Global Talk

OK, this may be the last blog update from us from Venezuela this year. We are starting the packing process, and we have no idea of future internet opportunities. Thanks for the e-notes of encouragement we've received, and the package from the Myricks!

It's hard to leave, but we're very glad we came. We thank God for the relationships He's blessed us with here in Venezuela.

I don't have the words to describe the feelings we have for these young people who seem to have so many questions, and who are so eager for someone to ask them about themselves and their relationships and give input into their lives.

Not sure, but I think we're looking at close to 40 students attending the National Conference from Merida. Thanks so much to all who helped these students make the trip. We learned of two or three today who can come to the National Conference because of the scholarship money you helped to provide. San Cristobal students, too, have received more than $500 in assistance. Thanks!!

Tomorrow we head to the National Conference of Vida Estudiantil (Campus Crusade) until Easter, then to a 3-day retreat, then we head home on the 27th of March. God has blessed us here, and we leave with many new friends, a few new brothers and sisters in Christ, and more memories than our old minds can retain! We thank God for the warmth and acceptance of the young people here -- it's hard to feel old when they treat you like their best friends!

We appreciate your prayers, and we hope God will use us to help these young people grow in Christ during the coming Conference.

In Him,

Tom and Betty B.

Hi, Church Blog Readers!

This was a busy weekend for Betty and me. Friday afternoon was English Club, where we were able to invite and spend time with several new people. English Club is a great environment for building relationships because the best way for the kids to learn is to talk one-on-one with individual English-speakers. So even though English is being taught, that's not the primary purpose for having the club.

In addition to English Club, we did our best to lead the couples' study of "Love and Respect" on Friday night. Our friend Simon interpreted for us, and we think it went pretty well. Trying to have a discussion among 40 people when it all has to go through an interpreter can be a little tough, however. The people were responsive, joined right into the ice-breaker (I think with Latinos there IS no ice to break!), and seemed to appreciate what we had to say. Afterwards a young unmarried couple came to us and and asked if they could meet with us, and a lady wrote Betty a note asking her to make e-mail contact. We also met with another couple Sunday after church, and have a general appointment with yet another young unmarried couple. I think there's pretty strong interest in this topic here in Merida.

I talked for 50 minutes at church yesterday, counting time for interpretation, about a fire that prayer stopped. I talked about the spiritual unity of the believers who prayed to save the house, and tied it in with John 17 where Jesus prays for those who believe to be unified so the whole world will know God sent Him and God loves us. But my talk was only a small part of the service, which started at 10 AM and ended at about 12:45. Most of it was prayer, in groups and from various people up front, some of it was testimony from people in the body, and some of it was singing (singing at CENFOL has improved 1000% over the last 2 or 3 years).

Finally, as I write this, Betty is speaking at a women's meeting on how Christ can triumph through our tragedy.

We're feeling a sense of fulfillment as we try to get out of the way and let God lead us. We thought our commitments here were thinning out, but now I don't think we'll have a free day for awhile. That's okay, 'cause the exciting stuff seems to happen when we're spending time with the people here! It's kind of exciting to see what God has for us each day!

I've tried to summarize...sorry this is so long.....there's just so much going on!

Tom for the Bergies

Something Eric Fuller asked in his recent blog prompted me to review a favorite book, "Don’t Waste Your Life", by John Piper. Here is one excerpt that slapped me in the face, and may slap you, as well! What do you think?

“Oh, how many lives are wasted by people who believe that the Christian life means simply avoiding badness and providing for the family. So there is no adultery, no stealing, no killing, no embezzlement, no fraud – just lots of hard work during the day, and lots of TV and PG-13 videos in the evening (during quality family time), and lots of fun stuff on the weekend – woven around church (mostly). This is life for millions of people. Wasted life. We were created for more, far more.” (p. 119)

Whet your appetite? Make you mad? Increase the amount of guilt you’re already carrying? Why don’t you try reading the whole book and see what his main point is -- I recommend it.