A Special Gift from God

20 years of El Libertador Radio, and an astonishing reconciliation. God’s presence after a hectic time, our most recent online conference, a blessed anniversary, and a special event from our radio work in Uruguay.

During the final days of Carnival, our church hosted a three-day retreat on the topic of integrity. The days leading up to it had been hectic, and Isabelle and I arrived somewhat exhausted. But God had prepared a special gift for the congregation that reinvigorated all of us: His perceptible presence.

The speaker, who was a brother from our congregation, laid a strong foundation for the subject matter from Isaiah’s vision of the Lord on His throne. God was the focus during these days. Several participants were deeply moved as their guilt was brought into the light. There were tears, confessions, and deep lasting joy as a result.

Online Conference: “Life or Death After Death”

Midnight Call in Uruguay, Argentina, and Guatemala held this online conference. The studio in Montevideo holds and broadcasts the conference twice per year. However, the preparations begin months in advance, with the cooperation of Midnight Call teams in the three countries.

Stephan Beitze contributed a presentation illuminating the various resurrections found in the Bible. Gerardo Latini, director of Word of Life’s Bible Institute in Argentina, spoke about the upcoming judgments.

20 Years of El Libertador Radio: Thanks, and the Gospel at the Grill

A sheep was roasting on the embers at the town barbecue site in Vergara for a special celebration: El Libertador Radio was celebrating its 20th anniversary. The team from Montevideo, as well as local staff, reporters, and politicians were invited. Over a friendly lunch, we thanked God for two decades of radio ministry, and shared the gospel with our guests using simple words.

Reconciliation with Diver: A Small Miracle

Diver is a special part of the radio station. He’s a retired high school teacher. He’s not a believer, but he’s been active with the station for 17 years, through a folklore broadcast and a sports one. During our monthly visits to Vergara, we always have interesting conversations with him. His personality is complex, so many people are surprised at how well we get along with him.

A while back, however, Diver was deeply aggravated. Because he was at a bicycle race, he wasn’t able to broadcast a local soccer match that took place at the same time. He angrily said on the phone, “If you don’t value my years of service, I’ll never set foot in the studio again!” I tried to explain to him that the race broadcast had been scheduled and paid for long ago, and that this wasn’t at all intended to diminish his valuable work. But he dug in and hung up without saying goodbye.

We prayed intensely for him, although Diver has a reputation for holding a grudge. And the Lord performed a small miracle: The next day he called me and said tersely, “I take back what I said yesterday!” Since then, we’ve been meeting regularly in the studio to chat after his broadcast.

How important prayer is—both for our listeners and our commentators!