LESS OF ME, MORE FOR HIM October 2014 Volume 1 | Issue #2 2-31| English Click Here 32-61| Español Hacer Click Aquí THE SIN BEARER THE SIN BEARER A PERSONAL GOD A PERSONAL GOD EL SIERVO SUFRIENTE EL SIERVO SUFRIENTE UN DIOS PERSONAL UN DIOS PERSONAL
Less is More is a Missions orientated magazine with the purpose to educate, inform, and develop a heart for missions in people's lives
TRANSCRIPT
L E S S O F M E M O R E F O R H I M
October 2014Volume 1 | Issue 2
2-31| EnglishClick Here
32-61| EspantildeolHacer Click Aquiacute
THE SINBEARERTHE SINBEARER
A PERSONALGODA PERSONALGOD
EL SIERVOSUFRIENTEEL SIERVOSUFRIENTE
UN DIOSPERSONAL
UN DIOSPERSONAL
2 July 2014
Less Is More is an independent publication and is not associated with any particular denomination or organization Less Is More assumes all work published and distributed is the property of the submitting contributor Featuring a person or ministry does not equal endorsement While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all published information Less Is More assumes no liability for errors in submissions
12
10
8
3
c o n t e n t scolumns
departments
featured
4 | From the Editorrsquos Pen
8 | Why Missions
14 | Missions in Action The Story of Two Mission Minded Young People
24 | Featured Guest The Walz Family Missionaries to Argentina
The Classroom
Looking At The Fig Tree
From Our House To Yours
12 | Greatful Heart
From The Mission Field10 | A Personal God
20 | Thoughtful amp Thankful
26 | Christmas in Ravensbruck
L E S S I S M O R E | L E S S O F M E M O R E F O R H I M
Kids WOW30 | What is a Theology of Childhood Part I
4 October 2014
From The Editorrsquos Pen
I love the changing of seasons Each brings a special stirring in my heart Can you smell fall in the air (This depends on where the reader is at this time) Bright colored leaves replacing the summer green and there is cool
snap in the air that tells us winter will soon be on the horizon
It is in the fall that we see naturersquos bounty being gathered and stored for the long winter season Crops are gathered and the excitement of a harvest time resonates in the air This season for me evokes memories of canning and freezing fruits and vegetables I can almost see the shelves lined with mason jars of peaches pears pickles and vegetables
The farmers are harvesting grain and crops ready for market It is harvest time This is a time for everyone to be thankful for our blessings In the US we celebrate Thanksgiving and many tables will be straining with steaming dishes of what has come from the harvest
Today in our world there goes out a cry ndash itrsquos HARVEST TIME Scripture says in John 435 NIV ldquoDonrsquot you have a saying lsquoItrsquos still four months until harvestrsquo I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields They are ripe for harvestrdquo
Around the world the mission fields are ready for harvest We must work while we have the time We must gather in the souls before we can no longer labor in those fields
The staff at Less Is More encourages everyone one to be a missionary It really doesnrsquot matter the season but especially at this fall Thanksgiving time share Godrsquos love and message of salvation
A Season for Thanksgiving
5LESS IS MORE
We Want toFrom YouHear
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible Through technology social media and your participation this is achievable
We want to hear from you and your comments are appreciated You can contact us through Facebook Twitter or e-mail
The Less is More Staff
Words amp Music by Puchi Colon and performed by the LWF Choir For full screen right click on the video
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
6 October 2014
Meet the Staff
Zelma DoddEditor Contributing Writer
Mark KinneyChildrenrsquos Editor
Pastor Lidia MasalykaMiddle East Editor
Lina Zelarayan TracolEnglishSpanish Translation
Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoSpanishEnglish Translation
Editor
Emilse MyersCEO Creative Director
gtgt gtgt
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Lina was born and raised in
a christian family She graduated with a BS in
Communications She also con-tinued her education in Biblical Studies She has lived in Lodon
since 2002 and is married to Clement Tracol they have one
daughterThey serve the Lord in the Sunday School of the church
they are part of
Lidia Lewczuk Masalyka and her husband Juan Masalyka are the Pastors of Centro Cristiano Church of Cordoba Argentina Their ministry includes church planting and sending missionaries to the fieldTeacher preacher and author
Originally from Argentina Emilse graduated with an Asso-ciate degree in Bible and Theo-
logy and a BA in Graphic and Advertisement Design While in Argentina Emilse was secretary
of the Argentinian National Branch of Global University and
Bible TeacherShe is married to Donald Myers
they have two daughtersTogether they serve the Lord at Living Water Fellowship in
Florida
Originally from Chile Rita is currently serving the Lord in
Toronto CanadaWomenrsquos ministry leader with a
heart for missions Rita is an adult ESL Instruc-
tor with a Bachelors of Arts in Linguistics
Zelma has a BA in Christian Education from Central Bible
College in Springfield Mo Married to Marshall Dodd
they have served as pastors in 7 states She has worked as a
Technical Writer and Editor for an FAA contracted employer
and is a Certified International Configuration Manager
Zelma is also a teacher authorblogger speaker and currently
serves with her husband as Care Pastors for a large central
Florida church
Candidate for a doctorate in Missiology at the Seminar of the Assemblies of God Director of Global University and vice president of IBM in Cordoba Argentina Together with his wife Patricia and four children (and 34 years of experience in childrenrsquos ministry) serve as missionaries in Argentina and evangelize throughout the country on a truck (ICECRAM)
7LESS IS MORE
Pastor Boyd BrooksMissions Editor
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEducation Editor
Gustavo GarciacuteaPastoral Editor
Erica Ramello SepulvedaMissions Life Style Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersEnglish Associate EditorPhotography Editor
are Argentinian missionaries serving the Lord in Ethiopia
Graduated from Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo (Argentina) with
a Bachelorrsquos degree in Bible and Theology Erica homeschools
their three daughters through the Argentine System in
Distance Education
Don serves as the official photographer for Living Water Fellowship in Florida Before his retirement he worked as a Senior SAP Functional Specialist for a major east coast utility company He is currently President of Living Water Riders motorcycle ministry He is mar-ried to Emilse and has three daughters
Boyd has served as the senior pastor of Peoplersquos Church in St Louis Missouri for the last 15 years Originally from California he and his wife Marilyn have served in many different places They were involved in church planting and served as directors of a Bible School in Cordoba Argentina Licensed Profes-sional Counselor in the State of Missouri Bachelorrsquos degree in theology masters in leadership masters in counseling and a doctorate in psychology
Gustavo Garciacutea a Bible teacher with over 20 years of experience
Graduated in Theology at IBM has a Bachelorrsquos degree in Theol-
ogy from IBRP and a masterrsquos degree in Theology from ISUM
Together with his wife Betty and their five children serve in a congregation in Coacuterdoba and exercise their teaching ministry
gifts in different educational institutions
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Nelly is a Systems AnalystShe works as a teacher Along with her husband and two daughters she serves the Lord at Centro Cristiano Church of Coacuterdoba
Originally from Buenos Aires Argentina Gustavo studied Theology at Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo Instituto Biblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM and South African Theological Seminary He has devoted most of his christian life to the teaching of the Word of God Today he resides in Canada with his wife Cecilia and their children Neiel Eytan and AbdielGustavo and Cecilia serve as Pastors at Centro Familiar de Adoracioacuten
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
2 July 2014
Less Is More is an independent publication and is not associated with any particular denomination or organization Less Is More assumes all work published and distributed is the property of the submitting contributor Featuring a person or ministry does not equal endorsement While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all published information Less Is More assumes no liability for errors in submissions
12
10
8
3
c o n t e n t scolumns
departments
featured
4 | From the Editorrsquos Pen
8 | Why Missions
14 | Missions in Action The Story of Two Mission Minded Young People
24 | Featured Guest The Walz Family Missionaries to Argentina
The Classroom
Looking At The Fig Tree
From Our House To Yours
12 | Greatful Heart
From The Mission Field10 | A Personal God
20 | Thoughtful amp Thankful
26 | Christmas in Ravensbruck
L E S S I S M O R E | L E S S O F M E M O R E F O R H I M
Kids WOW30 | What is a Theology of Childhood Part I
4 October 2014
From The Editorrsquos Pen
I love the changing of seasons Each brings a special stirring in my heart Can you smell fall in the air (This depends on where the reader is at this time) Bright colored leaves replacing the summer green and there is cool
snap in the air that tells us winter will soon be on the horizon
It is in the fall that we see naturersquos bounty being gathered and stored for the long winter season Crops are gathered and the excitement of a harvest time resonates in the air This season for me evokes memories of canning and freezing fruits and vegetables I can almost see the shelves lined with mason jars of peaches pears pickles and vegetables
The farmers are harvesting grain and crops ready for market It is harvest time This is a time for everyone to be thankful for our blessings In the US we celebrate Thanksgiving and many tables will be straining with steaming dishes of what has come from the harvest
Today in our world there goes out a cry ndash itrsquos HARVEST TIME Scripture says in John 435 NIV ldquoDonrsquot you have a saying lsquoItrsquos still four months until harvestrsquo I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields They are ripe for harvestrdquo
Around the world the mission fields are ready for harvest We must work while we have the time We must gather in the souls before we can no longer labor in those fields
The staff at Less Is More encourages everyone one to be a missionary It really doesnrsquot matter the season but especially at this fall Thanksgiving time share Godrsquos love and message of salvation
A Season for Thanksgiving
5LESS IS MORE
We Want toFrom YouHear
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible Through technology social media and your participation this is achievable
We want to hear from you and your comments are appreciated You can contact us through Facebook Twitter or e-mail
The Less is More Staff
Words amp Music by Puchi Colon and performed by the LWF Choir For full screen right click on the video
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
6 October 2014
Meet the Staff
Zelma DoddEditor Contributing Writer
Mark KinneyChildrenrsquos Editor
Pastor Lidia MasalykaMiddle East Editor
Lina Zelarayan TracolEnglishSpanish Translation
Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoSpanishEnglish Translation
Editor
Emilse MyersCEO Creative Director
gtgt gtgt
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Lina was born and raised in
a christian family She graduated with a BS in
Communications She also con-tinued her education in Biblical Studies She has lived in Lodon
since 2002 and is married to Clement Tracol they have one
daughterThey serve the Lord in the Sunday School of the church
they are part of
Lidia Lewczuk Masalyka and her husband Juan Masalyka are the Pastors of Centro Cristiano Church of Cordoba Argentina Their ministry includes church planting and sending missionaries to the fieldTeacher preacher and author
Originally from Argentina Emilse graduated with an Asso-ciate degree in Bible and Theo-
logy and a BA in Graphic and Advertisement Design While in Argentina Emilse was secretary
of the Argentinian National Branch of Global University and
Bible TeacherShe is married to Donald Myers
they have two daughtersTogether they serve the Lord at Living Water Fellowship in
Florida
Originally from Chile Rita is currently serving the Lord in
Toronto CanadaWomenrsquos ministry leader with a
heart for missions Rita is an adult ESL Instruc-
tor with a Bachelors of Arts in Linguistics
Zelma has a BA in Christian Education from Central Bible
College in Springfield Mo Married to Marshall Dodd
they have served as pastors in 7 states She has worked as a
Technical Writer and Editor for an FAA contracted employer
and is a Certified International Configuration Manager
Zelma is also a teacher authorblogger speaker and currently
serves with her husband as Care Pastors for a large central
Florida church
Candidate for a doctorate in Missiology at the Seminar of the Assemblies of God Director of Global University and vice president of IBM in Cordoba Argentina Together with his wife Patricia and four children (and 34 years of experience in childrenrsquos ministry) serve as missionaries in Argentina and evangelize throughout the country on a truck (ICECRAM)
7LESS IS MORE
Pastor Boyd BrooksMissions Editor
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEducation Editor
Gustavo GarciacuteaPastoral Editor
Erica Ramello SepulvedaMissions Life Style Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersEnglish Associate EditorPhotography Editor
are Argentinian missionaries serving the Lord in Ethiopia
Graduated from Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo (Argentina) with
a Bachelorrsquos degree in Bible and Theology Erica homeschools
their three daughters through the Argentine System in
Distance Education
Don serves as the official photographer for Living Water Fellowship in Florida Before his retirement he worked as a Senior SAP Functional Specialist for a major east coast utility company He is currently President of Living Water Riders motorcycle ministry He is mar-ried to Emilse and has three daughters
Boyd has served as the senior pastor of Peoplersquos Church in St Louis Missouri for the last 15 years Originally from California he and his wife Marilyn have served in many different places They were involved in church planting and served as directors of a Bible School in Cordoba Argentina Licensed Profes-sional Counselor in the State of Missouri Bachelorrsquos degree in theology masters in leadership masters in counseling and a doctorate in psychology
Gustavo Garciacutea a Bible teacher with over 20 years of experience
Graduated in Theology at IBM has a Bachelorrsquos degree in Theol-
ogy from IBRP and a masterrsquos degree in Theology from ISUM
Together with his wife Betty and their five children serve in a congregation in Coacuterdoba and exercise their teaching ministry
gifts in different educational institutions
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Nelly is a Systems AnalystShe works as a teacher Along with her husband and two daughters she serves the Lord at Centro Cristiano Church of Coacuterdoba
Originally from Buenos Aires Argentina Gustavo studied Theology at Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo Instituto Biblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM and South African Theological Seminary He has devoted most of his christian life to the teaching of the Word of God Today he resides in Canada with his wife Cecilia and their children Neiel Eytan and AbdielGustavo and Cecilia serve as Pastors at Centro Familiar de Adoracioacuten
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
12
10
8
3
c o n t e n t scolumns
departments
featured
4 | From the Editorrsquos Pen
8 | Why Missions
14 | Missions in Action The Story of Two Mission Minded Young People
24 | Featured Guest The Walz Family Missionaries to Argentina
The Classroom
Looking At The Fig Tree
From Our House To Yours
12 | Greatful Heart
From The Mission Field10 | A Personal God
20 | Thoughtful amp Thankful
26 | Christmas in Ravensbruck
L E S S I S M O R E | L E S S O F M E M O R E F O R H I M
Kids WOW30 | What is a Theology of Childhood Part I
4 October 2014
From The Editorrsquos Pen
I love the changing of seasons Each brings a special stirring in my heart Can you smell fall in the air (This depends on where the reader is at this time) Bright colored leaves replacing the summer green and there is cool
snap in the air that tells us winter will soon be on the horizon
It is in the fall that we see naturersquos bounty being gathered and stored for the long winter season Crops are gathered and the excitement of a harvest time resonates in the air This season for me evokes memories of canning and freezing fruits and vegetables I can almost see the shelves lined with mason jars of peaches pears pickles and vegetables
