Saving it for others

I watched the end of The Lord of the Rings again last night. Those of you who know the story will understand all the details, but that isn't necessary to understand the point. If you haven't read the books or seen the movies, I would recommend them. They were dedicated to C.S. Lewis and the point of it all is that good will triumph, even when it seems impossible. As Frodo is boarding the ship to leave Middle Earth he tells a friend, "I did all that to save the Shire, but not for me." Frodo did indeed suffer and toil greatly to save the world of man, but then left it.

The thought occurred to me that often times that's what Gospel teachers and preachers do. They suffer with people, teaching them, counseling them, loving them, seeminly for nothing. But some years later they hear that this brother or sister has become a real power for good, or at least is now faithful and strong. During our 8 years in St. Croix we baptized over 70 people, but only a few of them are still in St. Croix. The rest have gone to Dominica, or Miami, or St. Thomas, etc. Many of them are still faithful and are real assets to the work where they now are, but the church in St. Croix doesn't receive the benefit.

Truly our job is to sow the seed, whereever we can. If we receive any benefit from it, that is wonderful. But even if we don't, God does and that is all that really matters.

Tol

Hurricane Dean in Dominica

I spoke with one of the brethren in Vielle Case, Dominica last night and although they had a lot of wind and rain, they are all right. The crops--bananas and plaintains were all blown down, which means they are lost, and some roofs were blown off, but there doesn't seem to be any severe damage in Vielle Case, which is on the north side of the island (straight across from the "beak" on the north end).

I haven't been able to talk with the brethren in La Plaine (just south of this line of type). Regular phones are down, but cell phones seem to be working so I hope to raise them today.

By early next week we should have a better assesment of damage and needs in Dominica. Other than one couple who are "retired", the brethren in Vielle Case are all farmers, so the loss of their crops will hurt them for close to a year. It takes 9 months for a banana tree to bear after it has been planted. Most of the root crops take at least 6 months to produce, so they will need some help. If you're interested in helping, e-mail or call me and I'll let you know when I know more.

Tol (787) 998-2098, tolburk@gmail.com

Hurricane Dean

As the satellite photo shows the eye of Hurricane Dean has now passed Puerto Rico. It is cloudy here, but it has not rained since 6 AM. I don't know how much it rained here on the north side of Puerto Rico--the only time I heard it was at 6. It is still a little windy, but we didn't get very much of that even. We didn't even lose power. We thank God for His care for us.

As the first hurricane begins to approach, we begin getting supplies so that if it does hit we have what we need. So Tues. we bought bottled water, flashlight batteries, candles and more canned goods than usual. We also filled up both cars with gas, as well as the generator. I then trimmed palm fronds that were touching the house, cleared the debris off the roof (we still have a dead a/c compressor up there, but I left it too), gathered up light things in the yard, etc. Because it became obvious pretty early that it wasn't likely to hit PR we didn't have to bring the lawn furniture, bbq grill, plants, etc. inside--one time in St. Croix our bbq grill kept blowing back and forth down the porch. It's a big job preparing for a hurricane and requires several days.

After the first "scare" we are now more or less ready--we will keep the supplies until the end of Oct., then use them up. We can say we are prepared to meet a hurricane. It feels good to be prepared, but the worst that would likely happen in a hurricane is that we would lose our house and stuff, maybe even our life (to put this into perspective Hurricane Hugo severely damaged 70 % of the houses in St. Croix but only 21 people died).

Are you prepared to meet God? If you're not and die, you will lose alot more than physical life. The ASV translates 1 Tim. 6:19, "lay hold on that which is life indeed"--a reference to eternal life in heaven. Obviously then, the opposite of that, eternal destruction in hell, would be the loss of well being indeed. You CAN rebuild after a hurricane but once you die you CANNOT prepare yourself to meet God.

Are YOU ready?

Tol

Bible study in Puerto Rico

We just finished a Bible study with our neighbors tonight. It was our third study and they are right with us thus far. They bake cakes, and I don't mean Wal-mart type cakes, for weddings, birthdays, graduations, etc. They are unbelievable and this is the way they support themselves. The cakes are usually delivered on the weekend, so they bake and decorate them on Wed. & Thur. so Monday or Tuesday is the best night for us to study. They had two different groups coming today to discuss their cake and they were scheduled at 3 PM and 5 PM, so they would be gone before 7, so we could study.

