  But there is a danger in collectivos as well.  You don't know who is riding with you.

In this case, two men got into the cab and took the driver, Chema and the other passenger hostage.  They forced the driver to drive around the city while they stole all of the passengers' possessions.  Meanwhile Chema prayed.  When they took Chema's possessions they realized he was a journalist from his camera and his press identification.  They told Chema they were going to kill him because he was a journalist.

Chema continued praying.  Those of you who know him can imagine it.  Nothing deters Chema when he is talking with God.  The two men yelled at him to stop praying but he would not stop.  He prayed and he prayed until the men insisted that the driver stop the cab and they let him out because they could not stand to hear his prayer any more!

Chema is pretty traumatized.  At the same time he is grateful to have been saved from death.  He has asked for our prayer.

He is a man who prays over the entire congregation at Iglesia en Transformación  every Sunday.  Yesterday he brought 90 backpacks full of school supplies to the church.  He is a mover and a shaker in the political arena and Chema also gives all of himself to the church.  His is raising his son to be a man of God too.

Tonight we give thanks for the life of Jose Maria Centeno (Chema).  We almost lost a very special man today, but our glorious God spared Chema from death.  Now Chema has asked us to pray.  We can pray for peace in his heart and to know with confidence that he has a great purpose here on earth.  Please pray as you are led, but please pray!  Chema has shown us today that God hears and answers our prayer.

Crafts, confusion and cookies

This morning I woke up with a headache.  I tried to call Lourdes and let her know I was going to stay home, but she didn't answer her phone.  Joss didn't either, so I got dressed and went to the church.  Sunglasses helped.  I think it was allergies.  Hermida said she had a headache too.

My joy about the tax refund is gone.  Now I feel confused.  I prayed so hard for the money for that flight.  I really thought the tax refund was an answer to my prayer.  But my Mom pointed out that it  could be wiser to use that money toward a more reliable car and not go home in June.  I really wanted to go back to the states in June.  I was planning to get some dental work done and see friends.  Plus it's the 40th Anniversary of Telluride Bluegrass Festival and I got tickets for Christmas.  But I do have to live within my means.

The Canadian group that visited today was friendly and fun.  They helped us do a craft project with the kids.  I took pictures of the kids with the crafts they made, but I can't get the photos off my phone for some reason.  Thank you Denver Group for a really sweet craft project!  The kids loved it!  I'll post the pictures as soon as I can figure out what is wrong with my phone.

Today was the first time that I led a bible study for the whole Breakfast Program.  It went really well!  I don't like to read out loud in Spanish.  It's hard!  But I did just fine.  All of the kids participated in a little game afterward.  The lesson was about not telling lies.  The kids got to tell a short story and everyone had to guess if it was truth or a lie.  Some of the stories were funny.  We had a good time.  My story was that I studied Spanish for four hours and studied the bible for an additional six hours last night.  About half the kids thought I was telling the truth.  I'm glad they have so much faith in me, but it was not true.

I made more cookies last night and gave some to Jairo and the rest to Eunice.  Eunice was grateful because she shared her's from yesterday and only made it home with three.  I told her no sharing today.  Jairo was happy because the cookies remind him of his childhood.  His mother used to make the same cookies so they bring back happy memories for him.

Have a great weekend!