Everything after this date will be listed on a brand-new site. Nothing more will be posted here. For now, this site will remain as an archive of everything that has been posted to date.
Click on the title to go to the NEW Ralph Hiatt's Argentina.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Apples on the ground, pie in the oven
I have never seen so many apples on the ground. This has been one of their best years for apples here at the Patagonian Bible Institute. Some of the apples are as big as a softball. They are already harvesting some. They take them to a special cold storage place that keeps them fresh until November so they can continually use them with meals for their 59 students.
I am staying in the very nice director’s home on campus here. (See photo) Directors Martin and Charlotte Jacobson, (photo) missionaries from Kentucky are two of the best of the best. This afternoon Martin picked up some apples off the ground and made us all a “smoothy” by combining chopped up apples and bananas. Uuuummm delicious! This couple works tirelessly during all their waking hours. They are constantly in a building program. Their dorms are fairly well finished on the inside and filled with students, but need to be stuccoed and finished on the outside. The large library/chapel building has a roof, but is far from completed and cannot be used. Naturally, like always, they are out of money. So building on the library/chapel has been halted awaiting another miracle. If you happen to have $60,000 hidden under the bed and don’t know what to do with it… well, just send it to the AGWM Missionary Ralph Hiatt account #283632 marked Patagonian Bible Institute. I’ll make sure it gets where it’s supposed to go.
Years ago, when Frances and I were here with our MMM (Mobile Ministry Module) they were trying to get the academic building up and going and had finally reached the end of all resources. Charlotte wept because they would now have to send the main builder, a wonderful brother, back home and close down the progress on the construction. About that time I received an email from a name I did not recognize asking me “What would you do if you had $100,000?” I thought it was just another gag and didn’t even answer it. But then a pastor wrote reminding me about the letter that his secretary had sent me. I knew this minister. He pastored a small church that was meeting in a school classroom. I responded, presenting him with the need of the IBP academic building. He immediately sent me (through the AGWM) $65,000 which I gave to the Jacobsons just after they had been in tears because they were having to shut down. The building was completed and classes started right away in those classrooms. I never asked that generous pastor what he did with the other $35,000… ha. I’m sure it, too, went for a good cause.
Lord, we need another one of those miracles… any time now, please.
Ralph
I am staying in the very nice director’s home on campus here. (See photo) Directors Martin and Charlotte Jacobson, (photo) missionaries from Kentucky are two of the best of the best. This afternoon Martin picked up some apples off the ground and made us all a “smoothy” by combining chopped up apples and bananas. Uuuummm delicious! This couple works tirelessly during all their waking hours. They are constantly in a building program. Their dorms are fairly well finished on the inside and filled with students, but need to be stuccoed and finished on the outside. The large library/chapel building has a roof, but is far from completed and cannot be used. Naturally, like always, they are out of money. So building on the library/chapel has been halted awaiting another miracle. If you happen to have $60,000 hidden under the bed and don’t know what to do with it… well, just send it to the AGWM Missionary Ralph Hiatt account #283632 marked Patagonian Bible Institute. I’ll make sure it gets where it’s supposed to go.
Years ago, when Frances and I were here with our MMM (Mobile Ministry Module) they were trying to get the academic building up and going and had finally reached the end of all resources. Charlotte wept because they would now have to send the main builder, a wonderful brother, back home and close down the progress on the construction. About that time I received an email from a name I did not recognize asking me “What would you do if you had $100,000?” I thought it was just another gag and didn’t even answer it. But then a pastor wrote reminding me about the letter that his secretary had sent me. I knew this minister. He pastored a small church that was meeting in a school classroom. I responded, presenting him with the need of the IBP academic building. He immediately sent me (through the AGWM) $65,000 which I gave to the Jacobsons just after they had been in tears because they were having to shut down. The building was completed and classes started right away in those classrooms. I never asked that generous pastor what he did with the other $35,000… ha. I’m sure it, too, went for a good cause.
Lord, we need another one of those miracles… any time now, please.
Ralph
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Seeking His Passion
Every Christian father and mother’s heart breaks for the sheep of their little flock that have strayed away. One never ceases to pray for them. Sunday night I preached from Luke 15, the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son… using some ideas from a sermon by AG Supt. George Wood. The lost sheep became lost by his own carelessness. With his face in the grass and never looking up he wandered away from the flock and the care of the shepherd. The lost coin became lost because of the carelessness of someone else since a coin cannot lose itself. Somebody who should have been responsible failed that take care of that coin. May God help us who have the responsibility to care for a few of His precious coins! The son became lost by his own rebellion even though he was part of a family with a loving, generous father. The father was deeply concerned for his lost son. He was not happy with 50% of his family inside his care. The woman was concerned for one coin even though she still had 90% of her coins in hand. The shepherd was concerned over one lost sheep even though he had 99% within the safety of the flock. It is of little comfort to tell a mother whose child has disappeared, “Don’t worry. You have another child.” Would we not be elated to have 50% of the lost in our city all saved and in church? But would Jesus be satisfied? Would we not be proud if we had 90% of the people in our town in our church? We would be on national TV and writing top-selling books. But would Jesus be happy? We would be flying super high if we had 99% of the people in our community saved and in church. But would Jesus be happy? God is not willing that any should perish. Our Good Shepherd will leave His flock and run to the mountains in the middle of a dark night to save that last bleating lamb from the jaws of the roaring lion that is hanging out nearby. God, give us the passion of Jesus!
The Patagonian Bible Institute (IBP) is a beautiful place. It our southernmost Bible Institute in the world I am told. The whole 10 acres was an apple orchard. The Welsh Christians that first settled in this area developed a wonderful system of irrigation powered by waterwheels driven by the river current and lifting the water high enough to run through irrigation canals. One of these little canals runs right through the campus. (Photo) They have had to remove many apple trees to make room for the academic buildings, kitchen, library and dormitories, but there are still hundreds of wonderful apples of all kinds on the 300 apple trees that remain. (Photo) The Lord seems to walk with you when you stroll among the trees. There are presently 59 students studying. They have just added a fourth year. The key figures in the development of this seminary are Martin and Charlotte Jacobson from Kentucky. They are so full of Jesus, so kind, tender and loving and yet so highly structured and self disciplined that they tend to reproduce these qualities in their students. The assistant directors, Eddie and Diana Echevarria, are also among God’s choicest servants. This morning I preached to the student body and staff. They extended the typical chapel time to allow for a good time of prayer. Who knows what God will do with these fervent students? I always say, “Watch out world! Here come the Argentines! Either step to one side or get run over, because they are going places for Jesus!”
Tuesday night I felt impressed to change my prepared message only an hour before arriving at the Rawson church, which is very unlike me. Once again I ministered on Jesus’ passion for the lost. I had no idea that this church had taken a theme for this month: “Seeking His Passion”. There was a strong congregation for a Tuesday night. The photo shows only a small portion of them. Most remained seeking His passion until around 11 PM!
God is treating me well. I still have a voice, not a super powerful voice, but a voice! It’s almost incredible! This week I’m only preaching 5 times. I have three days off to get ready for next week’s Spiritual Emphasis Week at our Mediterranean Bible Institute (IBM) in Cordoba.
Ralph
The Patagonian Bible Institute (IBP) is a beautiful place. It our southernmost Bible Institute in the world I am told. The whole 10 acres was an apple orchard. The Welsh Christians that first settled in this area developed a wonderful system of irrigation powered by waterwheels driven by the river current and lifting the water high enough to run through irrigation canals. One of these little canals runs right through the campus. (Photo) They have had to remove many apple trees to make room for the academic buildings, kitchen, library and dormitories, but there are still hundreds of wonderful apples of all kinds on the 300 apple trees that remain. (Photo) The Lord seems to walk with you when you stroll among the trees. There are presently 59 students studying. They have just added a fourth year. The key figures in the development of this seminary are Martin and Charlotte Jacobson from Kentucky. They are so full of Jesus, so kind, tender and loving and yet so highly structured and self disciplined that they tend to reproduce these qualities in their students. The assistant directors, Eddie and Diana Echevarria, are also among God’s choicest servants. This morning I preached to the student body and staff. They extended the typical chapel time to allow for a good time of prayer. Who knows what God will do with these fervent students? I always say, “Watch out world! Here come the Argentines! Either step to one side or get run over, because they are going places for Jesus!”
Tuesday night I felt impressed to change my prepared message only an hour before arriving at the Rawson church, which is very unlike me. Once again I ministered on Jesus’ passion for the lost. I had no idea that this church had taken a theme for this month: “Seeking His Passion”. There was a strong congregation for a Tuesday night. The photo shows only a small portion of them. Most remained seeking His passion until around 11 PM!
God is treating me well. I still have a voice, not a super powerful voice, but a voice! It’s almost incredible! This week I’m only preaching 5 times. I have three days off to get ready for next week’s Spiritual Emphasis Week at our Mediterranean Bible Institute (IBM) in Cordoba.
