The Sheaffers - Church Planting in Uruguay

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Post, Texas Returns!

We were so thankful to have a group from First Baptist Church, Post Texas, return to Montevideo last week. This same group came last June to work with GAP in the Old City. This year, they worked with the same church group, doing GAP in the Prado neighborhood of Montevideo. It was a tremendous blessing for the two churches to be reunited and work alongside one another again.

This was the first time for GAP in this particular area of the city. It was a new experience but the group was definitely up for the challenge. Many of the youth from our Amor church group helped throughout the week. It was amazing to see God at work as the groups served together, in spite the grief and hurt both groups were experiencing. For the youth here, it was a huge part of the healing process as they began to minister again after two very hard weeks following Pablo’s death. The Post team was such a wonderful encouragement and strength to the entire church body. God’s timing was perfect in bringing “old friends” at a time that they were needed the most.

Throughout the week, the team distributed more than 2000 gospels of John. They worked long days without complaining. We definitely saw God answering their prayers as the people of the neighborhood were receptive and open. During the week, one of the team members, Wendell, was able to share his faith with a man he met on the street. The man prayed to receive Christ on the spot.

At the end of the week, the team hosted an evangelistic film at a private school in the neighborhood. There were 25 new people who attended, as well as many youth from the church and some of their friends. At the end of the film, 4 people prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.

On Sunday morning, before the Texas team headed home, they attended a worship service with the Amor church group. It was exciting to see two of the people who had attended the film, return for the church service. During that service, one of those people (a 16 year old girl) also prayed to receive Christ. The biggest blessing for us personally was to see Pablo’s younger brother, as well as Sadia’s mom receive Christ during that service. God is definitely at work and we can see His hand even in the midst of suffering.

We want to say “thank you” again to our friends from Post, Texas, for your hard work and the tremendous encouragement you were to all of us in Montevideo. God knew exactly what was needed here and we are thankful for your willingness to allow Him to use you to bless others.

First Baptist, Post TX Pictures

The Post Texas Team
The Best Team?

Or is this one?
All of teams this week were great.


Evangelistic Event...4 prayed to receive Christ.

Taking it to the streets once again.


Sharing the Gospel is what it is all about.


There is power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Touching lives.


"The Pony Man", he came to both our event and church on Sunday!

Some of the youth hanging out.


Morning devotions...so look pretty bored!

Missionaries - Arnold, Lucy, Pam, and yours truly.


Our youth group and translators...God is strengthening day by day.

Worship team...missing Pablo but "keeping on".


Tuesday, June 03, 2008

He Finished Well

On May 25th our church and family lost a dear friend. Pablo was only 20 years old when he died, but he lived many “lifetimes” in his short time here on the Earth. If you knew Pablo you know exactly what I mean; he lived life to the fullest. He died while serving the Lord and ministering to underprivileged children in the Old City part of Montevideo through a horrible accident. He will be greatly missed and we will never forget his smile, devotion, and passion for Christ.

Though we do not fully understand this tragedy at this moment, we know that God is in control and we believe Pablo is with the Lord in Glory. We have all been challenged through this experience; hopefully Pablo’s life will encourage us all to “finish well” as he did at such a young age.

Please pray for Pablo’s family, girlfriend (Sadia), and church family.

The following pictures may give you a glimpse into the life of a young man who lived life to the fullest.