Contact us for our home address via email as it will be subject to change.

Email: ezellew (at) globaloutreach.org

As you know we desire to take the truth of the Word of God to Belize, Central America. There we hope to teach it to faithful individuals who will then be able to teach others also. It seems crazy to leave the comforts of the thriving United States and move our family to a third world country with a poverty rate of 79%. However, there have been others, others of whom this world is not worthy, who sacrificed much more, and endured great suffering because their joy was founded upon and focused on an infinitely glorious and valuable Truth.

The things in the above text happened to those who valued truth during the Apostle’s day. These things didn’t happen to them because they were poor or because they were bad people. These despairingly joyful people suffered these things because they knew thatthere was something more valuable than life, health, and temporal comforts. No amount of persecution or hardship would make them deny their Lord or stop spreading His Word.

Outfitted with the same fervor, missionaries of the 19th century especially paid high costs to take the truth to the nations. For example, Scottish missionary John Paton (1824-1907) was convinced that the Lord was leading Him to take the truth to the cannibalistic New Hebrides Islands (modern day Vanuatu). Soon after he and his wife arrived on the Island of Tanna she died of ill health. Paton was left with their new born child who later also died. He buried them both with his own hands. Then…did he go home? No, he stayed! He stayed for years despite death threats from the cannibals and many attempts on his life. Thankfully, today there are still healthy churches on those once cannibalistic island

Not to compare ourselves at all to any mentioned above, but because we have been riveted by a reality and gripped by a greatness that is bigger than ourselves we cannot help but take it to the nations. The truth of the Word of God is precious, and I’ll ask as Pontius Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Ironically, when Pilate asked Jesus that he was standing right before the Truth. Jesus gives us the answer in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.”

Knowing Christ is of great value. If you have truly tasted of the sweetness of knowing Christ (who is the Truth), all other pleasures fail to ultimately satisfy. It has caused those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good to undergo much pain, suffering, and hardship in defense of it or because of it.

How valuable is the truth? How valuable to you is truly knowing Jesus? Do you truly know Jesus? If not or if you’re not sure click on the tab marked “Bible” to your left and learn more.

P.S. Don’t forget the joy.

“Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (Gen. 11:4). The people wanted a name for themselves instead of being identified by God’s name. They were also in direct disobedience to God’s command to fill the earth because they wanted to build a city and a tower so they would “not be scattered over the face of the earth”.

Because God is a just Judge this of course incurred His judgment. He said, “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth. (vv. 7-9).

We hope that by learning Spanish we will help reverse the curse. Not the curse that changed the languages, but the curse of sin’s stronghold on the life of unsaved people. Since we, like those in Genesis chapter eleven, directly disobey God we also will incur God’s just judgment. The only way to escape the deadly clutch es of sin and the punishment of a holy and righteous God someone must take our punishment in our place. Jesus Christ is the only one God has sent and appointed for this very reason. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Jesus Christ lived a perfect sinless life, authenticated His message with signs and miracles, suffered torture and humiliation by willingly taking the wrath of God on Himself, died on the cross, and then He was buried. Three days later, however, He rose again and this was the proof that God’s wrath was satisfied and the curse of sin and death defeated. This is the gospel of which we are not ashamed. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

This is the message that everyone must hear. The better we learn Spanish the better we can communicate the wonderful message of reconciliation to God with the Latino world. We don’t have to be under God’s judgment. We can be brought into a loving relationship with Him because His Son reversed the curse for everyone who turns from their sin, repenting and trusting in Him alone for the forgiveness of their sins.

Have you seen the movie The Ultimate Gift? It’s about a wealthy man who dies and leaves his grandson a series of strange gifts. The grandson just wa nts to know how much money he inherits, but he can’t find out until he receives all the unusual gifts, such as work, problems, giving, etc. Too often I’m like the grandson. I keep waiting for God to give me the “good stuff” while being frustrated with the strange gifts He has bestowed.

Philippians 1:29 says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him.” It’s taken a long time, but I’m finally learning to see suffering as one of God’s gifts.

God’s Word has a lot to say about suffering. Once I started paying attention, I found it in almost every book of the Bible. Suffering isn’t just part of living on earth; it’s also part of God’s plan. He uses it for our good. I know it doesn’t feel that way. Suffering feels painful, depressing, hopeless, devastating…. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to live with broken health, waiting for years for answers and healing. I’ve gone through the agony of losing people I love. I’ve been misunderstood and mistreated by others. I’ve experienced all these things and more. Suffering hurts. Yet, Jesus promised His followers they would suffer. He knew it would be for our good, and He filled His Word with encouragement for those who are suffering.

