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MISSION MESSAGES
From the.Fowlers
January-February, 1978

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CrisalidaNo. 54 (Urb. Munoz Rivera)

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00657

Telephone: 789-8716 (Area Code 809)*

LOVE THEM WITH US

"I just want to use my whole life to serve my jesus" was the testimony of Rafael Sierra as he and several other pri soners went down into the baptismal water the other day.

AND HE'S DOING IT TOO! Quite a few other prisoners have come into the Kingdom of God already as a result of
Rafael's ministry. . . and because of Bienvenido Hernandez's ministry, . . . and Wilfredo Ayala's ministry, . . . and Roberto Monteserin's ministry, . . . and several more. Each of these are new "evangelists
behind bars,"

The point is that the Holy Spirit is moving among the prisoners here in Puerto Rico - and Satan can't stop Him!
During October and November there was about a convert a

day just from former contacts that were made in counseling

sessions, therapy groups, Bible studies, and from passing out

soap, toothpaste, deodorant and Good News from cell to cell. But I confess, I'm hesitant to speak about "a convert a day" for several reasons:

1) My job is to deliver, explain and apply the Good News

about jesus, not to keep score or to pile up statistics.

2) Neither is it my job to decide who is in the Kingdom

and who isn't. Several of those who prayed to invite jesus

into their hearts (having struggled with the decision) have since taken one step forward and two steps backward as they con front Satanic opposition to their new allegiance.
I know, that's not unique to this ministry. . . we've all gone through it. But Satan has had a tremendous pull on these men through years of drug addiction, habitual crime /
and hardened lives. To change allegiance reqt||r^ a decision.

To change habits requires humility, fortitude,'iuppbrt. Pray

for these guys!

3) It's one thing to pray with a man as he invites jesusto

* Editor's Note: Did you know you can call Puerto Rico direct? In fact, from Salem, Oregon, the first minute may cost as little as $1.00. Just think the Fowlers may be only a dollar away!

take over the Lordship of his life. It is quite another thing to nurture him through the struggle of discipline and the oftenslow process of Christian maturity. The Great Commission isn't just "Make disciples." It's also

Q^^^hip.

/ teaching them the drastic implications and demands of disciBut these guys are eager. . . and desperate. Almost every day from six to twenty prisoners sit with us and share the Word of God for four, six, sometimes eight or even ten hours at a time. We've been studying things like forgiveness, the uniqueness of Jesus, the reason for the cross, reliability of the Word of God, baptism, praise, prayer, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, claiming scriptural promises, spiritual author ity, etc. We are seeing men healed of disease, resentn.!,.-: -iid sin during these sessions. They are being delivered of demonic bondage and being born into the Kingdom of God.

LET ME INTRODUcisOME
OF THESE NEW BROTHERS
TO YOU:

U-E

ROBERT MERRITT, a muscular, giant of a man, with a anooth, self-assured air of sophistication. But, as he ex

plained, **My life was going nowhere. Even with a lot of money, drugsand wild living, 1 found no purpose or meaning to life until Jesus changed my wholedirection."
Bob had an "incurable" disease (Myasthenia Gravis, from which Aristotle Onassis died) which is now completely gone

thanks to the healing power of the Great Physician.

JUERGEN GERSTEMEYER, a young man from Germany arrested on a kidnapping charge. Recently paroled back to his country, Juei^en returned as a new man, bringing the joy and message of the indwelling Jesus back to the German
people.

MIKE DiLORENZO, a man with a brilliant, logical mind,

solidly comnutted to the Lord. He*s only a few weeks old in the Lord and already has brought many people to ] esus, in cluding a guard. After his transfer to a federal penitentiary
in Missouri, ;)e writes,

"Someho^v uc

I wonder how I managed to exist for these

many p-'st yeais "wit' out God in my life. I know now that I
cannol cxts* an/nior without Him and Hisgrace. To my sur

prise, ;7:y incru:&t''on to speak to othersabout my experiences

. . . ai>d about (their) need to be bom again. . . has not

decreased. An evaiigelist I'm not, but I just have to tell peo ple what Christ has become for me."
ERIC PINNICK, unable to read or write, but has opened his heart to Jesus with enthusiasm and gratitude. He's been par oled to Boston where he is sharing Jesus with his unsaved
family.