The farmers are harvesting grain and crops ready for market It is harvest time This is a time for everyone to be thankful for our blessings In the US we celebrate Thanksgiving and many tables will be straining with steaming dishes of what has come from the harvest
Today in our world there goes out a cry ndash itrsquos HARVEST TIME Scripture says in John 435 NIV ldquoDonrsquot you have a saying lsquoItrsquos still four months until harvestrsquo I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields They are ripe for harvestrdquo
Around the world the mission fields are ready for harvest We must work while we have the time We must gather in the souls before we can no longer labor in those fields
The staff at Less Is More encourages everyone one to be a missionary It really doesnrsquot matter the season but especially at this fall Thanksgiving time share Godrsquos love and message of salvation
A Season for Thanksgiving
5LESS IS MORE
We Want toFrom YouHear
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible Through technology social media and your participation this is achievable
We want to hear from you and your comments are appreciated You can contact us through Facebook Twitter or e-mail
The Less is More Staff
Words amp Music by Puchi Colon and performed by the LWF Choir For full screen right click on the video
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
6 October 2014
Meet the Staff
Zelma DoddEditor Contributing Writer
Mark KinneyChildrenrsquos Editor
Pastor Lidia MasalykaMiddle East Editor
Lina Zelarayan TracolEnglishSpanish Translation
Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoSpanishEnglish Translation
Editor
Emilse MyersCEO Creative Director
gtgt gtgt
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Lina was born and raised in
a christian family She graduated with a BS in
Communications She also con-tinued her education in Biblical Studies She has lived in Lodon
since 2002 and is married to Clement Tracol they have one
daughterThey serve the Lord in the Sunday School of the church
they are part of
Lidia Lewczuk Masalyka and her husband Juan Masalyka are the Pastors of Centro Cristiano Church of Cordoba Argentina Their ministry includes church planting and sending missionaries to the fieldTeacher preacher and author
Originally from Argentina Emilse graduated with an Asso-ciate degree in Bible and Theo-
logy and a BA in Graphic and Advertisement Design While in Argentina Emilse was secretary
of the Argentinian National Branch of Global University and
Bible TeacherShe is married to Donald Myers
they have two daughtersTogether they serve the Lord at Living Water Fellowship in
Florida
Originally from Chile Rita is currently serving the Lord in
Toronto CanadaWomenrsquos ministry leader with a
heart for missions Rita is an adult ESL Instruc-
tor with a Bachelors of Arts in Linguistics
Zelma has a BA in Christian Education from Central Bible
College in Springfield Mo Married to Marshall Dodd
they have served as pastors in 7 states She has worked as a
Technical Writer and Editor for an FAA contracted employer
and is a Certified International Configuration Manager
Zelma is also a teacher authorblogger speaker and currently
serves with her husband as Care Pastors for a large central
Florida church
Candidate for a doctorate in Missiology at the Seminar of the Assemblies of God Director of Global University and vice president of IBM in Cordoba Argentina Together with his wife Patricia and four children (and 34 years of experience in childrenrsquos ministry) serve as missionaries in Argentina and evangelize throughout the country on a truck (ICECRAM)
7LESS IS MORE
Pastor Boyd BrooksMissions Editor
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEducation Editor
Gustavo GarciacuteaPastoral Editor
Erica Ramello SepulvedaMissions Life Style Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersEnglish Associate EditorPhotography Editor
are Argentinian missionaries serving the Lord in Ethiopia
Graduated from Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo (Argentina) with
a Bachelorrsquos degree in Bible and Theology Erica homeschools
their three daughters through the Argentine System in
Distance Education
Don serves as the official photographer for Living Water Fellowship in Florida Before his retirement he worked as a Senior SAP Functional Specialist for a major east coast utility company He is currently President of Living Water Riders motorcycle ministry He is mar-ried to Emilse and has three daughters
Boyd has served as the senior pastor of Peoplersquos Church in St Louis Missouri for the last 15 years Originally from California he and his wife Marilyn have served in many different places They were involved in church planting and served as directors of a Bible School in Cordoba Argentina Licensed Profes-sional Counselor in the State of Missouri Bachelorrsquos degree in theology masters in leadership masters in counseling and a doctorate in psychology
Gustavo Garciacutea a Bible teacher with over 20 years of experience
Graduated in Theology at IBM has a Bachelorrsquos degree in Theol-
ogy from IBRP and a masterrsquos degree in Theology from ISUM
Together with his wife Betty and their five children serve in a congregation in Coacuterdoba and exercise their teaching ministry
gifts in different educational institutions
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Nelly is a Systems AnalystShe works as a teacher Along with her husband and two daughters she serves the Lord at Centro Cristiano Church of Coacuterdoba
Originally from Buenos Aires Argentina Gustavo studied Theology at Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo Instituto Biblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM and South African Theological Seminary He has devoted most of his christian life to the teaching of the Word of God Today he resides in Canada with his wife Cecilia and their children Neiel Eytan and AbdielGustavo and Cecilia serve as Pastors at Centro Familiar de Adoracioacuten
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
4 October 2014
From The Editorrsquos Pen
I love the changing of seasons Each brings a special stirring in my heart Can you smell fall in the air (This depends on where the reader is at this time) Bright colored leaves replacing the summer green and there is cool
snap in the air that tells us winter will soon be on the horizon
It is in the fall that we see naturersquos bounty being gathered and stored for the long winter season Crops are gathered and the excitement of a harvest time resonates in the air This season for me evokes memories of canning and freezing fruits and vegetables I can almost see the shelves lined with mason jars of peaches pears pickles and vegetables
The farmers are harvesting grain and crops ready for market It is harvest time This is a time for everyone to be thankful for our blessings In the US we celebrate Thanksgiving and many tables will be straining with steaming dishes of what has come from the harvest
Today in our world there goes out a cry ndash itrsquos HARVEST TIME Scripture says in John 435 NIV ldquoDonrsquot you have a saying lsquoItrsquos still four months until harvestrsquo I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields They are ripe for harvestrdquo
Around the world the mission fields are ready for harvest We must work while we have the time We must gather in the souls before we can no longer labor in those fields
The staff at Less Is More encourages everyone one to be a missionary It really doesnrsquot matter the season but especially at this fall Thanksgiving time share Godrsquos love and message of salvation
A Season for Thanksgiving
5LESS IS MORE
We Want toFrom YouHear
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible Through technology social media and your participation this is achievable
We want to hear from you and your comments are appreciated You can contact us through Facebook Twitter or e-mail
The Less is More Staff
Words amp Music by Puchi Colon and performed by the LWF Choir For full screen right click on the video
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
6 October 2014
Meet the Staff
Zelma DoddEditor Contributing Writer
Mark KinneyChildrenrsquos Editor
Pastor Lidia MasalykaMiddle East Editor
Lina Zelarayan TracolEnglishSpanish Translation
Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoSpanishEnglish Translation
Editor
Emilse MyersCEO Creative Director
gtgt gtgt
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Lina was born and raised in
a christian family She graduated with a BS in
Communications She also con-tinued her education in Biblical Studies She has lived in Lodon
since 2002 and is married to Clement Tracol they have one
daughterThey serve the Lord in the Sunday School of the church
they are part of
Lidia Lewczuk Masalyka and her husband Juan Masalyka are the Pastors of Centro Cristiano Church of Cordoba Argentina Their ministry includes church planting and sending missionaries to the fieldTeacher preacher and author
Originally from Argentina Emilse graduated with an Asso-ciate degree in Bible and Theo-
logy and a BA in Graphic and Advertisement Design While in Argentina Emilse was secretary
of the Argentinian National Branch of Global University and
Bible TeacherShe is married to Donald Myers
they have two daughtersTogether they serve the Lord at Living Water Fellowship in
Florida
Originally from Chile Rita is currently serving the Lord in
Toronto CanadaWomenrsquos ministry leader with a
heart for missions Rita is an adult ESL Instruc-
tor with a Bachelors of Arts in Linguistics
Zelma has a BA in Christian Education from Central Bible
College in Springfield Mo Married to Marshall Dodd
they have served as pastors in 7 states She has worked as a
Technical Writer and Editor for an FAA contracted employer
and is a Certified International Configuration Manager
Zelma is also a teacher authorblogger speaker and currently
serves with her husband as Care Pastors for a large central
Florida church
Candidate for a doctorate in Missiology at the Seminar of the Assemblies of God Director of Global University and vice president of IBM in Cordoba Argentina Together with his wife Patricia and four children (and 34 years of experience in childrenrsquos ministry) serve as missionaries in Argentina and evangelize throughout the country on a truck (ICECRAM)
7LESS IS MORE
Pastor Boyd BrooksMissions Editor
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEducation Editor
Gustavo GarciacuteaPastoral Editor
Erica Ramello SepulvedaMissions Life Style Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersEnglish Associate EditorPhotography Editor
are Argentinian missionaries serving the Lord in Ethiopia
Graduated from Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo (Argentina) with
a Bachelorrsquos degree in Bible and Theology Erica homeschools
their three daughters through the Argentine System in
Distance Education
Don serves as the official photographer for Living Water Fellowship in Florida Before his retirement he worked as a Senior SAP Functional Specialist for a major east coast utility company He is currently President of Living Water Riders motorcycle ministry He is mar-ried to Emilse and has three daughters
Boyd has served as the senior pastor of Peoplersquos Church in St Louis Missouri for the last 15 years Originally from California he and his wife Marilyn have served in many different places They were involved in church planting and served as directors of a Bible School in Cordoba Argentina Licensed Profes-sional Counselor in the State of Missouri Bachelorrsquos degree in theology masters in leadership masters in counseling and a doctorate in psychology
Gustavo Garciacutea a Bible teacher with over 20 years of experience
Graduated in Theology at IBM has a Bachelorrsquos degree in Theol-
ogy from IBRP and a masterrsquos degree in Theology from ISUM
Together with his wife Betty and their five children serve in a congregation in Coacuterdoba and exercise their teaching ministry
gifts in different educational institutions
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Nelly is a Systems AnalystShe works as a teacher Along with her husband and two daughters she serves the Lord at Centro Cristiano Church of Coacuterdoba
Originally from Buenos Aires Argentina Gustavo studied Theology at Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo Instituto Biblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM and South African Theological Seminary He has devoted most of his christian life to the teaching of the Word of God Today he resides in Canada with his wife Cecilia and their children Neiel Eytan and AbdielGustavo and Cecilia serve as Pastors at Centro Familiar de Adoracioacuten
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
5LESS IS MORE
We Want toFrom YouHear
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible Through technology social media and your participation this is achievable
We want to hear from you and your comments are appreciated You can contact us through Facebook Twitter or e-mail
The Less is More Staff
Words amp Music by Puchi Colon and performed by the LWF Choir For full screen right click on the video
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
6 October 2014
Meet the Staff
Zelma DoddEditor Contributing Writer
Mark KinneyChildrenrsquos Editor
Pastor Lidia MasalykaMiddle East Editor
Lina Zelarayan TracolEnglishSpanish Translation
Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoSpanishEnglish Translation
Editor
Emilse MyersCEO Creative Director
gtgt gtgt
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Lina was born and raised in
a christian family She graduated with a BS in
Communications She also con-tinued her education in Biblical Studies She has lived in Lodon
since 2002 and is married to Clement Tracol they have one
daughterThey serve the Lord in the Sunday School of the church
they are part of
Lidia Lewczuk Masalyka and her husband Juan Masalyka are the Pastors of Centro Cristiano Church of Cordoba Argentina Their ministry includes church planting and sending missionaries to the fieldTeacher preacher and author
Originally from Argentina Emilse graduated with an Asso-ciate degree in Bible and Theo-
logy and a BA in Graphic and Advertisement Design While in Argentina Emilse was secretary
of the Argentinian National Branch of Global University and
Bible TeacherShe is married to Donald Myers
they have two daughtersTogether they serve the Lord at Living Water Fellowship in
Florida
Originally from Chile Rita is currently serving the Lord in
Toronto CanadaWomenrsquos ministry leader with a
heart for missions Rita is an adult ESL Instruc-
tor with a Bachelors of Arts in Linguistics
Zelma has a BA in Christian Education from Central Bible
College in Springfield Mo Married to Marshall Dodd
they have served as pastors in 7 states She has worked as a
Technical Writer and Editor for an FAA contracted employer
and is a Certified International Configuration Manager
Zelma is also a teacher authorblogger speaker and currently
serves with her husband as Care Pastors for a large central
Florida church
Candidate for a doctorate in Missiology at the Seminar of the Assemblies of God Director of Global University and vice president of IBM in Cordoba Argentina Together with his wife Patricia and four children (and 34 years of experience in childrenrsquos ministry) serve as missionaries in Argentina and evangelize throughout the country on a truck (ICECRAM)
7LESS IS MORE
Pastor Boyd BrooksMissions Editor
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEducation Editor
Gustavo GarciacuteaPastoral Editor
Erica Ramello SepulvedaMissions Life Style Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersEnglish Associate EditorPhotography Editor
are Argentinian missionaries serving the Lord in Ethiopia
Graduated from Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo (Argentina) with
a Bachelorrsquos degree in Bible and Theology Erica homeschools
their three daughters through the Argentine System in
Distance Education
Don serves as the official photographer for Living Water Fellowship in Florida Before his retirement he worked as a Senior SAP Functional Specialist for a major east coast utility company He is currently President of Living Water Riders motorcycle ministry He is mar-ried to Emilse and has three daughters
Boyd has served as the senior pastor of Peoplersquos Church in St Louis Missouri for the last 15 years Originally from California he and his wife Marilyn have served in many different places They were involved in church planting and served as directors of a Bible School in Cordoba Argentina Licensed Profes-sional Counselor in the State of Missouri Bachelorrsquos degree in theology masters in leadership masters in counseling and a doctorate in psychology
Gustavo Garciacutea a Bible teacher with over 20 years of experience
Graduated in Theology at IBM has a Bachelorrsquos degree in Theol-
ogy from IBRP and a masterrsquos degree in Theology from ISUM
Together with his wife Betty and their five children serve in a congregation in Coacuterdoba and exercise their teaching ministry
gifts in different educational institutions
