Venezuela, February 2007

 

 

 

In the city of Barquisimeto I was able to meet with a large group of pastors and attend some meetings at the local assembly, pastored by Brother Marcos Urriola.

 

 

 

The following day was a grueling trip overland of 12 hours to Ayacucho, a very remote area near the Colombian border, in the Orinoco river basin.  

I spent several days at a brother’s ranch without running water or electricity, and the combination of rustic life and peaceful surroundings did wonders for my soul.

My ‘room’ was the thatch hut on the left, and the hammock was the most peaceful sleep I can remember.

They literally killed the fatted calf.

 

Brother Isaiah preached one night under the only lights for miles – lights powered by a small generator we took to him over 7 years ago that is still soldiering on.

 

Traveling home with Brother Isaiah, we visited with believers at his local church. 

Also present was brother Samuel, (left) who had traveled downriver 3 days to visit with Brother Isaiah (center) and schedule a meeting for the end of March back in the mountains.  There is no phone, and no other way to communicate, so his trip was the only way to make the arrangements for Brother Isaiah to come and hold meetings among  his Yanomami tribe near the Brazilian border.  After I left, Brother Samuel faced a 5-day journey upriver to get home.  It is the same journey Brother Isaiah will make in a few weeks, preaching the Gospel under the lights of his little generator.

 

I will be returning to Venezuela in a month or so, and would like to share more of these dedicated believers’ lives with you then.