Ralph
Monday, April 11, 2011
Weekend Spin
Check out the excited youth group in the young Las Grutas church! (Friday night Photo)
I spent all day Saturday in the hotel in Las Grutas praying and preparing for a weekend of ministry in Sierra Grande, Puerto Madryn and Trelew. I took no time for anything else… didn’t even stop to eat. I finally finished a rough draft of a message for my Sunday night message just in time to load my suitcases in the car and get myself 130 kilometers down the road to Sierra Grande for the evening service. I arrived in time to spend some quality time with the pastors, Jorge and Norma Coba, before the service. Here the pastors are a dear couple that many years ago were my students at River Platte Bible Institute in Buenos Aires. They served for a time as missionaries to Brazil, then later, something like 7 years in Bolivia. Sierra Grande is kind of a ghost town whose mine closed down years ago. The church is small and has suffered some set-backs. The pastors said it had only 3 or 4 people in it when they came here 7 years ago. During the prayer time at the close, the keyboard player was keeping the music going while praying fervently down on his knees. I couldn’t resist clicking the camera. (Photo) Later I invited the married couples to gather up front for special prayer. There were 12 couples, plus the pastor and his wife…. (See last photo) That’s a pretty strong Saturday night congregation for a ghost town.
After church I drove another 135 kilometers to Puerto Madryn, arriving at my hotel at 1 AM. I got right to bed at 2 AM so I could be up and at the church at 7:45 AM for the 8:30 morning service where I was scheduled to minister. What a great church we have in Puerto Madryn! Pastors Horacio and Julia Balbi are the greatest! They have been like family to Frances and me. This is the area where the Welsh Christians settled many years ago. Madryn is a pretty city facing the sea. During certain times of the year huge “Right” whales can be seen playing in the waters. They say they come here to mate. I even saw one breach clear out of the water here once. Another time Frances and I and a bunch of tourists watched several of these monsters only about 150 feet from the shore just hanging around “tourist watching”… whispering to each other, “Hey Moby… Check out that guy with the striped shirt, short pants and dark glasses!” The Madryn AG church has Sunday School for the kids after the Sunday morning service and I stayed to have Felipe share a Bible story with a bustling church-full of kids of all ages. Then I drove the 84 kilometers to the Patagonian Bible Institute in Gaiman where I will now be staying in for a week in the home of Directors’ Martin and Charlotte Jacobson’s. They served me a delicious Sunday lunch. Then I crashed for an hour before rising to finish preparing my message for tonight in Trelew. Pastors Ramon and Blanca Saucedo have a powerful work going in Trelew with its fingers reaching out for hundreds of kilometers in several directions. I preached from the three parables in Luke 15: Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and Lost Son… and asked the congregation of about 300 to come seek God for the same passion for the lost that Jesus demonstrated. This church is always good for a great altar time… and I was not disappointed.
Hey… It’s 2:30 AM again… past my bedtime. Good night.
Ralph
Friday, April 8, 2011
Miracles come in many colors!
This afternoon I was driving only two blocks from the hotel, returning from a delightful lunch with Pastors Stella y Jorge Orellano, when I heard a strange sound under the car. I thought I had caught a wire or something in a wheel. I drove the two blocks and parked at the hotel, then looked underneath the hood. The main serpentine belt that runs everything important to the function of the motor and steering was disintegrating into long strings of flapping rubber. I asked the hotel desk man, Hector, if he knew a mechanic. He was just getting ready to change shifts and leave someone else, but he knew one and called a friend to get the mechanic’s number. I called the number. The mechanic’s shop is only two blocks from the church where I preach tonight. The mechanic knows the pastor. Moments ago he came and towed the car away to his shop. (See photo)
Well, what’s so miraculous about that? I’m so glad you asked. I have just driven 5,357 miles in this car on some of the most isolated roads on this earth. 95% of these areas had no cell phone service available, no mechanics, no tow facilities, no smiling faces to rescue me… unless some daring soul were to stop out in the middle of nowhere. In some cases there was only one car every ten of fifteen minutes! So the serpentine belt decided that it had no more to give and surrendered… exactly in the most convenient possible place! Had it broken at 3500 RPMs on the open road, damage could well have happened to the engine before I could bring it to a stop. Did you ever hear of anyone whose car broke down… who yelled a big loud “Thank you, Jesus!” and really meant it? Well… now you have.
I know it! I know it! You have been praying for me again. What a joy to be in His divine protection! When Frances knew that she was in her last days on this earth and I brought her home from the care center at her request, I posted two signs in large letters on the wall where she could see them. One was “Welcome Home, My Darling!” and the other “The Eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27. Oh, what security and comfort in those everlasting arms!
Bless you, each prayer warrior! Keep it up. You are a vital part of this team!
Ralph
Well, what’s so miraculous about that? I’m so glad you asked. I have just driven 5,357 miles in this car on some of the most isolated roads on this earth. 95% of these areas had no cell phone service available, no mechanics, no tow facilities, no smiling faces to rescue me… unless some daring soul were to stop out in the middle of nowhere. In some cases there was only one car every ten of fifteen minutes! So the serpentine belt decided that it had no more to give and surrendered… exactly in the most convenient possible place! Had it broken at 3500 RPMs on the open road, damage could well have happened to the engine before I could bring it to a stop. Did you ever hear of anyone whose car broke down… who yelled a big loud “Thank you, Jesus!” and really meant it? Well… now you have.
I know it! I know it! You have been praying for me again. What a joy to be in His divine protection! When Frances knew that she was in her last days on this earth and I brought her home from the care center at her request, I posted two signs in large letters on the wall where she could see them. One was “Welcome Home, My Darling!” and the other “The Eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27. Oh, what security and comfort in those everlasting arms!
Bless you, each prayer warrior! Keep it up. You are a vital part of this team!
Ralph
Just Do It!
Much of Las Grutas beach totally disappears when the tide comes in… so scramble to safety!
I was pleasantly surprised tonight to find that Pastor Julio Chazarreta (photo) has enlarged and fixed up his church building very nicely. His was the first Assemblies of God church in San Antonio Oeste. Twenty two years ago he was a deacon in Valcheta, 65 miles to the west. At that time Juan Sepulveda, another son of old Brother Pedro Sepulveda, was his pastor. He says that Pastor Juan Sepulveda just told him to move over to San Antonio Oeste and start a church… no money, no house, no property and no back-up plan. It was a repeat of old Pastor Pedro Sepulveda’s style… “Just do it!” and his kids caught the virus. The church is small. The people humble. God’s Word is important… important enough to carry a ragged, well used Bible even when walking with your family a long way to church.
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Please understand that I am finding it very time consuming to keep up with my ever changing list of email addresses and may soon be forced to rely on my blog site to reach you. So please be sure to check out my new blog by simply double clicking on this site: http://hiattargentina.blogspot.com/ Thanks for your understanding.
Ralph
Thursday, April 7, 2011
"Dead" Child Raised to Life
So much to tell! Last night I ministered at San Antonio Oeste. The city of 17,000 sets in a cove where fishing boats set out for the sea.
Pastors Ricardo and Alicia Espejo, founders of this new church, reminded me last night of how they were called into ministry. In 1995 Frances and I were visiting several small towns out in gaucho territory south of Buenos Aires, towing our living quarters with us. We called it our MMM “Mobile Ministry Module”. It served as our only home for 6 years. We were leaving one town when we were informed of a teenage girl and her family that wanted so much to go to the camp meeting that was just starting, but had no way to get there. So we offered to take them although it meant that Frances and the mother and daughter would have to ride inside the mobile house. We had to go about 80 miles out of our way on a back road filled with huge potholes. I remember having to slowly drive off the edge of the broken pavement many times with a huge drop off. It was stuff that no 8 ton fifth wheel should ever be forced to endure. When we got to the camp their preacher had not arrived, so I was invited to preach. Ricardo and Alicia were one of the young couples among the several hundred campers. That night I preached John 12:24 “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains sterile, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit.” Ricardo and Alicia responded to the call to come forward and plant the seed of their hopes and dreams in the fertile soil of God’s will. That night God called them into full time ministry. They left everything, sold their home and their car, took their family with them and rode a long distance bus to Rocky and Sherry Grams’ River Plate Bible School in Buenos Aires.
Upon graduation they felt a powerful call to San Antonio Oeste. They had nothing at all. Only a call, no backing, no money. Today they have a thriving church in a rented hall.
Pastor Ricardo is an unassuming guy that lets his wife, Alicia, do the talking. As we sat in their tiny borrowed house eating a midnight dinner at their table, she told of miracle after miracle, some last week, one the previous day. She says sometimes when her faith was very weak, her husband would make scary faith declarations.
