Prayer Alerts |
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.
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This year concludes with renewed hope for the country of Colombia. The Peace Accord that took a long four years to negotiate (with serious obstacles at every turn) is now approved and being implemented. The longest civil war in modern history has ended after 52 bitter and bloody years. However, many dangers continue on the horizon. Spiritual and social decay abound in the big cities even while incredible revival is taking place in rural areas. The tentacles of the overwhelming narcotics industry and its corrupt mafias have infiltrated politics and society.
On the bright side, many of those who were trapped as actors in the armed conflict will now be free to begin a new life. Those who committed war crimes will be sentenced up to eight years of making restitution to their victims, if they confess the truth (otherwise they will face an automatic twenty years of hard prison). Untold thousands of men and women who bore arms listen to our radio broadcasts and read our books and Bibles hoping for the day when they would be free to follow their conscience and serve the Lord. Please pray their hopes and dreams may now become reality. The future of this nation will depend on those who have clean hearts and who will speak the truth without fear or favor of man. Many congregations, pastors and Christian leaders in predominantly rural areas who were severely persecuted will also have unprecedented freedom and liberty. Pray that this opportunity will be used wisely. People living in war-torn areas…where churches were destroyed, Christian meetings and events were prohibited, Bibles restricted, will now be able to congregate without fear. Pray that Bibles will be available for all who desire one and the flurry of unrestricted Christian meetings will be pleasing to the Lord. In other areas, particularly ethnic Indian reserves and along the borders, serious persecution is still going on along with increasing revival. Radio Ministry Some of our radio ministry is in transition. We are closing some stations that existed under special conditions that favored us during the war. Please pray for wisdom as we cooperate with new stations and will be licensed under the Peace Accord. Pray that we will be able to take advantage of the new opportunities that we have been asked to participate in. The new stations have the potential to be very powerful and to also cover urban areas we have not been able to adequately reach up until now. We will continue our legal short wave, AM, FM, and Internet broadcasts as long as we have the funds and resources to pay the expenses. Damascus Gold Medallion The Colombian Army recently changed their entire doctrine or code of conduct that governs every person and every unit in order to adapt to the new period of post conflict. The new doctrine is named “Damascus” inspired by the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. I was recently awarded a special Damascus Gold Medallion for our successful work leading to the conversion of many. We continue to receive many testimonies from soldiers and police whose lives have been transformed and who are now involved in successful ministry. Praise the Lord! The Colombian staff has been diligently doing what we have done for decades…comforting, encouraging and helping Colombians turn from their own wisdom to the wisdom of God and His Word. Many are soul-searching here in Colombia. A strong thread running through is the question of being willing to forgive the individual guerrillas versus forgiving the FARC as an organization that desires to disarm and become a “peaceful” political movement.
The population voted down the Colombian Peace Treaty on October 2nd by 50.2%. The bilateral cease fire remains in place and the guerrillas went on record saying they desire to continue negotiations and will not resort to weapons or violence ever again. Even so, uncertainty reigns. There were many reasons behind the “no” vote and the nation is polarized. Obviously, there are many on both sides unable or unwilling to forgive and forget. The polling was way off and the tipping point seems to be government negotiators insisting on embedding several paragraphs of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) agenda in the midst of the 276-page Peace Treaty that was destined to become part of the Constitution if approved by the people. They failed to realize over half of the nation took this as a sneaky assault on traditional family and the sanctity of marriage. A few weeks ago there were massive protests by over a million people against an aggressive and intolerant LGBT agenda that was being imposed on the schools by the lesbian Minister of Education. The President and the Minister were forced to back off and apologize. However, the President turned around and put the same Minister of Education in charge of marshaling a “yes” vote on the Peace Treaty, effectively sealing its fate. To top everything else off, Hurricane Matthew swept the north coast of Colombia with its tail on Election Day causing many people to stay home and not vote in an area that would have predominantly voted “yes”. Thank you for your support and for standing with us in prayer as we continue with the Bible distributions and ministering to others during this tumultuous time in history. Reported By: Lisa Stendal-Hernandez
