Rice and Beans

No matter what you’re having for dinner in Belize, one thing is sure: it will always come with rice and beans. As common as that sounds, there is nothing typical about Belizean rice and beans—cooked as differently and individually from chef to chef as you can imagine. Thus, the phrase “rice and beans” is used (kindly, not sarcastically) to describe the diverse population of Belize.

Perhaps because they are so aware that their differences can carry the poison of disunity, the evangelical churches in San Ignacio have established a group called “Churches United.” By divine appointment, God opened a door for Altha and I to meet with the president of this group last Wednesday night.

As we shared the “Dying to Live Abundant Life” materials with him, we could see he was quickened. He could see that the teaching of the cross could not only unify but strengthen the pastors. We believe the Lord has called us ‘for such a time as this’ to teach sound doctrine and the panoramic view of the Christian walk as presented in “Unless a Grain of Wheat: Treasures of Truth.” Without these foundational truths, how will these pastors stand against the satanic forces and break down the demonic strongholds in Belize?

Now, moving forward, there are two important things to report. First, we have commissioned a local couple—Anastacio and Blanch Bol—to be our “missionaries-in-training” from Well of Life Ministries. They will be our extension ‘in-country.’ For the next 3 months, they will be studying & preparing to help train young men and women, and further equip resident pastors and their wives. Second, in furthering our own unity in ministry, Altha & I are changing the name of our conference teaching to “Come Up Higher: Dying to Live the Abundant Life,” joining Atlha’s book “Come Up Higher” (being translated into Spanish) with my book “Are You Dying to Life the Abundant Life?” In our complimentary gifting and emphases, dare I say (affectionately) that Altha and I are modeling the principle of ‘rice and beans?’