When we got to their house they warned us that the couple from 3 PM had still not come and was coming any minute. They insisted we start the study, which we did. Sure enough, about 10 minutes into the study, here they come. They invited them in and they sat down in the living room (10 feet from where we were in the dining room). We then find out that the couple wants to wait on his sister, so they are invited and come into the dining room and enter the study. We continue to study and just as we are at the next to the last scripture his sister arrives. So instead of studying with 3 people, we studied with 5.

In the States, this study would have probably not happened this week, but here not only did we study, but we studied with a young couple (soon to be married) who we did not expect at all. She at least was attentive and we pray the seed was sown and may one day bear fruit. I left a copy of the lesson with her as well as the sister. So when things don't seem to be working out like you expect, don't worry it may be even better than you think.

Tol

"Life is hard . . ."

The photo on the left is from one of the universities here in Puerto Rico. It says, "Life is hard, prepare yourself well." Of course, their point is that you need a college education in order to prepare yourself for life.

While I wouldn't disagree with the importance of education, particularly a college education, these days there is something even more important--education about God and His Word.

Life is hard, not only are there real dangers/troubles/calamities, but there are also so many possible dangers. How does one face the hurricanes, devastating illnesses, personal tragedies, etc. alone? At those moments when we can't go on by ourselves, God is there to help us, whether by means of our brethren, or however.

Life is hard. Are you preparing yourself?

Tol

The church in La Plaine

This is one of the Bible classes from vacation Bible school in La Plaine, Dominica last week. So far as I know, none of these children attend services with the church there. Elkin studies with the parents of some and they visit occasionally, but as of yet they are not Christians.

The church here is composed of less than 10 members but has an attendance of close to 20 most Sunday mornings. They also meet on Sun. night, then Tues. and Thur. nights as well. Tuesday night is Bible class but Thur. night is "What's your question?"--Elkin entertains any and all questions and tries to provide the Biblical answer. Attendance at most of these services is 10-12. Among those who attend are several Haitian immigrants, so the service is in English and Patois, the broken French that was spoken in Dominica earlier and which the Haitians understand. Last Thur. I was answering questions and one of the Haitians asked me a question in Spanish, so I answered it in English and Spanish, so that service was trilingual.

There is good potential here. Many of the younger people have rejected Catholicism and to some extent the charismatic movement, but they are still confused--they know that some things are wrong, but they are not sure what is right. A woman named Ucille is typical--she has studied with the 7th Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses besides us. She finally told the 7 days not to come back, but she is still confused, as you can imagine. Elkin continues to have 30 or more studies a month.

Please pray for the brethren here. Although few in number they are growing, although not as fast as they would like.

Tol

VBS Dominica 2007

Dana and I have been in Dominica the last two weeks for vacation Bible school--one week in Vielle Case and the next week in La Plaine. We are tired and both seem to have caught what they are calling "the Chavez"--head cold, sore throat, fever, etc. It is called "Chavez" because the president of that name visited Dominica and when he and his entourage left this respiratory infection started appearing.

We had 72 kids in Vielle Case, which is what we had last year. It is exciting to see the progress some of them have made--they've been there all 4 years. We had more teenagers than we've had since the first year--we ended with 15.

This was our first year in La Plaine so we didn't know what to expect. We had 29 the first day, which was a little more than I expected, but the next day it really jumped--to 62. We finished out the week with 70, which was way more than we expected. We'll see next year if that is the peak there, or if it will go even higher.

Tol

The nature of man

This fine looking animal visits our backyard frequently to feed. The little plants on his left have small purple flowers. I had seen these plants before, they were different--they were covered with flowers. Ours are not--the iguana comes up to eat them. Animals have no sense of beauty--flowers are one of iguanas favorite foods, although they will eat grass. Rather than admire the beauty of the flowers he eats them. When was the last time you saw a dog (or any other animal for that matter) stop to admire a sunset, or a sunrise, or any beautiful thing?

