CIEMAL: ELADE - Wesleyendo in English

WITH THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH IN LA PAZ, BOLIVIA

12/5/2007 17:00:00

WITH THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH IN LA PAZ, BOLIVIA - Juan Damián

THE "PNEUMA" HAS NO LACK OF OXYGEN

11/9/2007 20:00:00

THE "PNEUMA" HAS NO LACK OF OXYGEN

It is not an easy transition from the humid heat of Asunción to skyscraping La Paz. .
Nevertheless the workshop began the following day. The body, apparently, adapted rapidly. I do know this, my “pneuma” (from the Greek: soul or breath) is not God’s pneuma which comes and goes as it wishes. And it never lacks oxygen.
October 1 – 4, 2007 Bolivian pastors met in the welcoming space of the Methodist Hospital, for a National Workshop on Evangelization.
A one-on-one conversation, shared later with everyone else, provided substantive material on how to carry out the mission of presenting Christ to others. This very special Person with his own context, history, compelling message, dreams and specifically designed projects of the Kingdom.
The small groups working intensely and profoundly with the scriptures brought forth a God in human form who lived in time and space just as we do.
Therefore it is not difficult to meet him, talk with him and learn to love him. Of course this is not enough. We feel the impact of his actions and reactions. We are enthusiastic in following him. This was the affirmation of the participants in La Paz.
Diverse situations, different persons, distinct time in history. And yet, the same values, attitudes and ambience are present. With his liberating style which sets life free and humanizes all things that are and those that will be.
The participants were inspired by the methodology and format of the workshop, with its content and the new concepts they developed together. Their concluding decision was specific: to replicate workshops on local and district levels, utilizing the methods which took into consideration the cultural and social realities of the participants.
The desires were many, the commitment greater, and the decision practical. To begin or increase evangelization where worship breaks forth without pretenses to call people to follow Christ.
The demands are great in order to follow him, but his call and his attraction are greater. We are urged to open, now and forever, our great circle of believers to encompass new brothers and sisters in the church. This is more than a proposal – it is a conviction.
Because of the methodology, the number of participants was limited to 40 persons. Bishop Carlos Poma was with us from beginning to end.

RACES LANGUAGES FACES ...

10/31/2007

RACES LANGUAGES FACES ...

Another workshop in Bolivia. Once more ELADE invited to lead it. We are a little more than an hour by bus from La Paz. Naturally either going up or going down. Almost never straight.
A beautiful day and the cold not yet severe.
The Methodist Congregation "El; Mesías" (“The Messiah”) is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To celebrate more than 70 of us have joined together. Men and women, whites and indigenous, youth and adults. It was the last Sunday of last September.
It doesn’t seem real. So many people together. And immediately there is a sense of community. The singing is in Quechua, Aymara, Spanish. Races, languages and faces are not important. Everyone is seeking Jesus with confidence and longing. It is seen in their faces and their desire.
Jesus is there with joy on the beach. Finally Peter and friends have fished as never before. Despite not being very convinced to do so.
Always more than enough, always abundance when Jesus intervenes. For the God of Jesus Christ there is no such thing as eyedroppers or pills. He neither asks them to give thanks nor does he need to show his power. For love (God) is hidden in the daily activity, totally natural, one doesn’t even have to think about it.
The participants in the workshop have gathered in groups. Some working with the text. Others sharing stories and situations about Jesus. Enthusiasm grows among them – even among the most apathetic.
Then comes the final challenge presented by Bishop Rolando Villena. Let us not lose the energy and the strength to share this Jesus who always leaves the people more wholesome, more human, more content. For it is the Reign continuing to take on life and revealing glimpses of its face.
We are part of those followers of his mission. God wanting disciples to be like Jesus.

DON'T GO WITHOUT EATING SOMETHING

10/22/2007 20:00:00

DON’T GO WITHOUT EATING SOMETHING

It is hard to tell whether they are streets or just trails. There is evidence that at one time they were paved with cobblestones, but as a result of heavy rains they are filled with potholes. But nothing has been able to wash away the redness of the earth.
The path, surrounded by leafy trees, mangos and palm trees like the towers of a mosque, leads to the Seminary of the Methodist Community of Paraguay.
There is a green enchantment which is delightful and fascinating. I don’t know why but I think of the Garden of Eden.
The air is warm. As yet the heat has not reached the boiling point this last week of September in Asuncion.
The workshop begins. They are seminarians – both men and women – 14 altogether. All are under 30 years of age. Their vitality is evident in the group dynamics, in the rapidity of participatory reflection bringing fresh ideas, in the intensity of the rhythm of the activities.
Again Jesus is not absent from this gathering. It seems that the Spirit brings him in the breeze that gives encouragement and moves within one’s soul. Jesus is discovered in the mist of the multitude that has followed him. They are not even aware that time has flown by or that they are hungry.
There had been no publicity, no posters, no flyers passed out on the streets, no information posted on the Internet. But the people follow him, stay with him and do not leave. He is like a magnet, a seductive presence that does not ensnare but liberates one’s hopes. It is as if this man is the incarnation of the dreams of the people who long for justice, freedom and a full life.
Once more the disciples do not understand what he means by the Reign of God. They pose easy answers, they use the logic of tradition, they want neither to commit themselves nor complicate their lives. Send them home. Or let them go buy food. They can find cheap junk food at the shopping mall.
"Ask them to sit down," says Jesus, "because they aren’t going home without eating." There is food here. A few small loaves and some fish. But the solidarity was not small and the strength of love multiplied everything – to the point that there was food left over.
Jesus never limits or is stingy when it comes to gifts and graces. He never measures out the exact amount. He is never stingy with whatever can bring joy to the people. With him there is always extravagance and abundance.
Well now... This is beginning to sound like a speech or a sermon. Nevertheless, this is a simple summary of what the young men and women said in their groups.
There were more texts to read, more content to receive, more analysis to do. But it is impossible to say everything all at once. And they continued their conversations. They did not want it to end. But after all, workshops never end. They keep on going, they are part of life.