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Nelly is a Systems AnalystShe works as a teacher Along with her husband and two daughters she serves the Lord at Centro Cristiano Church of Coacuterdoba
Originally from Buenos Aires Argentina Gustavo studied Theology at Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo Instituto Biblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM and South African Theological Seminary He has devoted most of his christian life to the teaching of the Word of God Today he resides in Canada with his wife Cecilia and their children Neiel Eytan and AbdielGustavo and Cecilia serve as Pastors at Centro Familiar de Adoracioacuten
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
6 October 2014
Meet the Staff
Zelma DoddEditor Contributing Writer
Mark KinneyChildrenrsquos Editor
Pastor Lidia MasalykaMiddle East Editor
Lina Zelarayan TracolEnglishSpanish Translation
Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoSpanishEnglish Translation
Editor
Emilse MyersCEO Creative Director
gtgt gtgt
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Lina was born and raised in
a christian family She graduated with a BS in
Communications She also con-tinued her education in Biblical Studies She has lived in Lodon
since 2002 and is married to Clement Tracol they have one
daughterThey serve the Lord in the Sunday School of the church
they are part of
Lidia Lewczuk Masalyka and her husband Juan Masalyka are the Pastors of Centro Cristiano Church of Cordoba Argentina Their ministry includes church planting and sending missionaries to the fieldTeacher preacher and author
Originally from Argentina Emilse graduated with an Asso-ciate degree in Bible and Theo-
logy and a BA in Graphic and Advertisement Design While in Argentina Emilse was secretary
of the Argentinian National Branch of Global University and
Bible TeacherShe is married to Donald Myers
they have two daughtersTogether they serve the Lord at Living Water Fellowship in
Florida
Originally from Chile Rita is currently serving the Lord in
Toronto CanadaWomenrsquos ministry leader with a
heart for missions Rita is an adult ESL Instruc-
tor with a Bachelors of Arts in Linguistics
Zelma has a BA in Christian Education from Central Bible
College in Springfield Mo Married to Marshall Dodd
they have served as pastors in 7 states She has worked as a
Technical Writer and Editor for an FAA contracted employer
and is a Certified International Configuration Manager
Zelma is also a teacher authorblogger speaker and currently
serves with her husband as Care Pastors for a large central
Florida church
Candidate for a doctorate in Missiology at the Seminar of the Assemblies of God Director of Global University and vice president of IBM in Cordoba Argentina Together with his wife Patricia and four children (and 34 years of experience in childrenrsquos ministry) serve as missionaries in Argentina and evangelize throughout the country on a truck (ICECRAM)
7LESS IS MORE
Pastor Boyd BrooksMissions Editor
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEducation Editor
Gustavo GarciacuteaPastoral Editor
Erica Ramello SepulvedaMissions Life Style Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersEnglish Associate EditorPhotography Editor
are Argentinian missionaries serving the Lord in Ethiopia
Graduated from Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo (Argentina) with
a Bachelorrsquos degree in Bible and Theology Erica homeschools
their three daughters through the Argentine System in
Distance Education
Don serves as the official photographer for Living Water Fellowship in Florida Before his retirement he worked as a Senior SAP Functional Specialist for a major east coast utility company He is currently President of Living Water Riders motorcycle ministry He is mar-ried to Emilse and has three daughters
Boyd has served as the senior pastor of Peoplersquos Church in St Louis Missouri for the last 15 years Originally from California he and his wife Marilyn have served in many different places They were involved in church planting and served as directors of a Bible School in Cordoba Argentina Licensed Profes-sional Counselor in the State of Missouri Bachelorrsquos degree in theology masters in leadership masters in counseling and a doctorate in psychology
Gustavo Garciacutea a Bible teacher with over 20 years of experience
Graduated in Theology at IBM has a Bachelorrsquos degree in Theol-
ogy from IBRP and a masterrsquos degree in Theology from ISUM
Together with his wife Betty and their five children serve in a congregation in Coacuterdoba and exercise their teaching ministry
gifts in different educational institutions
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Nelly is a Systems AnalystShe works as a teacher Along with her husband and two daughters she serves the Lord at Centro Cristiano Church of Coacuterdoba
Originally from Buenos Aires Argentina Gustavo studied Theology at Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo Instituto Biblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM and South African Theological Seminary He has devoted most of his christian life to the teaching of the Word of God Today he resides in Canada with his wife Cecilia and their children Neiel Eytan and AbdielGustavo and Cecilia serve as Pastors at Centro Familiar de Adoracioacuten
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
7LESS IS MORE
Pastor Boyd BrooksMissions Editor
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEducation Editor
Gustavo GarciacuteaPastoral Editor
Erica Ramello SepulvedaMissions Life Style Editor
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersEnglish Associate EditorPhotography Editor
are Argentinian missionaries serving the Lord in Ethiopia
Graduated from Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo (Argentina) with
a Bachelorrsquos degree in Bible and Theology Erica homeschools
their three daughters through the Argentine System in
Distance Education
Don serves as the official photographer for Living Water Fellowship in Florida Before his retirement he worked as a Senior SAP Functional Specialist for a major east coast utility company He is currently President of Living Water Riders motorcycle ministry He is mar-ried to Emilse and has three daughters
Boyd has served as the senior pastor of Peoplersquos Church in St Louis Missouri for the last 15 years Originally from California he and his wife Marilyn have served in many different places They were involved in church planting and served as directors of a Bible School in Cordoba Argentina Licensed Profes-sional Counselor in the State of Missouri Bachelorrsquos degree in theology masters in leadership masters in counseling and a doctorate in psychology
Gustavo Garciacutea a Bible teacher with over 20 years of experience
Graduated in Theology at IBM has a Bachelorrsquos degree in Theol-
ogy from IBRP and a masterrsquos degree in Theology from ISUM
Together with his wife Betty and their five children serve in a congregation in Coacuterdoba and exercise their teaching ministry
gifts in different educational institutions
Originally from Cordoba Argen-tina Nelly is a Systems AnalystShe works as a teacher Along with her husband and two daughters she serves the Lord at Centro Cristiano Church of Coacuterdoba
Originally from Buenos Aires Argentina Gustavo studied Theology at Instituto Biblico Mediterraneo Instituto Biblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM and South African Theological Seminary He has devoted most of his christian life to the teaching of the Word of God Today he resides in Canada with his wife Cecilia and their children Neiel Eytan and AbdielGustavo and Cecilia serve as Pastors at Centro Familiar de Adoracioacuten
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
8 October 2014
The Sin
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
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LessIsMore_mag
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36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
9LESS IS MORE
Why Missionsby Boyd Brooks
iving a successful life re-
quires that we learn how to
deal with problems Good
parents work hard to teach
their children how to cope
with the moments when
things go wrong Business
schools teach their stu-
dents how to solve prob-
lems and grow their busi-
nesses There is no part of
life that is problem-free
so we learn early on to
be good problem solvers
There is one problem that
no one has been able to
solve It is the sin problem
If we are completely truthful we will admit we are all sinners who have made horrible mistakes The guilt and shame from those mistakes often plague us all our life
Shakespearersquos play Lady Macbeth portrays her struggle with her guilt of past mistakes She had plenty of reasons to feel guilty She was the grand manipulator who helped her husband seize the throne of Scot-land through deceit and even mur-der Nonetheless she came to realize that she could not bear her burden of guilt In an attempt to get rid of the guilt she washed her hands but the spots of blood she thought she could see didnrsquot go away ldquoOut hellipspot Out I say Herersquos the smell of blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little handrdquo 1
Macbeth was at his witrsquos end when he saw his wife in misery so he asked the doctor ldquoCanst thou not minister to a mind diseased pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heartrdquo The doctor replied ldquoTherein the patient must minister to himselfrdquo
Is this not the doctorrsquos advice today ldquoTry medication enroll in a program read a book however as good as medicine is it can only go so far There is no medication no therapy and no expert that can completely resolve the sin problem for human-
ity There is however one who can and Isaiah the prophet calls him the Sin Bearer (Isaiah 536)
Missions is the work of telling people about a solution to the worldrsquos oldest and most complicated problemmdashsin Who is this Sin Bearer who can solve our sin problem He is Jesus and Isaiah wrote these words about how he would deal with the worldrsquos sin over 700 years before Jesus bore our sin on the cross
Notice how Isaiah writes these words about us as if we were all present the day Jesus died ldquoSurely he took up our infirmities and car-ried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflictedrdquo (Isaiah 534) He says our infirmities and our sorrows he emphasizes that we considered him stricken and smitten Isaiah wrote as if we were all there that day Jesus was crucified on the cross and the truth is we were theremdashat least our guilt and our sin were there and Jesus bore it all
This is the message that Lady Mac-beth wanted to hear and it is the message the world must hear ldquoBut he was pierced for our transgres-sions he was crushed for our iniqui-ties the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed We all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us allrdquo (Isaiah 534-6)
1 Shakespeare Macebeth Act 5 Scene 1
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
10 July 2014
From The Mission Field by Erica Ramello Sepulveda
ldquoYou have searched me Lord and
you know me You know when
I sit and when I rise you perceive my
thoughts from afar
You discern my going out and my lying
down you are familiar with all my ways
Before a word is on my tongue you Lord
know it completely
You hem me in behind and before and you
lay your hand upon me
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
too lofty for me to attainrdquo
Psalm 139 1-6 NIV
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
11LESS IS MORE
ne of the things I most love about God is He is a PERSONAL God He is God of all but he is MY God He indeed died for all but also knowing that he died for me is what moves me
Our God is personal and He knows just what I need That is amazing
I remember a situation I lived through during our first period here in Ethiopia It was 2011 just a few months after we arrived Sometimes I felt there wasnrsquot much I could do At the time Estefaniacutea was 7 Angeline 5 and Tiziana 2 Our daughters studied through a Home School curriculum so a designated room in our home became the classroom Besides teaching our children we were also responsible for the work at the Christian school Part of this work load included drawing and coloring 250 cue cards per month These were used as a teaching tool I also helped my hus-band type material in English for the classes that he gave at different churches In addition to all the preparation and work load for the ministry I also had to handle the demands of caring for our home Nonetheless there was a sense of dissa-tisfaction within me I felt as if I was not really doing something valuable for God
One night before falling asleep I thought ldquowhat am I here for if there isnrsquot much that I can dordquo I didnrsquot mention anything to my husband but God spoke to a sister in Argentina about my
feelings and this is what she wrote to me ldquoGod told me She has said to the Lord (and only He has heard this question) what am I here for God said My daughter this is a time to sow in your home and in this land but I will bring about an abundance of fruit in due time Remember not what you do but make your life a fragrant offering upon my altarrdquo
How can I not be grateful to God for His love and His care He is God to all but He is My God He had heard my thoughts He loves me and He loves you Do not doubt His care for your life whatever the circumstances may be He is not alien to our worries
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
12 October 2014
The Classroom by Gustavo Rizzo
A grateful heart is a heart that remem-bers Throughout
the Bible we read time and time again of divine acts that have been celebrated and recognized by only a few This lack of gratitude is like the bad apple in the basket that depicts how dark a forgetful heart can be It is a true saying that every Act of God every order and commandment is always to the benefit of his creation even if his creation ignores Him
The Exodus amp Nonexistent
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
13LESS IS MORE
he second book in the Bible especially contains porten-tous acts of God with reactions from forgetful hearts on the other hand Among the many texts that we could cite we choose Exodus 223-25
ldquoAfter a long time the king of Egypt died The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abra-ham Isaac and Jacob God looked upon the Israelites and God took notice of themrdquo (NRSV)
Groaning and slavery gave way to a vicious circle keep-ing the people in chains-full of promises but chained nonetheless The chains --like a constant drip can cloud anyonersquos view The more they moaned the more compli-ant they became Until that painful groaning turned into a cry out to the heavens The text is stressing that that their cry was heard up high
They understood that it was up high where they needed to look and find the door They looked for it and they found it Through four divine acts we see the heart of the father the God of Israel
1 God heard their groaning
2 And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob
3 God looked upon the Israelites
4 God took notice of them
God heard their groaning How many great things do occur when we change the course of our cause And it is before the throne of grace where we take our griev-ances our pain and confusion The expression God heard does not mean that he had been deaf before but rather highlights the right time to start the entire Exodus lsquomachineryrsquo
And God remembered his covenant promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Again He remembered does not mean he had forgotten but it reminds the readers that He is faithful to fulfill his promises (You can read the speci-fics of this promise in Genesis 15 13-16)
He remembered creates a mental image of someone
who while rolling up their sleeves and looking at their wrist watch is getting ready to get started on a very important task
God looked upon the Israelites They were seen by God This is happening at the precise moment This is where the Exodus begins from slavery to freedom from an orphan to son from despised to desirable The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth (2 Chronicles 169a NLT) Nothing can escape His scrutiny (Psalm 139 7-12 Obadiah vv 3-4) This line describes the start of a ro-mance in which the permanent faithfulness of one side is in contrast time and time again with the infrequencies of the other But later on from this same people a man named Hosea becomes an illustration that represents this extravagant grace
God took notice of them They are mine These are mine And its not like they had not been but again it is the father with his sleeves already rolled up waiting for right moment decides to act He acknowledged them like a father who gives his last name to his children He accept-ed them and cherished them as something valuable