Men are different from animals in a number of ways, but this is one of the more obvious.
Certainly societies may have different ideas of what is beautiful, but mankind appreciates beauty. Why do we travel? To see the beauty! Why do we buy National Geographic and such magazines? To see the beauty!

If man is just a refined ape, how do we account for this innate desire for beauty? No other animal, not even the monkeys, has such a desire. Evolution cannot explain it--our esthetic nature does not help us survive in any way. If only those things that make us stronger, live longer, etc. are passed on (survival of the fittest) how can we explain this?

Just as every man can appreciate beauty, every man has an innate desire to worship something (or somebody). God created man with both of these desires, things which the animals don't have. There is no other explanation.

Tol

Working with brethren

If you preach on a regular basis, you have no doubt "quit preaching" at least once or twice. In the past I have quit preaching, or at least seriously considered it--one time it lasted all of 3 months. I haven't done that in more than 20 years now, but I still get frustrated with brethren.

If the Lord wills, we will be in Dominica next week for vacation Bible school. In the second village we are going to, the school building is already reserved, as is housing for 15 people--all arranged for some time by the local preacher. In the first village, where we start in one week, they will go tomorrow to apply for the school building and hope we get the permission letter by Friday. I have arranged housing, etc. And the most frustrating thing is this is better than they've done in the past. And you think you work with brethren who won't do anything!

Seriously, the most frustrating thing to me (and I think most preachers) is not what outsiders do, but what brethren do (or don't do). What do you do with brethren who won't do anything, or worse yet, will only do something to oppose you?

I don't claim to have all the answers but what I have seen in 27 years of preaching is that frequently brethren won't do anything because they are not committed. They are not committed because their faith is weak--oh, they've made a commitment to attend services, maybe even lead prayer or wait on the Lord's table, but that's about it. Brother N. B Hardeman once said, "Never underestimate the ignorance of your audience." While some would be insulted by such a statement I don't believe that was his intention at all--he was just reminding preachers that not everyone in the audience is as knowledgable as you are. There are young people who are just beginning to listen, there should be babes in Christ, not to mention brethren who just weren't listening when you preached this before. I'm not saying to water sermons down, but make sure you lay the foundation for your applications--people don't remember what they don't understand. Now if you preach for a church that will only tolerate 30 minutes of preaching you're limited by that, but people must grow spiritually before they will act. Rom. 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Faith can only be strengthened by hearing the Word. This kind of growth takes time and we as preachers sometimes don't have the patience needed.

Sometimes we also fail to take people where they are. Jesus took the Samaritan woman as she was, having had 5 husbands and living with another. The woman taken in adultery was forgiven and cautioned to "sin no more". Even if I am "perfect" (in my own eyes anyway) most people are not. They need to grow and improve, but we must take them where they are and help them to grow from that point. Again this requires patience and teaching on the part of the preacher.

So before we decide that "the brethren" are the problem, let us examine ourselves to see whether we are part of the problem or part of the solution.

Tol

"Every man did what was right in his own eyes"

Driving in Puerto Rico is a real experience. The traffic is heavy and there aren't enough roads for all of us which leads some people to do some crazy things. Most traffic lights, for example, have left turn lanes with an arrow. But if the line is too long in that lane, someone will pull into the adjoining lane and turn left from that one--in front of those in the real turn lane if they can. They will even occasionally U-turn from this lane in front of you. If you are foolish enough to stop at a red light when there is no traffic you will either get honked at or more likely, they will just go around you and run the light.

On Fridays and Saturdays the traffic will frequently back up so that people will block the entrance/exit of our subdivision. Of course when we get our short light we cannot move, but don't worry that just means we move as soon as we can, thus cutting into the light of the people across from us, so they run their red light, thus cutting short those turning left into the neighborhood, which blocks those going on the highway--I think you get the picture. I'm learning how to position myself in a left turn lane, etc. so that I effectively block as many as possible so they HAVE to let me go. Otherwise, I could sit there a good while.

What is really amusing (and dangerous) is to see semi trucks switching lanes, riding peoples bumpers, etc. as if they were a small car. I think it must be so ingrained in people they don't even realize that they are doing it. Our backyard is bordered by a creek, which is bordered by a 6 lane road. Hardly a week goes by that we don't hear a wreck from our yard and we see at least one a week.

