This is an update received in a handwritten letter from corey dated 3/11/07:
The Bath: (essentials for skimmers)
We built a typical jungle house.
My health is improving.
I'm learning Quichua and shared the story of the Creation with the family in Puerto Arturo.
The Bubbles: (non-essentials)
Dear the Church,
It's really amazing to see the power of prayer at work through our God Who exists outside of time and space. Get this: God is all knowing so He knows the prayers ya'll are going to pray before ya'll pray them. Therefore, He doesn't need to wait until you pray to answer. I don't know how long these letters take to get through the 3rd world mail, to the USA, to North Carolina, to my family, to an electronic format, and sent finally to your inbox, but it probably takes weeks. Nevertheless, my prayer requests are being answered, often within the day i send them to ya'll! Example: Last time i asked for prayers concerning my declining health, namely my feet. After giving the letter to my boss to take to the post office, about 15 minutes had passed when a girl working with the Xtreme Team brought us some medical supplies, including bandages and creams for my feet! Within a few days my cuts had healed up without any infection and i can run again with the other men during our exercises, something i've not been able to do in weeks. That being said, be encouraged to pray all the more in faith, without doubt, as James 1 says, believing that the Lord has perhaps already answered your prayer!
The last couple of weeks an indigenous brother, Senor Manuel, came and lived among us. He taught us how to construct a large house completely out of trees and leaves we found. It's held together by ropes we made of vines and tree bark and sits a few feet off the ground on stilts. The 12 of us built this house together to serve as a common place to meet. "Manly" indigenous river communities have a "man-house" like this where the men meet. This week we started our own houses to sleep in. Much smaller than the "man-house", ours will sleep 4 men. When we were setting the poles for the foundation, i noticed we had not measured it. (We don't have tape measures or rulers.) After measuring the corners with a vine, i figured it to be out of square. I talked to my guys and explained the Pythagorean Theorem. They admitted it wasn't square, but then asked why it needed to be so. For the life of me, i couldn't think of a good reason. We're not going to plumb it or tile the floor. They were right. I tell you this so you can understand i must remove my cultural goggles that i've used to see the world for the last 23 years. I must do so in order to win more for the Gospel. (I Corinthians)
Alas, these 3 months of training are not all classroom, separated from the real world. As i said in the former update, i'll be going to the community of Puerto Arturo, an indigenous village accessible only by river. There's no electricity, cars, plumbing, or cookie dough ice cream. This particular weekend was special because we got to share our first story,The Creation. We share Bible stories orally, then ask questions. We don't share our opinions or thoughts. The Word is enough. This method equips the people not to be dependent on us, especially after they memorize the stories too. One day, Lord willing, we will move on and perhaps, not return. They will need to be an autonomous church, if a church at all. They will have to rely on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit alone.
Prayer Requests:
Pray for the salvation and discipleship of Angel, Arora (his wife), Segundo, Noe', Jaeme', and many others in Puerto Arturo who hear these stories. Pray Alex and i would be wise as we share, knowing when to speak and when to let the Spirit speak alone.
Pray continually as i study Quichua. I understand so little now.
Pray for my bowels again as i haven't had continued success in this area in 2 months. It's very frustrating and discouraging.
I love ya'll with all my being.
til the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass
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