A New Song in Colombia - Prayer Alert February 2017

​Reported By David Witt

Beautiful music rang throughout the meeting hall last week as world - renowned Cuban pianist, Frank Fernandez, honored Russell with a concert on a grand piano in Bogota, Colombia.  

Leaders and dignitaries traveled from afar to honor Russell Stendal for his contribution of the peace process.  Over three hundred people packed into a meeting room with overflow and security out the door.  The diversity of this meeting was immediately evident. Those present included retired and active generals, a colonel from the Colombian military, and police chiefs. The VIP list continued with doctors, lawyers, ministry leaders and others. Even more significant were the humble farmers, native Indians and simple Colombians thankful for Russell's help.  People traveled from Cuba, Canada, Finland and the United States. The media was spread throughout the room with cameras, video and electronic gadgetry.  The crowd covered the spectrum of worldviews ranging from Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, liberals, conservatives, converted to faith in Christ and unconverted.  All had come to support Russell and to honor him in his contribution to the Colombian Peace Accord.  

Every person in attendance had a story and a connection with Russell and the Stendal family.  Pianist, Frank Fernandez, is a Marxist leader from Cuba with great influence. Two years ago, he clearly stated, he was an atheist. Russell and Albert built a relationship with him in friendship and prayer. They found out about his troubled childhood of rejection and hurt received from his father. They pointed Frank towards the Heavenly Father as the one who heals pain and mends through forgiveness. During this season, Frank had a major concert in Havana. His ring finger cartilage was deteriorating and causing problems with movement and pain.  Like a surgeon's hands, this problem could destroy his career. Albert prayed for his finger and Frank experienced healing.  Albert (91 years young) traveled from the United States to attend the celebration and a couple of times during the concert, Frank held up his right ring finger and smiled as he looked at Albert. The audience was enthralled with the passion, gifting and mastery with which Frank played classical pieces of Chopin, Mozart, Bach and others. Russell commented afterwards that Frank made sounds from the piano that he did not know were possible. We all whole-heartedly agreed! Above the quality of music, was Frank's love and appreciation for Russell. The subtlety of all this is Frank's heart warming toward Christ's love shown through Russell. 

For years, Russell has programed redemptive music along with Bible teaching into radio programs that broadcast 24/7 throughout the remote regions of Colombia. Music has power to penetrate the heart and soul. As displayed in the book of Psalms, David played his harp to calm the evil forces raging in King Saul.  We read in the Old Testament that musicians led the Ark of the Covenant and the Israelites before battle. Over the years, Russell has written poems that speak to the injustices of the civil war and the hope of Colombia to turn to God.  Another musician who has been touched by the radio and teaching ministry is Oscar. Oscar is featured on radio programs in Colombia on a regular basis. Specifically, Oscar put Russell's poems to music in the Mariachi style.  During the night of celebration, Oscar's Mariachi band played these songs to express their honor and tribute to Russell. His music was a wonderful blend of high quality talent, entertainment and inspiration. A copy of the words were passed out to guests in Spanish and translated in English. Below is one song expressing how God used Russell being taken hostage many
 years ago.

 THE KIDNAPPING

Flying in my airplane
I was heading for work
I said goodbye to my wife
I gave my family a hug
We were going to the area
Where I sold fish.

When I arrived at this place
Something surprised me 
I heard gun shots
And I asked, “What happened?”
They told me: “Nothing Russell
I will solve this.”

I went outside
And two men came up to me
With rifles in their hands
They interned me in the jungle,
I asked, “What is going on friend?”
They said, “You are kidnapped.”

A shiver ran up me
From my feet to my head.
We boarded a boat
And this story barely begins
They had no clue
What would be their surprise

When we were sitting
The commander approached me
He said, “What are you talking about?”
I responded, “About the Lord.
I want to share with you
What God has taught me.”

A year later they came back
To ask me for forgiveness
I invited them to the house
I shared to them about God
And finally they understood me
God touched their hearts.

Many years have passed
Since that happened
My experience was not in vain
I understand that today.

Music and Radio teaching continues to touch millions of Colombians and is now even carried into other Latin American countries. The work being done through the Holy Spirit in Russell and others with him in Colombia is becoming more and more known. Requests for more radio stations, Bibles and Christian literature is growing. Please pray for provision as the needs of the Colombian people are increasing and the country is in transition. Thank you for your support during this vital and exciting time in Colombia.