What's Going On?

What going on?  That is what I keep asking myself.  It seems that there is always so much happening.  What do I write about.  Do I write about the team that just arrived yesterday?  For Pastor Danny Meyer, it is 10 years that he has been coming here with teams.  Or do I write about the new believer's retreat and the brother that was healed from epilepsy? 

• Or how about the church being packed out to standing room only? 
• What about seeing a generation of leaders being raised up? 
• How about a recent trip, driving my truck off a bridge in the dark?
• Shooting an alligator with a spear gun while spear fishing?
• The monkeys in our backyard?
• Riding my motorcycle to a small community where so many people were at the home church that they stood outside the doors and windows?
• The thrill to see guys I'm training suiting up for a trip to a small village on their motorcycles, through the mud and rain?

Some years ago, we went to a new area for an outreach.  It was a small town and I had forgotten to take any type of sheet or blanket for sleeping in my hammock.  I wandered into hole in the wall type of store, where they had a very limited selection of blankets.  I took a minute to look at the entire selection and then took another minute to look at it all again.  I selected the blanket that would best meet my needs.  And in the great Latin American tradition I started to dialogue, bartering for the price of the merchandise.

Bud: How much is the blanket?
Store Owner: Oh, the blanket is R$25.
Bud: Hmmm, it looks like the blanket has a hole in it.
Store Owner: Well, some of them come that way.
Bud: Really?  Interesting.  What about a discount?
Store Owner: Well, no, I can not give a discount.
Bud: But, really, I think you should give a discount for this blanket.
Store Owner: No, I can not give a discount.
Bud: Hey, everyone gives a discount, at least a little one.
Store Owner: Well, you have come to the ends of the earth, and there are no discounts here.

My mouth dropped open, I paid R$25, and left the store.  That story has spoken to my heart for years. 

The Store Owner said it, totally unprompted.  The Ends of the earth.  later that same night, we had an outreach service where hundreds came to hear the Gospel.

Reaching the Remote.  Making it Reproducible.  Helping Brazilians reach Brazilians.  Those are the things that help shape what we do.

Thanks for your prayers.  I know there is a lot more to do in the harvest field of this generation and I believe that God is calling more and more people to be a part of it.  I pray that God will include you in that circle of friends.

Comments

[Rebekah]

Thanks for the reminder, Bud. We are keeping you in our prayers.

[Isaac Downing]

Wow. What an encouragement! I'm continually motivated and encouraged by your posts. I'm praying for your family and the ministry there. It is so awesome!

PS - I think I speak for everyone here: I want to hear the story about the truck! :)

[Ronda Wagner]

Dear Bud and Suzanne and family,

It has been a lot of years since I have caught up with you and am thrilled to get your blog link from Annette and Dan! I have subscribed and look forward to reading and praying for you.

We are living for one year in Germany, so sending you greetings from there!

Ronda Webel Wagner