“Baldness is come upon Gaza” (Jeremiah 47:5). This otherwise routine visit to the brothers and sisters in Chile and Bolivia began on October 7th and was immediately taken over by the news and images emerging from Israel. The news reads like the prophets. Jeremiah described an Egyptian incursion into Gaza. “I will bring a fire on the wall of Gaza” are the words from Amos (1:7) in anticipation of the Assyrian. Looking forward to the Greek invasion, Zechariah says “Gaza shall see it and be very sorrowful” (9:5). Exodus 15:14 provides us with a current headline: “The people shall hear and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.” Even the story of Samson matches what is occurring now with the ancient and ongoing pattern of enmity: “… they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters …” (Judges 16:21) continue reading

In a rerun of the visit made to Bolivia and Chile in November 2022, it was the turn of the brethren in Chile on this occasion in 2023 to celebrate a baptism, while the brethren in La Paz, Bolivia continue in the one faith waiting our Lord’s return. continue reading

Changes are more noticeable after a period of absence, especially with children. The incremental changes from day to day often compound into a dramatic difference. The last 3 years have had their share of change, some of which has been by no means incremental, so, a return to Chile and Bolivia after such an absence bluntly revealed the effects of recent global upheaval. continue reading