Check out this recent miracle. There she is in the group of kids at Felipe’s feet. (See photo) She is standing on the far right wearing white shoes, a pink blouse, a big smile and a sparkle in her eye. She is a four year old whose mother is an alcoholic. Several months ago her mother gave her sleeping pills to calm her down and put her to sleep. Either her mother in a drunken stupor gave her an overdose or perhaps the little girl herself had access and took them all. The result was she did not wake up the next day. Her mother tried to awaken her but it was hopeless. She was limp as a rag doll. A lot of time passed. Much later her grandmother found her still in this condition and rushed her to the hospital. The doctors said it was too late to pump the stomach. The deadly medication was already in her blood stream. There was nothing they could do. The grandmother had been attending Ricardo and Alicia’s new church. There was no sign of life in the little child, but she carried the limp, apparently dead body to the church and interrupted the service. At her desperate pleas Ricardo stopped preaching. He took the limp body in his arms. The arms and legs dangled down. There was no indication of life whatsoever. He prayed for her and then they placed the slumped over little body in a stroller that someone had there. Pastor Ricardo announced to the church that before the service was over that little girl would walk out of there on her own. Then he went on preaching. Alicia admits she was worried. “After such a declaration, what will happen if she still lies there dead? He will be called a liar.” To the amazement of everyone the little girl awoke, climbed out of the stroller and walked around normally and with no brain damage. Everyone broke into praising God.
Last night a young lady called as she was returning home from the hospital in far away Buenos Aires. She had been suffering migraine headaches. Here in San Antonio Oeste the scans showed an ugly tumor inside her head, high in the frontal area. The doctors here were sending her to a hospital in Buenos Aires for the delicate operation. But Pastors Ricardo and Alicia laid hands on her and prayed. Then Alicia says, “He just announced to everyone not to worry because when she got to Buenos Aires the tumor would already be gone.” Again Alicia thought, “How can he dare to make such a statement?” Well yesterday this young lady called her pastor and announced that they had done all kinds of scans and x-rays and that they can find no trace of the tumor. The doctors are stymied. They have the previous scans in hand that clearly show the tumor, its size and location, but now it could not be found. They said there is no explanation and just sent her home. So now she is on the bus heading about 800 miles back to San Antonio Oeste. To God be the glory!
I’m asking the Lord to bless again tonight at our other AG church in San Antonio Oeste. Next week I am actually planning a couple of days off! I just checked and I have ministered 20 times in the past two weeks! The remarkable thing is that I still have a voice.
Ralph
Pastors Ricardo and Alicia Espejo, founders of this new church, reminded me last night of how they were called into ministry. In 1995 Frances and I were visiting several small towns out in gaucho territory south of Buenos Aires, towing our living quarters with us. We called it our MMM “Mobile Ministry Module”. It served as our only home for 6 years. We were leaving one town when we were informed of a teenage girl and her family that wanted so much to go to the camp meeting that was just starting, but had no way to get there. So we offered to take them although it meant that Frances and the mother and daughter would have to ride inside the mobile house. We had to go about 80 miles out of our way on a back road filled with huge potholes. I remember having to slowly drive off the edge of the broken pavement many times with a huge drop off. It was stuff that no 8 ton fifth wheel should ever be forced to endure. When we got to the camp their preacher had not arrived, so I was invited to preach. Ricardo and Alicia were one of the young couples among the several hundred campers. That night I preached John 12:24 “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains sterile, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit.” Ricardo and Alicia responded to the call to come forward and plant the seed of their hopes and dreams in the fertile soil of God’s will. That night God called them into full time ministry. They left everything, sold their home and their car, took their family with them and rode a long distance bus to Rocky and Sherry Grams’ River Plate Bible School in Buenos Aires.
Upon graduation they felt a powerful call to San Antonio Oeste. They had nothing at all. Only a call, no backing, no money. Today they have a thriving church in a rented hall.
Pastor Ricardo is an unassuming guy that lets his wife, Alicia, do the talking. As we sat in their tiny borrowed house eating a midnight dinner at their table, she told of miracle after miracle, some last week, one the previous day. She says sometimes when her faith was very weak, her husband would make scary faith declarations.
Check out this recent miracle. There she is in the group of kids at Felipe’s feet. (See photo) She is standing on the far right wearing white shoes, a pink blouse, a big smile and a sparkle in her eye. She is a four year old whose mother is an alcoholic. Several months ago her mother gave her sleeping pills to calm her down and put her to sleep. Either her mother in a drunken stupor gave her an overdose or perhaps the little girl herself had access and took them all. The result was she did not wake up the next day. Her mother tried to awaken her but it was hopeless. She was limp as a rag doll. A lot of time passed. Much later her grandmother found her still in this condition and rushed her to the hospital. The doctors said it was too late to pump the stomach. The deadly medication was already in her blood stream. There was nothing they could do. The grandmother had been attending Ricardo and Alicia’s new church. There was no sign of life in the little child, but she carried the limp, apparently dead body to the church and interrupted the service. At her desperate pleas Ricardo stopped preaching. He took the limp body in his arms. The arms and legs dangled down. There was no indication of life whatsoever. He prayed for her and then they placed the slumped over little body in a stroller that someone had there. Pastor Ricardo announced to the church that before the service was over that little girl would walk out of there on her own. Then he went on preaching. Alicia admits she was worried. “After such a declaration, what will happen if she still lies there dead? He will be called a liar.” To the amazement of everyone the little girl awoke, climbed out of the stroller and walked around normally and with no brain damage. Everyone broke into praising God.
Last night a young lady called as she was returning home from the hospital in far away Buenos Aires. She had been suffering migraine headaches. Here in San Antonio Oeste the scans showed an ugly tumor inside her head, high in the frontal area. The doctors here were sending her to a hospital in Buenos Aires for the delicate operation. But Pastors Ricardo and Alicia laid hands on her and prayed. Then Alicia says, “He just announced to everyone not to worry because when she got to Buenos Aires the tumor would already be gone.” Again Alicia thought, “How can he dare to make such a statement?” Well yesterday this young lady called her pastor and announced that they had done all kinds of scans and x-rays and that they can find no trace of the tumor. The doctors are stymied. They have the previous scans in hand that clearly show the tumor, its size and location, but now it could not be found. They said there is no explanation and just sent her home. So now she is on the bus heading about 800 miles back to San Antonio Oeste. To God be the glory!
I’m asking the Lord to bless again tonight at our other AG church in San Antonio Oeste. Next week I am actually planning a couple of days off! I just checked and I have ministered 20 times in the past two weeks! The remarkable thing is that I still have a voice.
Ralph
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Try It Sometime
If you think I am suffering too much, check out the view from my hotel balcony. The delightful sound of crashing surf tickles my ears as I write this. I have been looking forward to my four days ministering nightly in this area. Frances and I always loved to stop here at Las Grutas with our “mobile-home ministry”.
This popular seacoast resort is named after the natural formation of hundreds of tiny grotto-like caves and strange formations in the long cliff that descends to the beach.
I captured some photos as I walked on the beach early this morning while the sun was just rising over the eastern horizon. Check out that “Tall Dude” (photo below). 
Last night I ministered in Valcheta, 65 miles to the west. This is another one of the many churches started by the late Pastor Pedro Sepulveda. The place was packed with curious kids, adults and even the kid’s school teacher, all anxious to see a real live ventriloquist. Of course first my friendly little skunk, Perfume, had to come out and be petted by all the kids.
I always let them know that she “hardly ever bites.” Who could ever have dreamed that kids would be so delighted to pet a real live (well almost) skunk puppet? She wiggles a lot and is made of real fur and a touch confirms the illusion that she is the real thing. (Photo) Then Felipe tells a Bible story and messes it up good so I have to straighten him out. (Photo) 
He never learns. Finally, now that I have the kids of all ages in the palm of my hand, I can share the wonderful story of Jesus and His love. I get to do this every single night… Wow! The Felipe gig brings ‘em in and captures their attention. Then I get to minister to both kids and adults. At the end last night the whole place was enveloped in power-packed prayer. Those that were kneeling filled the front, then the center aisle, then they stacked up the plastic chairs to make room for more. When people get down close to ground level and do business with God things happen… like conviction, repentance, salvation, cleansing, Holy Spirit baptism, healings, miracles or a call to ministry. Our USA churches ought to try it sometime.
The tide is in. The sun is out. It’s a gorgeous autumn afternoon in Las Grutas, Patagonia… my beautiful Argentina.
Ralph
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Invasion of God's Love
This morning in Choele Choel I did a “Good News-Bad News message” for the Sunday School kids with a reversible happy or sad face. Francisco, the 6 year old in the photo was quick as a blink and sharp as a pin.
After SS I drove three hours to Viedma where I just finished another dynamite service. The church was packed to the hilt, about 250 I would guess. I felt that I had a message for Christians tonight and asked if Pastor Raul Diaz would like to give an altar call for the unsaved before I preached. He did a super job of explaining Christ’s loving offer of salvation and 12 people came forward just like that! I sneaked off to one side and captured a shot of Pastor Diaz praying with these new people (photo below).
Many of the AG churches in Argentina are doing a simultaneous “Invasion of God’s Love”. They have printed up attractive folders with a tear off part. They are going house to house, explaining that they are having special prayer at their church and simply asking people if they have any special needs. They fill out the tear off portion with the names and addresses of the people together with their requests. They have been doing this for weeks and have hundreds of serious prayer requests. In a week or so they return to these houses to see if their prayers have been answered. This morning they just completed a 24 hour prayer vigil… taking turns with groups of people praying at the church for these requests around the clock. The result is that miracles are happening and many of these new people are showing up at church.
