Fishers of Men

We had the amazing honour today of delivering an offering to Pastor Bernardo and Pastor Fransisco in Chakalte. The offering was given by the Bearspaw Christian School team (Q1200) for the construction of a church building. We delivered it today with a team from Regina Christian School.

The pastors shared with us the vision that God has given them for their people. Pastor Bernardo said the Lord showed him that they were being called, just like Jesus called the disciples, to be fishers of men. First they were to reach their own village for Christ, but then they were to go out. He spoke of a small mountain community over the hill where there is no Evangelical presence and said that he and his small church were being called to reach that village for Christ.

As I listened to this man speak, I was humbled beyond words. He spoke of how his village had ridiculed him and the 3 families who started their small church (a tin roof with bamboo stick walls no more than 20'x20'). They taunted them, saying, "you'll never make a go of it." Pastor Bernardo said they went ahead anyway and now, a year later, they have some 30 families attending their church. Each week they spend time fasting and praying and the Lord is multiplying their numbers.

Both pastors shared with us that there is no work in Chakalte for the men. The most they can find is 2 - 4 days per month and they earn between 35 and 40 quetzales per day. That is between 70 and 160 quetzales per month (about $15). They eat meat only once per month, and they are sustained on vegetables, beans and tortillas, all of which they grow right there.

Both pastors, rather than feeling sorry for themselves, expressed their sincere gratitude to the Lord for how He has provided for them. We came there to bless them, yet they encouraged us. We have so much to learn from these humble, simple men of God, who read the Word and take it literally.