Do you remember this property?

What an amazing thing the Lord has done in La Angostura! Who would have ever thought that the Lord would use us to help get it done? I know that it's not the exact context of the Scriptures, but when I think about what God's doing in Calvary Chapel: La Angostura, I think about the promise of the Lord to the Israelites to lead them to a "land flowing with milk and honey." The children of Israel were slaves to one of the most powerful nations in the world. The thought that they would leave without war or a miracle was unfathomable. The Lord, however, had plans of His own for them, and He took them through the wilderness and made them strong. They took the land of Canaan with the Lord's help and blessing.

Now, the Lord placed a church in La Angostura, a town where the average daily income is about $3-$5.00, and He brought hundreds of people to this church. So many of the people who come to this church are children that just live their lives not thinking about healthcare if they were to get injured or the fact that they'll probably grow up to work 24-hour days for next to no money. The Lord moved a missionary family to La Angostura- Pastor Manuel and his wife Lidia who are like parents to these children. Then, out of nowhere, the Lord brings visitors from the other side of the world to help purchase a property that will be used to bring the love of Jesus to the people, to take care of children who are uncared for, and to show the world that nothing is impssible for the Almighty God.

Now do you see what the peope of Israel and the church at La Angostura have in common? The money that was paid for the property on which the church sits now is more than anyone in La Angostura would probably see in a lifetime. These people were ignored by the world but not by the Lord, who had a purpose for them that no one could have imagined previously. How is it that we can sometimes doubt such an awesome God?

I would encourage all of us to realize this: our God is completely capable of bringing His purposes to pass. He confounds man's wisdom by working through the poor and the humble. He is never discouraged by anything that seems impossible to man. What an awesome blessing it is to serve Him with everything that we have! Why would we be afraid of losing the wealth that wasn't even ours to begin with? The riches of the Church should be in our contrite heart and our utter dependence on the Lord for provision. How interesting it is to come to one of the most poor places in the world (La Angostura) and find a wealth that so many of those who are rich lack.


God bless you all,

Brennan