From here on in Exodus we will read of Godrsquos hand Godrsquos face Godrsquos arm His power His majesty his incom-parable wisdom and unconditional love Confirming the previous saying We will also read of how little they (the people) were able to assimilate acknowledge and value We will read of the fragile memory when confronted by trials and difficulty We will read of how easy it is to select what we keep alive in our minds of the permeabi-lity towards the prohibited and also the profound and constant inclination towards ungratefulness
The Exodus and Nonexistent Ingratitude Our subtitle is an urgent call to take heed and pay attention to the amount of times where the favor of the Father is sur-rounding us and to not be found walking over the footprints of those who forget and complain nor of those whose blessings age under a cover of forgetfulness and attitude of grumble
May our hearts have remembrance A heart that remem-bers is a thankful heart This is my prayer
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
15LESS IS MORE
Missions in action
issionaries are usually adults who train and study for ministry on the mission field They leave their native country travel to foreign countries and spend their lives sharing the gos-pel of Jesus Christ and bringing the message of salvation We do not think of college stu-dents or high school students taking time from their activities to become involved in short term missions
The two young people in this article did just that This past summer they left home friends and the normal activities to pursue Godrsquos call on their lives for this particular season Two young people two different countries and cultures collided with two lives sold out for God Here is their account as told to Less Is More
Erik Berling is 19 years old In September of 2014 he will be a college sophomore at South-eastern University in Lakeland Florida A film major with an interest in evangelism Erik traveled to Heidelberg Germany to share Jesus with college students and film a documen-tary on Christians in Germany College is expensive and he could have spent his summer working to help meet college expenses but God had another plan
Cassidy McAnney is 17 years old and is homeschooled She has completed all her courses for high school and will attend Global School of Supernatural Ministry in the fall (GSSM) She is the second of four girls and actively involved in sports youth group and works part time Her parents are ministers and involved in ministry Her mother and father have par-ticipated in missions trips around the world
Each young person was responsible for raising their own finances for their trip Erikrsquos trip cost $300000 and the cost for Cassidy was $400000
Interview by Zelma Dodd
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
16 October 2014
Less is More asked Erik these questions try-ing to understand what motivates a young
man to become involved with missions
You are a film major and not studying missions why go on a missionrsquos trip and how did you know you were supposed to participate
Erik I have never led or have gone on a missionrsquos trip be-fore and I really wanted to I attend Southeastern Univer-sity and we had a week dedicated to missions I watched a documentary about students from SEU who went to Cambodia and I was deeply moved I heard the voice of God and was directed to go to Germany to film a documen-tary and to evangelize the people there
Did you have to pay your way and if so how did you accomplish this
Erik I did pay some of the money for the trip but I partici-pated in fund raisers and asked people to donate to my missionrsquos trip
Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and what caused you to continue
Erik As soon as I got into the country I wanted to quit Our
team got split up onto 2 separate planes we got on a long train ride and everybody was miserable I knew it was an attack of the enemy I prayed against the attacks and started to speak life into the trip The trip needed to be a life changing trip for not only me but also for my whole team
Were the students receptive to your message
Erik The students we ministered to were receptive to our message We spoke to so many people of different ages cultures and nationalities Some people didnrsquot want to hear what we were saying but they were respectful and res-pected us For the most part people were receptive to the Gospel I believe we were instrumental in planting seeds for the Kingdom I believe with all my heart that they will one day grow
What were some of the highlights of this trip
Erik One of the most impactful parts of my trip was when I prayed for a Muslim girl I was holding a sign that said ldquoPrayer and Blessings for Yourdquo She saw the sign and asked what I was doing I said that I was a Christian and I wanted to pray and bless people I asked if she needed prayer and she said YES I prayed for her and when I was finished praying she had the biggest smile on her face I believe she saw the love and passion of Christ in me and that her view about Christians has been completely changed for the better
How has this trip changed you
Erik The trip has changed me in so many ways I was stretched beyond belief but it was to make me into a stron-ger and more courageous man for the kingdom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
17LESS IS MORE
Do you think it is important for young people to become in-volved with missions and why
Erik Missions is SO IMPORTANT Whether it be in another country or your own backyard people need to be reached and told about Jesus and the Kingdom Peoplersquos lives will be forever changed
Cassidy decided she wanted to go to Mo-zambique Africa There she experienced
a culture far different from her comfort zone We asked ldquoCassrdquo the following questions about her experiences
How did you hear about this trip to Mozambique
Cass In October 2013 my parents went to a conference in Pennsylvania hosted by an organization called Global Awakening At that conference they received a booklet of ministry trips Global would be doing in 2014 The trip to Mozambique was listed and stuck out to me the most Al-though I had already wanted to go to Africa for some time before I saw the booklet
Were you a little ldquoscaredrdquo to go to Africa especially with all the trouble in Africa
Cass Honestly I was not really too worried at all to go I was actually super excited I knew God had called me to go so I knew He would keep me safe and have everything under control
You had to raise your own funds to go how did you do this
Cass A few years ago I started a missions account and there was a couple hundred dollars in the account Most of the money came from my wallet I did babysitting jobs I worked for a woman in my church at her house and people
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
18 October 2014
called me to do work for them so I could earn some money Of course I received donations from my friends church family and immedi-ate family
You worked in a chil-drenrsquos home there what was a typical day for you
Cass There really wasnrsquot such a thing as a typical day at the childrenrsquos home I learned to be flexible My experiences every day were filled with variety However the many things that could be experienced on any given day varied greatly Here are some examples of activities I took part in playing soccer with some kids playing with the babies in the nursery going into small villages close by and ministering or going on a 4 hour ride in the back of a truck to a remote village and spending a couple nights ministering there No day was ever the same
The only thing that stayed the same was the amazing pre-sence of God that was always there no matter what was happening
How has the trip changed you
Cass This trip opened my eyes big time God has called me to a life and ministry of taking care of orphans Going in to this trip I didnrsquot really think that I would have any challenges because it was the lifestyle that God has called me to I was in shock at how challenging living the African life was I was there only two weeks but what a culture shock The trip really broke my heart even more for orphans and the poor The whole experience overall was very humbling When I got home I thanked God for how blessed I am here in the USA
Do you think it is important for young people to be-come involved with missions and why
Cass Absolutely Becoming involved with missions should be a very important part of anyonersquos life young or old It is a great way for your heart to be opened to the true heart of Jesus himself You get to see how much He really does love and care for everyone in the whole world It is mind blow-ing One of the best parts about missions is it doesnrsquot have to be all the way across the world it can be right in your own town The only way you can know how it really feels is to try it out so do it If you love the heart of God you will love missions
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
19LESS IS MORE
Would you do this again
Cass Yes I will definitely do this again I am thinking of making it an annual visit for myself and possibly enrolling in Irisrsquo (Iris is the name of the organization that operates the childrenrsquos base) three month Harvest school sometime in the near future
These two young people challenged my heart You are never too young or too old
to be involved in missions Maybe you canrsquot go like these two but you can do something
You can pray for missions and for missionaries around the world
You can give so others can go
You can support missions in your local church
Maybe your calling is not to fulltime missionrsquos work around the world but everyone has a mission field
Your neighborhood is your mission field
Your place of work is your mission field
Your family may be your mission field
Everyone you meet is a potential mission field
God calls every Christian to spread the message of the gospel to a hurting world wherever they may reside
And He said to them ldquoGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creaturerdquo Mark 1615 (NKJV)
On a personal note I am extremely proud of Erik and Cass These two young people are my grandchildren I am thrilled that the torch of ministry is passing down through the genera-tions of my family
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
20 October 2014
Rememberamp
Rememberamp
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
From Our House To Yoursby Gustavo Garcia
On a stormy night on Lake Michigan a boat with passengers crashed about one and a quarter miles from the town
of Winnetka Illinois There were 393 passengers aboard of which 279 drowned It was a catastro-phe A man named Edward Spencer who saw the disaster went in the lake and tried to help save some passengers One by one he brought them to the beach going back again for one more Edward Spencer was able to save a total of 17 people Unfortunately during this act of heroism Edward was defeated by exhaustion The nerves in his legs were so damaged by his effort that he was not able to walk again He was left a prisoner in a wheelchair for life On his birthday someone asked him to tell of his experience and what had impressed him the most the night of the catas-trophe Edward replied ldquoNot one person of the 17 that I saved came back to thank me Not even onerdquo 1
1 Dictionary of Anecdotes and Illustrations Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
22 October 2014
ngratitude is an extremely extended evil Therefore it is worthwhile to highlight the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he says ldquoI thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength that he considered me trustworthy appointing me to his servicerdquo (1 Timothy 112 NIV) This is a song of grate-fulness of someone who is in the ministry
Those of us who have the privilege of ser-ving God this way should be thankful First because he chose us and placed us in the ministry This is his grace which we should not forget We donrsquot have enough merit to be saved nor to be in the ministry
Secondly we should be grateful because Jesus thought of us as faithful (worthy of his trust) Even though faithfulness is a quality that we should cultivate it is related to grace
Third we should be thankful because he empowers us God gives us the strength to be faithful in the ministry through the bad times and the good times Here the Greek word utilized is dunamis which can be trans-lated strength power or ability God gives us the power He gives us the power (ldquody-namiterdquo) to be able to serve him faithfully Grace is His power in us
The lack of gratitude generally reflects the lack of remembrance (memory) God knows that we are forgetful He established
Passover so that the Jewish people would remember that they were set free from the slavery in Egypt The ordinance of Commu-nion was established so we remember the death of Christ He said ldquodo this in remem-brance of me ldquo (Luke 2219 NIV) We could mention many other occasions but through this one a biblical principle is clear ldquoWe need to rememberrdquo Going further we find in the Bible that 16 commandments begin with the word ldquoRememberrdquo
Why is God so interested in our memory Could it be because it is connected to being grateful Often we forget about the bless-ings we receive from God and miss the op-portunity of being grateful We are so accus-tomed to receiving His blessings that we take them for granted and we fail to recognize everything we receive comes by His grace
God needs grateful servants because grate-fulness is a more powerful engine than money Service that is motivated by what God has done for us is infinitely superior to whatever may stem from any other motive But if we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a vehicle without its engine When pushed it will move only by inertia until it finally stops
God needs grateful servants so his work continues and we invest in the expansion of His kingdom
If we miss out on being grateful our ministry could be like a
vehicle without its enginerdquo
Clockwise from top to bottom Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon in Peru Amazon Missionary Cristian Sepulveda in Ethiopia Native Peruvian recei-ving a Bible Ethiopian child praying during a worship service
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
23LESS IS MORE
Our gratitude should not only be towards God but also towards the people that have answered his calling that is pastors and missionaries ldquoRemember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you Consider the out-come of their way of life and imitate their faithrdquo (Hebrews 137 NIV) We all want people to remember us It makes a pastor feel great when the congregation remembers him There is a phrase that should be stressed from this text in Hebrews ldquorememberhellipwho spoke the word of Godrdquo Many Christians have heard people say thank you
to missionaries and we should do this In other words Hebrews 137 could be interpreted ldquoremember the mis-sionaries who spoke the word of Godrdquo
Today is a day to recall and remember It is a time to be thankfulhellip
hellip thank you God
hellip thank you missionaries
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
How long have you and your wife been serving the Lord
II started in the ministry in 1981 and she began in 1986 We have been serving In Argentina since
January of 1989
How and when did the missions call-ing begin in your lives
Each call came in a different way Rhonda was very timid and it was hard for her to accept that she could live as a missionary God had to give her a sign through three people on the same night people who didnrsquot know of the doubts in her heart They
gave her a word that she was going to serve God as a missionary For me
on the other hand it was different God gave me the burden when I took over
the work of a missionary in Liberia God
The Walz FamilyMissionaries to Argentina
Brad Walz along with his wife Rhonda hasnrsquot stopped working in giving shape to the missionary work in Argentina since their arrival to the coun-try in 1989 Although he hadnrsquot been part of the direction since the foun-
dation of it he always had an effective participation in the Missionary National Department being his president since 1994 His long trajectory (which includes the visit to more than 90 countries) and invaluable contribution to the mission-ary work have given him authority beyond the Argentinean limits receiving continuous invitations from other countries
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
25LESS IS MORE
Featured Guestgave me the beginning of the vision there which still stirs within us
God guided your steps through a great Vision In what ways did the doors open
Each step and door were unique God spoke to me about the revival in Ar-gentina through Rocky Gramsrsquo sister Raquel in 1984 God showed me that that was the ldquofoundationrdquo of the vision that I was going to dedicate my life to We arrived in January of 1989 and I had the first opportunity to preach about missions within a month In April I took part in the first meeting of the re-launching of DNM (Department of National Missions) and that was how the door opened in Argentina
