MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011

Dear Praying Friends,

     You have been praying, haven't you? FIRST, Ann's bogus account was fixed, so there should be no more problems there. I don't do Facebook, but Cheyenne took care of it for us.

     Yesterday was the test day for the whole church. Armando returned from Monterrey on Friday, so I scheduled a meeting with him on Saturday. The results of that will be explained in a minute.

     Yesterday was also the day that our ex-deacon was to return with all the deaf he "won to Christ." It turned out that they had led 1 deaf person to the Lord. All of the rest (30-35) were people they took out of our deaf church.

     Armando preached the regular service and ended the service without saying anything about his status. After the service was over, he asked if he could talk to the members. Amazingly, all non-members moved outside without a murmur. He began by explaining that he was totally in charge of taking care of his dad after his surgery because his only other brother has to work. He has been busy 24 hours a day since his father has been unable to drive or leave the house. Finally, he came to the issue at point. The ex-deacon and Pedro (we led to the Lord 1985) had launched an attack of several months against Armando with defamation of character, lies, and invented garbage. All had been proven false, but they often gossiped to unsaved deaf about their "revelations" concerning the pastor. He was still ready to come back to Guadalajara until Horacio, Armando's home pastor, received two letters from Pedro which were belligerent and demanding that Armando not return (Pedro has not been a member of the church for 3 years because he fails to attend faithfully). However, those two letters so wounded Horacio and eventually Armando  that Horacio told him to tender his resignation to us and to return to Monterrey, which he did. I had been in contact with both Horacio and Armando and I knew of the destroying effects of Pedro's actions. I had prayed that somehow these could be overcome. However, I also prayed that the Lord's will would be accomplished above all. After nearly breaking down a couple of times, Armando said that his pastor had recalled him and he must respect his wishes.

     I followed up by letting the church know issue by issue that all the things were false and that anyone involved was lying, trying to destroy the work of the Lord and that God would judge them. Five of the returnees were present. After making it abundantly clear that we are saddened but fully supportive of Armando's decision, I prayed that God would forgive our poor care of a pastor, that we as His people were ashamed of what had happened and that He would give wisdom for the future.

     We then told any member who wished to leave that they could do so, but that as a member they were welcome to stay for the meeting concerning those who wished to return. ALL stayed without even looking at one another. I then went through all of the specifications listed in the Constitution of the church concerning members who leave the church without a letter of recommendation. Their membership terminated the moment they left and could only be restored by a Biblical repentance and showing of true change in their lifestyle. They will be on probation without voice or vote until they satisfy the church that they have truly repented, corrected their evils and brought their lives into agreement with the Word of God. All five showed different levels of humbleness, but I do believe they will follow the church's mandates. The ex-deacon APPEARED to be truly humbled. He had led the rebellion and it appears God has worked him over. Pedro didn't even bother to attend the services. The greatest sin is that unsaved deaf were hearers of the slander and will be affected. All of our members appeared to be wounded by the effects, but ready to continue for the Lord.

     Thank you sincerely for praying. It DID make the difference. Our dear friend, Rigo, the ex-deacon, had been disrespectful and insolent in the matter, even raising his fist several times in the past. Yesterday, he was quiet and accepting of all he will need to do (by all outward appearances - for only God can see his heart). When the service was over, he quickly made his way to Armando and gave him a big hug, that without a word, appeared to be an "I'm sorry."  There were five other "members" who did not come.  They will be treated the same whether they attended or not.

     Sometime on Saturday, I arrived at the point of saying, "Lord, I have no control over this. As it has always been, it is in Your hands. I only pray that You will receive the glory." I thank you, because I believe He did get the glory. Please keep us in your prayers.

Gary & Ann