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November 2002 Gutierrez Update We are having a lot of fun When our Freddy got shot, he went to see Dr. Galarza. When Walter had heart problems, he went to see a cardiologist. When Elizabeth broke her arm, she went to see the orthopedic doctor. When Rodney was diagnosed with a tumor, he went to see a cancer doctor. When Ruthie found some hernias, she went to see Dr. Bucklen (surgeon). When my father-in-law had cataracts, he went to the eye doctor. When Bonnie suffered back pains, she went to the chiropractor; and when Kye had an accident, she went to the traumatologist. But here in the Andes, when you become sick with any of the above-mentioned things, you go to see Dr. Galarza, or he comes to see you. Dr. Galarza performs a cesarean in the morning on Maria, at mid-morning he amputates a leg, in the afternoon he cauterizes the skin on my leg, in the evening he removes Bens toenail and he gives me a shot of antibiotics for my bronchitis; and later the ambulance arrives with a load of people hurt in a bus accident. Somewhere during the day, he manages to give a lecture to young medical students, he performs an autopsy and still was able to come to the prayer breakfast. As you can see we have physical needs galore here in the mountains. But we also have spiritual needs, and much in the same way as Dr. Galarza, I have to be a jack of all trades, (like the only eye-seeing dog). From running the orphanage, all the way to political advisor to local and national authorities, and in between, caring for the sick, the poor, the widow, mentoring young people, leading the 12-yr.-olds, running the mayors prayer breakfast, planting a church, discipling, building bathrooms for the poor and roofing for widows, preaching, counseling, bus driver, soccer coach and soccer player and still the pistol regional champion of the local anti-terrorist unit and also the host of international visitors and teams. Until I stopped to write this letter, I did not know I did all of these things Šplus, and its making me feel tired, yet sorry that I dont do more and do a better job and have better answers to many questions. I wish I had this job back when I was a teenager, when I used to have all of the answers and plenty of energy to spare and when time used to pass so slowly. But now my days are so short, my hours fly and there is still so much left to do but with less energy to get the job done. Dont misunderstand me, I love my job, and I dont do it to impress God or man nor to gain salvation, but because I am saved; and what I do is my way of saying, "Thank you, Lord, for so great a salvation." In the midst of all the work, which is fun, (believe me), I just have some prayer requests for you. Please pray that I may never be so busy as to sacrifice my private time with the Lord; for this to me, is more important than life itself. Pray that I may know Jesus in His height, length width and depth. Pray that I may have the mind of Jesus. Pray that I may not forget that I am not my own. Pray that I may not only live to preach Jesus, but to reflect Jesus in my life; and by "living in grace" may make Him audible and visible. Pray that I may love God and man by lifting Jesus only and by being broken bread and poured-out-wine for others, for to love Jesus is to take care of His sheep. Pray that I may never become a disgusting Pharisee, who takes himself seriously and looks down at others. If you pray like this, the rest will take care of itself. If I have taken the freedom to ask you to pray, it is because you are my friend and partner, and I represent you here in the Andes. Pray for yourself also, so you may not criticize me as one who does not have order or discipline or who spreads himself too thin and has no focus. Let me assure you that, even though I had eye surgery recently, with great results, my vision is a bit blurry, but my focus on Jesus is a sharp 20/20. I have never loved the Lord as much as I do now. Be at rest. Mother Theresa worked herself to death, and many close friends of mine are trying to do the same thing in Christendom. Why should they have all the fun? My father-in-law, my friend, much like Moses father-in-law, Jethro, advises me to pace myself. So when doubts invade my thoughts, theology comes to my rescue. "My days are numbered", and I will be home not a minute early nor a minute late for supper with my heavenly Father. As I read this letter, it sounds a bit self-centered and may give the impression of tooting my own horn, but my inner being tells me, "You can do better and more, and even if you should, you are still an unworthy servant and have only done your duty." Lk. 17:10 Your prayers are being answered, because for almost a good couple of months, we had an unprecedented experience of leading people to the Lord just about every day; and we know it was your prayers at work. Willy, the young man for whom many of you have been praying for over 3 years, surrendered his life to the Lord, and his wife is a faithful member of Ruthies ladies group. The mentoring group and their friends were wandering as misfits, and they have decided to form a fellowship to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Even though this is becoming too long, I must ask you to pray for Ruthie, who is working like a squirrel and seems to be trying to out-do me (and doing a pretty good job of it). She still thinks she is 15, when the numbers are really the other way aroundŠand more.
I had better close ...till next time.
Gerry Gutierrez - December 23, 2002
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