Being asked to report on the recent happenings here in Colombia at this particular time is not an easy task. Much like a thrilling film, every day the plot changes, taking unexpected turns and twists, characters appear and disappear from the story line, secret intentions are revealed and the path to a happy ending seems more treacherous and obscure. We are living in an intricate and interesting time. Like the children of Israel crossing over the Jordan on the threshold of conquering the long awaited Promised Land, we are going a way we have never been before. In the midst of a thousand uncertainties regarding the political and social changes Colombia is headed towards, our instructions are simple and clear. “And Joshua commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I tell you, Shout; then ye shall shout.” Joshua 6:10 In this new realm, the battle is of the Lord and it takes place in the presence of our enemies. Every man, woman and child is brought to the battle and not left behind. Even the smallest child in the congregation has the responsibility to go to battle, following two simple instructions. One instruction is to follow the priests with the ark around dangerous Jericho, following the orders of Joshua and listening to the thundering blasts of the shofar representing a clean message coming straight from the thrown of God. In these times, even the smallest and most insignificant member of the people of God must learn to hear the voice of God directly. Secondly, do not utter a single word until ordered by Joshua to do so. So here in Colombia we feel much like this, on the eve of a great day when the Lord is going to claim victory over the giant walls of Jericho and hand over the enemy city to His people. It is an unprecedented kind of battle, that even children and babies will be a part of. Here we are with clear instructions to follow the Lord directly and wait in silence until He commands us to SHOUT. The foundations of the walls of Jericho failed from the shout of God's people and the shofar in the Day of the Lord. Everyone shouted from the least to the greatest. This will happen again when the Lord decides. Here in Colombia, we feel it drawing very close. He is preparing His true people and circumcising their hearts in the very presence of their enemies. He is teaching them to walk in the presence of God following the “ark of the Lord,” shadowing the example of the true men of war of God and listening to the voice of the shofar which is the clear, unmistakable voice of our Lord Jesus. Reported By: Lisa Stendal-Hernandez
The entire Colombian nation stands at the threshold of what could possibly be the end of the 50 year old conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement. As historic as this is, it has not resulted as idyllic many had imagined the long awaited end of the war would be. There are always too many questions that unfortunately do not have simple answers. At this important crossroads in Colombian history the country is found divided and confused. Divided over polices of how and when the war should end, who should pay for the decades of bloodshed and what that cost should be. When people imagine a war ending, they don´t imagine that it might not end the way they want it to. They don´t imagine that the protagonists might not be the people they would have chosen. I don´t think a single Colombian would say they want the violence to continue. But everyone from government officials to housewives have a strong opinion as to how this conflict should end. It is harder than you think, even for me, to come to terms with the fact that if this war is to end, we all need to simply stop. To speak of forgiving and forgetting is all too easy until the time comes to actually forgive and forget. The ability to forget is something that only comes as a divine gift from God. The Lord is the only one that can make us capable of forgiving those who have done us wrong, or done our country wrong, and beyond that He can heal a nation to the point that it no longer remembers the hurt and sorrow. News headlines wanting to promote our current president will say that the Colombian government is on the brink of a historic achievement of peace, that finally the FARC have been “talked” into submission. But in reality, it is perhaps the most confusing and darkest of times in Colombian history, not only because of the many evils that have plagued us for decades, but because of new, unprecedented perversions leaked recently from within the government's top institutions including the Supreme Court and the National Police. It is a time when fear is used to label citizens, if you are against the peace talks in Havana, you are a war monger. If you are for them, you've sold your country inconsequentially to communism without the batting of an eye. Division and corruption have led to despair and too many people wonder what (if any) good can come out of all this madness. But just because it is the darkest of times does not mean that God does not stir, even shake in the darkness. People are right in not seeing a clear solution in the corrupt political, economic and religious arenas. There is none. But the Lord is orchestrating something worth showing to the world. And at the true end of it all, no-one besides Him will be able to take the credit. No noble prize seeking president or self-appointed revolutionary savior of the masses. No one. God alone will stand and it will all make sense: how one of the most violent countries in the world finally found peace and was granted the gift of being able to collectively forget. The people who are willing to be used by God will be the game-changing players. That is why now more than ever this is about a change of heart. Now more than ever, the work being done in Havana (not the “peace talks”) but the real work on God's hidden agenda is so vital. This is the time when proclaiming a clean message here in Colombia and in Cuba is so important. Please keep us, our family, friends and co-workers and the nation of Colombia in your prayers. I want to share some history about Albert Luepnitz' participation in Latin America and serving alongside Russell Stendal. The Lord partnered Albert and Russell in these latter days for spiritual harvest just like Barnabas and Paul. I have witnessed the gospel being revealed to many government officials, soldiers and people not only by His word, but with His power working through Albert and Russell. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
