As we met with our ITI leaders from across Latin America, we met someone new and became better informed about a tragic global situation.  Venezuela is a nation mired in pain.  Inflation makes buying life necessities a challenge.  Many flee the country in hopes of relief.  Pastors and churches remain to care for people with limited resources.  Gerardo (pictured right) is one such pastor. 

Juvenal and Katty, our Latin American leaders, felt impressed to travel to Venezuela to meet with leaders there.  They desired to help and found large numbers of pastors desiring to be better equipped to bring Jesus to their nation.  They also brought Gerardo back with them to Peru.

In two months, a Latin America ITI team will travel to  provide the first International Training Institute to dozens of Venezuelan leaders.  Multiplication!

A couple weeks ago, a ministry team worked north of Lima, Peru. We encouraged flexibility as opportunities occur unexpectedly.  Doug and Tom were invited to speak at a local high school.  The school director was an agnostic and provided only a brief time for them to speak on values, but not religion.

During the talk, the teacher appreciated the explanation of intrinsic and extrinsic values and asked the team to continue beyond their time limit.  Then came the questions … “Could we come to the church?  The sports camp?  The clinic?”  A game of soccer, music, and testimonies deepened relationships.  Everyone enjoyed new friendships.  And everyone heard the Good News of Jesus and stories of how He changes lives.

It’s a fascinating global experience occurring every 4 years … the World Cup.  Teams from many countries gather to play for the coveted title of being the world’s best national team on the soccer field.  (Sorry, Team USA missed the cut on this one.)  I noticed groups of people who didn’t know each other, coming from different nations, gathered around smart phones in airports or televisions in restaurants to cheer their favorites or mourn a painful loss.  But what really amazed me was how this single event brought people together with their interests, opinions, and even passions.  I thought of something similar, yet more significant that is happening among God’s people.

We’re coming out of an amazing two month season of travel as teams have trained leaders in 8 countries through 13 International Training Institutes, as well as ministry teams at work in Kenya, Uganda, and Peru.  Whew!  There have been great stories of God at work, God arranged connections, and changed lives.  However, my attention focused on the passion evident in teams of men and women coming together to advance the work of God’s Kingdom.  At Network Beyond, we are proud to call them friends and partners and happy to share their stories.

These partners come from  various nations, including our own … like the 21 ITI leaders (pictured above) from across Latin America who joined us for two days of training, prayer, and encouragement.  They expand training into Latin America to develop other leaders.

Or, like the courageous hearing impaired leaders who overcame fears to teach other deaf leaders for the first time.  They did well.

Or, like our Uganda and Peruvian initiative leaders who devote vacation time to serve others.  Their passion to  serve Jesus inspires.  Some risk taking the Good News as they move into North Africa or a troubled Venezuela.

Another example is Kelly, who directs the work in Uganda.  She traveled to almost every corner of that  nation over past weeks teaching and implementing multiplication and spiritual movement thinking within ministries.  We are especially interested in seeing these movements of disciple-making develop.

A new development in Uganda focused on the remarkable growth of health care workers who integrate their love for Jesus with a desire to elevate the health of people and communities.  With 380 workers already trained and nearly that number involved in 2018 trainings, we are encouraged and supportive.  These workers practice medicine in ways that address the needs of the whole person … they work together with passion!