Recently I have not been taking pictures of the prayer services after the preaching since they almost all look alike, but to me they always comprise a touching sight. Almost the entire church is down on their knees, many sobbing their hearts out in total surrender asking God to give them a new chapter in their lives similar to what He has given me. If I can get a fresh start at 79 years old, who knows what God may do with these younger saints, each with an exciting new chapter!
Ralph
After SS I drove three hours to Viedma where I just finished another dynamite service. The church was packed to the hilt, about 250 I would guess. I felt that I had a message for Christians tonight and asked if Pastor Raul Diaz would like to give an altar call for the unsaved before I preached. He did a super job of explaining Christ’s loving offer of salvation and 12 people came forward just like that! I sneaked off to one side and captured a shot of Pastor Diaz praying with these new people (photo below).
Many of the AG churches in Argentina are doing a simultaneous “Invasion of God’s Love”. They have printed up attractive folders with a tear off part. They are going house to house, explaining that they are having special prayer at their church and simply asking people if they have any special needs. They fill out the tear off portion with the names and addresses of the people together with their requests. They have been doing this for weeks and have hundreds of serious prayer requests. In a week or so they return to these houses to see if their prayers have been answered. This morning they just completed a 24 hour prayer vigil… taking turns with groups of people praying at the church for these requests around the clock. The result is that miracles are happening and many of these new people are showing up at church.
Recently I have not been taking pictures of the prayer services after the preaching since they almost all look alike, but to me they always comprise a touching sight. Almost the entire church is down on their knees, many sobbing their hearts out in total surrender asking God to give them a new chapter in their lives similar to what He has given me. If I can get a fresh start at 79 years old, who knows what God may do with these younger saints, each with an exciting new chapter!
Ralph
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Little Mischief
Yes, tomorrow morning I fly south, from the semi-tropical north back into the colder Patagonia. Actually it is autumn here and not very cold yet in the area where I will be. My flight time was changed. It leaves at noon instead of 10 AM… better for me… and with less layover in Buenos Aires. I still should arrive in Neuquen at 7:40 PM in time for the 8 PM service in the city of Plottier.
The Province of Misiones has been a pleasant experience each of the many times I have been here and this was no exception. Every service has been filled with God’s presence. Tonight was very different from the other services. This is a church that was started by “Castelleros” (King’s Castle Youth). Instead of having the service in their small church hall, they acquired the neighborhood “Polideportiva”. (see photo) and 85 people from this humble neighborhood gathered to see the strange old man from the USA with his little gaucho. This was strictly an evangelistic effort by the young enthusiastic Castillero pastor Sergio Miranda and his team. There were many first timers hearing the Gospel message and a large group came forward at the altar call. One was an alcoholic man named Román. I think he really wants to have his chains broken. I know that our faithful God is doing His part. May Román do his part! The church people know where he lives and will follow up on him. I stayed for an hour or so to pray with everyone that had a need, sicknesses, out of work, kids in the hospital (two cases… one was a 3 week old baby girl), husbands bound by alcohol, homes in disarray, etc. One young girl about 16 years old did not want to discuss her problem, but wept so hard that I felt sure that she is either being sexually abused or perhaps pregnant not by choice. So many precious lives struggling there in the darkness! I preached Jesus who said, “I am the Light of the World, he that follows Me will no longer walk in darkness”, (John 8:12) It is interesting to me that this verse immediately follows the story of the adulterous woman who escaped a shameful death and stepped out of her darkness of condemnation into the glorious light of Christ’s freedom and His real love. The religious leaders that dragged her into the temple to trap Jesus in His words did her the best favor of her life. They took her to the only One that could give her a fresh start in life.
A mother had her baby girl in her arms when she came for prayer. The baby reached out her little arms wanting to come to me. So I couldn’t refuse. She was so cute that I asked someone to take our picture. While the guy with the camera was taking aim, little mischief decided to borrow my glasses. (see photo)
Ralph




The Province of Misiones has been a pleasant experience each of the many times I have been here and this was no exception. Every service has been filled with God’s presence. Tonight was very different from the other services. This is a church that was started by “Castelleros” (King’s Castle Youth). Instead of having the service in their small church hall, they acquired the neighborhood “Polideportiva”. (see photo) and 85 people from this humble neighborhood gathered to see the strange old man from the USA with his little gaucho. This was strictly an evangelistic effort by the young enthusiastic Castillero pastor Sergio Miranda and his team. There were many first timers hearing the Gospel message and a large group came forward at the altar call. One was an alcoholic man named Román. I think he really wants to have his chains broken. I know that our faithful God is doing His part. May Román do his part! The church people know where he lives and will follow up on him. I stayed for an hour or so to pray with everyone that had a need, sicknesses, out of work, kids in the hospital (two cases… one was a 3 week old baby girl), husbands bound by alcohol, homes in disarray, etc. One young girl about 16 years old did not want to discuss her problem, but wept so hard that I felt sure that she is either being sexually abused or perhaps pregnant not by choice. So many precious lives struggling there in the darkness! I preached Jesus who said, “I am the Light of the World, he that follows Me will no longer walk in darkness”, (John 8:12) It is interesting to me that this verse immediately follows the story of the adulterous woman who escaped a shameful death and stepped out of her darkness of condemnation into the glorious light of Christ’s freedom and His real love. The religious leaders that dragged her into the temple to trap Jesus in His words did her the best favor of her life. They took her to the only One that could give her a fresh start in life.
A mother had her baby girl in her arms when she came for prayer. The baby reached out her little arms wanting to come to me. So I couldn’t refuse. She was so cute that I asked someone to take our picture. While the guy with the camera was taking aim, little mischief decided to borrow my glasses. (see photo)
Ralph




Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Fisher of Men
My voice continues to be unusually strong for all its use after preaching six times on the weekend and every night before and since. And my zip still hasn’t zapped yet. There is only one explanation. God is answering your prayers. Thanks for joining the team.
I just got in from another great service in the city of Alem. Many years ago I preached several crusades there and in the surrounding cities. I painted a picture each night in pastel chalks on special art paper to illustrate the message and to serve as a prize for the person who brought the most new people the following night. I did this all over Argentina, but here in several cities in the Province of Misiones the competition was always tense.
Tonight an elderly sister was in the service who had won one of my pictures as a prize for bringing the most new people one night in one of those evangelistic crusades many years ago. She brought the picture with her! It was a representation of Jesus on the shore of the sea of Galilee calling his first disciples. She reminded us that she had brought 54 new people that night and her son was there to confirm it! THIS LADY was a real fisher of men! (See photo of her with me and her son). I remember that night. A brother had brought 40 and had lost it to the lady with 54! I painted another identical picture during the next day and publically presented it to him. It just wasn’t right not to reward him after that effort. I would often have around 100 first timers there every night. Somebody would bring 15, another 20, and others lesser amounts and somebody would win the picture. It was a lot of work carrying around the easel and equipment, but the bottom line is that many people heard the wonderful good news of Jesus for the first time and I think a conservative estimate would be about 75% responded to the altar call. I expect to see a bunch of them in heaven.
Ralph
I just got in from another great service in the city of Alem. Many years ago I preached several crusades there and in the surrounding cities. I painted a picture each night in pastel chalks on special art paper to illustrate the message and to serve as a prize for the person who brought the most new people the following night. I did this all over Argentina, but here in several cities in the Province of Misiones the competition was always tense.
Tonight an elderly sister was in the service who had won one of my pictures as a prize for bringing the most new people one night in one of those evangelistic crusades many years ago. She brought the picture with her! It was a representation of Jesus on the shore of the sea of Galilee calling his first disciples. She reminded us that she had brought 54 new people that night and her son was there to confirm it! THIS LADY was a real fisher of men! (See photo of her with me and her son). I remember that night. A brother had brought 40 and had lost it to the lady with 54! I painted another identical picture during the next day and publically presented it to him. It just wasn’t right not to reward him after that effort. I would often have around 100 first timers there every night. Somebody would bring 15, another 20, and others lesser amounts and somebody would win the picture. It was a lot of work carrying around the easel and equipment, but the bottom line is that many people heard the wonderful good news of Jesus for the first time and I think a conservative estimate would be about 75% responded to the altar call. I expect to see a bunch of them in heaven. Ralph
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Spiritual Hold-up
I finished my ministry at the youth leaders camp this morning. They are “Castilleros” (King’s Castle Kids… a growing powerful AG youth movement now in many countries.) 72 fabulous dedicated youth, mostly teenagers! (See photo)
The time is now 2 AM and I’m back home in the hotel. I thought I was going to preach one service tonight at the mother church, but it was two, back to back. The adolescent youth… up to 19 yrs of age comprised the first group at 8 PM and then at 10 PM the youth group 19 and above. I guess none of these come on Sunday in order to leave room for others in their three back to back Sunday services 4 PM, 6 PM and 8 PM. So far my voice is miraculously holding up… three preaching services today and again three tomorrow. Then one every night this coming week. My voice may be reaching its limit. My strength is great. To me it is invigorating to preach. If I ever feel sick or exhausted I just get up and preach and never feel sick or weak again until after it is all over… ha. Go figure! Anyway, please keep “holding me up” in prayer.