In the early 1980's the doctors told Albert that he would soon be in a wheelchair from an incurable degenerative back disease. The Lord miraculously healed Albert's back and heart when he was prayed for by a Christian worker. In 1981, the Lord called Albert to minister in Latin America. It was not until May of 2009 that Russell and Albert met in person. Russell was translating for Albert at a luncheon held for Colombian Officers. Sometime after this first meeting Albert prayed for Alethia, Russell's daughter, as she was having back pain from scoliosis. Alethia was immediately healed and many other family members have been healed since. In 2010, Russell and Alethia began interpreting for Albert during his ministry visits to Colombia. They were able to witness hundreds of Colombians being healed of spiritual and physical needs in the name of Jesus. Russell expressed that Albert was very humble by giving all glory to God, never asking for money and would pay for his own way on the ministry trips. Albert understood that God is sovereign and he accepted that God sometimes heals and sometimes He does not. God used Albert as a conduit of grace and truth in Jesus Christ. His main message proclaimed, God is the one who touches people and heals because of His great love for all mankind and that lost souls would be reconciled with their Heavenly Father. During 2012 the movie, La Montana, was released by Lisa Stendal-Hernandez and Alethia Stendal. It highlighted Russell's relationship with a FARC Guerrilla Commander, Noel. The movie portrays how Noel was once a soldier who guarded Russell during his five month captivity and now is a trusted friend by the power of forgiving your enemies. The Colombian Peace Accord negotiations held in Havana, Cuba between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla leadership began in 2013 and Noel was a part of the guerrilla delegation in Cuba. From Noel's recommendation, Russell received an invitation to meet with the guerrilla leadership and brought a copy of the film, La Montana. When the leaders viewed the film, it built credibility for Russell and Albert and showed that the power of God can make peace where there is no human hope for peace. In preparation for this first visit, Russell prayed about how to handle this historic invitation to finally meet with the top guerrilla leadership. This invitation was a culmination of 35 years of ministry in Colombia; Russell had distributed millions of Christian books in guerrilla controlled areas including night flights dropping materials and radios via parachutes and had installed multiple radio stations and broadcasts. The cost to Russell was three attempts by the guerrillas to assassinate him and five separate times he was taken hostage and temporarily held. The guerrilla leaders knew Russell's story and had heard gospel teachings. Now they needed a demonstration of the power of Christ. As Russell prayed about the first meeting with the guerrillas in January 2013 he was led to invite Albert. Albert joined Russell and they had a major breakthrough during that first encounter. Five of the guerrilla leaders were dramatically healed of physical needs which led them to open their minds and hearts to the teaching of the Word of God by Russell. They kept the meetings and conversions of faith with the guerrillas discreet for the first three years. In April 2013, the Lord directed Albert to urgently return to Cuba with Russell and he told the delegates, "Thus says the Lord, peace has to be God's way, not man's way or it will fail." Russell was told the FARC delegates were beginning to quit the peace process and were going home. However, when they heard the message from Albert, they decided this was from the Lord, which led them to stay the course of the peace process. After Albert returned home in Texas, he was feeling drained physically, spiritually and mentally. He had ministered for over thirty years in Colombia and was considering his travel and ministry season had come to a close. A pastor who met Albert for the first time and did not know of Albert's ministry to Latin America, encouraged him to “continue God's work in Cuba and Colombia.” Albert continued to travel to Cuba with Russell many times and several FARC generals received healing and accepted Jesus as their Savior. Political unrest Creates Opportunities for the Gospel
As the civil war in Colombia winds down, there is increasing unrest caused by past members of armed factions (who used to be under a certain amount of discipline). They are now being incorporated back into society. Criminal bands are on the rise, similar to what happened in the United States after the Civil War. In the end, it was not really the gun fighters who won the Wild West, but the preachers who were used by God to change lives. This is our hope for Colombia. Many who caused major problems in the past have now been converted. They are on their way to maturity in Christ and as this happens new ministry is coming forth. We have many testimonies that we are not at liberty to share at this time for security concerns. We see key people on all sides of the spectrum who we have been witnessing to for quite some time and who are close to being converted. In one case, a general is in prison for alleged human rights abuses. I have visited him for years. On my last visit, he lowered his head and promised to forgive all his enemies. Then, with fire in his eyes he looked back up at me and named his worst enemy and vehemently stated that he would never, ever, forgive him. Please pray for God to soften his heart. Recently, I received a message from a tough guerrilla commander back in the mountains whom I had met only once about ten years ago. Many of his men and women have become Christians listening to our radio messages and also I have witnessed to some in person. This guerrilla commander has been very frustrated with me over the years. He said to others, “When my soldiers talk to Russell they become Christians.” Recently, he sent me an invitation to visit him. I can tell that he is under intense conviction from the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your prayers and support as each day brings new challenges and opportunities for transformed lives. Cuba Update:
