Use the links to download the PDF version of the resources. Using a windows computer, right-click on the link and choose "Save Target As..", then select where you would like to save the file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view these files. If you do not have this program use the link below. It is a free download.
February 1978 Newsletter
COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
In the jungle and prairie of Southeastern Colombia
Volume 6, Issue 2 February, 1978
A MULTIPLE MINISTRY
Our last month has been a very busy one. This is due in part to the expanding scope of our ministry here in Colombia. In spite of the fact that we didn't have our monthly leadership training clinic (due to the holiday) the time still flew by. A few years ago, we visited in one church to help evangelize and train the leaders. But now our ministry has rapidly developed into a multiple ministry. Any one part could easily be developed into a full time ministry, but since there is no one else to help us at the moment we must do it alone.
The radio program occupies a large part of my time during the week. It has now moved to a prime time spot and can now be heard throughout the Prairie and Jungle of Southeastern Colombia. Within the reach of the transmitter, there live an estimated 500,000 people. During our time slot everyone is up and around but hardly anyone has gone to work yet. We were able to secure such a choice spot only by finding a program director who is sympathetic to the gospel. As time goes on we have begun to refine our methods. As a result the program has started to gain in it's popular appeal to the unevangelized masses that we are trying to reach. Our weekly schedule now includes a program that is designed to reassure anyone who doubts that the Bible is the word of God. In this program we feature fulfilled prophesies, etc. Our week also includes a musical program in which listeners can unite in and dedicate a song to a friend. The varied schedule also includes sermons, interviews, and dialogues. Even though we break up the routine this way, we continue to preach Christ as the only real hope for peace, happiness, and salvation.
During the past month I have visited in a couple of churches, also. For a week I was in San Jose. I had time to visit the Nueva Tolima church and the Jobo church. A good part of this time was dedicated to training the leaders of these two churches. Both continue to do reasonably well. They have been completely on their own for over two months now. The Jobo church is smaller now than it was. This is due mainly to the changing population patterns. Thirty five people have moved away in the last year and a half. (About 15 have moved to Bogota! We need another missionary family desperately to begin evangelizing there.) Upon my return here, Mark Stringer and I headed for San Carlos de Guaroa. While there we also visited Alta Mira, where the work crew will be helping to erect a church building. Both of these trips were rewarding. We discussed problems and possible solutions with the leaders. We encouraged them to continue to evangelize their town and start churches in surrounding area. There has been much growth here in Colombia but there is always room for more. Transportation continues to be a problem that plagues us, but we stick with it and do our best to extend the Lord's church here in Latin America.
Preparations for the work crew have added innumerable errands to my daily schedule. These are well worth it in my view of the many benefits that the work crew provides. There are reservations to be made; building materials to be stockpiled; and side-trips to be organized. All has gone well so far and I think that this years work crew will be an extremely interesting and educational trip for the 15 men and their sending churches. The men will build a room which will be used as a recording studio and a dark room (for teaching photography to preachers as a means of self-support as well as producing our own newsletter prints.) On our two side-trips into the Prairie, we will fish for piranha, participate in a congregational dinner (Colombian style), and do some odd jobs on various church buildings. Anyone who doesn't like to fish can go swimming. (Yes, in the same stream) All-in-all it should prove to be a tremendous help to use here in Colombia as well as a real benefit to the men involved and the churches from which they come.
As our ministry here in Colombia continues to expand, we can't help but to feel grateful to all you who have helped to make our work possible. There is still much to be done and so we continue to look to you to help us preach the Gospel through an ever-expanding ministry.