You probably are wondering what all my ranting has to do with the title--a quote from the book of Judges. Everything!! Judges recounts what happened in Israel when there was no king--no leadership, "every man did what was right in his own eyes". Some examples of the results are recorded in the last 3-4 chapters, one of which almost lead to the extermination of the tribe of Benjamin.

In Puerto Rican traffic there is no law (it exists, but a law that is not enforced ceases to be a law) so every man does what he wants to do. The result is total chaos. It is no different in society at large--when a society rejects authority eventually it will deteriorate into chaos. Western society is a good example of this today. When no one tries to enforce right and wrong chaos will always result.

It is no different in the church either. When brethren reject authority not only chaos but division will follow. 1 Cor. 11 says as much: "there must be division among you that those who are approved may be made manifest." Some will stand for the truth when others leave it, so there will be division and every evil work.

What is your attitude toward authority? If God and His Word are not paramount in your live, you are at least sowing the seeds of chaos for your children, if not yourself.

Tol

One of the devil's most potent weapons

In Middle Tenn. and N. Alabama the church is strong and over 30 % of people are Christians. In this kind of area the devil is still at work, telling us that: 1) Nobody cares about the Gospel anymore, or 2) He causes to become self-righteous. In contrast in an area where the churches and Christians are few and scattered out, the devil works on us from a different direction--discouragement.

Being one of only two English speaking churches (and the other is liberal) we have several member who travel an hour each way to meet on Sunday. All of us come at least 20 minutes, even though traffic on Sunday morning is nothing. Then when we get there if we're all there, there are 14. Add to this, that several of them are single, so have no wife/husband to encourage them and you see why they get weak.

Even Elijah the prophet got weak when he felt he was all alone--he asked God to take his life because "I'm the only one left". Imagine the great man that faced up to Ahab (and Jezebel) but later is ready to throw in the towel. Is it any wonder that we get discouraged at times?

Such situations can be discouraging but we cannot let them overcome us. We must remember what God told Elijah, "I have 7,000 who have not bowed their knee to Baal, nor kissed him." Even if we don't see them, or know about them, we have brothers and sisters throughout the world. Dan. 2 prophesied that the kingdom of God would endure forever and it's sovereignty would not be passed to another. If God be for us, who can be against us?

Rom. 10:17 tells us that, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." When we see that we are getting weak or discouraged we must turn back to the Word. Seeing other Christians is good, but it is only temporary. Faith built on His Word will continue no matter what.

To those of us who live among many Christians it would be very good for you to visit a place where that is not so. You can: 1) Encourage the brethren there, 2) learn to appreciate what you have more, 3) realize the power of God's Word and prayer.

Tol

Driving in Puerto Rico--multitasking at its "best"

Driving in Puerto Rico requires your undivided attention. The roads themselves present all kinds of challenges--unmarked exits, exits with no warning, turn only lanes with no warning, lanes ending with no warning--you get the picture. When you mix in the drivers it really makes it interesting. So interesting that only yesterday Dana and I were wishing we had a camera in the car with us to record some of the things they do here.

There is the usual number of people talking on their cell phone, who are joined by those deeply engaged in conversation with one (or all) of the passengers, not to mention those acting as tour guides and pointing out all of the sights. While doing this they will drop 10-15 miles below the speed limit and are as likely to be in the far left lane as they are to be in the far right. We have seen women putting make up and countless numbers eating but we had another first today--a car in front of us was driving 10 or more miles under the speed limit as well as having trouble holding her lane. When we passed her it looked like she was breastfeeding--I couldn't see under the towel mind you, but it was the typical arrangement. I don't have a problem with breastfeeding, even in public if she's covered, but while driving?

None of the things these drivers are doing while driving is "bad", but they do distract them from the main thing--driving. The spiritual application of my ranting centers on just this point--Christians cannot allow themselves to be distracted from the main thing. As disciples of Christ our goal is to become like Him--in word, in thought, in deed. Everything we do, think, or say should be what He would do.