As the civil war in Colombia winds down, there is increasing unrest caused by past members of armed factions (who used to be under a certain amount of discipline). They are now being incorporated back into society. Criminal bands are on the rise, similar to what happened in the United States after the Civil War. In the end, it was not really the gun fighters who won the Wild West, but the preachers who were used by God to change lives. This is our hope for Colombia. Many who caused major problems in the past have now been converted. They are on their way to maturity in Christ and as this happens new ministry is coming forth. We have many testimonies that we are not at liberty to share at this time for security concerns. We see key people on all sides of the spectrum who we have been witnessing to for quite some time and who are close to being converted. In one case, a general is in prison for alleged human rights abuses. I have visited him for years. On my last visit, he lowered his head and promised to forgive all his enemies. Then, with fire in his eyes he looked back up at me and named his worst enemy and vehemently stated that he would never, ever, forgive him. Please pray for God to soften his heart. Recently, I received a message from a tough guerrilla commander back in the mountains whom I had met only once about ten years ago. Many of his men and women have become Christians listening to our radio messages and also I have witnessed to some in person. This guerrilla commander has been very frustrated with me over the years. He said to others, “When my soldiers talk to Russell they become Christians.” Recently, he sent me an invitation to visit him. I can tell that he is under intense conviction from the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your prayers and support as each day brings new challenges and opportunities for transformed lives. A PERSONAL NOTE FROM KELLY IN COLOMBIA I felt God had abandoned me after my husband Pabel was killed and I did not understand. Why did this injustice happen to a man that had dedicated his whole life to the service of God? But after God's dealings with me and my kids, I realize that it was necessary for Pabel's testimony to end so that God's work could continue directly to all the people that oppose Him. It was so that the Gentiles could hear who the Almighty God of the hosts is, who shields and watches over the widows and the orphans. I still feel pain, but when I began to walk with the Lord I told Him, “He could do whatever He pleased with me.” I gave Him my heart so that He could watch over me, and if it is necessary I am willing to give my life. I am continuing the work of evangelizing many people, as Pabel did, in places where the Lord allows me to go with His word. In my spare time, my son Israel and I load a box of Bibles onto Pabel's old motorcycle and share the gospel of the Kingdom to whomever the Lord allows. My son gives out the Bibles and I share the message the Lord places in my heart. My children and I would like to thank everyone enormously for the wonderful gift of the house I now have for my family! 2016 started off with some very long awaited good news!
Gilber, my faithful guide of ten years, who was imprisoned for over a year for helping me distribute Bibles and radios was released at 9:00 p.m. on December 23, 2015. His brother, Juan, kept one of our radio stations on the air which was on the top of a 4,000 meter high peak. Although the family received repeated death threats, Juan did not waver while his brother was in prison. After almost an entire year of battling intensely for Gilber's release from prison, we were blessed to have the two brothers, their wives and children celebrate at our house on December 24th. After months of battling on the legal front for the release of the men from prison, our lawyer was able to petition for their release based on a legal technicality because the terms had expired without them having a decent trial. We were invited to a meeting in Sumapaz on January 3, 2016 to celebrate the freedom of all the men released with Gilber. The meeting went extremely well. I was able to meet with the men as well as their families and much of the community. This is the first time anyone can remember that a missionary like me was allowed to have a town meeting and talk about the LORD. The Sumapaz Syndicate is modeled on the Bolshevek Revolution and began in 1915. This legal Syndicate (set up like a trade union) controls an area about 250 miles by 80 miles which is also the world's largest Alpine Meadow or Paramo as it is called here (all or most of it above 11,000 feet). The Syndicate has virtual control over the lives of all the people and no church buildings or religious meetings of any kind have been permitted for the last hundred years (not even Roman Catholic churches or masses). The Syndicate is closely associated with the National University (a hotbed of Communism) and with similar institutions all over the world. The Syndicate considers itself the last true holder of the torch of International Communism since the demise of the Soviet Union. According to them, places like China and Cuba are pansies and not real communists. We have crisscrossed radio coverage into this area (for close to ten years) and everyone there knows exactly what I stand for. The fact that we were able to have such a successful meeting after the release of the men, gives the Lord a real foot in the door for the Gospel. The Devil, however, was not very happy. On the way home the steering wheel coupling came off and we completely lost control of the steering on our old 1988 Toyota that has approximately 1,100,000 kilometers on it. Fortunately, this happened after we were out of the dangerous mountains and were on an expressway entering Bogota. There was a motorcycle accident on the road that forced me to slow down and then all of a sudden the steering wheel started freewheeling (completely disengaged). I was able to brake and our vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder just as if I had planned to stop there. If this would have happened up in the mountains on a hairpin turn we would have likely gone over the side. Or if it would have happened a few seconds earlier we would have hit someone or something at the scene of the motorcycle accident. Also, right when it happened there was a lull in the heavy traffic leaving room all around us as we veered through three lanes and onto the shoulder. Surely the Lord had His angels protect us. We are very thankful for this especially as there were children inside the vehicle. We continue to see the Lord's hand in every detail, in His perfect timing and in His infinite provision to do what has to be done each day at a time. Please keep praying for Gilber, Juan and their families as well as the other men and their families that they would continue to see the hand of the Lord in their lives and continue to stand for Him in this difficult area. We are sure that in 2016 we are going to see the LORD move in ways beyond our wildest imaginations. |
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