Dear friends and ministry partners,
I hope y’all are well, and that your motivation to walk in obedience to God’s word is stronger than ever. We are doing well here by the strength and the power of God, who refills our cup as often as we seek Him and worship Him with all of our heart. Our biggest struggle is that so many times we wait to give our burdens to Him until we are tired and wore out of carrying them before we hand them over to Him and allow Him to relieve us and refill our empty cup with renewed energy and strength.
“Do what?” asked Chris as he came in the door and overheard me tell the others about the new court summons from Waspam. ” So what is the case about this time” he asked. I explained that it was again from the same group of people that have been trying to run us out of town by trying to prove that our land papers were not legal. (This group of about a half a dozen families has taken me to court 8 times over the last 5 years, with almost every false accusation under the sun, trying to somehow gain control over us so they can pressure us into paying them money every month.)
” But in the court case last month the territorial president and territorial judge said that all our land papers were legal, and closed the case,” protested Chris. Yes, that was the case, but it is obvious that Satan has not given up yet on shutting down this work of the gospel. He has taken these three men captive (who are in the lead at the moment) to be his slaves to do his work. They have said they will continue until they have completely destroyed us, or have run us out of the country, even if they die doing it.
“But really, what can they do? The case has already been examined and closed by the territorial judge and president, so nothing will come out of it,” I said. But little did I know that these men had join forces with the religious leader in Waspam who also hates our guts, and gone to the judge in Waspam and told her all the hideous lies about me they could come up with.
But to be on the safe side I asked the territorial leaders if they would go with me to court, so they could explain to the judge what they see in the case. Because I had noticed that the last few times I was in the Waspam court the judge there greatly disliked me. They agreed, and when the time came they went along.
When we got to court we were in for a surprise. The judge did not allow the territorial leaders into the courtroom, because she had already made up her mind that she was going to do whatever it takes to run us out of the country. Her conduct that day was not that of a judge whatsoever.
She only allowed my opponents to speak, falsely accusing me of all kinds of serious crimes. While they were accusing me, she jumped in with them accusing and lecturing me and telling me how terrible and stupid I was. She told my opposing party that they have every right to run us off our land and to take over by whatever means they want to, even breaking our buildings down if they need to.
After she finally gave me a few minutes to speak, I told her that I don’t have much to say, but want to inform her that the majority of the people in our village and the villages around us do not have a problem with us, and that this case has already been dealt with by the territorial leaders and has been closed. And that they are willing to talk to her about what’s going on in their territory, if she’s willing to hear them.
At hearing mention of the territorial president and judge she cussed them out right there in the courtroom, and said they and their work doesn’t amount to anything. I told her that I respect my leaders and their work, but if she doesn’t want to respect them, this case might go to higher court, because they were given authority by the government. With this she ordered me out of the courtroom.
There were some people standing on the outside of the courtroom listening, and someone got a recording of what happened. When the territorial leaders heard how the judge disrespected them and didn’t honor their work, they were greatly upset. They immediately called their authorities and told them what happened. With that the case was accepted by the next level of court and officials.
Long story short, this past Saturday there was a huge court case about what happened in Waspam court. There were many high ranking officials there to hear the case, including an official who works next to the president of this country. Many of our village people were there, the village leaders of 9 other villages, as well as our territorial leaders, all speaking in our favor, telling of all the good things that we have done to help them, and that the opponents are just jealous that they can’t get their hands on all that money themselves.
After the officials heard all these things, and the opposing party not being able to come up with one thing we had done that violated the law, or people’s right, they encouraged us to keep going. They gave harsh warnings to the opposing party about their behavior, and told them to leave us alone, because if they keep stirring up trouble they will find themselves in trouble.
We are greatly rejoicing over this victory! We praise God for touching the hearts of these great officials to look upon us with favor, and to rule justly for the sake of the people. God knows that we are not here to seek or receive anything for ourselves, but to seek the lost and introduce them to the loving Lord who desires to save their soul, as well as binding the forces of darkness that keep the people from being able to see the light.
We know that this spirit of oppression is what has kept the Miskito people in bondage and fear for many years, keeping them from being able to move forward out of poverty. Just like these few oppressors and fear mongers who are only interested in fulfilling their own lustful desires, even if it means hurting thousands of their own people to get what they want. We know there will still be many more spiritual battles that need to be won, but we are praising God for what has been won.
An investigation has been launched on the judge in Waspam, and it sounds like she will probably be removed from her position. It is said that she has had many complaints against her about ruling unjustly, and that the recording that was gotten was the hard evidence they needed to build the case against her.
We are honored that God has called us to be a part of such a great work as to free a people group from such spiritual darkness. I want to also thank each and everyone of you as part of our team for all the prayers and support that you give.
It is interesting to think back and remember how God brought each one of you on board with this ministry. Each one of you is special to us, because we know it was God who connected us. God has chosen you to be a faithful vessel to take the gospel to the lost and dying. Thank you for doing your assignment, which causes it all to work together for the salvation of many people. Your brother and coworker for the kingdom, from Eli Lee and the team on the ground.
PS. A little feedback and encouragement for those of you who give for a certain program. The good deeds that came up most at the hearing where; the Old People and Widows Sponsorship Program, the Love Tubs, the Emergency Medical Transport, and helping the churches. These are programs that have repeatedly caused people to speak favorable of us, and opened many doors for us to go into other villages. Thank you for financially supporting these programs!
And many thanks to the ones who give without specifying a program! That is what enables us to continue to operate, making it possible for us to do everything we do here.