Speaking of “holding me up”… at the youth leaders camp today I heard this testimony. This Christian “Castillero” kid was walking home late one night last week. He was approached by a bigger kid pointing a gun at him and demanding everything he had. He handed over his cell phone and was fishing around in his pockets for money. The big kid with the gun was very nervous and kept telling him to hurry up and to take off the back pack… “I want everything!” So this kid started to tell him… “Hey, Jesus loves you, man. He really can make a change in your life. He did it for me and he can do it for you, too.” And he kept talking about Jesus and his love. As he handed him his back pack… he offered to help him pray the sinner’s prayer to start a new life with Jesus. The robber now had everything this kid owned in his hands but was obviously jarred by what this Christian kid was saying. Finally he tucked his gun in his belt, handed the kid back all his stuff and agreed to join in praying the sinners prayer which he did right there on the street. After praying, the “would be robber” gave this Christian kid his address so that he can take along some friends and visit him this week.
So keep “holding me up”, but IN PRAYER… please, ha.
Ralph
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Night Watchman Will Let Her Out
As I look back, I see that God was preparing me for this time of ministry in a unique way. You may remember that Frances and I lived in a large fifth wheel mobile home the last 6 ∏ years of our ministry here. In response to our Argentine leadership we dedicated ourselves to the remote corners of this huge land, taking our rig anywhere and everywhere we heard of a need. When someone would tell us of a young Bible School graduate that was trying to start a work off somewhere near the edge of the earth, the Lord would often speak to our hearts and without hesitation we would hook up again and make our way, sometimes nearly 1,000 miles to join in the effort. We helped them find a building to rent, contacted Argentine pastors of established churches that we had earlier helped to plant… to cover the rent for the first year and to donate musical instruments and sound equipment. Then we stayed there for weeks or months helping to move some walls, painting, fixing it up, painting a sign, printing flyers and then preaching their first campaign to win souls.
In other cases we visited pastors and families in remote little towns. Some had never had a visiting preacher. They had raised up a church without outside help. God was their only source. Nobody had ever come by to check on them and tell them what a great job they were doing. Frances dedicated herself to the PKs, giving out fluffy, stuffed animals supplied by one of our churches. When she discovered that the only Bibles some of these PKs could have were the old broken up ones with pages missing that had been left on a church bench, she got Bibles from “Light For The Lost” or somewhere and made sure that every PK had his or her own new Bible. One 9 year old PK drummer, sat at his drums before church practicing and every time someone would come in the front door he would stop and raise his new Bible in the air and proclaim, “Look! I’ve got my very own Bible!” Always we would invite the pastor and family into our luxurious mobile home. They could not believe the way their feet would sink down into the plush carpet. The kids would all want to sit on it. We would serve them a good meal at our table and, well… just try to bless them. Many of these choice servants of God would beg us for a date when we could return. In those final years we knew it could never happen and we wept with them when we left them.
Neuquen Wednesday kids and adults ready for Felipe (photo, left)
But NOW… yes now that the Lord has thrust this 79 year old retired preacher/missionary into a brand new chapter of his life… God is saying to me, “Take your little Felipe and go back there to visit these saints and their kids.” I am now over 6,000 miles into this wild adventure (counting last November and December) all of it in a borrowed car. You cannot imagine the reception I have been getting. Beautiful young people in their late teens and early twenties rush up to hug me till it hurts. They remind me of the stories that Felipe told when they were little kids sitting on the floor. Some still have their stuffed animals. Many are going on to Bible School. Some have already taken over the church that their father previously pastored.
Can you imagine what it is like to literally have hundreds of dear friends almost begging you to come to minister? Love flows like a river. At the prayer time, youth and adults are seen kneeling all over the floor pouring their melting souls out as living sacrifices. I’m sure some are being called into ministry. Last night, Wednesday, well over one hundred people were on their faces down front, some for over an hour. Finally, closing in on midnight, the pastor was trying to close the church. The lights were turned off. Everyone had left except one young lady that was still sobbing her heart out at the altar. I commented to the pastor about her. He said, “Oh, she’s okay. The night watchman will let her out.”
I have been carrying a promo display for the Patagonian Bible Institute directed by Missionaries Martin and Charlotte Jacobson and Eddie and Diana Echevarria (what a team!). Almost all the large stack of registration forms have been picked up by interested youth! Only God knows where He is taking this.
Ralph
In other cases we visited pastors and families in remote little towns. Some had never had a visiting preacher. They had raised up a church without outside help. God was their only source. Nobody had ever come by to check on them and tell them what a great job they were doing. Frances dedicated herself to the PKs, giving out fluffy, stuffed animals supplied by one of our churches. When she discovered that the only Bibles some of these PKs could have were the old broken up ones with pages missing that had been left on a church bench, she got Bibles from “Light For The Lost” or somewhere and made sure that every PK had his or her own new Bible. One 9 year old PK drummer, sat at his drums before church practicing and every time someone would come in the front door he would stop and raise his new Bible in the air and proclaim, “Look! I’ve got my very own Bible!” Always we would invite the pastor and family into our luxurious mobile home. They could not believe the way their feet would sink down into the plush carpet. The kids would all want to sit on it. We would serve them a good meal at our table and, well… just try to bless them. Many of these choice servants of God would beg us for a date when we could return. In those final years we knew it could never happen and we wept with them when we left them.
Neuquen Wednesday kids and adults ready for Felipe (photo, left)But NOW… yes now that the Lord has thrust this 79 year old retired preacher/missionary into a brand new chapter of his life… God is saying to me, “Take your little Felipe and go back there to visit these saints and their kids.” I am now over 6,000 miles into this wild adventure (counting last November and December) all of it in a borrowed car. You cannot imagine the reception I have been getting. Beautiful young people in their late teens and early twenties rush up to hug me till it hurts. They remind me of the stories that Felipe told when they were little kids sitting on the floor. Some still have their stuffed animals. Many are going on to Bible School. Some have already taken over the church that their father previously pastored.
Can you imagine what it is like to literally have hundreds of dear friends almost begging you to come to minister? Love flows like a river. At the prayer time, youth and adults are seen kneeling all over the floor pouring their melting souls out as living sacrifices. I’m sure some are being called into ministry. Last night, Wednesday, well over one hundred people were on their faces down front, some for over an hour. Finally, closing in on midnight, the pastor was trying to close the church. The lights were turned off. Everyone had left except one young lady that was still sobbing her heart out at the altar. I commented to the pastor about her. He said, “Oh, she’s okay. The night watchman will let her out.”
I have been carrying a promo display for the Patagonian Bible Institute directed by Missionaries Martin and Charlotte Jacobson and Eddie and Diana Echevarria (what a team!). Almost all the large stack of registration forms have been picked up by interested youth! Only God knows where He is taking this.
Ralph
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
This Ole House
I found this huge, abandoned house fifty miles from nowhere on Tierra del Fuego island. It reminded me of the song from the past that I think Stuart Hamlin used to sing, “This Ole House.”
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew a wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As we fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now she trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about
(Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer)
(Ain't a-gonna need this house no more)
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't a-got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend no windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
She's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
There are more verses… lots more… look it up on the net; “This ole house lyrics.”
Ralph
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew a wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As we fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now she trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about
(Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer)
(Ain't a-gonna need this house no more)
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't a-got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend no windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
She's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
There are more verses… lots more… look it up on the net; “This ole house lyrics.”
Ralph
Preserve That Mop!
[Please be sure to read the preceding blog, "Mopping up the Tears," March 21, 2011, before reading this one.]
I have a dear friend that wrote me back today with the above title: “Preserve that mop!” She commented: “How many preachers can say that somebody had to wipe up the tears with a mop?” I giggled myself silly! I have no idea why the lady in yesterday’s picture was so anxious to mop up the tears. Maybe she thought someone could slip and fall or something. Whatever the reason, she didn’t wait till this brother stopped praying. Also on the other side of the platform one of the pastor’s daughters was still praying and had been sobbing her heart out for the better part of an hour I think. I shot her picture, too, and was taking this fellow’s picture when I accidentally caught the mop in action.
Why do I ask people who are used to standing for prayer to come kneel to pray? I think there is something to be said for kneeling. Here in Argentina many people often gather around the front and wait, hoping that the wonderful “man of God” will come and knock them down with his great power. Down inside me I think this could be a carry-over from the Roman Catholic priest who was the only one supposed to be able to really touch God and had to sprinkle you with his holy water or something… whereas our Heavenly Father pleads with us to come boldly into his presence through the rent veil. Anyway this has become a custom, so much so that if people are standing in prayer at the close of a service and I approach one to lay a hand on them and pray, almost invariably an usher comes running from out of nowhere to stand behind and catch that person if he or she should fall. I know that God has knocked a few of us proud saints unexpectedly to the floor to whap some of our pride out of us, but I don’t feel comfortable when it becomes a custom and people are disappointed when they are not “slain in the Spirit”. Is that term even in the Bible anywhere? And I am not nearly as powerful as some of God’s better men who knock ‘em down on all sides. Of course then come their followers that, if they don’t fall, give them a little help with a not-so-gentle shove. In short, my secret is to try to take us all back to our knees. I understand that many of the elderly people’s knees don’t cooperate anymore and I let them stand or sit… ha. But I am encouraging these people to get down front and not wait for someone to come and knock ‘em down… but to voluntarily get down low and do business with God!
