THE CLOSING OF A CHAPTER
by Erwin Bourne—March 14, 2002
A chapter is not a book any more than a sentence is a
chapter. Each sentence contains thought and
information which completes a chapter. A chapter
closes with the suggestion that there is more to
follow. Its closing sentence leaves you with
anticipation. You place the bookmark there, with the
keen desire to read on when you have time. The
chapter’s closing sentence is not the end of the
narrative. You want to know “the rest of the story”.
Paul Harvey is a master teller of tales. God is
writing a chronicle of our lives. We must close each
chapter with a hope for better things ahead.
I have a book that I have been working on for a number
of years. It is called THE ITINERENT MISSIONARY. The
final chapter(s) are not as yet written. We have
closed two sections (Alaska, Mexico); and chapter
after chapter in other areas. I have this manuscript
in a large three-ring notebook in my desk. I also
have it on two floppy disks, and it is on the hard
drive of my computer. Also God has a copy in heaven.
It will not get lost.
Yesterday, March 13, 2002, AMA, within the Casa
Grande, closed a chapter. For eight months Max
Brander has been pastoring a group of families here in
the OFFICE building. This edifice was Evaristo’s
office building before his arrest in December, 1995.
The release of this brother of Ivàn Porras is now
pending day by day. Let me insert that we would never
have gotten into this grand estate were it not for
these former events. Don Ivàn has become increasingly
disturbed over the many, many guests the pastor, Max,
has been overnighting in the OFFICE. He and I have
talked to Max but the matter seems to have gotten
worse. Max and his family were asked to leave. Also
there can be no more church services. By night the
place was vacated.
I WOULD CALL THIS “A CLASH OF CULTURES”
Perhaps this is Divine intervention. We are looking
for another site within a nearby—but very
poor—subdivision to continue with weekly services.
Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him
up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also
give us everything else? (Rom. 8:32 ). The AMA
mission base continues to function as before at the
Casa Grande.
—Erwin and Jean Bourne