Suffering produces character, maturity, and hope (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4). Those who suffer for what is right are blessed (I Peter 3:14a). Suffering allows us to receive God’s comfort (II Corinthians 1:3-4). God uses hardship and suffering to train us for holiness (Hebrews 12:7-11). However, even with these verses, sometimes it’s still hard to accept suffering as a gift. There are three specific benefits of suffering I’ve experienced that have enabled me to receive this strange gift with gratitude.

1Suffering has given me a desperate dependence on God’s Word. When my life was mostly problem free, it was easy to think I was pretty spiritual and had all the answers. Once suffering hit nothing made sense, and I realized how desperately I needed truth. Psalm 119:92 says, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Only God’s Word can give me the understanding about God and life that I need to endure trials and hardship. There were days when, desperate for answers, I opened my Bible and read, and read, and read…until finally I found the answers or encouragement I needed. The Psalmist wrote, “My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm 119:50) Not only does God’s Word provide needed answers, it also holds precious promises that bring great comfort. Through suffering I’ve discovered the riches of God’s Word, sufficient for every day and every need.

2Suffering has produced deeper fellowship with Jesus. In Philippians 3:10, Paul said, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings….” Through suffering I’ve learned more about who Jesus is, what He’s like, and how He works. I’ve wrestled with questions, doubts, and fears. Before I went through painful trials, I believed God was good, loving, faithful, sovereign, etc. Now, I know He is. I’ve experienced His grace in every situation and found that He is enough. Beyond that, when every source of happiness this world offers was stripped away, I discovered the “inexpressible and glorious joy” (I Peter 1:8) that comes from simply knowing my Lord. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s only through pain that Jesus can open our eyes to the pleasure He offers.

3Suffering has taught me to keep an eternal perspective. It’s easy to be comfortable and at home in this world, until we experience suffering. Then everything changes. For me suffering has been a needed reality check. It’s made me ask questions like: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What am I living for? I understand now that God created me and put me on this earth for Himself and His glory, not for my comfort or happiness. In I Peter 4:1-2, Peter says that one who has suffered doesn’t live for himself anymore, “but rather for the will of God.” I only get one life. I’m thankful for the gift of suffering to change my perspective and keep me from wasting my life on selfish pursuits. And I’m thankful that suffering reminds me right now is just the “warm-up” while eternity is the “main event.” Paul said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) Life now is about suffering and sacrifice; eternity is about rewards and glory. Understanding this has changed the way I think, what I desire, how I live. Suffering helps me keep my eyes on heaven, my true home.

I don’t like it, I often complain about it, but I don’t doubt that suffering is a special gift from my loving Heavenly Father. In the end of the movie, The Ultimate Gift, you see the purpose of all the gifts that were so hard for the grandson to accept. They prepared him to receive his inheritance. God has a purpose too. He knows what we need. Sometimes suffering is the most precious gift we could receive. In the end, we too will understand how God used it to prepare us for our eternal inheritance. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (II Corinthians 4:17)

(Copyright Joanna Harris 2008)
Joanna would love to hear from you if her article has been a blessing to you joyoharris (at) gmail.com

The Welcome

I knew that Muslims prayed corporately on Fridays at noon, so I arrived about thirty minutes early hoping to be able to ask some questions. Upon arrival I was treated kindly. I was given a paperback Qur’an and a brochure. I was then directed to a man who could lead me to the place of prayer. He was an older man who appeared to be from one of the Middle Eastern states. He had a long white beard and once he spoke his accent assured me that the U.S. was not his birthplace.

He was kind but serious, not chipper. On our way to the mosque he began telling me about Islam. He was as thorough as someone could be in a five minute conversation. He explained the five pillars of Islam (Belief in one god and Muhammad as his prophet, praying five times a day, fasting during Ramadan, giving alms to the poor, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca). He also explained the six pillars of faith (Belief in Allah as the one and only god, in angels, in all the scriptures, in all the prophets, in life after death, and in destiny). I was really impressed that he was able to explain what he believed so well and so fully. There was no fumbling around with were to start or trying to smooth things over so I might like the sound of them better. He then invited me to go into the Mosque, or the Masjid as they say it in Arabic.

Inside the Mosque

Before entering I was instructed to take off my shoes. I was then shown the wall I was to sit against. Observers kind of have a designated area. The Mosque was really just a big carpeted room with a small stage and a rolling partition they put up (men and women were separated). There were very few chairs and these were only for a few older gentlemen who couldn’t sit on the floor comfortably. Since I was early there were only a few men inside. A few of them were on the stage praying (all in the same direction toward Mecca) but one was sitting and reading the Qur’an. As I looked around I noticed long diagonal white lines painted on the floor. They were perpendicular to the direction of Mecca. I also noticed that there were bookshelves on the wall holding what I assumed to be Qur’ans. One thing peculiar about them was how high they were. If I hadn’t learned in class that Muslims try to make sure that the Qur’an is always in the highest position above every other book in the room I might not have noticed this detail.