In these most recent services I have noticed quite loud moaning and noisy weeping by both men and women. And why do I give importance to weeping? Perhaps it is because weeping is normally a reaction to something that is happening inside one’s heart. One does not normally say, “Okay, I’m going to go down there and make myself weep.” Quite to the contrary. Especially for us men it is thought of as a sign of weakness. Well, when we get down there and really pray, His power sometimes overcomes ours. Our lofty prayers become lost in the tight grip of His love. Words lose their meaning and like that sinner lady that washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, we are overcome with the presence of our Master. I say, “If God is pushing those tears out from the inside, then let them fall!” Who cares about the mascara mess and the puddle on the floor? God is doing His deep work in the secret corners of the heart.
Ralph
I have a dear friend that wrote me back today with the above title: “Preserve that mop!” She commented: “How many preachers can say that somebody had to wipe up the tears with a mop?” I giggled myself silly! I have no idea why the lady in yesterday’s picture was so anxious to mop up the tears. Maybe she thought someone could slip and fall or something. Whatever the reason, she didn’t wait till this brother stopped praying. Also on the other side of the platform one of the pastor’s daughters was still praying and had been sobbing her heart out for the better part of an hour I think. I shot her picture, too, and was taking this fellow’s picture when I accidentally caught the mop in action.
Why do I ask people who are used to standing for prayer to come kneel to pray? I think there is something to be said for kneeling. Here in Argentina many people often gather around the front and wait, hoping that the wonderful “man of God” will come and knock them down with his great power. Down inside me I think this could be a carry-over from the Roman Catholic priest who was the only one supposed to be able to really touch God and had to sprinkle you with his holy water or something… whereas our Heavenly Father pleads with us to come boldly into his presence through the rent veil. Anyway this has become a custom, so much so that if people are standing in prayer at the close of a service and I approach one to lay a hand on them and pray, almost invariably an usher comes running from out of nowhere to stand behind and catch that person if he or she should fall. I know that God has knocked a few of us proud saints unexpectedly to the floor to whap some of our pride out of us, but I don’t feel comfortable when it becomes a custom and people are disappointed when they are not “slain in the Spirit”. Is that term even in the Bible anywhere? And I am not nearly as powerful as some of God’s better men who knock ‘em down on all sides. Of course then come their followers that, if they don’t fall, give them a little help with a not-so-gentle shove. In short, my secret is to try to take us all back to our knees. I understand that many of the elderly people’s knees don’t cooperate anymore and I let them stand or sit… ha. But I am encouraging these people to get down front and not wait for someone to come and knock ‘em down… but to voluntarily get down low and do business with God!
In these most recent services I have noticed quite loud moaning and noisy weeping by both men and women. And why do I give importance to weeping? Perhaps it is because weeping is normally a reaction to something that is happening inside one’s heart. One does not normally say, “Okay, I’m going to go down there and make myself weep.” Quite to the contrary. Especially for us men it is thought of as a sign of weakness. Well, when we get down there and really pray, His power sometimes overcomes ours. Our lofty prayers become lost in the tight grip of His love. Words lose their meaning and like that sinner lady that washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, we are overcome with the presence of our Master. I say, “If God is pushing those tears out from the inside, then let them fall!” Who cares about the mascara mess and the puddle on the floor? God is doing His deep work in the secret corners of the heart.
Ralph
Monday, March 21, 2011
Mopping up the Tears
I’m having far too much fun for a man my age! God just blessed me with another wonderful weekend. Friday night I ministered in Neuquen in the last of the many churches planted in la Patagonia by the late Brother Pedro Sepulveda. His daughter, Maria, and her husband, Raul Bahamonde, now serve as pastors there. Like always after a blessed service we shared a home cooked meal and ministry stories late into the morning hours. Saturday I drove the 113 miles each way to and from the city of Zapala where I ministered to a packed church with Pastor Nestor and his wife, Veronica, a delightful young couple. Again we enjoyed eating together and talking into the night. I arrived back at my temporary apartment at 2 AM. 9:30 Sunday morning I was at Pastor Rufino Vera’s church in the city of Cipolletti. It is a large movie theater now purchased and transformed into a church sanctuary. At the altar call I asked the people to come and kneel to pray. The whole congregation responded in a long time of fervent prayer. Finally everyone had either returned to their seats or to the vestibule except this one fellow. Puddles of tears were obvious on the wooden floor. I just happened to accidentally catch this rare shot of a dear sister mopping up the tears while some were still falling.
Last night, Sunday, I drove the 28 miles each way to General Roca to a beautiful large new church building built by Pastor Mario Porcel and his congregation. God was there and once again many stayed in His presence on their knees for an extended period. After enjoying Argentine empanadas around midnight… now full of food and good fellowship, I made my way back to my apartment around 1:30 AM. This morning at 10 AM I found over 40 pastors and wives had showed up at the Cipolletti church for a specially called pastors meeting. See photo. I was given the pulpit to challenge them with a word from the Lord. Some of these pastors had driven or ridden a bus for over 100 miles at great sacrifice! God gave me some good stuff with ideas that I borrowed from General Supt. Dr. George Wood’s message at last year’s district council in Sacramento. “When the Spirit Speaks” (Thanks Brother Wood!) Once again the wooden floor was sprinkled with tears of sincere seeking saints.
Tomorrow and Wednesday I continue ministry in Villa Regina and in the large church here in Neuquen, planted by Missionary Steve Hill. Then I fly to Posadas in the extreme north of Argentina for a week of meetings… six meetings scheduled for this coming weekend, plus every night next week! What a privilege to be a retired missionary, held in the hollow of the Master’s hand! I just counted 29 preaching services since arriving in Argentina February 5… plus driving 4,428 miles on what may be some of the planet’s most challenging roads in Argentina’s deep south… la Patagonia. Incredible scenery!
It’s really true… I’m having far too much fun for a man my age!
Ralph
[More about this in the next blog, "Preserve That Mop!" March 22, 2011.]
Last night, Sunday, I drove the 28 miles each way to General Roca to a beautiful large new church building built by Pastor Mario Porcel and his congregation. God was there and once again many stayed in His presence on their knees for an extended period. After enjoying Argentine empanadas around midnight… now full of food and good fellowship, I made my way back to my apartment around 1:30 AM. This morning at 10 AM I found over 40 pastors and wives had showed up at the Cipolletti church for a specially called pastors meeting. See photo. I was given the pulpit to challenge them with a word from the Lord. Some of these pastors had driven or ridden a bus for over 100 miles at great sacrifice! God gave me some good stuff with ideas that I borrowed from General Supt. Dr. George Wood’s message at last year’s district council in Sacramento. “When the Spirit Speaks” (Thanks Brother Wood!) Once again the wooden floor was sprinkled with tears of sincere seeking saints.
Tomorrow and Wednesday I continue ministry in Villa Regina and in the large church here in Neuquen, planted by Missionary Steve Hill. Then I fly to Posadas in the extreme north of Argentina for a week of meetings… six meetings scheduled for this coming weekend, plus every night next week! What a privilege to be a retired missionary, held in the hollow of the Master’s hand! I just counted 29 preaching services since arriving in Argentina February 5… plus driving 4,428 miles on what may be some of the planet’s most challenging roads in Argentina’s deep south… la Patagonia. Incredible scenery!
It’s really true… I’m having far too much fun for a man my age!
Ralph
[More about this in the next blog, "Preserve That Mop!" March 22, 2011.]
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Finger of God
Unfortunately I cannot avoid witnessing all the terrifying current events. The news is everywhere. One cannot help but suffer for those who are suffering so. Now the shortage of food and water combined with the danger of radiation contamination makes us all realize how fragile our civilization really is. Our ancestors worked their hands to the bone just to survive. This generation has had it so easy (I among them), but now we are reminded that in one sweeping moment we can be placed back at square one… in a place where we can survive only with great effort.
It is interesting that one of the signs of the last days that Jesus emphasized was “earthquakes in diverse places.” So quickly we have had devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in rapid succession — Indonesia, Haiti, Chile and now Japan. And another sign was “wars and rumors of wars.” I can remember when many world leaders were announcing that we were now going to have a better world with united nations and peace for all. They couldn’t have been further from the truth. Jesus is certainly standing at the door awaiting his Father’s word. Maybe the Father is saying, “Just a few more days… a few more so that others may be conquered by My love and grace… so that my house may be filled!” Although He may come at any time, I feel impressed to encourage youth to work for Jesus now and prepare for full time ministry should there be a future. Again last night the altar was crowded to capacity with youth and adults on their faces in total surrender. As you know I am 79 years old and if He can give me a brand new fresh start, how much more these that are younger! Opportunity unlimited… ripened harvest! I requested that the power-filled youth group gather around and pray for me when I was in Comodoro. How can I miss-fire with this powerful backing! (see photo)
I had a beautiful trip from Bariloche to Neuquén today, about 5 hours of good highways and astoundingly scenery. In my attached photo you’ll see the rock formation called “The Finger of God” in the distance (see photo).