The door to America started through a burden I received in 1992 and began to open in 1995 and officially opened in 1998 I was asked to be the president of the network for America which is now called Misiones En Con-junto The door to the world started opening in 1999 when I was asked to be part of a worldwide commission It strengthened in 2001 when I was asked to lead the commission and in 2009 when I was asked to be the presi-dent of a new worldwide commission of missionaries for the Assemblies of God Each door was different and ev-erything happened at different times
You started something that had not existed in Latin America a Missions department Why Argen-tina
That is an interesting question In 1983 while living in Liberia God gave me the burden for countries that were not traditionally senders of missionar-ies Back then I thought that Africa would be my place of work During
a time of training in 1984 Raquel Schaible the sister of Rocky Grams told me of the revival that was sprout-ing in Argentina God told me in a soft voice without ldquolights nor noiserdquo this is the place where you will begin with the vision I didnrsquot know much about Argentina so I went on an exploration trip and I visited Rocky in 1985 Every-thing simply started pointing towards Argentina That is how the Holy Spirit implanted Argentina in my heart
Language is great cultural barrier Did you ever feel frustrated when communicating
Yes many times The process of learn-ing a language is difficult and heart breaking but it is totally worth it It makes me feel great when in other Latin American countries people ask whether I am Argentinian For the Ar-gentinians we have a bit of an Ameri-can accent but in other countries our Argentinian accent is what they hear Even today if I enter a hardware store I still feel like a new baby learning the language because these are words that I donrsquot usually use Learning to laugh at your self is helpful With so many mistaken expressions and mis-understandings you just have to have a sense of humor keep on pressing and not feel discouraged
How long have you been away from your country Has there been any special Word from God that has kept you in the ministry
It has been 26 years now Of course we go back when we are on tour but it is not the same The calling is what has to sustain you each time There are difficult times one can experience family crisis children who donrsquot know their grandparents and many other
things I could mention You constan-tly need to maintain your calling
As a missionary and after such a long time in the field could you say Argentina is your home What would you say to those that are still struggling with the adapta-tion process
Yes One could say that we have two homes You feel good in both places while also feeling strange in both places I fly to the US and feel strange and there are times when I am in Ar-gentina I experience the same feeling For the person that struggles in this process it is a question of time There will come a time when it will all be natural
If you have children they adapt quickly and you see them adjusting easily That can also help put roots down and make you feel you belong Children usually belong more to the new culture than that of their parents Enjoy the process and celebrate it
This year while our daughter was in the US she wanted to come to Argentina to watch the final World cup match between Argentina and Germany Even though we tried to find a way to bring her to Argentina it did not work She then went to an Argentinean restaurant which was full of Argentineans She said ldquoI feel like Irsquom home with my peoplerdquo
It really helps if you have children but even without children God will help you if you keep pressing on and keep your calling
________________________
1DNM National Department of Missions (of the Assam-blies of God in Argentina)
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
26 October 2014
Looking At The Fig Tree by Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
In Ravensbruck
There is an old song (in the Spanish language) that says ldquoIt is easy to sing when peace reigns but when there is trouble it is best to singrdquo At some point we
all experience the cost of worshiping God in the midst of hardships For the believer the biblical commandment is to honor Him at all times The most profound worship is when everything around us crumbles we lift our eyes to the heavens enter the throne of grace even if we do not feel anything supernatural This level of faith is pleasing to God and worship becomes a powerful spiritual defence against discouragement and frustrations
Giving thanks to the Lord is a way of recognizing our dependence on Him in all things from the gift of life material things to health and family For this reason the Bible repeatedly says ldquoDO NOT FORGET YOUR GODrdquo
Those who have read anything about the concentration camps during World War II the name Ravensbruck will bring to memory a frightful prison for women who were brought from various nations conquered by the German army In Corrie ten Boomrsquos biography (The Hiding Place) she describes the betrayal of a collaborator with the Nazi regime by accusing the Boom Family of hiding Jews in their home
That act of love towards the Hebrew people cost half of the family their lives Miraculously freed by a group of prisoners (almost a hundred thousand women died there) she survived to take the message of forgiveness in the postwar era to Germany itself
Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his
courts with praise
give thanks to him and
praise his name For
the Lord is good and his
love endures forever
his faithfulness conti-
nues through all gene-
rations
Psalms 1004-5 NIV
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
27LESS IS MORE
Corrie wrote several inspiring books where gratitude towards God is highlighted for every circumstance she had to live At one point during a Bible reading in the evening among a mixed group of women she asked them to give thanks to the Lord for the lice in the trenches They laughed Corrie commented that she had observed that the prison guards in the camp were disgusted by the lice and understood that the guards would never come to monitor them there Therefore they could continue having these spiritual moments Despite their weariness from the lice these moments were as important as their daily bread itself For many months they continued getting together without problems and without complaining about the bug bites or the discomfort of the lice These verses were crucial in her life and probably the secret to her survival
ldquoDevote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heartrdquo ~ Col 42 (NLT)
ldquoBe thankful in all circums-tances for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesusrdquo
1 Thes 518 (NLT)
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
Corrie Ten Boomrsquos Concentration CampRavensbruck 1943
28 October 2014
In RavensbruckI extract the following moving story as homage to the thousands of innocent children who died in those years in which the worst of humanity was wit-nessed and yet there were people full of light love and courage In the midst of emotional despair we are given a glimpse of the power of Gratefulness and understanding that despite the suffering we may endure there is always a divine purpose
ldquoIt was Christmas 1944 Betsie had died I was in a hos-pital barracks in Ravensbruck [a concentration camp for helping to hide some Jews] Dark it was in my heart and darkness was around me
There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks Why I donrsquot know They were the saddest Christmas trees I ever saw in my life I am sure it was with the purpose of blaspheming that they had thrown dead bodies of prisoners under the Christmas trees
I tried to talk to the people around me about Christ-mas but they mocked ridiculed and sneered at what-ever I said At last I was just quiet It was in the middle of the night that suddenly I heard a child crying and callingrdquoMommy Come to Oelie Oelie feels so alonerdquo I went to her and saw a child not so young but feeble-minded
ldquoOelie Mommy cannot come but do you know who is willing to come to you That is Jesusrdquo
The girl was lying on a bed next to the window not far from my bed Although Oelie was completely emaciated
from lack of food she had a sweet face beautiful eyes and wavy hair It was so touching to hear her call for her mother Oelie had been operated on and the incision on her back was covered by a thin bandage of toilet paper
That night I told this poor child about Jesus How He came into the world as a little baby ndash how He came to save us from our sins
ldquoThe Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross Now Oelie may go to heaven and Jesus is there right now He is getting a little house ready for Oelierdquo Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her
ldquoWhat is the little house likerdquo I asked
ldquoIt is very beautiful There are no wicked people as in Ra-vensbruck ndash only good people and angels And Oelie will see Jesus thererdquo
The child added ldquoI will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heavenrdquo Then Oelie folded her hands together we gave thanks
Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravens-bruck in 1944rdquo
We canrsquot do anything else but worship Him for coming from a place of glory to live amongst us to bring light and joy even to the most frightful places of the earth As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
As we draw near to His presence it is a prerequisite to enter with an attitude of thanksgiving
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
29LESS IS MORE
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
ldquoThe people who sat in darkness have seen a great lightAnd for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow
a light has shinedrdquo (Mathew 416 NLT)
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
30 October 2014
Kids WOW by Mark Kinney
WHAT IS A THEOLOGY OF
I would like to challenge my colleagues in Christian Education to help me ponder the question ldquoWhat is a Theology of Childhoodrdquo
This is undoubtedly the question that continued baffling the minds of the apostles after Jesus placed a child in their midst to resolve a theological argument they were
having about who was the greatest in the kingdom (Mat-thew 183-5) The unprecedented action of Jesus using one of the most marginal members of society (a child) as a spiritual object lesson about the kingdom in parabolic fashion left the disciples (and us) with the uncomfortable task of digging around to discover the spiritual truth he
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked ldquoWho then is the greatest in the kingdom of heavenrdquo He called a little child to him and placed the child among them And he said ldquoTruly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes merdquoraquo
(Matthew 181-5 NIV)
Part1 of 2
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
31LESS IS MORE
alluded to I say ldquoalluded tordquo because Jesus was not specific about which characteristic of the status-less child would bring salvation to adults by revealing how to enter the Kingdom of God As a missionary practitioner I have spent the last twenty-five years involved in childrenrsquos evange-lism and spiritual nurturing while re-reading the Matthean pericope along with the other child narratives of Jesus in the New Testament in search of their deeper meanings
I have found from my own observations as well as repeat-ed readings of the scriptures that there exists a disturbing conspiracy among grown-ups against the spirit of childhood The French novelist Georges Bernanos sums it up well in his comment ldquoGod had said to cardinals theologians essayists historians novelists and everyone ldquoBecome like a little childrdquo Instead through the centuries powers such as those he mentioned ldquowent on telling the spirit of childhood which they had betrayed lsquoBecome like usrsquordquo[1] It is difficult for us that are involved in education to admit that it is far more likely for a theology of childhood to arise from the practical experience of being with children than from exposure to the current Bible school educa-tional environment
Thatrsquos good enough for a basic introduction to the issue Letrsquos attempt to define the terms a little According to the Child Theology Movement (httpwwwchildtheologyorg) Child Theology is an invitation ldquoto take good note of the child in the midst as we think about for to from and with God in Christ As we do that we expect our theology to change for the better In Child Theology we embark afresh on the journey with Christ into the open secret of God in the worldrdquo In other words our theology should be developed with the imaginary lsquochildrsquo that Jesus placed in our midst always before us The Child Theolo-gy Movement summarizes this rubric in their motto ldquoAll theological reflection reformed with a child in the midst
All Christian child-related activity informed by theological reflectionrdquo If only this were the case in our Bible schools
But this does not naturally occur in the course of a studentrsquos journey through the current offerings of Bible school curriculums Ironically The purpose of having Assembly of God resident Bible schools is to help pre-pare Pentecostal ministerial candidates to continue the outward-focused mission of the Church as established by Jesus (John 1718 2021) The Bible school stage of spiritual development must therefore include extensive exposure to a historically and biblically informed theolo-gy of childhood based on the child narratives of Jesus in order to be relevant in the context of the largest popula-tion bulge of children and adolescents in human history that is concentrated in the Global South which includes Latin America (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
To be continued in Less is More Vol 1 - Issue 3
1 Cited in Marty Martin E The Mystery of the Child (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
32 October 2014
Less Is More es una publicacioacuten independiente y no estaacute asociada con ninguna denominacioacuten u organizacioacuten en particular Less Is More asume que todo el trabajo publicado y distribuiacutedo es de propiedad absoluta de los redactores Sus puntos de vista son personales no representando la opinioacuten conjunta de los miembros que editan la revista Aunque se realiza todo esfuerzo posible para asegurar la exacti-tud de la informacioacuten publicada Less Is More no asume responsabilidad en posibles errores en las presentaciones
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
42
40
38
33
c o n t e n i d ocolumnas
departamentos
destacados
34 | La Pluma del Editor
38 | iquestPor queacute Misiones
44 | Misiones en Accioacuten La historia de Dos
Joacutevenes Con Mentalidad Msionera
54 | Invitado Especial La Familia Walz
Misioneros a Argentina
El Aula
Mirando A La Higuera
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuya
42 | Corazoacuten Agradecido
Desde El Campo Misionero40 | Un Dios Personal
50 | Memoriosos y Agradecidos
56 | Navidad en Ravensbruck
M E N O S E S M Aacute S | M E N O S D E M I M Aacute S P O R Eacute L
Nintildeos WOW60 | iquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeez
Parte 1de 2
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
34 Octubre 2014
La Pluma del editor
Cada estacioacuten del antildeo tiene algo especial iquestPuedes sentir el aroma del otontildeo en el aire (iexclpor supuesto depende del lugar del mundo donde viven los lectores) Ahora comenzamos a ver las hojas de diferentes
colores reemplanzando al verde del verano y sentimos esa brisa fresca que nos anuncia la aproximacioacuten del invierno
Es en otontildeo cuando podemos disfrutar los productos de la naturaleza y elaborar conservas para almacenar en vistas de un largo invierno Tambieacuten se levantan los granos y la alegriacutea de una buena cosecha prevalece en el aire Esta estacioacuten trae a mi memoria conservas de frutas y verduras congeladas puedo ver auacuten armarios repletos de latas con peras duraznos y vegetales
Los agricultores trabajan vigorosamente para levantar sus granos iexclEs tiempo de cosecha Es una estacioacuten para dar gracias a Dios por sus bendiciones En los Estados Unidos celebramos ldquoThanksgivingrdquo (Accioacuten de Gracias) y nuestras mesas se llenan de platos especialmente preparados con lo que se ha cose-chado en la estacioacuten
En el mundo de hoy resuena un lamento pidiendo ayuda iexclES TIEMPO DE COSECHA
La Biblia dice iquestNo deciacutes vosotros ldquoAuacuten faltan cuatro meses para que llegue la siegardquo Yo os digo Alzad vuestros ojos y mirad los campos porque ya estaacuten blan-cos para la siegardquo (San Juan 435 RVR 1995)
A nuestro alrededor el mundo es un campo de cosecha Animamos a cada uno de nuestros lectores a ser misioneros Las estaciones del antildeo sirvieron solo como un ejemplo No importa en que parte del mundo te encuentres o que estacioacuten del antildeo disfrutes ahora lo primordial es compartir el amor de Dios y Su mensaje de salvacioacuten
Tiempo de Agradecimiento
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
35LESS IS MORE
Queremosde tiOir
Nuestro objetivo es alcanzar la mayor cantidad de personas posible Esto lo podemos lograr a traveacutes de la tecnologiacutea las redes sociales de Internet y tu
