Samuel Gill Servant in Training with NTM 
Memorial day barbeque, Latino style
About a month ago the Latin church posted a sheet where those interested in being discipled could list their names. By the end of the night there were already seven or eight people who had written their names on the list, expressing their interest in growing in their walk with the Lord. Interestingly, some of those who put their name down were not even believers. Last night at the Wednesday night Bible study, I was pleasantly surprised to see how many of those people are still demonstrating genuine interest in studying the Bible for themselves. Edgar and his wife, Jasmin, are two of those who were first to sign up. Last night, we were learning about the person and character of the Holy Spirit, and I was shocked to hear Jasmin\’s insight. She had memorized a verse in Ephesians and was able to apply it to the subject at hand. Later in the evening she gave testimony to how the Lord has been working in her marriage and family. Praise God for changed lives.
In so many ways, my time with the church here has become such a blessing. Both the way they have made me feel welcome (despite not being Latin) and the evidence of the Spirit at work in our midst have been so encouraging. In particular, I have come to appreciate and respect our pastor more and more and truly enjoy the fellowship we share. He is such a servant to others and has an incredible passion to see the new believers mature in the understanding and application of their faith. While initially somewhat skeptical of some of what was happening in the church, I have since found myself challenged and blessed by the heart of the pastor and his desire to be used by the Lord. My outreach team from New Tribes (there are five of us) have been privileged to witness God\’s answer to many of our prayers for this group of believers. Please praise the Lord with me for the ways He is working in the Latin church and in my own heart. I\’m learning to take the Lord seriously when He said, “ask anything in my name and it will be granted to you.”
Last weekend I went to watch my cousin graduate from high school and also compete in the Central Missouri high school track sectionals. It was fun to show my support for him and a blessing to be with family for a few days. He did so well that this weekend he will be competing at the state level here in Jefferson City, which means I won\’t even have to travel to see him run.
I am now settled in to my summer residence — the home of a very hospitable Chilean family in Jefferson City. I\’m glad that I will be able to continue serving in the Latin church for these couple months, but I\’m also excited about some new opportunities that I am looking into. Sebastian (the Chilean guy who just graduated from high school) and several of his friends may be joining me for a guys\’ Bible study once a week. Since two months doesn\’t allow for a whole lot, my desire is to take a look together at a few of the Proverbs and see how they apply to the life of a young man. I\’m also interested in getting back into the jail ministry that I have only been able to do a few times. In the meantime, I\’m also trying to put together a portfolio of Cambodia and my vision for future ministry as a means of communicating to others who I am and where I am going. Trying to juggle these and still be available here at my new home may prove a little tricky. I would certainly appreciate prayer that I would be both diligent and considerate this summer.