But often we allow ourselves to be distracted by other "good" things--children's activities, work, hobbies, sports, etc. While there is nothing wrong with any of these things, like driving distractions, they slow us down in our progress toward becoming more Christ-like or sometimes even derail us completely. Jesus rebuke of Martha was not so much, "Martha you sinful woman" but rather "Martha you are troubled about many things, but Mary has chosen the good part." Let us strive to choose the "good" part that cannot be taken away from us.

Tol

Opinions in Bible class

I commend to your attention this excellent article by Rick Liggin--I couldn't agree more!

Are our Bible classes supposed to be times for open discussion when anyone and everyone may state his own "opinion" on what some Bible text or verse of Scripture means? Asked a little differently: are Bible class teachers simply discussion facilitators or are they supposed to actually teach the class something?

Obviously, teachers are supposed to teach! They are to "give instruction", since this is what a "teacher" does. And though that may involve engaging his students in some kind of discussion, in the end the teacher is supposed to be leading the class in a definite direction so that real learning takes place. Anyone can stand at the head of a classroom and ask his students for comments--but a teacher must do more than that. He must teach!! He must instruct! He must make sure that real learning--learning that is true to the Word--takes place in the minds and hearts of his students.

But not only must he teach; he must do so with authority. Paul told Timothy: "These things command and teach" (1 Tim. 4:11). He told Titus: "These things speak, exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you" (Tit. 2:15). A faithful Bible teacher does not hand down his own "opinion" of what the Bible says--an "opinion" that others may take or leave, accept or reject. He teaches the Word of God--an authoritative message that must be accepted and obeyed.

Now, I say these things because I fear that some of us have gotten the wrong idea about our Bible class periods. Some of us seem to think that Bible class is a time for us to all get together and share our "opinions" or "what this passage says to me" with one another about some Bible topic or Bible text. But folks, that's not Bible STUDY! It might be one thing if we were sharing with one another the fruit of our own diligent, honest and careful private Bible study. In fact, if that were the case, I'm sure that some real and significant Bible learning would take place in such a class period. But that most often is not the case!

More often than not, these "opinions" we express are not based on any real, personal Bible study; in fact, they're often not even based on having previously read the text before coming to class. More often than not, they are the result of whatever might pop into our heads as we read the text for the first time while already in class. I'll be honest and tell you that, as a Bible class teacher who works hard at preparing to teach Bible classes, I find that insulting. How dare you come to class and challenge a teacher's conclusions by expressing your "opinion" when you haven't even taken the time to read the text (much less study it) before coming to class! We're not saying that error should not be corrected--if a Bible class teacher teaches something wrong, he should be challenged and corrected kindly. But how can we do that if we have not studied the text before coming to class?

Bible class is not about sharing "opinions" (especially unstudied opinions) with one another. It's about helping one another learn correctly what God's Word says, so that we can use it to change our lives. And it is the teacher's place to do that--and do it with authority, so that all feel the need to do what God says. Vision for the future demands that we make our Bible classes periods of real learning, and that requires teachers who are prepared to teach and students who come to class prepared to learn.

The work in Puerto Rico

After two Sundays here I thought I would give an update on the work. We have had 11 people at the English speaking congregation both Sundays, counting Dana and I. That is everybody with the exception of one brother who works 2 jobs, one of which is sometimes on Sunday. The Spanish speaking church did not meet the first Sunday, but last Sunday there were 6 of us, which is everybody.

With us here I'm confident the Spanish speaking group will be much more consistent--the brother who has done most of the preaching has to work a couple of Sundays a month, but I should always be there, so we will meet.

We also have 4 contacts to follow up with already--Christians who have fallen away. 3 of them were members at Dorado but live in our area so Caparra Terrace would not only be closer in distance but it time as well. Besides, it's in San Juan (the big city) not some little town on the outskirts--I know it shouldn't matter, but there is a psychological factor there. The other is from the Dom. Republic and just fell away because of the pressures of the everyday world. We also have the wives of two of the members who are good prospects--Arnaldo has already suggested that we need to come eat with them, so we can meet his wife, etc.

Please pray for us as we work here.