One thing that was hard to miss was the sound. There was hardly any. This roo m was understood to be a place of prayer. More people began trickling in and there was eventually what I would consider a call to worship. The microphone was turned on, and a gentleman I had seen walk in earlier began a sort of chant in Arabic. Everyone gave attention and performed differing bows. These bows I would later notice had an order.

The Message

After the call to worship there was our equivalent of a sermon. The speaker, called the Imam (what we might call the pastor), began with about two to three minutes of Arabic then he changed to an accented English. It was difficult to get all his points, but one he did make was that many people do horrible acts in the name of Islam but these are not truly Muslim.

I noticed that more than half of the men were sitting on the small stage where the speaker was rather than being spread out in the large room. I later asked a gentleman about why this was. He told me that they believe the closer you are to the Imam while he is giving the message the closer you will be to Allah in paradise. I was shocked by this response because my natural question was, “Why wasn’t every one as close as they could possibly be to him?” He responded by telling me that this is the same question the Imam asks them.

Corporate Prayer

Toward the end of the worship time the speaker said something in Arabic. Everyone stood, those who were on the stage came down, and they all formed long rows along the white lines. The Imam then began giving cues in Arabic as to when the postures were to change as they prayed. Though I never observed it well enough to explain how to do it, it began with standing, then going down to your knees, then putting your forehead on the floor, straightening up, then putting your forehead on the floor again. Between the Arabic cues it was absolutely still and quiet. As I looked around I could see under the partition and noticed that the women were in rows praying as well.

The entire time inside the Mosque only about three people even made eye contact with me. Granted I stood out like a sore thumb. I only saw one other Caucasian among the sixty to seventy men, but I don’t thi nk race had anything to do with it. I thought later, this was not a place for warm welcomes, smiles and handshakes with the occasional “How’s the family?” This was a place for focusing on worship.

Conversation Afterward

I waited after it concluded hoping someone would come up to me, shake my hand and attempt a friendly conversation. Once there were only about ten men left I figured it probably wasn’t going to happen. So, I got up and stretched a little. I had been sitting on the floor for about and hour. I walked out and put my shoes on as a few other men were doing the same. A gentleman gave a smile and said the Arabic equivalent of “May the grace and peace of god be with you.” Not understanding him I said, “hello.” We began talking and he introduced himself as Sulayman. Anxious to have many questions answered I asked him if he would mind me asking him about Islam. We talked about the different types of prayer, and about why more men were on the stage than the floor. Then the Imam came out and I was able to ask him some questions as well.

This was the most interesting part of the visit because the topics of forgiveness of sins, how one tries to get to heaven, and how one escapes hell all came up. When it boils down to it, I learned that it is all based on your deeds. I heard with my own ears the Imam say that the reason they do any good deed is for reward. It was made clear that these rewards are heavenly and not necessarily seen in this life. He told me that no one can know if they are going to heaven. Even so one is to continue to do good deeds in hopes that your good deeds will outweigh your bad. I pressed a little and asked if it is right to do good deeds only for the hope of reward. I asked if the real motive should instead be love for Allah. I was told that the answer is both, but it really seemed to me that the point of living this life was to worship Allah and to do good deeds so you won’t go to hell and so you will have rewards in heaven.

Conclusion

This visit really helped me to experience Islamic worship more personally. What I learned about their belief in salvation by works, as it were, will be imperative for future conversations with Muslims. My heart was sad as I watched all those men bowing and praying. I left knowing that most, if not all, of their interior motives were self-centered. It made me want to spread what I learned there to all Christians in hopes that they would be more motivated to share the good news of Christ. He is the One whom we worship, not because we hope to be rewarded by Him, but rather because we love Him for who He is and what He did. True Christians worship Him because He adopted us as children of God, because He sent Jesus to bare our sins, and because He rose again and is seated on His throne ruling in righteousness. I left thinking that Islam is about what you do for yourself, where Christianity is about what God in Christ Jesus did for you.

Without a sound foundation, the church conforms to the culture, and physical growth is offset exponentially by spiritual decline. The need of the Latin American evangelical church for sound, reformed literature in the Spanish language is irrefutable. Pastoral training is also necessary as means that God may use to counter this spiritual decline.” [1]

These above statements are from an organization that specializes in publishing biblically sound literature that has been translated into Spanish. I was so pleasantly surprised when I read this because this is exactly how we feel. I have seen in Belizean churches the deterioration spoken of above, and I also believe that recovery will begin when Pastors are properly trained in the Scriptures.

It’s been said, ministry to ministers is ministry to multitudes. If we can help the shepherds we will also help their sheep. This is exactly what we want to do in Belize. Take a formal Bible education to those who would otherwise not be able to receive such an education.