I purposely did not schedule a service tonight. Tomorrow I start in this new area in a church in Neuquén, then in a city somewhere not too far away, at least one service daily and two on Sunday. Monday I am to minister to about 80 ministers and wives. I will be here a week. The young Pastor Eliseo Ferreira received me royally and has placed me in a luxurious 9th floor apartment with all the wonderful gadgets… microwave, refrigerator, TV, computer and printer (although I carry my own computer and printer), beautiful view of the city… total comfort. I told him it was way too much, but he says it is the place that they always rent for their special speakers. Then tonight they took me out and stuffed me full of food. I feel like I won’t need to eat for a week… ha.
Ralph
Bariloche Dedication Service
It is interesting that one of the signs of the last days that Jesus emphasized was “earthquakes in diverse places.” So quickly we have had devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in rapid succession — Indonesia, Haiti, Chile and now Japan. And another sign was “wars and rumors of wars.” I can remember when many world leaders were announcing that we were now going to have a better world with united nations and peace for all. They couldn’t have been further from the truth. Jesus is certainly standing at the door awaiting his Father’s word. Maybe the Father is saying, “Just a few more days… a few more so that others may be conquered by My love and grace… so that my house may be filled!” Although He may come at any time, I feel impressed to encourage youth to work for Jesus now and prepare for full time ministry should there be a future. Again last night the altar was crowded to capacity with youth and adults on their faces in total surrender. As you know I am 79 years old and if He can give me a brand new fresh start, how much more these that are younger! Opportunity unlimited… ripened harvest! I requested that the power-filled youth group gather around and pray for me when I was in Comodoro. How can I miss-fire with this powerful backing! (see photo)
I had a beautiful trip from Bariloche to Neuquén today, about 5 hours of good highways and astoundingly scenery. In my attached photo you’ll see the rock formation called “The Finger of God” in the distance (see photo).
I purposely did not schedule a service tonight. Tomorrow I start in this new area in a church in Neuquén, then in a city somewhere not too far away, at least one service daily and two on Sunday. Monday I am to minister to about 80 ministers and wives. I will be here a week. The young Pastor Eliseo Ferreira received me royally and has placed me in a luxurious 9th floor apartment with all the wonderful gadgets… microwave, refrigerator, TV, computer and printer (although I carry my own computer and printer), beautiful view of the city… total comfort. I told him it was way too much, but he says it is the place that they always rent for their special speakers. Then tonight they took me out and stuffed me full of food. I feel like I won’t need to eat for a week… ha.
Ralph
Bariloche Dedication Service
Monday, March 14, 2011
High Patagonian Desert
Yesterday, Sunday, I ministered in Ingeniero Jacobacci. Great service! Deep time of dedication. Lots of youth. They have a huge building in a tiny town. It was a railroad town in it’s day. This is where the famous Patagonian Express narrow gauge steam train “La Trochita” did its run for many years… Ingeniero Jacobacci to and from El Bolson. Years ago a Chilean Pastor Sepulveda crossed the Andes to Argentina and carried his family on this steam train to this desert town of Ingeniero Jacobacci to plant the first evangelical church here and of course the first Pentecostal one. At my first visit here in 1993, old brother Sepulveda’s son was pastor and they had nearly 1,000 in their church in a town of 6,000! They began building an incredible building for such a little hick town. While the building was still unfinished in the mid nineties a heavy snowfall caused the roof to collapse. No one was inside. They rebuilt it stronger and it is beautiful. (See photo above) This whole huge area is high desert around 2500 feet above sea level.Going back a little, Friday night enroute to Los Menucos from El Bolson I stayed in a hotel in Ingeniero Jacobacci (zero stars… not even worth a half moon…ha)… but I slept well. Nine hours was too much driving on these teeth chattering gravel roads… so I split it in two. On Saturday morning when I was just leaving town heading east to Los Menucos I could hardly believe my eyes. I slammed on the brakes, parked quickly and ran over for a closer look. There was the famous “Trochita” steam engine all fixed up, blowing steam, belching smoke and towing a string of ancient cars. (See photo)
The last time I saw it, it was like a piece of junk all in pieces. Now they were getting it all ready for a run the next day. All I knew was that this train had been retired many years ago. I watched them disconnect the cars and park it in the engine barn… and I followed it in. The men who were operating it let me take pictures and invited me up into the cabin where the fire pit was red hot and steam blowing out all over the place. They told me they now do a tourist run of 15 kilometers each way every Sunday afternoon. The ancient train passenger cars have a pot belly wood stove where on the long runs years ago you could keep warm and heat up water for your maté… if you’d bring you own firewood which is scarce in these parts.I arrived in Los Menucos about four hours later on Saturday. You couldn’t distinguish the color of the car since it was covered with dust. Inside the trunk the dust was thick. I had to get a wet rag and wash off my suitcase and everything else that was in the trunk. We had a good service in the civic auditorium Saturday night. The new church chapel was too small since the young pastor had announced my coming on the radio. They are a sharp couple, Walter and Lorena Colinier. His mother is the daughter of the old brother Sepulveda that set in motion the work in this desert area. Walter’s father is also pastor of another AG church in Bariloche.
Sunday I drove back to Ingeniero Jacobacci… amid clouds of dirt and dust. Enjoyed another blessed service Sunday afternoon! Today I joggled my way five hours to Bariloche. Much of the time I had to creep along at 10 to 15 mph as the washboard effect shook the car so badly. It seemed almost heavenly to hit real genuine pavement again at 3 PM this afternoon. I am now in a nice hotel in Bariloche and have two nights to rest. I am to preach in one of our AG churches here on Wednesday. It was started in the nineties by Missionaries Steve Hill and Marc Triplett. Brother Colonier, father of Walter would have had me preach in his church, too, but they are enlarging their building, replacing the huge roof supporting beams this week and can’t have services until next Sunday. I hate to miss that one. He has a great church where I have ministered many times.
Well I did it again. TMO (Too much information) ha.
Ralph
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
New Baby... Church
Hi! I'm back again!
Frances always did "oohs" and "aahs" over every new little baby. I always did "oohs" and "aahs" over every baby church. Last Saturday Tony and Lidia Villegas, pastors of the El Calafate "Christian Sanctuary AG Church" accompanied me going north 130 miles along the base of the Andes Mountain range to visit their newest baby church in the little mountain village of El Chaltén. Along the way huge glaciers, awesome mountain peaks and blue lakes were in view. As we approached the town of El Chaltén Tony asked me to stop just before descending into town. "We always stop here overlooking the village and pray for new victories before every service," he explained. (See photo with Tony and Lidia at “prayer point”)
At 3 PM about 40 beautiful people met with us in a borrowed school room. They seemed as hungry for God as newborn babies that wake everybody up in the middle of the night. It's easy to preach to people like that. Three were there for the first time and all three took their first steps toward their Savior. Praise God!
(Photo left) A little baby's face literally glowed with excitement when he reached out to touch my little skunk puppet, Perfume.
(Photo left) I loaned my Bible to some little girls in the front row and helped them find the text. They were so absorbed in it that they didn't even notice when I took their picture.
The town of El Chaltén lies at the base of the most astounding mountain peaks I have ever seen. Last Saturday after the 3 PM service we drove the 130 miles back to the mother church in El Calafate just in time for the Saturday night service. I love it when I get to preach three times on a weekend plus almost every night of the week.
Clear back in 1996 Frances and I accompanied about 120 kids from the mother church "Christian Sanctuary AG" and preached their kids camp at the base of this glorious El Chaltén mountain peak. Unforgettable! We also designed the El Calafate church building and joined a wonderful team from Portland Christian Center who built it in just 9 days!
(See photos of church exterior and interior.) Since then the church has grown so rapidly that they had to knock out the back wall and extend the sanctuary 30 additional feet! Sunday night was missions night. Here is a church near the southern tip of South America deeply involved in sending Argentinean missionaries to many lands.
Their church is only 50 miles from the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Congratulations Pastors Tony and Lidia! You are building the Kingdom in your city, plus now in distant El Chaltén, while at the same time reaching out to the nations of the world. Way to go!
Ralph Hiatt
Frances always did "oohs" and "aahs" over every new little baby. I always did "oohs" and "aahs" over every baby church. Last Saturday Tony and Lidia Villegas, pastors of the El Calafate "Christian Sanctuary AG Church" accompanied me going north 130 miles along the base of the Andes Mountain range to visit their newest baby church in the little mountain village of El Chaltén. Along the way huge glaciers, awesome mountain peaks and blue lakes were in view. As we approached the town of El Chaltén Tony asked me to stop just before descending into town. "We always stop here overlooking the village and pray for new victories before every service," he explained. (See photo with Tony and Lidia at “prayer point”)
At 3 PM about 40 beautiful people met with us in a borrowed school room. They seemed as hungry for God as newborn babies that wake everybody up in the middle of the night. It's easy to preach to people like that. Three were there for the first time and all three took their first steps toward their Savior. Praise God!
(Photo left) A little baby's face literally glowed with excitement when he reached out to touch my little skunk puppet, Perfume.(Photo left) I loaned my Bible to some little girls in the front row and helped them find the text. They were so absorbed in it that they didn't even notice when I took their picture.