participacioacutenQueremos oir tu opinioacuten tus comentarios son apreciados
Puedes contactarnos a traveacutes de Facebook Twitter o e-mail
El Staff de Less is More
Letra y Muacutesica Puchi Colon y el Coro de Living Water Fellowship Hacer click sobre la imagen con el botoacuten derecho para ver en pantalla completa
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
36 Octubre 2014
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Zelma DoddEditora General
Mark KinneyEditor Asociado del aacuterea Infantil
Pastora Lidia MasalykaEditora Asociada del aacuterea Medio Oriente
Lina Zelarayan TracolPeriodista Traductora de
Ingleacutes a Espantildeol
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Rita CarrascoTraductora de Espantildeol a
Ingleacutes
Emilse MyersEditora en Jefe Directora
Creativa y Graacutefica
gtgt gtgt
Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka junto a su esposo Juan Masalyka pastorean la iglesia Centro Cris-tiano de Coacuterdoba Argentina Su ministerio se destaca en la plantacioacuten de iglesias y enviacuteo de misionerosMaestra predicadora y autora
Originalmente de Argentina Emilse graduoacute con Ciclo Baacutesico
en Biblia y Teologiacutea y Disentildeo Graacutefico y Publicitario Mientras
vivioacute en Argentina fue maestra en educacioacuten cristiana y secre-taria de la Oficina Nacialnal de
Global UniversityEstaacute casada con Donald Myers
tienen dos nintildeas Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en Living
Water Felowship de Florida
Originalmente de Chile Rita actualmente sirve al Sentildeor en
Toronto CanadaacuteLiacuteider del Ministeio de Damas y
con un corazoacuten por misiones Rita es profesora
de Ingles para adultos y Licen-ciada en Linguiacutestica
Zelma es graduada del Central Bible College de Springfield
Missouri con una Lienciatura en Educacioacuten Cristiana Junto a su
esposo Marshall sirvieron como pastores en siete estados de
USA Zelma ha trabajado como escritora y editora teacutecnica para
la Administracioacuten Federal de Aviacioacuten Maestra autorablog-
ger Actualmente Zelma y su esposo sirven como Pastores en
el aacuterea de Cuidado Pastoral en una iglesia de Florida Central
Originalmente de Coacuterdoba Argentina Lina nacioacute y crecioacute en
una familia con valores cristia-nos Luego de graduar con una Licienciatura en Comunicacioacuten
Social continuoacute su preparacioacuten en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediter-
raacuteneo Reside en Londres desde el antildeo 2002 Lina y su esposo
Clement Tracol tienen una nintildea Juntos sirven al Sentildeor en la
escuela biacuteblica de la iglesia en la cual se congregan
Mark tiene 34 antildeos de experiencia en el ministerio de nintildeos Co-menzoacute manejando un colectivo de escuela dominical en una iglesia de Springfield MO Durante el antildeo de estudio del idioma espantildeol en Costa Rica Mark tuvo la oportuni-dad de visitar un campamento de refugiados de la guerra en Nicaragua Tal experiencia produjo un sentido muy profundo de compasioacuten en su corazoacuten hacia los nintildeos Alliacute Dios puso en sus cora-zones amor y carga por los nintildeos de Argentina
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
37LESS IS MORE
PRESENTAMOS AL STAFF
Pastor Boyd BrooksEditor Asociado del aacuterea Misiones
Pastor Gustavo RizzoEditor Asociado del aacuterea Educiacioacuten
Gustavo GarciacuteaEditor Asociado del aacuterea
Pastoral
Erica Ramello SepulvedaEditora Asociada del aacuterea
Vida Misionera
gtgt gtgt
gtgtgtgt
Don MyersCorrector de Textos en Ingleacutes
gtgt Nelly Brane RschichuchiCorrectora de Textos en Espantildeol
gtgt
Erica Ramello junto a su esposo Cristian Sepulveda
son misioneros Argentinos sirvi-endo al Sentildeor en Etiopiacutea
Graduada del Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo de Coacuterdoba
Argentina con Bachillerato en Biblia y Teologiacutea Ademaacutes de ayudar a su esposo en misio-
nes Erica desempentildea el rol de maestra de sus tres nintildeas a
traveacutes del sistema Argentino de Educacioacuten a Distancia
Originalmente de Maryland donde pasoacute la mayor parte de su vida Don es jubilado de Delmarva Power Actualmente reside en Florida junto a su esposa Emilse y dos de sus tres hijas Don ha participado acti-vamente por muchos antildeos en ministerios para motociclistas Actualmente es Presidente de Living Water Riders (Ministerio de motociclistas de la iglesia Living Water Fellowship)
Argentina nacida en la ciudad de Coacuterdoba donde estudioacute Anaacutelisis de Sistemas Trabaja como docente y sirve al Sentildeor junto a su esposo y sus dos hijas en la iglesia misionera Centro Cristiano de Coacuterdoba
Argentino nacido en la pro-vincia de Buenos Aires Estudioacute Teologiacutea en el Instituto Biacuteblico Mediterraacuteneo Instituto Biacuteblico Riacuteo de la Plata ISUM y South African Theological Seminary Gustavo ha dedicado la mayor parte de su vida cristiana a la ensentildeanza de la Biblia Actual-mente reside en Canadaacute junto a su esposa Cecilia y sus hijos Neiel Eytan y Abdiel Sirven como pastores del Centro Fami-liar de Adoracioacuten de Canadaacute
Boyd ha servido como Pastor Principal de Peoplersquos Church en St Louis Missouri durante los uacuteltimos 15 antildeos Originalmente de California eacutel y su esposa han servido en diferente paiacuteses y ministerios tal como plantacioacutende iglesias directores del Insti-tuto Biacuteblico de Coacuterdoba Argen-tina Consejero Profesional Au-torizado del estado de Missouri Licenciado en Teologiacutea Masters en Teologiacutea Liderazgo y Conse-jeriacutea Doctorado en Psicologiacutea
Maestro de la Palabra con maacutes de 20 antildeos de experiencia
Graduado en Teologiacutea en el IBM como Bachiller en Teologiacutea en
el IBRP y Licenciado en Teologiacutea en el ISUM Junto a su esposa
Betty y sus cinco hijos sirven en una congregacioacuten de la ciudad de Coacuterdoba a la vez que ejerce
sus dones ministeriales ense-ntildeando en distintas instituciones
educativas
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
38 Octubre 2014
El Siervo
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
39LESS IS MORE
iquestPor queacute Misionespor Boyd Brooks
Si somos totalmente sinceros podemos admitir que todos somos pecadores que todos cometemos errores La culpa y la verguumlenza por esas faltas cometidas acarrean consecuencias que consumen como una plaga el resto de nuestras vidas La obra Lady Macbeth de Shakes-peare representa a una mujer que lucha continuamente con la culpa de sus erro-res del pasado Ella teniacutea razones para sentirse culpable habiacutea sido una gran manipuladora habiacutea ayudado a su esposo a tomar el reino de Escocia a traveacutes de intrigas mentiras y tambieacuten asesinatos Hasta que un diacutea se dio cuenta que no podiacutea cargar maacutes con el peso de la culpa Tratando de limpiarse de esa culpabilidad que la perseguiacutea se lavoacute las manos pero las manchas de sangre que veiacutea en ellas no desapa-reciacutean laquoiexclSal mancha iexclSal te digo El olor a sangre no se desvanece ni todos los perfumes de Arabia van a cambiar el olor de mis manosraquo mdashdeciacuteamdash
Macbeth estaba al final de sus fuerzas cuando vio a su esposa viviendo una vida miserable Fue entonces que deci-dioacute consultar con un doctor laquoiquestPuede usted administrar alguna medicina para borrar un recuerdo incrustado en la mente una raiacutez de pena en la memoria con alguacuten antiacutedoto y limpiar eso que estaacute guardado y que hace peligrar a ese sufrido corazoacutenraquo El doctor le contestoacute laquoHay pero el paciente debe administraacuterselo a siacute mismoraquo
Eso es lo que los doctores recomiendan hoy en diacutea ldquoPruebe esta medicacioacuten inscriacutebase en alguacuten curso lea un librohelliprdquo pero por maacutes buena que sea la medicacioacuten solo va a ayudar muy poco No hay remedio ni terapia ni experto que pueda resolver completamente el
problema del pecado en la humanidad Solamente Aqueacutel a quieacuten el profeta Isaiacuteas llama El siervo sufriente (Isaiacuteas 536) Eacutel puede hacerlo
Hacer misiones es la manera en la que podemos comunicar a la gente la solu-cioacuten al problema maacutes antiguo y compli-cado del mundo el pecado iquestQuieacuten es aquel que lleva las cargas del pecado iquestEl que puede solucionar realmente el problema Es Jesuacutes el profeta Isaiacuteas es-cribioacute esas palabras brindaacutendonos la so-lucioacuten 700 antildeos antes de que Eacutel cargara nuestros pecados en la cruz
Prestemos atencioacuten a las palabras del profeta como si nosotros estuvieacuteramos presentes el diacutea de la crucifixioacuten ldquoCier-tamente llevoacute eacutel nuestras enfermedades y sufrioacute nuestros dolores y nosotros le tuvimos por azotado por herido de Dios y abatidordquo (Isaiacuteas 534 RV 1960) El profeta menciona nuestras enfermedades y do-lores y enfatiza que debemos conside-rar a Jesuacutes como agobiado consumido por el dolor
Isaiacuteas escribe como hubieacutesemos sido testigos La verdad es que estuvimos ahiacute por lo menos nuestras culpas y pecados lo estuvieron Jesuacutes los cargoacute a todos
Este es el mensaje que Lady Macbeth hubiera querido escuchar y es el mensaje que el mundo entero debe oiacuter ldquoMas eacutel herido fue por nuestras rebeliones molido por nuestros pecados el castigo de nuestra paz fue sobre eacutel y por su llaga fui-mos nosotros curados Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas cada cual se apartoacute por su camino mas Jehovaacute cargoacute en eacutel el pecado de todos nosotrosrdquo (Isaiacuteas 535-6 RV 1960)
ara vivir una vida exitosa
debemos aprender coacutemo
enfrentar problemas Los
buenos padres ensentildean a
sus hijos la forma de supe-
rar dificultades a manejar
esos momentos cuando
las cosas no salen bien
Las universidades em-
presariales ensentildean a los
estudiantes a solucionar
problemas y expandir em-
prendimientos No existe
ninguacuten aacuterea de la vida que
este totalmente libre de
problemas es por eso que
desde pequentildeos aprende-
mos a solucionarlos Sin
embargo hay un problema
que nadie ha sido capaz de
arreglar es el problema del
pecado
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
40 Octubre 2014
Desde el campo misionero por Erica Ramello Sepuacutelveda
ldquoSentildeor tuacute me examinas tuacute me conoces
Sabes cuaacutendo me siento y cuaacutendo me levanto
aun a la distancia me lees el pensamiento
Mis trajines y descansos los conoces
todos mis caminos te son familiares
No me llega auacuten la palabra a la lengua
cuando tuacute Sentildeor ya la sabes toda
Tu proteccioacuten me envuelve por completo
me cubres con la palma de tu mano
Conocimiento tan maravilloso rebasa mi comprensioacuten
tan sublime es que no puedo entenderlordquo
Salmo 139 1-6 NVI
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
41LESS IS MORE
na de las cosas que maacutes amo de Dios es que Eacutel es un
Dios PERSONAL Es Dios de todos iexcliexclpero es MI DIOS
Si bien cuando Eacutel murioacute en la cruz lo hizo por todos
nosotros el saber que murioacute por miacute es lo que me
conmueve
Nuestro Dios es personal y trata conmigo de la
manera que yo lo necesito iexclEso es maravilloso
Recuerdo una situacioacuten que viviacute durante nuestro
primer periodo aquiacute en Etiopiacutea Fue en el 2011 a
unos meses de haber llegado
A veces sentiacutea que no era mucho
lo que podiacutea hacer En ese entonces
Estefaniacutea teniacutea 7 antildeos Angeline 5 y
Tiziana 2 antildeos Nuestras hijas estudian
con un sistema de educacioacuten a distancia
(Homeschool) por eso todas las mantildeanas
una habitacioacuten de nuestra casa se convertiacutea en es-
cuela
Ademaacutes se sumaba el trabajo que realizaacutebamos para
una escuela cristiana donde soliacutea pintar 250 tarjetas
todos los meses para ensentildear la Biblia a los nintildeos que
asistiacutean Ayudaba a mi esposo tipeando material en
ingleacutes para las ensentildeanzas que daba en distintas igle-
sias Tambieacuten estaba todo el trabajo que demanda
un hogar Sin embargo habiacutea en miacute una sensacioacuten de
insatisfaccioacuten Sentiacutea que no estaba haciendo algo
realmente valioso para la obra de Dios
Una noche antes de dormirme penseacute laquoiquestPara queacute
estoy aquiacute si no es mucho lo que puedo hacerraquo
No le comenteacute nada a mi esposo pero Dios le habloacute a
una hermana en Argentina acerca de mis sentimien-
tos y esto es lo que ella me escribioacute
laquoDios me mostroacute que le preguntaste al Sentildeor ldquoiquestPara
queacute estoy aquiacuterdquo
El Sentildeor dijo ldquoHija miacutea este es el tiempo de sembrar
en tu casa y en esta tierra pero Yo te dareacute fruto
abundante a su tiempo Recuerda no es lo que ha-
gas sino que tu vida misma es una ofrenda de olor
fragante en mi altarrdquoraquo
iexclCoacutemo no agradecer a Dios por su amor por su cui-
dado iexclEacutel es Dios de todos pero es mi Dios
Eacutel habiacutea escuchado mis pensamientos Eacutel me ama y
te ama No dudes de su cuidado sobre tu vida sea
cual fuere la circunstancia que atraviesas Eacutel no
estaacute ajeno a tus preocupaciones
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
42 Octubre 2014
El Aula por Gustavo Rizzo
El eacutexodo y la gratitud
Un corazoacuten agradeci-do es un corazoacuten con memoria A
traveacutes de las paacuteginas de la Biblia leemos una y otra vez de actos divinos que fueron celebrados y reco-nocidos no por muchos Y es esta falta de gratitud la mosca en el postre que deja ver cuaacuten oscuro pue-de llegar a ser un corazoacuten olvidadizo sin memoria Es un verdadero axioma que cada acto de Dios cada orden y mandamien-to es siempre en beneficio de Su criatura aunque la criatura lo ignore
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
43LESS IS MORE
El segundo libro de la Biblia contiene mdashespecialmentemdash actos portentosos de Dios por un lado y la respuesta del corazoacuten sin memoria por el otro Entre la docena de textos que pudieacuteramos citar elegimos Eacutexodo 223-25
ldquoAcontecioacute que despueacutes de muchos diacuteas murioacute el rey de Egipto y los hijos de Israel gemiacutean a causa de la servidum-bre y clamaron y subioacute a Dios el clamor de ellos con motivo de su servidumbre Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel y los reconocioacute Diosrdquo (RV 1960)
El gemido y la servidumbre se dieron cita en un ciacuter-culo morboso manteniendo a este pueblo en cadenas Llenos de promesas pero en cadenas al fin Las cadenas mdashcomo gotas permanentesmdash pueden obnubilar el panorama de cualquiera maacutes gemiacutean maacutes serviles se volviacutean Hasta que el gemido de dolor se transformoacute en clamor hacia el cielo El texto es enfaacutetico cuando dice que el clamor de ellos fue oiacutedo iexclen lo alto
Entendieron que era hacia arriba la direccioacuten en la que debiacutean buscar la puerta iexclLa buscaron y la hallaron
En cuatro actos divinos vemos expresado el corazoacuten del Padre el Dios de Israel
1 Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos
2 Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob
3 Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel
4 Y los reconocioacute Dios
Y oyoacute Dios el gemido de ellos Cuaacutentas cosas mara-villosas suceden cuando cambiamos la direccioacuten de nuestra causa y es ante el trono de gracia que llevamos nuestra queja nuestro dolor y confusioacuten La expresioacuten ldquoy oyoacute Diosrdquo no significa que haya estado sordo antes Maacutes bien realza el momento oportuno de poner en marcha toda la ldquomaquinariardquo del Eacutexodo
Y se acordoacute de su pacto con Abraham Isaac y Jacob Otra vez aquiacute ldquose acordoacuterdquo no quiere decir que lo hubiera olvidado maacutes bien nos recuerda a los lectores que Eacutel es fiel en cumplir lo que promete (Puedes leer el contenido de esa promesa en Geacutenesis 1513-16)
El ldquose acordoacuterdquo nos crea una imagen mental de Alguien que mientras se arremanga mirando la hora en su mu-ntildeeca se alista para una muy importante tarea
Y miroacute Dios a los hijos de Israel iexclMirados por Dios Eso estaacute sucediendo en este preciso momento Aquiacute comien-za el Eacutexodo de esclavo a libre de hueacuterfano a hijo de despreciado a deseado ldquoLos ojos de Jehovaacute contemplan toda la tierrahelliprdquo (2 Croacutenicas 169a RV 1960) Nada puede escapar a Su escrutinio (Salmos 1397-12 Abdiacuteas vv 3-4) Esta liacutenea describe el comienzo de un romance en el que la fidelidad permanente de una de las partes contrastaraacute una y otra vez con las intermitencias de la otra Maacutes adelante en la historia de este mismo pueblo un hom-bre llamado Oseas seraacute el ilustre representante de esta extravagante gracia
Y los reconocioacute Dios ldquoiexclEacutestos son los miacuteosrdquo Y no que no lo hayan sido antes pero otra vez el Padre ya arre-mangado y viendo la hora exacta decide actuar Los reconocioacute como un padre que da el apellido a sus hijos los reconocioacute los tuvo por estima por cosa preciosa