Pastoral training coupled with the distribution of sound literature is the starting point to reaching Belize for Christ. His sheep must rightly hear his voice in order to follow.

1 www.farodegracia.org

TEN MEANS GOD USES TO COMPEL THOSE WHOM HE CALLS

Our calling can be profoundly and durably sure in our own heart. It is the work of God to bring our heart to a point of conviction that, all things considered—including Scripture—this path is the path of obedience. The conviction is not infallible. But when it is of God, it brings peace.

How does God waken such a calling? I will suggest ten means that he uses. Only one of these is infallible—the Bible. All the others are relative. They are not absolutely decisive in your leading. They are important. But any of them can be overridden by the others. Various combinations of these are the fuel God uses to drive the engine of his calling in your life.

1. Above all, know your Bible and saturate your mind with it.

The Bible shapes our minds for mission durability (Psalm 1:1-3), and makes us burn for Christ (Luke 24:3)

2. Know your gifts and know yourself.

Every Christian has gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11). Knowing them shapes your convictions about your calling. And knowing yourself (as Paul exemplifies in Romans 7:15-24) deepens your sense of fitness for various ministries. (Keep in mind that this can be overridden by other facts!)

3. Ponder the need of the world.

The Christian heart of love is drawn by perceived needs, whether near or far. Therefore God uses what we know to awaken the measure of our desire that pushes us over the edge of commitment (Matthew 9:36-38).

4. Read missionary biography and missionary frontline stories.

Clearly the Bible treats heroes of the faith as divinely appointed inspirations for or the awakening of vision and ministry (Hebrews 13:7). “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

5. Inquire of your soul, “Where are you burdened for others?”

God sends and seeks the burden for lost people. Jesus carried such a burden: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! . . . How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Luke 13:33-34). This burden was essential to his calling. What is your burden?

6. Know your circumstances.

Parents, health, houses, lands, children, age, etc. All of them matter in our calling, but none of them is decisive. They can all be overridden. “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).

7. Pray for God to throw you where you can be best used for his glory.

I say “throw” because in Matthew 9:38 that is the literal meaning: “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to throw out laborers into his harvest.” The point is pray! Ask God to use you to the fullest for his glory. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

8. Do not neglect passionate, Christ-exalting, corporate worship.

The most important missionary calling that ever happened took place in corporate worship: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (Acts 13:2).

9. Listen humbly to the spiritual people in your life.

They not only confirm your gifts. They are the instruments of God to awaken in you possibilities and joys of missionary service that you never dreamed (2 Timothy 1:5-7).

10. Cultivate absolute surrender of all you are and have to Christ.

This is the person that God leads to the greatest fruitfulness of life. Woe to the person who tries to be a half-Christian and never says from the heart: “I renounce everything for you, Lord Jesus. I am willing to go anywhere and do anything at any cost, if you will go with me be my everlasting joy.” This is why Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. . . . Therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, 33).

Missions is about obedience to the Word of God. We get our marching orders from Jesus. When sending the disciples out into the world He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus wants us to go and make disciples of who? All the nations. Jesus did not have in mind the geopolitical nations as we know them today. He literally means all the ethnic groups of the world.

What does He want us to teach them? Everything that He ever taught. All of it! And teach them to observe it. He wants to see them knowing it, believing it, and living it.

Missions is about time. A lot of people ask us how long we are going to be in Belize. Lord willing, we’ll be here until the He calls us to heaven or to a different location. What if we serve here for years without seeing anyone saved or sanctified? We will continue to obey God’s prescribed way for growing His church; the plain teaching and preaching of His word? Should we not change our methods to draw bigger crowds using the latest church growth strategies of the day? After all, we have 300,000 people to reach here in Belize, how are we going to reach them all?

Missions is about focus. Let me first tell you what we won’t do. We won’t share the gospel with as many people as we possibly can as quickly as we can. But sharing the gospel will be part of our plan. We won’t try to get as many decisions for Christ as we possibly can. But encouraging people to repent and receive Christ will be part of our plan. Lastly, we won’t try to draw large crowds by using entertainment (face painting, balloons, clowns, music) then dropping the gospel on them at the end. But sharing truth with crowds will be a part of our plan. So, what are we going to do? What did Christ do?

Jesus had the whole world to reach and only 3 ½ years of ministry to do it. Did he throw thousands of parchment gospel tracts from the top of the temple? Did he just give a simple ABC presentation of the gospel once He had the big crowds around Him? No, He focused on 12 men. He poured Himself into 12 men for 3 ½ years.

You may never read of large numbers of converts in our newsletters, or of multiple churches being planted. But you can be assured that there will be a handful of people who we are devoting ourselves to and building up in the truth, just like Jesus did.