The town of El Chaltén lies at the base of the most astounding mountain peaks I have ever seen. Last Saturday after the 3 PM service we drove the 130 miles back to the mother church in El Calafate just in time for the Saturday night service. I love it when I get to preach three times on a weekend plus almost every night of the week.
Clear back in 1996 Frances and I accompanied about 120 kids from the mother church "Christian Sanctuary AG" and preached their kids camp at the base of this glorious El Chaltén mountain peak. Unforgettable! We also designed the El Calafate church building and joined a wonderful team from Portland Christian Center who built it in just 9 days!
(See photos of church exterior and interior.) Since then the church has grown so rapidly that they had to knock out the back wall and extend the sanctuary 30 additional feet! Sunday night was missions night. Here is a church near the southern tip of South America deeply involved in sending Argentinean missionaries to many lands. Their church is only 50 miles from the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Congratulations Pastors Tony and Lidia! You are building the Kingdom in your city, plus now in distant El Chaltén, while at the same time reaching out to the nations of the world. Way to go!
Ralph Hiatt
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Uttermost… Best Lamb Chops… and “Chance” Meeting
[Photo left: Magellan Straits Ferry plus teeter totter and slide]I have been privileged to minister in different places almost every day of the week except when driving great distances. At the close of each service, almost the entire church has spent a long time kneeling in earnest prayer, usually ending around 11:30 PM or midnight. When closing I have recently been asking the folks to gather around me, lay hands on me and send me out with a fresh touch of heaven on my life. Some have promised to continue praying for me. The result is that I have an ever increasing number of intercessors standing with me, both you in the USA and many in Argentina.
[Photo below: Tierra del Fuego Mountain Pass in Summer]
Last Saturday I drove south to the Magellan Straits and took the ferry across to Tierra del Fuego.
You can’t get any more uttermost than this! The city of Ushuaia, if you’re reaching out from Jerusalem, is possibly the farthest populated point on the earth. Jesus said, “… You will be my witnesses… unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) What a move of God we enjoyed there last night! I want you to know I can’t take credit for this. It is a God thing.
Sunday morning I ministered in Rio Grande, then drove the mountain pass across to the southern tip of the island to minister in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world (see photo, left). In both those services God just swept us away with His deep work in our hearts. What glory! Little kids, youth and old timers alike were on their knees doing business with God for an extended time. After every evening service I have been getting back to the hotel around 2 AM. It is late summer here near the Antarctic and the days are long with the sun setting around 10:30 PM.On my way back across the pass I stopped at the quaint little mountain town of Tolhuin. I had previously arranged to meet with Juan and Maria Malvicino, friends from long ago. They used to live in Buenos Aires and now have purchased a little rustic cabin and moved here to escape the big city. They served me the best tasting lamb chops I have ever had as we recounted past experiences.
They tell me that the snow gets pretty deep here in winter. Frances and I have been in this area years ago when it even snowed in the summer time. Then this afternoon I drove on to Rio Grande to find a hotel for the night. I got out of my car and a man on the sidewalk looked hard at me and said. “You are Rafael!” “It is true,” I replied. It was Jesus Rubio who was drawn to Christ during our 20 month long tent crusade in Merlo on the outskirts of Buenos Aires 33 years ago! Now here over 1,500 miles from Merlo, we meet again “by chance” on the street! I don’t think so. God is in it. We had a prayer meeting right there and then on the sidewalk. I invited him to bring his wife and daughter for dinner in a restaurant this evening at 9 PM. We enjoyed a wonderful time of reminiscing and rejoicing.
[Below: Magellan Straits Lighthouse]
Tomorrow I’ll take the ferry back across the Magellan Straits. It is a tiring trip since the ferry crossing is in Chile and one has to wait in long lines to go though immigration and customs going out of Argentina, then again going into Chile, then drive for hours on a rough gravel road, cross on the ferry and, then go through the whole process again going out of Chile into Argentina… up to a possible total of three hours of waiting in lines, etc… plus hard driving conditions. So far the angels of the Lord have been watching over me every kilometer of the way. I am scheduled to preach in another church in Rio Gallegos on Wednesday night. This coming weekend, Lord willing, I’ll be ministering near what may be the most spectacular glacier in the world, the Perito Moreno.
Thanks for your prayers on my behalf. They really make a difference.
Buenas noches!
Ralph (Rafael) Hiatt
Monday, February 14, 2011
Am I having fun yet?
Here is just a short run-down of what the Lord has been doing this past week. Last Thursday I ministered in a relatively new church in the little “Welsh” town of Gaiman. I call it a “Welsh” town because it, like all the cities in this small valley, was originally established by Welsh Christians that came to the “new world” back in the 1800s and early 1900s for a fresh start. Now their Christian influence has faded and many non-Welsh live in this pretty valley. The Welsh created beautiful orchards where once there was desert by using irrigation canals powered by the river current. Several years ago the Assemblies of God purchased a 20 acre apple orchard and has built the Patagonian Bible Institute (PBI)… our southernmost Bible Institute in the world. We had a great service in the new little Gaiman church. The pastors are graduates of PBI.
Then Friday I drove 300 more miles south to Comodoro Rivadavia a windy city on the Atlantic coast. Saturday night I ministered at one of our several AG churches here. At about 11 PM after a powerful time of prayer with many youth on the floor seeking God’s will, I had packed up all my gear and was ready to leave for my hotel. But a small group of young people had formed a circle of chairs and begged me to share with them about how God had called me into ministry. I couldn’t turn that down and enjoyed another hour of ministry and prayer with these beautiful young servants of God. They were so sweet and receptive and full of questions! Finally I asked them to let me take their picture for my friends back in the USA. They ran and got the Argentine flag and… behold… there we are!
This Sunday morning I preached in another AG church in this big seacoast city. Again at the close of that service the entire front of the church was wall to wall with mostly youth pouring out their hearts to the Lord.
Then I called and invited Roberto and Veronica, young pioneer pastors on neighboring Laprida, to join me for Sunday dinner at a classy restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Roberto and Veronica had sold their only car in order to pay down on a lot for their new church and then sacrificed everything to get the walls up. But there is no roof and cold winter is coming in May and June. So this afternoon I surprised them with a $4,000 US dollar donation from our generous Share Holders.** They could hardly believe it! That will complete the roof for them! Last night I preached to their new “baby church” in an ugly rented hall. With God’s help they’ll soon have their own building!
Am I having fun yet? You better believe it! Tomorrow I head 50 miles south on the coast to visit another pastor couple in Caleta Olivia, then on 200 more miles to San Julian where I am scheduled to preach on Tuesday. Make a note of it! I am not preaching Monday. I am taking a day for “rest” (and about 300 miles of travel...ha!).
(Left: Small PK storing the chairs after church)
Ralph Hiatt
**Our “Share Holders” are not monthly supporters. They are people who have committed to send an offering, small or large, to our AGWM missionary account for approved missions projects… and also to pray for the success of that project. My agreement is to never send out more than four “Share Calls” per year. If you should wish to become one of the Hiatt ministry “Share Holders” just send me your request along with your mailing address.
Then Friday I drove 300 more miles south to Comodoro Rivadavia a windy city on the Atlantic coast. Saturday night I ministered at one of our several AG churches here. At about 11 PM after a powerful time of prayer with many youth on the floor seeking God’s will, I had packed up all my gear and was ready to leave for my hotel. But a small group of young people had formed a circle of chairs and begged me to share with them about how God had called me into ministry. I couldn’t turn that down and enjoyed another hour of ministry and prayer with these beautiful young servants of God. They were so sweet and receptive and full of questions! Finally I asked them to let me take their picture for my friends back in the USA. They ran and got the Argentine flag and… behold… there we are!
This Sunday morning I preached in another AG church in this big seacoast city. Again at the close of that service the entire front of the church was wall to wall with mostly youth pouring out their hearts to the Lord.
Then I called and invited Roberto and Veronica, young pioneer pastors on neighboring Laprida, to join me for Sunday dinner at a classy restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Roberto and Veronica had sold their only car in order to pay down on a lot for their new church and then sacrificed everything to get the walls up. But there is no roof and cold winter is coming in May and June. So this afternoon I surprised them with a $4,000 US dollar donation from our generous Share Holders.** They could hardly believe it! That will complete the roof for them! Last night I preached to their new “baby church” in an ugly rented hall. With God’s help they’ll soon have their own building!
Am I having fun yet? You better believe it! Tomorrow I head 50 miles south on the coast to visit another pastor couple in Caleta Olivia, then on 200 more miles to San Julian where I am scheduled to preach on Tuesday. Make a note of it! I am not preaching Monday. I am taking a day for “rest” (and about 300 miles of travel...ha!).
(Left: Small PK storing the chairs after church)Ralph Hiatt
**Our “Share Holders” are not monthly supporters. They are people who have committed to send an offering, small or large, to our AGWM missionary account for approved missions projects… and also to pray for the success of that project. My agreement is to never send out more than four “Share Calls” per year. If you should wish to become one of the Hiatt ministry “Share Holders” just send me your request along with your mailing address.
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