World Renewal International

Thanks to all who made the Birthday Party for Jesus possible for children in Brazil, Mexico and Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In this picture Heather Moraes is preparing the gifts for the children of Brazil. Helping her are Dan, Cody Jessup and her mother.

Carol and I were blessed by a Christmas card from my cousin Max and his wife Lea. The card read,

"From His first cry in Bethlehem to his final cry at Calvary he has never stopped His undying love for us."

I can't imagine it being said better. Thank to all and for stopping by.

WITHOUT HOPE…. THEN JESUS CAME
By Gary Wright
I first wrote this story 8 years ago. Now it continues. God gives us such encouraging moments.

I had just spoken to the leaders of the various mission organizations at our first Mission Conference sponsored by our new seminary in Carpina, Brazil. Walking across the lobby of the seminary I was introduced to Benjamin. Benjamin was a casually but neatly dressed Brazilian in his mid-fifties. It was obvious to me from the shaking of his body he had Parkinson’s disease.

Tele Moraes, our World Renewal Brazil President, asked me to talk to him, which I found odd since I can’t speak Portuguese. Nevertheless, with Tele as my translator, Benjamin introduced himself to both of us. He had noticed on several occasions the sign of the seminary and wondered who and what we were.

If ever I met a desperate man who had lost hope, it was Benjamin. Once a prominent math teacher, trained in the best schools and universities, Benjamin had lost his job because of the disease. Not even his prestigious family heritage of famous doctors could keep him from living on a meager pension. Benjamin’s social life with friends had vanished, as friends felt uncomfortable with his shaking body and voice. Unsure of how to relate to Benjamin they stopped associating with him. Benjamin’s face was tense, sad and tearful as he poured out his miserable state in life. This was not a man whining. This was a man in the greatest state of despair. One friend said, “Just put a bullet in your head and end this!” Benjamin said, “I still respect life, I can’t take my life, but what do I do? No one wants to be around me. My daughter and granddaughter live with my wife and I. It is a joy to have them, but it is a financial burden too. I am trapped into deciding between my medicine and milk for the baby.”

Benjamin continually ran his fingers through his hair and over his face as a man does when he is under great stress. He had even gone to a priest and a childhood friend who is a pastor. They provided no answers.

I began to talk to Benjamin and ask him questions. I said, “Peter and John in Acts 4 went up to the temple to pray and found a crippled man begging. I am going to tell you Benjamin what they told him, ‘Silver and Gold, I do not have but what I have I give to you.’ Benjamin I give you Jesus.”

I noticed Benjamin focused his eyes on mine as Tele translated my words. I could tell he was touched and attracted to what I was saying. I could feel the “Jesus Factor” drawing him in. “When I was a boy, I use to listen to an old pastor on the radio talk about Christ, it gives me chills on my arm as I think about it,” he said rubbing his arm.

I shared the plan of salvation with him emphasizing God’s desire to join him in the battle with this disease. I encouraged him that the seminary and our churches were full of people who would not reject him because of his illness, but would join him in overcoming in his battle. Was he ready to pray and receive Christ I asked? “I did that when I was a young boy, he confessed.” I encouraged him to go back and pick up his cross where he had laid it down. He smiled at me and he repeated a simple prayer of repentance through translation.

When Benjamin raised his head and looked at me, I immediately saw the transformation. With each second it seemed desperation and despair were being replaced by joy, peace and hope. Soon a broad smile radiated from Benjamin’s face. Physically he still had Parkinson’s but he was being changed by the sweet spirit of Jesus from the inside out.

He suddenly asked, “Where are you from and who are you?” Tele explained where I was from and that I was only there for a few hours. He had heard of Indianapolis because of the Speedway. Then a thought hit him like a shot. “You are both the Presidents of World Renewal and World Renewal – Brazil and I have both of you.” He glanced around the lobby at all the busy people. I knew God was making Benjamin feel special. He looked at me and said, “And you are here all the way from Indiana in the USA? (about 7000 miles) God sent you to me didn’t he?” Suddenly, Benjamin smiled, then laughed, he realized what God was doing. Then we all cried together tears of joy. Without hope, then Jesus made the “divine intervention.”

Today, December 14, 2010 I was setting in the cafeteria of our school in Brazil. In walked Benjamin. He lives many miles away and had not visited the school for many years. It just happened he stopped today! He told us of his life in Christ. He lives with his daughter and her family and attends church with them.

We reminisced of the moment he accepted Christ, he pointing to the geographical spot, and cried and prayed together. It was an awesome moment for me. “Thank you Jesus for more than I could ask or imagine.” Oh, what a Savior, O Hallelujah!
God pursues those lost children, He does not give up.
Thanks for stopping by.

Picture taken 12/14/2010

It was a joy to see Glory Sports Ministry in Brazil, a ministry of soccer our son Jon Wright started this spring. It has grown from a handful to over 140 boys each week. I had prayer with them before they loaded the bus to play a nearby city, their first road trip. The ministry combines sports with Christ and the Bible. Next we hope to add volleyball for girls.

"Rejoice, yes, and to really think about it, again I say, 'Rejoice!" I think that is what the Apostle was saying as he closed his letter to the Philippian church. I feel that way. 2010 was a tough year for us earthquakes, cholera, floods, financial down year, loss of security in some sensitive countries, yet look what God has done! New orphanage facility in Haiti, new retreat facility in the Dominican Republic, launching of Recovery ministries in Brazil and Mexico City along with Glory Sports in Brazil. The planting of new churches in Mexico, Haiti and Brazil.

JESUS CHRIST + ALL of These Things + Your Help + MORE OF GOD = Changed Lives=New Christ Followers!!!! GREAT FORMULA, HUH?

RENEWAL the band is 21 years old. Wow! I feel the miles on my body, I thank God for His safety over those miles and the thousands of lives changed. PTL forever!!!!

Again I say rejoice!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by. I am on my way to see the wonderful people of Brazil.