Trials on the Big Island
I love every opportunity to connect with and pray for the pastors and leaders on the Big Island. Today I was talking to four pastors: Justo, Dunesky, Luis, and Yasniel. It was an uplifting time.
They shared some of the challenges they are facing. Pastor Dunesky mentioned they are frequently without power from 6 PM to 6 AM. Pastor Justo added that they don’t have electricity for up to 16 hours daily. The temperature today is 90, and the humidity is 78%. It’s extremely uncomfortable for them without fans, or air conditioners, for the few that can afford them. Dunesky and the other pastors asked my colleague Jim DeWitt and me to pray for them, especially for their health. Several pastors and family members are getting sick with dengue and other ailments. The scarcity of food contributes to poor nutrition, which exacerbates their health issues. There is also a lack of medicines to treat their illnesses.
Christ’s Light Lifts People Out of the Gloom
These are some of the trials that Pastor Dunesky and our familia face daily. I asked him if these needs were causing the people to be more open to the gospel. He said that his church has been using the aid we’ve been sending to buy food and make soup to share with people in the community. They fed 34 people who were vulnerable and in need. They also gave breakfast to 14 children. The love of Christ is reaching these families in tangible ways.
The Bible speaks about God’s love and care for the poor, those in need. The prophet Isaiah said, “if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10 ESV
The Lord is using the compassion of Dunesky and his church to bless the hungry. The light of Christ shines brightly in the darkness, and it lifts people out of their gloom. They’ve started three new house churches with the people they are reaching out to. The good news of the gospel is going forth, and they’ve shared Jesus with 80 people. Twenty-two have come to faith in Christ and they are starting to follow them up and disciple them.
My heart goes out to Pastor Dunesky, his family, and all those that he is ministering to. It’s hard to hear about the suffering, but I’m grateful that God is at work. People are coming to faith. The church is growing!
Join Us in Prayer!
At the end of my conversation with Dunesky and the other pastors Jim and I prayed for them. One of the pastors, Luis’s wife, Yuleisis has a fibroid in her uterus and she is going to need surgery. They asked us to pray for her. Additionally, pray that the Lord would protect the families and keep them healthy as dengue and viruses are spreading. Pray as well that the Lord will multiply what we send, and provide for them.
Extend Your Hands to Help
Dawn and I ask you to prayerfully consider extending your hands to help! Send a gift today to help a needy family, and extend the gospel on the Big Island. TOGETHER we can make a difference!
Support one family for as little as $25 a month!
Or Bless a child with a toy for $10 for our ministry to children – Hannah’s Toys of Hope.
Click to donate today.
Video: Life and Times on the Big Island
This short video will give you a glimpse into how God is at work on the Big Island. Some of the people who are receiving the aid that we are sending share their thanks at the end of the video.
Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift to help our precious familia.
In His Grip, Dave
P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja, and Beyond
* names changed for security