Tol

The Babyhood of Babies

Have you ever tried to tell a 3 year old that they are a baby? Almost without exception they will quickly correct you—“I’m a big boy/girl.” Why, our oldest son was “a big man” from the age of 3. Although they are certainly not infants anymore they are still babies, whether they recognize it or not. This is one of the characteristics of babies—they never see their own deficiencies or babyhood (if there is such a word).

Spiritual babies (immature Christians) are no different. In the beginning they recognize that they are babies in Christ, but it isn’t long until they learn just enough to think of themselves as spiritually mature. We all recognize that the brand new Christian is vulnerable and needs friends who are Christians to counteract the pull of the world and their old friends. This is a dangerous time in their spiritual life, but the next stage is only slightly less dangerous. If they are not careful they enter the stage where they know just enough to become arrogant and often self-righteous. They don’t need to study the Bible or listen to older, more mature Christians as much (at least in their own mind) anymore and if they continue in this stage they never mature. The words of Hosea become true of them also; they are “a cake not turned”—burned on one side and raw on the other.

Working with these babies (whether they’ve gotten stuck in this stage or whether they’re only passing through on their way to maturity) requires a great deal of patience. Instead of just telling them what to do we need to both tell them and do it ourselves. As our children model what they see their parents do, so babes in Christ will model what they see older Christians do. In fact, that is often a big part of the problem—Christians with more time in the faith aren’t doing what they expect newer ones to do, so when they tell them what Christians should do they don’t listen. The older Christians aren’t doing it, so why should they?

This is where consistently doing what is right can have a great effect. Most of our first year in St. Croix we would drive the 45 minutes to where the church was meeting for Wed. night Bible class and one other member would show up, eventually. But over time more and more started coming and 7 years later every member would come for every service. Of course there was teaching about the importance of attendance, which is necessary, but a consistent example is at least as important.

Those of us who are in fact spiritually mature must patiently teach and set the example for those who aren’t yet there. It’s much easier, as well as natural, to “let them have it” about attendance, Bible study, or whatever and this may even produce results for a short time. But until the heart (or understanding) is changed, there will be no permanent improvement. Often we must swallow our own pride and anger and continue to be consistent in our actions. You will probably have to do it alone for at least awhile, but keep quietly and loving pushing them to grow—some will and some won’t.

There are those who won’t grow, perhaps because of their character or perhaps because of mistakes of others. Notice in 1 Tim. 3, in the qualifications of an elder, why a novice should be selected—so he doesn’t become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Obviously, if someone who doesn’t know the Bible well is an elder, it will be easy for him (and the church) to go astray, but that’s not the reason the Holy Spirit moved Paul to write here. I have known a number of spiritual babies who have been put into leadership positions in the church and have ruined not only that church but every other church they become members of. Since they have been “leaders” they don’t see their need to study or grow in any way and “once a leader, always a leader” so they feel free to give their advice (usually as laws) to anyone who will listen. It is so tempting to humiliate them publicly by showing how ignorant they are, but such is usually counterproductive—they are not humble, only embarrassed and you have made an enemy for life. Frequently they will stir up trouble and may even divide the church. Better still, in my opinion, to try and work with them, not only teaching them, but showing them, what should be done. Don’t be surprised though if they fall away or start their own church.

It’s not easy working with babies—they aren’t always reasonable and worst of all, don’t even realize their immaturity. Just remember that we have all been immature at one time and good brethren loved us and taught us and showed us in spite of our babyhood.

Tol

Life in Puerto Rico---slooooowwwww!

Dana and I arrived in Puerto Rico last Friday and have been waiting for everything under the sun since. We got here in time to go to the shipper to get a car and the trailer with our furniture, etc. Well, I didn't have the paperwork for either one and it would take us at least 1/2 hour to go back home to get them and customs closed at 3:30 PM, so nothing doing that day. Our neighbors supplied what we needed for the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday was doing some shopping--Wal-mart is about 1 mile away, but that's 20 minutes in our neighborhood. Services actually started about 5 minutes late, which is not even late here. All were present except one in English. The Spanish speaking group did not meet. (We'll work on that).

We spent all day Monday back at the shipper and customs--duty on the car was ridiculous, payable in cash only. Fortunately, there was no duty on our household goods. We cleared that trailer, then had to call a trucker, to go leave the papers at his office--a gas station. He brought the trailer to the house around 5:30 PM. After going to the bank, getting cash advances, etc. we finally paid out the car and left with it around 4 PM, arriving home 30 minutes later. It's only 7 miles, but the traffic.