A partir de aquiacute en Eacutexodo leeremos sobre la mano de Dios sobre el rostro de Dios sobre el brazo de Dios sobre Su poder Su majestad Su incomparable sabiduriacutea e incondicional amor Confirmando el axioma mencio-nado antes Tambieacuten leeremos de lo poco que fueron capaces de asimilar de reconocer de valorar Leeremos de la fragilidad de la memoria ante la prueba y la dificul-tad de la facilidad para seleccionar queacute cosas mantener vivas en las retinas de la permeabilidad hacia lo prohi-bido y de su profunda y constante inclinacioacuten a desagra-decimiento
El Eacutexodo y la gratitud que no fue Nuestro subtiacutetulo es un llamado urgente a poner atencioacuten a la enormidad de veces que el favor del Padre nos rodea a diario A no ser hallados caminando sobre las huellas de los que olvidan y se quejan de los que envejecen las bendiciones con un manto de olvido y actitud de reclamo
Que nuestro corazoacuten siacute tenga memoria Un corazoacuten con memoria es un corazoacuten agradecido
iexclEacutesta es mi oracioacuten
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
44 Octubre 2014
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
45LESS IS MORE
Misiones en accioacuten
os misioneros por lo general son aquellas personas adultas que se han capacitado para el ministerio y dejan su paiacutes de origen para viajar a otras tierras y dedicarse a compartir el Evangelio de Jesucristo llevando su mensaje de salvacioacuten No pensamos en colegas de trabajo o de estudios que deciden dejarlo todo y por un tiempo servir en el campo de mi-sionero
Las dos personas entrevistadas en este artiacuteculo hicieron justamente eso El verano pasado ellos dejaron sus hogares amigos y actividades cotidianas para responder a un llamado de Dios en sus vidas Dos joacutevenes dos paiacuteses diferentes y dos culturas se encontraron en el servicio a Dios Esta entrevista es un resumen de sus experiencias
Erik Berling tiene 19 antildeos en septiembre del 2014 va a ingresar a la Universidad de South-eastem en Lakeland Florida Estudiante de Filmacioacuten con intereacutes en el evangelismo Erik viajoacute a Heidelberg Alemania para compartir las buenas nuevas con otros estudiantes y filmar un documental acerca de la vida de los cristianos en Alemania Los estudios cuestan dinero y eacutel podriacutea haber elegido pasar el verano trabajando para ahorrar pero Dios teniacutea otros planes
Cassidy McAnney tiene 17 antildeos ha completado sus estudios secundarios en casa y en el otontildeo va a comenzar a estudiar en Global School of Supernatural Ministry (GSSM) Ella es la segunda de cuatro hermanas y practica deportes de una manera activa Sus padres han hecho varios viajes misioneros alrededor del mundo
Cada uno de estos joacutevenes fue responsable de pagarse sus viajes El viaje de Erik costoacute U$A 3000 y el de Cassidy U$A 4000
Entrevista a cargo de Zelma Dodd
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
46 Octubre 2014
Less is More le preguntoacute a Erik queacute es lo que lo habiacutea motivado a estar involucrado en
misiones
laquo Eres un estudiante de filmacioacuten no uno de misio-nes iquestporqueacute decidiste hacer un viaje misionero y coacutemo sabias que debiacuteas hacerlo
Erik Nunca habiacutea ido a un viaje misionero y realmente queriacutea hacerlo Yo estoy estudiando en la universidad Southeastern y habiacuteamos tenido una semana dedicada a las misiones Vi un documental acerca de estudiantes que habiacutean viajado a Cambodia y eso me habiacutea tocado Escu-cheacute la voz de Dios y Eacutel me dirigioacute a ir a Alemania a filmar un documental y a hacer evangelismo en el lugar
iquestAlguien te ayudoacute a pagar el viaje o lo hiciste por tus propios medios
Erik Pagueacute parte del viaje con mi propio dinero participeacute de varios eventos para juntar fondos y tambieacuten recibiacute donaciones
iquestEn alguacuten momento te dieron deseos de abandonar la idea de viajar iquestQueacute te motivo a seguir
Erik Tan pronto como arribamos al paiacutes de destino quise
abandonar el viaje Nuestro equipo se habiacutea dividido en dos grupos que viajaron en diferentes aviones y luego tomamos un tren durante varias horas todos estaacutebamos desanimados Entonces comenceacute a orar reprendiendo esos ataques y a proclamar victoria Esta oportunidad de viajar nos permitioacute ver las cosas desde otra dimensioacuten tanto para miacute como para el grupo
iquestLos estudiantes fueron receptivos al mensaje
Erik Los estudiantes si lo fueron hablamos con personas de diferentes edades culturas y nacionalidades Algunos no quisieron escuchar nuestro mensaje pero respetaban nuestro punto de vista En general la gente fue receptiva al escuchar el Evangelio Creo que plantamos la buena semi-lla del Reino y creo de todo corazoacuten que un diacutea daraacute frutos
iquestAlgo que te haya impactado del viaje
Erik Uno de los momentos especiales para miacute fue cuando oreacute por una chica musulmana Yo teniacutea un letrero que deciacutea ldquoOracioacuten y bendiciones para tu vidardquo Ella lo leyoacute y me preguntoacute queacute estaba haciendo portando ese cartel Le contesteacute que era cristiano y que estaba orando por la gente para que fuera bendecida Entonces le pregunteacute si queriacutea que orara por ella y ella respondioacute que siacute Cuando termine la oracioacuten teniacutea una sonrisa enorme en su cara Estoy seguro que el amor de Cristo le ha hecho cambiar su perspectiva de los cristianos
iquestEste viaje ha cambiado tu vida en alguna manera
Erik Ha cambiado mi manera de ver las cosas ahora tengo una visioacuten maacutes amplia me siento maacutes fuerte y con maacutes coraje para servir a Dios
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
47LESS IS MORE
iquestTe parece que es importante involucrar a los joacutevenes en mi-siones iquestPor queacute
Erik iexclMisiones es importante En otro paiacutes o en tu propio barrio la gente necesita saber de Jesuacutes y de coacutemo Eacutel puede cambiar las vidas para siempreraquo
Cassidy decidioacute hacer un viaje a Mozam-bique Aacutefrica Alliacute ella experimentoacute una
cultura totalmente diferente a la propia Le hicimos algunas preguntas relacionadas al viaje y ella nos contestoacute
laquoiquestCoacutemo surgioacute la idea del viaje a Mozambique
Cass En octubre del 2013 mis padres fueron a una confe-rencia organizada por Global Awakenning en Pennsylvania Alliacute recibieron un libro en donde se mencionaban los viajes misioneros que se hariacutean ese antildeo El viaje a Mozambique estaba en la lista y realmente llamoacute mi atencioacuten Haciacutea tiempo que queriacutea ir a Aacutefrica
iquestEstabas preocupada por los problemas surgidos antes de partir
Cass Honestamente no estaba muy preocupada com-prendiacutea que Dios me habiacutea llamado a ir y estaba ansiosa por hacerlo Sabiacutea que Dios me cuidariacutea y que todo estaba bajo su control
iquestCoacutemo juntaste el dinero para pagar por tu viaje
Cass Hacia un tiempo que habiacutea creado una cuenta es-peciacutefica para misiones y teniacutea algo de dinero ahorrado La mayor parte del costo del viaje salioacute de mi propio bolsillo trabajeacute cuidando nintildeos limpiando las casas de algunos hermanos de la iglesia y asiacute la gente me fue llamando para diferentes trabajos y pude juntar el dinero Por supuesto tambieacuten algunos amigos familiares y hermanos de la igle-sia me ayudaron financieramente
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
48 Octubre 2014
En Mozambique colabo-raste en un hogar de nintildeos iquestcoacutemo era un diacutea tiacutepico en ese lugar
Cass No hay un diacutea tiacutepico en un hogar de nintildeos aprendiacute a ser flexible Cada diacutea es diferente con mucha variedad de actividades Por ejemplo jugaba futbol con
algunos nintildeos entreteniacutea a los bebes en la guarderiacutea fui a diferentes lugares mdashcomo a cuatro horas de distanciamdash atraacutes de un camioacuten a ministrar a la gente que teniacutea necesi-dades No habiacutea rutina ninguacuten diacutea se parece al otro lo uacutenico que no cambia es la hermosa presencia de Dios que siempre esta a tu lado en todo tiempo
iquestEste viaje te ha cambiado en alguna manera
Cass Mis ojos se han abierto Dios me ha llamado a una vida de servicio al cuidado de nintildeos hueacuterfanos No pensaba tener alguna experiencia que me dejara sorprendida porque es el estilo de vida que he sido llamada a servir De cualquier manera me impresionoacute en gran manera lo difiacutecil que es la
vida en Aacutefrica y solo estuve alliacute por dos semanas El viaje tocoacute mi corazoacuten no solo por los nintildeos sino tambieacuten por la gente pobre Cuando llegueacute a casa agradeciacute a Dios por la manera en que soy bendecida en los EE UU
iquestPiensas que es bueno que la gente joven se involucre en misiones iquestPor queacute
Cass iexclPor supuesto Ser parte de la obra misionera deberiacutea ser importante en la vida de cada uno sin importar la edad Es la manera de mirar las cosas como Jesuacutes las ve abrir tu corazoacuten como Eacutel lo hace Asiacute te das cuenta coacutemo Dios cuida y se preocupa por este mundo Tu mente se abre Un aspec-to importante respecto a misiones es el hecho que no se necesita cruzar la Tierra iexclse puede hacer en tu vecindario
La uacutenica manera de tener esa experiencia misionera es tratar de hacerlo iexclEntonces hagaacutemoslo Si amas a Dios amas las misiones
iquestViajariacuteas de otra vez
Cass iexclSi definitivamente lo voy a hacer de nuevo Me gustariacutea hacerlo una vez por antildeo y tambieacuten colaborar con la organizacioacuten Iris (la organizacioacuten base que trabaja con nintildeos)raquo
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
49LESS IS MORE
Las vidas de estos dos joacutevenes han motivado mi corazoacuten nunca se es lo suficientemente joven o
adulto para estar involucrado con misiones Tal vez no podamos viajar como ellos lo han hecho pero podemos orar por las misiones y por los misioneros que estaacuten al-rededor del mundo o apoyar econoacutemicamente la obra
Tal vez tu llamado no es a ser un misionero tiempo completo pero cada uno tiene una misioacuten que cumplir
En tu barrio
En tu trabajo
En tu familia
Dios nos ha llamado a predicar las buenas nuevas
ldquoY les dijo Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criaturardquo (Marcos 1615 RVR1960)
Personalmente estoy muy orgullosa de Erik y Cass ellos son mis nietos y estoy feliz de que la antorcha de servicio a Dios se sigue pasando de generacioacuten en generacioacuten en mi familia
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
50 Octubre 2014
Memoriososy
Memoriososy
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
51LESS IS MORE
Desde Nuestra Casa A La Tuyapor Gustavo Garcia
Se dice que en el lago Michigan una noche de gran tormenta un barco de pasajeros chocoacute aproximadamente a dos kiloacutemetros del pueblo
de Winnetka Illinois De los 393 pasajeros 279 se ahogaron Fue una gran cataacutestrofe Un hombre lla-mado Edward Spencer al ver el desastre se metioacute en el lago y tratoacute de ayudar y salvar a algunos pasajeros Uno por uno los trajo a la playa regresando otra vez por uno maacutes En total Edward Spencer pudo salvar a 17 personas Desgraciadamente en el transcurso de este acto de heroiacutesmo cayoacute Edward vencido por el cansancio Los nervios en sus piernas fueron tan dantildeados por el esfuerzo que nunca maacutes volvioacute a ca-minar Quedoacute prisionero de por vida sobre su silla de ruedas En su cumpleantildeos alguien le pidioacute relatar su experiencia y lo que maacutes le impresionoacute de esa noche Edward respondioacute ldquoNi una sola persona de los 17 que salveacute regresoacute para darme las gracias iexclNi uno solordquo1
1 Diccionario de Aneacutecdotas e Ilustraciones Tarrassa Editorial Clie 2008
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
52 Octubre 2014
a ingratitud es un mal sumamente extendido Por lo que vale la pena resaltar la actitud del apoacutestol Pablo cuando dice ldquoDoy gracias al que me fortalecioacute a Cristo Jesuacutes nuestro Sentildeor porque me tuvo por fiel ponieacutendome en el ministeriordquo (1 Timoteo 112) Este es un canto de accioacuten de gracias de alguien que estaacute en el ministerio
Los que tenemos el privilegio de servir a Dios de esta manera debemos ser agradecidos en primer lugar porque nos escogioacute y nos puso en el ministerio Esta es una gracia que no debemos olvidar Asiacute como no tenemos suficientes meacuteritos para ser salvos tampoco los tenemos para estar en el ministerio
En segundo lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque Jesuacutes nos tuvo por fieles (dignos de confianza confiables) Y aunque la fidelidad es una cualidad que debemos cultivar estaacute relacionada con la siguiente gracia
En tercer lugar debemos ser agradecidos porque nos fortalecioacute Nos dio la fortaleza para ser fieles en el ministerio tanto en los momentos malos como en los buenos Aquiacute el vocablo griego utilizado es ldquoendinamo-santirdquo que deriva de dinamis esto es poder El Sentildeor nos dio el poder nos hizo podero-sos nos dio la ldquodinamitardquo para poder servirle fielmente El poder de Dios depositado en nosotros es una gracia
La falta de gratitud generalmente es un
reflejo de la falta de memoria Dios sabe que somos desmemoriados por eso establecioacute la Pascua para que el pueblo judiacuteo recordara que fue librado de la esclavitud en Egipto instituyoacute la Santa Cena para que recordaacutera-mos la muerte de Cristo Eacutel dijo ldquohelliphaced esto en memoria de miacuterdquo (Lucas 2219) Podriacuteamos mencionar muchos otros casos pero con esto es claro un principio biacuteblico ldquoSean memorio-sosrdquo Sin ir maacutes lejos encontramos en la Biblia 16 mandamientos que comienzan con la palabra ldquoacordaosrdquo
iquestPor queacute le interesa a Dios nuestra memoria Porque ella estaacute ligada a la gratitud Cuando alguien se olvida de las bendiciones recibidas en el pasado pierde la gratitud Se acostum-bra a la bendicioacuten y lo que es una gracia pasa a considerarse un meacuterito
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos porque la gratitud es un motor maacutes poderoso que el dinero El servicio motivado por lo que Dios hizo por nosotros es infinitamente superior al que surja de cualquier otra motivacioacuten Pero si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacuteculo con el motor apagado avanzaraacute por inercia hasta que finalmente se detenga
Dios necesita siervos agradecidos para que la obra no se detenga Para que invirtamos en la extensioacuten de Su Reino
Si perdemos la gratitud nuestro ministerio seraacute como un vehiacute culo con el motor apagadordquo
En sentido horario desde arriba hacia abajo Pastor Gustavo Rizzo amp Pastor Rodrigo Gorjon en el Amazonas Peruacute Misionero Cristian Sepulveda en Etiopia Aboriacutegen Peurana reci-biendo una Biblia Nintildeo Etiacuteope orando durante un servicio de adoracioacuten
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
53LESS IS MORE
Nuestra gratitud debe ser hacia Dios pero tambieacuten para con los que han respondido a su llamado pastores y misioneros ldquoAcordaos de vuestros pastores que os habla-ron la palabra de Dioshelliprdquo (Hebreos 137) A todos nos gusta que se acuerden de nosotros iexclQueacute bien se siente el pastor cuando la congregacioacuten se recuerda de eacutel Pero hay una frase para destacar de este texto de Hebreos ldquoacordaos dehellip (los) que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo La gran mayoriacutea de los cristianos directa o indirecta-mente hemos oiacutedo la Palabra gracias a los misioneros
En otras palabras Hebreos 137 podriacutea decir ldquoiexclacordaos de los misioneros que os hablaron la palabra de Diosrdquo
Hoy es un diacutea para recuperar la memoria Es momento de ser agradecidoshellip
hellip iexclGracias Dios
hellip iexclGracias misioneros
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
54 Octubre 2014
La Familia WalzMisioneros a Argentina
iquestDesde cuaacutendo su esposa y usted estaacuten sirvien-do a Dios
mdashYo comenceacute en el ministerio en el antildeo1981 y ella en el antildeo 1986 Empezamos en la Argentina en
enero del antildeo 1989
iquestCoacutemo y cuaacutendo comenzoacute a surgir el llamado misionero en sus vidas
mdashCon Rhonda el proceso fue muy dis-tinto ella era muy tiacutemida y le costaba aceptar que podriacutea servir como misio-nera Dios tuvo que darle una sentildeal muy fuerte de confirmacioacuten a traveacutes de tres personas y en la misma noche (que no conociacutean las dudas en su corazoacuten) le fue dada una palabra de que iba a servir a Dios como misio-nera
Para mi fue diferente a traveacutes de estar por un antildeo como un misionero en Libe-ria Dios me dio la carga y el comienzo de la visioacuten que todaviacutea nos impulsa
hoy
Desde su llegada al paiacutes en 1989 Brad Walz junto a su esposa Rhonda no ha cesado de trabajar en dar forma y empuje a la obra misionera argenti-na Si bien no estuvo en la direccioacuten desde su fundacioacuten siempre tuvo par-
ticipacioacuten efectiva en el Departamento Nacional de Misiones siendo desde 1994 su presidente Su extensa trayectoria (que incluye la visita a maacutes de 90 paiacuteses) e invalorable aporte a la obra misionera le han otorgado autoridad maacutes allaacute de los liacutemites argentinos recibiendo continuas invitaciones desde otros paiacuteses
