Genuine Preaching: Sharing the gospel authentically requires an understanding that it is not about eloquence or charisma but about a genuine connection with the truth of God’s Word. Many believers grapple with insecurities and doubts about their ability to effectively communicate the message, but the essence of preaching lies in obedience to God’s command and a sincere heart for sharing the Word. Throughout history, God has consistently demonstrated His preference for authenticity over outward appearances. He called Moses, a man with a speech impediment, to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt. Despite his initial reluctance, Moses obeyed God’s call and became one of the most significant figures in biblical history.
Angeles, Pampanga Province — Philippines: The dense tropical air hung heavy, thick with the metallic tang of fresh blood mingling with sweat. Under the scorching 100-degree heat on the streets of Angeles we followed a procession of catholic penitents. These masked men with exposed backs, now stained in blooms of crimson subject themselves to ritual self-flagellation. Tasseled whips lashed bare skin in reverberating tin sounding hits, trailing arcs of scarlet with each agonizing stroke. Children followed the columns, eyes wide, sweat beading on brows as they held small buckets of water. Periodically the bloodied penitents would dip their flagella into the pails, diluting it before resuming their lacerating rhythm. At the front, men shouldered heavy wooden crosses, leading the groups through the side-streets of Angeles city. With each lurching step, flecks of gore splattered outward, misting the ground, walls, and any bystanders with a ghastly red overspray. We were not spared the errant spatter, and immediately wiped away the warm blood that clung to our exposed skin and camera equipment.
Witness: In a world obsessed with human logic, philosophical reason and biased scientific theory, the truth of the supernatural and miraculous is often dismissed or ignored. But as believers, we know we serve a supernatural God who transcends the natural realm. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that the supernatural is REAL and it is an integral part of true faith. In fact, it is impossible to truly have a relationship with Christ Jesus if you do not believe that He is the Word made flesh, that He died for our sins, is risen and will come again. Unfortunately, many modern day churches neglect speaking about the supernatural nature of God because it goes against the mainstream ideals of the world. However, when you read the Gospels they are marked from beginning to end with a documentation of miraculous events from the life of Jesus. This is why the apostle Peter emphatically declares, “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
Spark: How often do we underestimate the power of a single spark? It takes only one struck match to start a blazing fire. One encouraging word might renew fading hope. One act of kindness can shift a hardened heart. One truthful conversation might plant the seed of salvation. One phone call at just the right moment could prevent tragedy and despair. One prayer lifted up in sincere faith unleashes heavenly power. One decision to surrender your life fully ignites a radical transformation. And like a glowing ember fanned into a flame, a divine spark, though it may seem insignificant at the time, can blaze into a sweeping move of God that changes everything. Here are a few examples of historical sparks that impacted the world.
Christ the Lord and Savior: The foundational truth upon which our faith stands is that Jesus Christ is both Lord and Savior. As prophesied in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” When Jesus walked this earth, He demonstrated His lordship through teachings that astounded the people (Matthew 7:28–29). He displayed authority over sickness, nature, evil spirits and even death itself. After willingly laying down His life on the cross to atone for our sins, Christ proved His supremacy as Savior and Lord through the resurrection. Jesus lovingly calls those who follow Him not merely believers, but friends (John 15:15). Yet we must not lose sight that He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). As Savior, Jesus bestows the gift of salvation upon all who call upon His name. As Lord, He rules our lives and demands our unwavering allegiance. Christ alone must occupy the throne room of our hearts.
Ushuaia: Lowest city on earth! The Gospel has no bounds. Made contact with local believers. Praise God, His Word is going everywhere! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRsWpUoxtTY&rel=0]
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A quick stop in Uruguay to get contacts for future. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe4ARFZkrjA&rel=0]
Arrived at Atlantic Ocean via dunes after long Amazon journey. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnz0rvCrafM&rel=0]
In Buenos Aires for weekend to repair camera. Looking for a church to attend on sunday.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X7iYEgF8os&rel=0] These mighty falls are the dividing line between Argentina and Brazil. The area around the falls was once controlled by Guarani indians whom the Jesuits ministered to beginning in 1609. Watch movie The Mission to see events of jesuits in area.
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Crossed border into Argentina after a look around the falls.
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Once again on our journey along the Amazon food must be hunted. This Croc we caught alive, so we shut the snout with a rope. Just before this video was taken the massive reptile lashed at me (Tim). This area of Brazil has been a blessing to travel as there is such a movement for the Holy Spirit. We also came across an Assemblies of God in Tefe that was building a new church the size of a small stadium. The shocking thing is Tefe is only 80,000 in population. This must mean a large percentage of people attend regularly. Praise God!
The croc was cooked later in the day and fed 15 people. We were on river for 4 days at this point. No showers, hot sun, but good food. Praise God!
This is the baking and finishing room. There was also a press which compressed the cocaine to make ready for transport.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC7GtI-FSjs&rel=0] This is the wild pig that ran to us after we shot the monkey. Nasty teeth and they know to attack humans. Good meat as well.
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Journeying down river we had little food because you can only bring essentials. Caught a few after this video was taken. Piranhas are mean little fish and two days later our guide caught a huge one that made us glad we never took a dip in the water.
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This crusade/concert in Bogota was 40,000 persons or more. There is something awesome and amazing about massive corporal worship. The ground in the stadium shook when everyone jumped and praised in unison.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIf7OVg8QIs&rel=0] The chemicals of acids and kerosene make the fire explode. Everything must be destroyed. The blaze was very intense and put off a repulsive smell.
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Blaze gets going! You can see how fast the fire explodes. However, as we moved to seize another lab the fire was unrecognizable when we traveled 100 feet farther into the jungle.
After the mission we drove 4-hours back to Pucallpa in the night.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ZqDI9ahSM&rel=0] Will at lab sight 2 minutes after seizure. You can see we are all out of breath and trying to take in everything that just happened.
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Immediately after the cocaine-workers were captured the Dinandro soldiers set themselves to breaking down the crude lab. The mounds of what looks like dead leaves are exactly that. Those are coca leaves awaiting processing from this lab.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_VYP6En678&rel=0] Here, we are shown by the Dinandro team what the end product of the labs is. The white balls which look like dough is brute cocaine paste. This is one phase away from being cocaine chloride, which is the white powdery substance mostly trafficked world wide. Drug cartels then will pick up the brute paste from these lab chemists and create the final product on their own.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C41HXOJrKSc&rel=0] March into jungle. This video was 15 minutes into our hike towards the cocaine labs. notice the clearing we come across. This is one of the many illegal coca fields we saw en route to the jungle lab.
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This next video is ten minutes before the first seizure. Many times we would halt for a moment in the jungle to maintain silence and the element of surprise.
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This boat was caught two days south of Pucallpa. It contained large amounts of chemicals used to create brute cocaine paste. This seizure was immediately following the new intelligence gained from the informants being held in Lima. The boat will now be used to police the waterways by the Dinandro (anti-narcotics division of Peru).
