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.

Just Taking It Easy

I am just taking it easy… trying to not preach more than once per day. I must keep my voice this time around.

Monday morning, Feb 7, I ministered to a group of about 40 King's Castle teenagers that have dedicated themselves to serve God above anything else. What a privilege to see them seek the Lord for a long time after the preaching! I am so thrilled with Kim and Shari Babcock, the missionary couple that is leading these kids and hundreds of others into a life of walking in the Spirit, hearing from God and being obedient to His voice.

Last night, Tuesday, I was invited to minister in another city to a group of about 14 couples who are what we call "pioneers" here. There are many more of them who will be arriving at this retreat later this week. But this small group is composed of the newest ones that are stepping out to start new churches. These first days are their "boot camp". The others already have been through "boot camp" and have started their churches. We met at the Nazarene Seminary campus where each year they rent the facilities for this retreat.

Once again last night the Lord moved in power and all of them sought His face for an extended time. At the close, nearing midnight, they presented me with a nice plaque which thanks me for being "Pioneer of the Pioneers in Argentina.” That title would be more appropriate for Rocco Ditrolio, the national leader of church planting. Then just before leaving I had them gather to take their picture (Rocco on right).

New Pioneers

These are choice servants of God. Most of these couples already have a group of converts gathering somewhere. I am hoping that sometime within the next 10 years I’ll be able to minister in each and every one of their new churches that are scattered all over this vast country. Ha! You thought I was slowing down. No way! I’ve got my feet on the blocks just waiting for the starting pistol shot.

This evening I fly two hours south to the city of Trelew in la Patagonia where I’ll borrow Missionary Eddie Echevarria’s car and once again have some wheels to hit the road. Running all over in taxi gets expensive… but yesterday one driver, Jorge Gonzales, was ready and ended up accepting Jesus as His Lord and Savior. That made it worth the 18 bucks… ha.

Ralph


Small Pioneers

Where Is Home?

Today a good friend asked me, “Where is home?”

They say, “Home is where your heart is.” At this moment my heart is right here in Argentina where I just arrived at noon today, Saturday. I have settled into a nice little apartment, quite like the proverbial “prophet’s chamber,” that the Martinez church has so generously offered me. It is on the third floor right under the huge water tank. I do not plan to stay here even one full week, Lord willing. I want to get back down south to La Patagonia, pick up my borrowed car and hit the road. I have deliberately kept tomorrow (Sunday) open, not accepting an invitation to minister. I need to rest up after the exhausting 24 hour trip.

On Monday morning at 10 AM, however, I meet with about 40 (King’s Castle) teenagers for their morning devotional. The King’s Castle ministry, headed up by missionaries Kim and Shari Babcock, is setting hundreds of youth on fire for Jesus. Babcocks inspire them and then train them and send them back to their local churches to do evangelism through music, mime and drama in the parks and on the streets, visits to hospitals and homes for the aged, cleaning up the street trash in a neighborhood and much more. I’m asking God for a special word for them. So quickly… ever so quickly some of these teenagers will become our pastors, evangelists, missionaries and spiritual leaders. God is giving me the awesome opportunity to speak into their lives.

I invite you to take a moment to join me in prayer for something good to happen in their hearts.

Ralph (known here in Argentina as “Hermano Rafael”)

Anxious to Return to Argentina Feb. 4th

Hi again!

As you know, Frances was carried into the arms of Jesus in October 2010. God has revealed to me that I am beginning a new chapter in my life. I feel that He is calling me back to Argentina and I am excited as a kid with a new toy! My one month visit there in November and December 2010 revealed to me the incredible opportunities for ministry that await me in that land where the harvest is so ripe.

I am not attempting to raise funds for this. I only request your prayers for health, His guidance and a fruitful ministry. He has always been our provider and I am confident that as I attempt to fulfill His will every need will be met.

This time around I plan to spend 96 days there. I return to the USA in May to fulfill ministry commitments in Texas and Mexico during May and June. Only the Lord knows what comes after that… ha.

I am so thankful to Missionary Eddie Echevarria who is loaning me his Peugeot car while he is on furlough. I will put thousands of miles on it as I travel to small isolated towns and large cities to minister. Just as in November and December, I may minister to thousands at times and other times to only a few. God gave His Son for every one of them!

I am also grateful to Missionary Kim Babcock who will once again loan me an active Argentine cell phone. If you should wish to call me please keep in mind the time difference. It is five hours later there than Pacific time. My Argentine cell phone number will be 011-5415-3603-9579. However, much of the time I may be in isolated places where no signal is available.