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
55LESS IS MORE
Invitado EspecialDios fue dirigiendo sus pasos con una gran Visioacuten iquestde queacute manera se abririacutean las puertas
mdashCada paso y puerta fue distinta Dios me habloacute a traveacutes de Raquel Schaible hermana de Rocky Grams en el antildeo del avivamiento en Argen-tina (1984) y me indicoacute que esta era la ldquobaserdquo para la visioacuten a la que iba a dedicarme Llegamos en enero de 1989 y tuve la primera oportunidad de predicar acerca de misiones al mes de haber llegado En abril de ese mismo antildeo participeacute en la primera reunioacuten del relanzamiento del DNM1 y asiacute fue como se abrioacute la puerta de Argentina
La carga por Ameacuterica surgioacute en el antildeo 1992 y la puerta se comenzoacute a abrir en el antildeo 1995 En 1998 oficialmente me pidieron que fuera el presidente de la red de Ameacuterica ahora llamada Misiones en Conjunto La puerta para trabajar con las misiones a nivel maacutes amplio se abrioacute en el antildeo 1999 cuando me pidieron que fuera miem-bro de una comisioacuten mundial y se profundizoacute en el antildeo 2001 cuando me pidieron que fuera el encargado de la comisioacuten En el antildeo 2009 me pidieron que fuera el presidente de una nueva comisioacuten de misiones mundiales para la confraternidad mundial de las Asambleas de Dios Cada etapa fue progresiva y diferente
Ustedes comenzaron algo en Lati-noameacuterica que no existiacutea un de-partamento de Misiones iquestPorqueacute Argentina y no otro paiacutes
mdashLa pregunta es interesante Dios me dio la carga de que paiacuteses tradicional-mente no enviadores de misioneros comenzaran a serlo Esto fue en el antildeo 1983 en Liberia asiacute que penseacute que Aacutefrica seriacutea el lugar de trabajo Pero en un tiempo de preparacioacuten en 1984
Raquel Schaible me contoacute del aviva-miento que estaba surgiendo en Ar-gentina Dios me mostroacute suavemente sin ldquoluces ni mucho ruidordquo laquoArgentina va a ser el lugar donde comienzas esta visioacutenraquo En aquel entonces no conociacutea mucho acerca de este paiacutes asiacute que re-aliceacute un viaje de exploracioacuten y visiteacute a Rocky en Argentina en 1985 Y simple-mente comenceacute a enfocarme en el paiacutes Asiacute fue como el Espiacuteritu Santo puso Argentina en mi corazoacuten
El idioma es una gran barrera cultural iquestalguna vez se sintieron frustrados con la comunicacioacuten
mdash iexclMuchas veces por supuesto El proceso de aprender un idioma es terrible y cuesta pero vale la pena Me hace sentir muy bien cuando en al-gunos paiacuteses latinos me preguntan si soy argentino porque me escuchan el acento argentino mdashpara el argentino nativo tenemos un acento america-nomdash Sin embargo todaviacutea me siento como un bebe si entro a una ferreteriacutea tengo que usar palabras que no uso diariamente Uno tiene que aprender a reiacuterse de uno mismo iexclTantos errores de expresiones y de decir lo que no queriacutea decir Solamente hay que tener un gran sentido de humor para avan-zar y no desanimarse
iquestDesde hace cuantos antildeos que es-taacuten fuera de su paiacutes iquestHay alguna Palabra especial de parte de Dios que los sostiene en el llamado
mdashEstamos fuera del paiacutes desde hace 26 antildeos Claro que debemos volver a EEUU para realizar la gira anual pero no es lo mismo El llamado es lo que tiene que sostenerte vez tras vez pues hay momentos duros una crisis fami-liar los chicos ven poco a sus abuelos y tantas otras cosas que uno podriacutea
comentar Pero el llamado tiene que sostenerte constantemente
Como misionero y despueacutes de tanto tiempo en el campo iquestse podriacutea decir que Argentina es su casa iquestQueacute le diriacutea a aquellos que todaviacutea estaacuten luchando con ese proceso de adaptacioacuten
mdashClaro que si se podriacutea decir que Ar-gentina es mi casa Pero maacutes que eso uno podriacutea decir que tiene dos casas Pues uno nunca deja la identidad de su propia cultura Uno tiene dos casas Uno se siente bien en ambas y tam-bieacuten se siente raro en ambas Vuelvo a EEUU y me siento raro y hay momen-tos en Argentina que me siento raro tambieacuten Entonces uno comparte dos casas Para el que lucha con en este proceso es una cuestioacuten de tiempo
Va a llegar el momento en que es natural Si uno tiene chicos uno ve que ellos se adaptan maacutes raacutepido y faacutecilmente Esto ayuda a echar raiacuteces y sentirse parte pues los chicos pertene-cen maacutes al lugar que a la cultura de sus padres Hay que disfrutar tambieacuten ese proceso Celebrarlo
Hace poco durante el transcurso del Mundial de Futbol nuestra hija que estaba en EEUU queriacutea venir para ver la final del partido Argentina-Alema-nia Ella sufriacutea tanto al no poder estar aquiacute Averiguamos la posibilidad de traerla pero no se dio Entonces ella fue a un restaurante argentino lleno de argentinos y dijo ldquoSiento que estoy en casa con mi genterdquo
Ayuda mucho si uno tiene hijos Pero auacuten sin ellos para todos los que estaacuten en el campo Dios les ayudaraacute si per-manecen firmes a su llamado
_________________________
1 DNM Departamento Nacional de Misiones de la Unioacuten de
las Asambleas de Dios en Argentina
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
56 Octubre 2014
Mirando a la Higuera por Lidia Lewczuk de Masalyka
en Ravensbruck
Una vieja cancioacuten dice ldquoFaacutecil es cantar cuando reina la paz pero en el dolor es mejor cantarrdquo
Todos experimentamos lo costoso de alabar a Dios en medio de la afliccioacuten Para el creyente el mandato biacuteblico es honrarlo en todo momento y la adoracioacuten maacutes profunda es cuando a nuestro alrededor todo se derrumba y asiacute levantar los ojos al cielo e ir al trono de Su gracia sin sentir nada sobrenatural Ese grado de fe es agradable a Dios y la alabanza se transforma en una poderosa armadura espiritual contra el desaacutenimo y las frustraciones
Dar gracias a Dios es una manera de reconocer nuestra dependencia de Eacutel para todo desde el regalo de la vida los bienes materiales la salud la familia Por tal razoacuten repetidas veces en la Biblia dice ldquoNO TE OLVIDES DE TU DIOSrdquo
Quienes han leiacutedo algo sobre los campos de concentracioacuten en la Segunda Guerra Mundial redordaraacuten a Ravensbruumlck la espantosa prisioacuten donde traiacutean mujeres de las naciones conquistadas por los alemanes En la biografiacutea de Corrie Ten Boon mdashEl Refugio Secretomdash se escribe la traicioacuten de un holandeacutes colaboracionista del reacutegimen nazi al denunciar a toda la familia Ten Boon por mantener judiacuteos escondidos en su casa Ese acto de amor por el pueblo hebreo costoacute la vida a la mitad de su familia
Corrie milagrosamente fue liberada al final de la guerra junto a un pequentildeo grupo de prisioneras (murieron alliacute casi cien mil mujeres) Ella sobrevivioacute para llevar el mensaje de perdoacuten en la posguerra a la misma Alemania Escribioacute varios
Entrad por sus puertas
con accioacuten de gracias
por sus atrios con ala-
banzas reconoced que
Jehovaacute es Dios bende-
cid su nombre porque
Eacutel es bueno su miseri-
cordia es para siempreraquo
(Salmo 100)
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
57LESS IS MORE
gtgt
libros inspiradores donde resalta la gratitud a Dios por cada circunstancia que le tocaba vivir
Una noche del campo de concentracioacuten mientras realizaba lecturas biacuteblicas y oraciones con un grupo de mujeres alliacute recluidas les pidioacute que dieran gracias a Dios por los piojos de la barraca Ellas se rieron y Corrie les manifestoacute que habiacutea observado el asco y el terror que los piojos provocaban a las guardianas y comprendioacute que jamaacutes entrariacutean a vigilarlas y asiacute podriacutean seguir con sus tiempos espirituales A pesar del agotamiento para ellas esos momentos eran tan importantes como el pan y asiacute por muchos meses siguieron juntaacutendose sin problemas y sin quejarse de las molestias y las picaduras de los piojos Estas citas biacuteblicas eran una premisa en su vida y probablemente el secreto de su supervivencia
ldquoPerseverad en la oracioacuten velando en ella con accioacuten de graciasrdquo ~ Col 42 (RVR60)
ldquoDad gracias en todo por que eacutesta es la voluntad de Diosrdquo
1 Tes 518 (RVR60)
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
58 Octubre 2014
Campo de concentracioacuten de Corrie Ten BoomRavensbruck 1943
en Ravensbruck
En medio del desgarro emocional vislumbramos el poder de la gratitud y la comprensioacuten de que a pesar de lo malo que pueda sucedernos siempre hay un propoacutesito divino
Extraigo tambieacuten de su experiencia en el campo de Ravensbruumlck la siguiente y conmovedora historia en homenaje a los miles de nintildeos inocentes que murieron en esos antildeos en los que se vio lo peor de la humanidad Sin embargo alliacute tambieacuten hubo perso-nas llenas de luz de amor y valentiacutea
laquoFue la Navidad de 1944 Mi hermana Betsi habiacutea muerto Yo estaba en el hospital del Campamento de Ravensbruumlck Sentiacutea la oscuridad en mi corazoacuten y alre-dedor de miacute soacutelo habiacutea tinieblas
Habiacutea aacuterboles de Navidad entre las barracas y debajo de ellos yaciacutean los cadaacuteveres de las presas muertas Procureacute hablar de la Navidad a mis compantildeeras y se mofaron se burlaron al final me calleacute
A medianoche de repente oiacute llorar a una nintildea llaman-do a su mamaacute ldquoiexclMamaacute iexclMamaacute iexclVen a Ollie iexclOllie estaacute muy solardquo
Me acerqueacute a ella a una nintildea no tan pequentildea sino retardada Ollie estaba en una cama junto a la ventana no muy lejos de la miacutea Aunque extenuada por la falta de alimentos teniacutea una cara bonita y ojos hermosos Una venda de papel higieacutenico cubriacutea una incisioacuten de
cirugiacutea en la espalda (probable experimento)
Le hableacute a esa pobre criatura de Jesuacutes que Eacutel vino a este mundo en forma de bebeacute que vino para salvarnos de nuestros pecados Le dije que el Sentildeor Jesuacutes la amaba y que Eacutel llevoacute todo pecado a la cruz asiacute Ollie podriacutea ir al cielo donde estaacute Jesuacutes ahora preparando una casita para Ollie
Maacutes tarde le pregunteacute si se acordaba de lo que le habiacutea hablado ldquoiquestCoacutemo es la casitardquo mdashLe pregunteacutemdash
Su respuesta fue ldquoEs muy hermosa y no hay gente mala como aquiacute hay solamente gente buena y muchos aacutengeles Y Ollie veraacute a Jesuacutes allaacuterdquo
Y la nintildea antildeadioacute ldquoLe pedireacute a Jesuacutes que me de coraje y cuando sienta dolor me acordareacute del dolor que sufrioacute Jesuacutes para mostrar a Ollie el camino al cielordquo
Juntamos las manos dimos gracias a Dios por alum-brarnos y revelar su salvacioacuten en ese lugar horroroso Luego comprendiacute por queacute tuve que pasar esa Navidad en Ravensbruumlckraquo
Solo adoracioacuten alabanza por haber Jesucristo des-cendido de un lugar de gloria a habitar con nosotros para alumbrar y alegrar auacuten los lugares maacutes espan-tosos de esta tierra Al acercarnos a Su presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
Al acercarnos a Su Presencia es requisito entrar con acciones de gracias
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
59LESS IS MORE
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
ldquoEl pueblo asentado en tinieblas vio gran luz y a los asentados en regioacuten en regioacuten de sombra de muerte LUZ LES RESPLANDECIOacuterdquo
(San Mateo 416 ~ RVR60)
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
lessismoremagazine
LessIsMore_mag
lessismoremagazinegmailcom
60 Octubre 2014
Nintildeos WOW
iquestQUEacute ES LA TEOLOGIacuteA DE LA
por Mark Kinney
Quisiera desafiar a mis colegas de educacioacuten cristiana a que me ayuden a reflexionar sobre el interrogante
ldquoiquestQueacute es la Teologiacutea de la Nintildeezrdquo
Esta es sin duda la pregunta que desconcertoacute la mente de los apoacutestoles luego que Jesuacutes colocara a un nintildeo en medio de ellos para resolver el argumento teoloacutegico que estaban planteando acerca de quieacuten era el mayor
en el reino de los cielos (Mateo 183-5) La accioacuten sin precedentes de Jesuacutes al usar uno de los miembros maacutes marginados de la sociedad mdashun nintildeomdash como leccioacuten espiritual del reino dejoacute a los disciacutepulos mdashy a nosotrosmdash con la incoacutemoda tarea de excavar alrededor para descu-brir la verdad espiritual a la que aludioacute
Digo ldquoaludioacuterdquo porque Jesuacutes no fue especiacutefico acerca de
En aquel tiempo los disciacutepulos vinieron a Jesuacutes diciendo iquestQuieacuten es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y llamando Jesuacutes a un nintildeo lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo De cierto os digo que si no os volveacuteis y os haceacuteis como nintildeos no entrareacuteis en el reino de los cielos Asiacute que cualqui-era que se humille como este nintildeo eacutese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un nintildeo como este a miacute me reciberaquo
(Mateo 181-5 RV 1960)
Parte 1 de 2
61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
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LessIsMore_mag
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61LESS IS MORE
queacute caracteriacutestica del estado ldquonintildeordquo traeriacutea salvacioacuten a los adultos mediante la revelacioacuten de coacutemo entrar en el Reino de Dios
Como misionero practicante he pasado los uacuteltimos veinticinco antildeos involucrado en la evangelizacioacuten y el cuidado espiritual de los nintildeos al mismo tiempo que releyendo esta porcioacuten de Mateo y otros relatos de Jesuacutes referentes a los nintildeos en el Nuevo Testamento en busca de sus significados maacutes profundos
He encontrado en mis propias observaciones asiacute como en lecturas repetidas en las Escrituras que existe una conspiracioacuten inquietante entre los adultos contra el es-piacuteritu infantil
El novelista franceacutes Georges Bernanos resume muy bien en su comentario laquoDios le dijo a cardenales teoacutelogos ensayistas historiadores novelistas y a todo el mundo ldquoHazte como un nintildeordquo En cambio a traveacutes de los siglos autoridades como las mencionadas salieron diciendo al espiacuteritu infantil al cual habiacutean traicionado ldquose como nosotrosrdquoraquo [1]
Es difiacutecil para nosotros quienes estamos involucrados en la educacioacuten admitir que es mucho maacutes probable que una teologiacutea de la nintildeez surja de la experiencia praacutectica de estar con los nintildeos que de la exposicioacuten al ambiente educativo de la escuela biacuteblica actual
Lo dicho es bueno para una introduccioacuten baacutesica al tema Tratemos de definir los teacuterminos un poco De acuerdo con el Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil (httpwwwchildtheologyorg ) la Teologiacutea Infantil es una invitacioacuten ldquopara tomar conciencia del nintildeo en el centro mientras pensamos acerca de hacia desde y con Dios en Cristo Mientras hacemos esto esperamos que nuestra teologiacutea cambie para mejor En la Teologiacutea Infantil nos embar-camos con Cristo de una manera diferente hacia el secreto abierto de Dios en el mundordquo En otras palabras
nuestra teologiacutea deberiacutea ser desar-rollada con el ldquonintildeordquo imaginario que Jesuacutes colocoacute en medio nuestro siempre antes que nosotros El Movimiento de la Teologiacutea Infantil resume esta ruacutebrica en su lema ldquoToda reflexioacuten teoloacutegica debe ser reformada con un nintildeo en el centro toda actividad cristiana relacionada con un nintildeo debe basarse en una reflexioacuten teoloacutegicardquo Si soacutelo fuera asiacute en nuestras escuelas biacuteblicas
Pero esto no ocurre de forma natu-ral en el transcurso del viaje que realiza un estudiante a traveacutes del curriacuteculum ofrecido por los institu-tos biacuteblicos Iroacutenicamente el propoacutesito de tener Institutos Biacuteblicos residentes de las Asambleas de Dios es ayudar a preparar candidatos ministeriales pentecostales para continuar la misioacuten de la iglesia establecida por Jesuacutes (Juan 1718 2021) la cual estaacute enfocada hacia el exterior Por tanto la etapa de la escuela biacuteblica de desarrollo es-piritual debe incluir una amplia exposicioacuten a una teologiacutea infantil histoacuterica y biacuteblicamente basada en los relatos in-fantiles de Jesuacutes para ser relevantes en el contexto donde se encuentra la mayor concentracioacuten de la poblacioacuten de nintildeos y adolescentes en la historia humana esto es en el sur del globo terraacutequeo incluyendo a Ameacuterica Latina (Barna Bush Dempster Jenkins Klaus Petersen Pocock Van Rheenen et al)
Continua en Less is More Vol 1 - ejemplar 3
1 Citado en Marty Martin E El Misterio del Nintildeo (Grand Rapids Eerdmans) p 89
