Milton update

Those of you who receive our prayer requests know that these last few days God is doing a great work in Milton's life. So many of you have asked for updates and assured us of your prayers. Thank you for partaking in Milton's life with us!

Two weeks ago Gloria told us (in tears) that Milton's wife's sister Elvia was again pregnant from him. Little Benjamin, the first baby, is just a little over a year old. Over the last few months we had seen Milton's relationship with his wife and kids deteriorating even farther, but had not known specifics. One day last week Milton came to talk to Andy Shaub and shared that he was miserable. "Why do I do what is wrong?" he asked.

So much damage has been done, not only to Milton's immediate kids and family, but in the eyes of the communities around us (Milton is vice-president of the Rio Verde community and is often placed in a leadership role.) Oh, how our hearts ached to think of the continuing bad testimony not only to the church but to the name of God. We really didn't know what to do, but with the Shaubs sought God's help, and prayed, and prayed, and shared with many of you and prayed some more....

This week Andy, Paulino, and I called Milton to come to a meeting Tuesday morning, (and he came!) where we confronted him with his continued sin. Milton theoretically agreed---he knows he has done wrong in God's eyes---but challenged and argued as we asked him to agree to stop the relationship with his sister-in-law and to come to study God's word and receive teaching each week. We gave him a choice---to submit to what we were asking, or we would need to take some more steps (like going before each community to clarify that Milton was not following God or submitting to the church leadership, as many were saying that I, as the church pastor, was allowing or even encouraging Milton to have two 'wives').

Thursday another meeting was planned with Paulino and I, as the Shaub family was in Ibarra. Again, Milton showed up, but was angry and argumentative. After a time of listening to him, I didn't know how to continue. We had asked him to sign the 'contract', laying out what we said above...promising to stop the immoral relationship and attending church and a Bible study each week. (While signing a paper like that would not make Milton 'righteous', it would give him some clear steps to take to head in the right direction. Signing a paper like this works well in the Awa culture, emphasizing the seriousness of his situation.) Feeling there was no more that I could do or say I just prayed outloud, just asking God to change Milton's heart, recognizing that we needed God's help and intervention. After the prayer, Milton broke down in tears, confessing his sin to his brother Paulino and hugging him, and confessing his sin to me. We all three prayed and Milton just poured out his heart to God, confessing his sin and asking for forgiveness and help. He said that he was willing to do all that we had asked him to, and willingly signed the paper (although by this point I wasn't sure it was even needed.) He admitted his weakness and asked for our help, sharing his longing to return to the fellowship and help of the believers, and to hearing God's word taught. He knows he is unable to rebuild his relationship with his wife and family without God's intervention.

As we left the room where we were meeting, Milton saw Kathy and again confessed his sin to her, asking for forgiveness, expressing again his longing to listen and submit to God and His word, and to humbly admit his sin and leave it behind and ask for forgiveness from everyone.

What an amazing change! Milton had gone into the room angry and upset, and came out humble and repentant. We can only praise God for the change and we attribute this change to God's answer to the many prayers going up on his behalf. Some of you were praying even as we met.

Saturday morning we met again and watched a portion of the Jesus movie...so Milton could be reminded of how His Savior had died for him, and because of that sacrifice his sins are paid for. Please keep praying for a continuing deepening repentance and understanding of what Jesus' sacrifice means for him.

The next few days and weeks are going to be a huge battle for Milton. He is reaping a harvest of what he has sown. He is going to need our prayers and much help from God. Time will tell if he will allow God to be his strength thru the next weeks and months. We are reminded that there is a great spiritual battle going on for the lives and hearts of men! Thank you for 'fighting' alongside us through your prayers.

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy