Dear Parkside,
We are very thankful to God for our partnership in the gospel together with you. We’d like to ask you to pray for our new Bolivian friend Mary.
About 4 months ago God put her in contact with Debbie through a mutual friend involved in ESI (Equipping Servants – our pastoral / church leader training process here in Bolivia). Mary was facing some insurmountable challenges in her marriage, and was looking for help.
When Debbie met with her for the first time and shared the good news, the BEST news, of the rescue operation God provided in Christ to save us from our sins and from God’s wrath through Jesus’ death on the cross, Mary was all ears. Within the first few weeks she understood the implications of the gospel, her sin, and her need to trust Christ alone for her salvation. She made a clear profession of faith.
In the following weeks, excited about her newfound faith, she proceeded to invite his brother, Ray, and his wife Carmen. They, too, expressed interest in knowing Christ, and have made professions of faith.
Now about 10 people from Mary’s extended family, including her young daughter, are all attending the ILC Church with us, involved in evangelistic exploratory Bible Studies with people in our church, and even some of her family recently have made professions of faith in Christ. Mary has a deep hunger to know God and His Word. There are many other clear evidences of God’s grace in her life.
Pray for Mary and her family still facing serious challenges. Pray that they will be part of that good fruit that Jesus talked about in John 15 –much fruit that remains. And pray for the Bolivian church as we work to challenge, encourage and equip its leaders to honor Christ by being true to the Scriptures and helping needy people line Mary know Christ and grow strong in their commitment to Him.
Thank you!!
Kep and Debbie James