We are still waiting on phone and internet--it was supposed to be installed Thur. but they couldn't find the cable so it is postponed until Tues. afternoon. Our phone number is suppossed to be: (787) 998-2098. I'll let you know when it is activated.

We're at Starbucks catching up on internet everything this afternoon. I only circled for 5 minutes to find a spot to park (it would probably be illegal to park there anywhere else but in PR it is SOP). We're adapting to driving here--we can turn left out of any lane and zip in and out of traffic like everybody else.

We are both fine and should be fairly well settled in by the end of next week.

Tol

Prayers for Nino

Nino Estevez has been an integral part of the work in Venezuela for some years. He started the church in Barinas, which has since grown to around 100 while sending 15 or so to start another congregation downtown. He also has worked with churches in Maracaibo, Caracas, Guanare, and other places. He helped start the church in Valencia and San Cristobal.

He is suffering from kidney stones in both kidneys and is now facing surgery to remove at least one of them. Please remember him in your prayers--the date has not been set, but is projected to be within the next 6 weeks. He will need some financial help with this, but is asking the gov't. first to see what they will do. Please pray for him and his wife Chela.

Tol

"A very large family"

Dana and I have been traveling for about 10 days now, on our way to Puerto Rico. We're finally in FL, at Port St. Lucie, with our youngest son and his family. Sunday I preached at 2 of the churches that support me, where I've never been before. As usual, I was reminded what a large family the church is.

At one of them we didn't think we knew anyone, but there was a former member from Sweetwater where I preached from 1985-1990. At the other one I publicly said I didn't know anybody, but afterwards a brother we knew from Abilene met me almost at the door. Another young man told me of a young lady I've been corresponding with about living in the Dom. Republic this summer. And this doesn't include all the connections that were made with other brethren in other places we both knew.

I was also visiting with a preacher I know from KY a few weeks ago who had visited a church I know well. He told me it was a little strange--out of 200 or so people only 5 spoke to him at all. Sometimes, our family doesn't act like the family they are. If someone were to visit the church where you worship, how would they be treated?

Tol

Could this be part of the problem?

Recently I was in another city and needed a ride to the airport. After locating a church on one of the internet directories, I went to their website and called one of the elders. I didn’t really know anyone in this town, so I had to pick someone at random. As it happened, we made a connection (someone we both knew) within about 5 minutes and he was going to work on finding someone to give me a ride.

A couple of weeks later I actually needed the ride and the night before, I called to find out who would give me a ride—name, phone #, etc. Another of the elders had agreed to take me, but like so many of us, he had forgotten a prior engagement, so couldn’t. The two conferred and could not think of anyone in the congregation who might be available to taxi me. To their credit, they did offer to reimburse me for my taxi fare. Again, I don’t know how large the church there is, but 4 elders would generally indicate a larger church.

Brethren, are we tooooo busy? If no one has time to help a preacher, will we make the time to become friends with the lost? Will we take the time to serve a brother or sister in need? Do we have the time to evangelize, or are we too busy?

Could this have anything to do with the fact that most churches of Christ in the States are not growing? True, brethren are always shifting from one congregation to another—whether they have moved to a new location, they got upset with another congregation, etc. But how many churches are really growing by baptisms, whether their own children or “outsiders”? Conversion takes a lot of work, which takes time—are you willing to make the time it takes?

Tol

It's official!

As of about 11:45 PM, April 30th we now own a home in Puerto Rico. The closing was set up for 7:30 PM and by the time everybody explained everything in great detail to Dana and she signed all the papers it was 11:45.

Our new address is below in the proper format:

Urb. Valle Verde 1
Rio Turabo AW15
Bayamon, PR 00961

We will retain the same cell phone number for awhile: (931) 797-2300 I will post our new landline phone # when we get it. My e-mail address has also changed to: tolburk@gmail.com. Dana’s remains the same: danagburk@hotmail.com

We have 3 bedrooms so we have room for company—just check with us for dates.

Tol