NEWS FROM HQ

Serving the Lord in the Andes Mission

Rev. and Mrs. Paul N. Durand Correo Santa Clara

Bulnes, Ñuble, Chile August 2021

“Thou shalt not kill.”   Exodus 20:13

To go against conscience is neither right nor safe.  Here I stand, I can do no other.  So help me God.  Martin Luther

Dear Prayer Warriors,

     Greetings in the Blessed Name of our Saviour and Lord.  Thank you for thinking of us and praying for us, as well as for the work of the Lord here in Chile.

     Our Lord calls upon us to promote life and to do no harm to the life and well-being of others or ourselves.  He also taught us that “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” is the second greatest commandment of the Law.  Many doctors have also sworn to seek “the benefit” of their patients “and abstain from whatever is deleterious [which means ‘harmful, often in a subtle or unexpected way’ (Merriam-Webster)],” since the time of Hippocrates.  To harm or injure by error is also contrary to God’s revealed will, the law of love.  We are required to give due diligence in order to truly be a blessing and not misguide, or cause to another that which we would not desire to bring upon ourselves.  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

     We promote life on earth, and eternal life through Christ by the Gospel through the salvation of souls.  We oppose death on earth, and eternal death by warning men of impending doom at the coming judgment to all the impenitent, who turn not to the Lord through faith.  We seek to bless others in many ways in order that they may be blessed through the gift of eternal blessing in Christ.  The Apostle Paul has taught us to “do good unto all men . . .”

     We have a serious prayer need with respect to our travel.  This is an issue that we believe is directly related to our own well-being and ability to continue serving others within the Lord’s will (that is, related to being alive, healthy and free).  We have no confidence in the safety of the testing which is currently being required to travel by air into both the U.S. and Chile.  We are thankful that the FDA is planning to cease usage of the fraudulent PCR test on Dec. 31, 2021, but it is unclear as to what may be required thereafter.  We do not feel free in our conscience to submit ourselves nor our children to an invasive medical procedure that we believe to be unwarranted and potentially harmful.  We do not believe there is warrant for surrendering our bodies to medical personnel, nor submitting to a non-invasive test which may be required under false pretenses.  Though the latter could potentially be less of a problem, it could still challenge our ability to travel or remain together as a family while in transit, which is a serious problem.

     Martin Luther bore witness to the truth of the Gospel in the early sixteenth century.  He was not able to retract his writings because of his awareness that he had written them in good conscience, he believed them correct and that he had spoken the truth.  While our current difficulty is quite a different matter, nevertheless, it is an issue of conscience.  We ought not to do that which we believe would be an infringement of God’s command.  We also have an obligation to protect our children.  We must seek to be guided by what we believe to be the truth.  Others may have a contrary opinion, but we are responsible to God and our conscience, which we seek to inform with truth and by good judgment.  We pray for wisdom and ask you to please pray with us that our Lord will grant us His guidance, give us peace, direct our decision-making and steps in grace, protect and keep us in His good will by His providence.

    We were able to visit briefly with three families when we made a necessary trip with Faith to renew her passport, thankful for journeying mercies.  Please continue to pray for Rodolfo and his family (salvation and the restoration of their family); in June we helped celebrate his daughter Martina’s birthday in our home along with her mother and grandparents, together with Isaac’s birthday and his family.  Pray for Isadora; since mid-June Cheryl has been tutoring her in English.  (At left: Sarah watches Sammy, as usual!)

     It is winter in the southern hemisphere and we are glad to be almost through it.  Please pray for our health.  Francisco and his mother-in-law Margarita came down very ill and were hospitalized, being diagnosed with covid.  Praise the Lord, they are both recovering well in answer to prayer, though he had a very serious case of pneumonia and she was in the ICU for a long time.  Pray for them; Francisco began regularly leading family devotions, which he ought to keep doing.

     In late July we had an extended visit from a family who would like to move here soon after a home-birth (pray for), Lord-willing, if possible.  They were here for two Lord’s days with their children and Juan met with Paul for couple of Bible studies.  While our brethren were here, our Katie Isabel recited the answers for the entire Westminster Shorter Catechism! (Photo right.)  Please pray for Juan and his family.

     For many weeks Stefany has been connecting online with us regularly for our evening services; and Jessica and her children, who are back in Antofagasta for the time being, have begun connecting online for worship and our afternoon Bible class during the past few Lord’s days.

Paul continues visiting with Julio by telephone each week and recently his family was here to help José Luis and Rocío with their house.  Lately, Julio has been translating “The Holy War” by John Bunyan for one of the publishers for which he provides translations.  Please pray for their neighbor Estrella who meets with them every day for devotions.

Praise the Lord, Joaquín has recovered well from his injury in May and he and his brother are now back in our home-school with us.

     Please pray for Jessica’s uncle, Don Luis, who is doing some work for us; for Claudio, Jimena (is very ill, unable to walk), and their daughters; and for Rosita.  We continue having occasional Bible studies with her and she has an operation scheduled for September 7th.  Another pastor has invited Paul and Isaiah to speak at a men’s conference on Family Worship, which he hopes to have in September.  Please pray for this conference and the families of this church as Paul and Isaiah speak to them.

Joyfully for Christ,

Paul and Cheryl

Geneva, Isaiah, Josiah, Anna, Sarah, Katie, Faith and John­Baptiste