Pastor Rodolpho and Family

Pastor Rodolpho's "church" is where we worked last week in Chincha, Peru. I say "church" because there is no building right now due to the earthquake last year. This is his earthquake faith story.

Pastor Roldopho told us that after the earthquake hit he had his family and nothing else. His house was gone. His church was leveled. His family had no food or clothing or shelter. For many nights his family lived in a tent provided by the government. Many in Chincha still do. He said he thought his ministry was over because his denomination had no money to rebuild his church. He was prepared to leave Chincha.

Three days later his extended family arrived from Lima with supplies. But they also came to take he and his family back to Lima to live. They already had an apartment arranged for him and told him there was even a church next door that needed to hire a pastor. It sounded perfect.

Enter God. The one who knows the plans he has for us. Pastor told us that the night before he was set to leave, God woke him up in the middle of the night (just like God I am learning).............and told him to stay.........in Chincha. God gave him 2 Corinthians 4:7 to chew on: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (NIV) As I read on the next verses seem to fit too: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (NIV)

Pastor Rodolpho said the treasure in the jar is life. That it was his life and he was thankful he had it. God told him to stay and God would rebuild his church and ministry.

That is happening.

He plans for church construction to be done for his congregation of about 70 this February. From the all-surpassing power of God and not man.