The most effective way to reach me is via email at ralph.hiatt@agmd.org. I will try to find a way to pick up my email almost every day if possible.

Thanks for your prayers on my behalf.

Ralph Hiatt

PS. I repeat this is not an effort to raise funds. However some have asked if funds can be sent to my support through the Assemblies of God World Missions. Yes. All funds sent to my account #283632 and designated “special personal” will be forwarded to me. Any other funds sent “undesignated” to my account will be applied to help approved missions projects in Argentina.

Young Lives Cast at the Feet of Jesus

This is La Boca church located in the heart of the ghetto downtown Buenos Aires. It was the first church that Frances and I planted within the city limits. That was 1973-1974. To date 87 ministers and wives have gone out of this church. Below is a shot of the dedication service where I was privileged to preach just two weeks ago, Tuesday night, November 30th. The young people kneeling here are our potential future ministers and spiritual leaders pouring out their lives in total dedication to Christ’s perfect plan. I saw this picture repeated 21 times during November in as many locations. Who knows what God will accomplish through these young lives?!

Please pray for me as I attempt to follow God’s perfect plan for my immediate future! The Argentina field missionaries have officially invited me to return to the land of my calling. I will not be seeking monthly support as I am retired. I will trust God to provide every need. The opportunities for ministry there are literally limitless! And the fire is red hot in my soul!

Ralph Hiatt

Dedication at Cathedral of Faith, Buenos Aires

A dedication altar call at the Cathedral of Faith in Buenos Aires… on December 2, 2010.

This retirement thing is great!

Hey! This retirement thing is super. I don’t have to wait for a weekend to roll around. I get to preach every day of the week to packed churches! It’s great therapy for me after my darling Frances slipped away into the arms of Jesus.

[Photo left: Lake Buenos Aires at Chilean Border]

I’m writing this from deep in the southern part of Patagonia, Argentina. Missionary Eddie Echevarria, who is on furlough has loaned me his car… bless him Jesus! I have been traveling from city to city ministering in each. These towns and cities are similar to Nevada in the sense that they are separated by many miles of endless desert. Yesterday I left the little town of Los Antiguos 250 miles inland from the Atlantic coast, nestled alongside a large beautiful lake with backdrop of the most rugged snow covered mountain peaks you could ever imagine. The beauty of the Andes and the many shades of crystalline blue in the lake left me almost breathless. The new little AG church in that town (photo, left) received me with great joy. It’s the same story over and over. I am ministering every day of the week while traveling during the day. When I let these pastors know a week or so in advance they manage to gather a record setting crowd any day of the week. Some really beautiful people are coming to Jesus. Last night in another city, Pico Truncado, a precious young couple responded. The young father had only been in the church on Mother’s Day previously. This time he opened his heart to Jesus with a sincerity that would bring you tears. They both look like future leadership material with hearts open to being discipled.

Several years ago I had sent a Share Call and purchased the roof for this church. It had sat for over a year with walls but no roof for lack of funds. Today it is a beautiful building, praise God! A few years ago we saw great potential in Ariel, the kid who is now the pastor and paid his way (and his wife) through Bible School. They are both top of the line, intelligent, talented and super dedicated!

This afternoon I will drive only about 100 miles to a seacoast fishing town called Puerto Deseado (Desire Port, left) where we helped a young single pastor start his church in the mid nineties. From the place we camped with our mobile home you can watch the colony of penguins, hundreds of them just across the bay. Pastor Mario Canizares has recently been married. Mario wouldn’t win any “handsome” contest, but has a heart of gold. He’s the kind of a guy that gets better looking the more you know him… ha. I am anxious to meet his wife and see the progress of this work. I hear rumors that it is, like the others, growing into a solid, powerful church.

Sorry to bore you with all this. My problem is that I am having so much fun I can hardly keep it to myself. Nothing thrills me more than to see that my little Felipe gives people an excuse to invite new families to church. Many of these are now serving Jesus in ministry around the country or even overseas. It is truly interesting. Many, maybe most people here come to church the first time with heavy problems, like sicknesses and broken lives. However Felipe seems to attract solid, well educated people with no visible hang-ups. They come to be entertained and behold… God’s Spirit convicts them as they hear the message and some more names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Who knows what lies just ahead? Only God!

I plan to be back in the USA just in time for the sectional Christmas banquet in Modesto… arriving Sunday the day before. I have a feeling that I will be back in Argentina again in the not to distant future if God so leads.

If you happen to think about it, please pray for my voice. I have kind of preached it away, but I think it is coming back with the help of the touch of Jesus’ hand.

Love you guys big time!

Ralph Hiatt