Monday, October 06, 2008

“For Me to Live Is Christ and to Die Is Gain”

I am Marco Antonio and I am 38 years old.  I am ashamed of what I have done with my life.  For many years, I prostituted myself for money, and then immediately lost my money on alcohol, drugs, gambling, and sex.  I always wanted to be a better person, but I didn’t know how.  When I was 20 years old, I tried to change on my own.  I married and had two children; however, it wasn’t long before I was back to my old life.  While I was married, I visited horrible places and deceived my family.

One day, the Jesus Film was shown in my neighborhood, and I watched it from afar.  I watched the entire film and returned home thinking of what I had seen.  Because I was desperate, I put my shame aside and contacted the church that showed the film.  The brothers prayed for me and helped me to grow spiritually.

For four years, I have attended faithfully the House of the Lord.  Now I have been diagnosed with AIDS.  I have very little time to live, but I am not afraid to die because I am going to the home of my Creator.  I know that the blood of Jesus has cleansed me of all of my sins.  In my mind, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  Alleluia!  Thank you, Jesus, for saving me!

That Something Was Salvation!


My name is Roxana and I am 21 years old.  I want to tell you my testimony.  It is difficult to explain all that I have lived through.  First, my mother died when I was 7 years old, and after six months, my father died.  I was torn apart so profoundly, I could not overcome the trauma.  I grew up lonely and depressed.  I even attempted suicide several times, but something always caused me to fail.  I couldn’t understand why God permitted my life to continue as it was.

One day, Gabriel, my neighbor, invited me to church.  I was so depressed I didn’t want to go or talk to anyone, but he insisted.  He told me that God had something for me.  Eventually he convinced me, and I accepted.

I watched while Gabriel and his friends set up the film.  I wondered how they could be so happy.  It was as if they had never experienced any pain.  Later, while watching the film, I remembered the words of Gabriel:  “God has something for you.”  In that moment, I realized that something was salvation!  When the film had finished, I ran to accept Jesus as my Savior.  Jesus filled the emptiness left by the deaths of my parents.  Today I continue to grow in the Lord.  It makes me laugh to think that I had wanted to end my life.  I enjoy sharing my testimony, and I am the youth leader in my church.  I’m also a part of the Jesus Film team and evangelism team.  Glory to God!

Friday, October 03, 2008

Changed Lives Deep in the Interior of Ecuador

The Jesus Film team traveled deep into the interior of Ecuador.  At a Film showing, God started to move among a small group of brothers that were converted that day.  This group has continued to grow to include about 40 people.  Soon after, someone donated a piece of land to begin building a church.  Jesus arrived with the Film showing and continues to change the lives of these people.  Amen!

Bar Owners Encourage their Clients to Watch

Sometimes the Jesus Film team has to deal with hostility from nearby bars and entertainment establishments.  Even so there are always people receptive to the Gospel in the middle of the chaos.  The Church of the Nazarene in Turbo, Colombia, evangelizes in this kind of area.  Recently, in the town of Bolivar, the bar owners unexpectedly shut down the music and encouraged their clients to watch the Jesus Film.  Six young people became a part of the new group of believers that are now receiving discipleship.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

In the city of Armenia, Colombia, a new work has begun which focuses on children, ranging from ages 8 to 12.  Recently, Tatiana, a 10-year-old child with chronic diabetes, shared her testimony with the supporting church.  She placed her sickness in the hands of God, and she was completely healed.  Please pray for these children and their workers.