ANGEL HERNANDEZ TANCO ("Tank'' in English), a neiwbom 300 pounder who is facing multiple life sentences, plans

to spendeternity in complete freedom withJesus.

Lots of others: Francisco"Superfly" Arce, Ruben Monzon, Nephtali Barreto, Gilbert Gonzalez. . .

Tough con-men,

Desperate junkies,

P [tjA

Love-starveddesperados, Frightened losers.

How my heart hurts for them! And what powerful testi monies of God's lovetheseguysare whenJesus touches them. I want you to know it: God chose them to be His Own.
Love them with me.

Btlp!
WANTED:

(To paraphrase Peter's prayer - Mt. 14:30)

A partner to help In the prison ministry. The

scriptural principle of being sent out two-by-two is more than a "good suggestion"; it's a necessity. There is just too much to do for one man: teaching, counseling, encouraging. There are a dozen jails on the island besides the penitentiary. One jail alone has nearly 1000 prisoners. Two months without a day off doesn't demonstrate Spirit-led priorities, so we're praying for help.

Miss Zulma Lopez, a medical technician filled with the love and power of Jesus' Holy Spirit, has been going into one of the prisons with me two days a week to help with the Bible studies. She has quit her job to step out in a faith-ministry,
full-time as a Bible teacher; and the Lord has honored that investment with many conversions and miracles accompany

ing her ministry as promised in Mark 16:17. But there-are

inevitable limitations to a woman's ministry .in a men's prison.

So. . . will you join us in praying for aSpirit-filled, Spanish- ^

speaking man with qualifications listed in I Timothy 3:1-7. /

PRAYER
POW!

POWER

We were gratified (no. . . THRILLED is really what we

were!) to read the editor's note in our last newsletter that

told of the united prayer support for our family and prison ministry.

Prayer is the most powerful ministry of all. Teaching, preaching, counseling and evangelizing are only our second
ary ministries. PRAYING is primary.

As you pray and fast once a week in our support, we will be joining you in support of YOUR ministries. Some of you have already mentioned prayer requests to us. As God has led us, we have held these up to God's attention at a prayer
group that meets at our house every Sunday evening after
church. In our prayer room is a big chalkboard on which we write requests and current prayer topics, such as: 1. 2.
3.

A plane to take tons of medical supplies to Haiti A job for Rafael Davis as he gets out of prison
Salvation for (then we list the names of those

we "bind" according to Matthew 18:18-20) 4. Revival to occur among students at Roessler Academy
5. Deliverance from alcohol for Mr. R

And so on. Big requests and little ones. We pray specifically expecting specific answers according to God's Word. And we
usually see them within a week or two, sometimes imme diately.
Then on the other side of the board we list the answers:

1.
week

300 students accept Jesus at Roessler Academy in one

2. Nora rejects Spiritism; gives life to Christ

3. Sarah's son converted

4.
Truth

Zulma's mom liberated from dead traditions to Living

(Continued)

B. Aidita's divorce proceedings canceled 6. God provided two new tires for Zulma's car

7.

Nidy's baby miraculously healed of skull deformity;

doctor was shocked; surgery canceled

8. Kathy quits adulterous relationship and agrees to follow Jesus even though it means turning herself in for a prison
sentence

9.

Angeles and Irma leave popular sect to follow Jesus

Here is where the power is: PRAYER. Especially Praise prayer. That is a main support and key to the prison minis try to which God has called us. Will you join us?

OUR SPIRITUAL COVERING

Because you prayed for it. . .

God has provided a local board of elders here to provide spiritual covering and counsel for the prison ministry. These men, each scripturally-qualified elders of local churches, have
incorporated a non-profit organization called "High Prakes Ministrie-sJ' This group's purpose of evangelism anc

'"**"^mg includes taking spiritual responsibility for all aspects asp of

our prison ministry, including laying the organizational found

ation for the Ministry Center (program for Christian parolees)

and other longer-range plans for our work here.

I What a liberating blessing this spiritual covering has been

/ yprinciple: su^tpissiQj^tp.autbQrity does not produce bondage

but freedom, relief from pressure, ancfa whole

/ already] Their covering and counsel is showing me a valuable

T^new sense ofone's own authority. Hallelujah)

God is using you to meet all our needs just as He promised
He would.

Thanks to you and Praise to Him!

We love you!

^^^Tclinjs

Bruce & Judy Fowler

(Curt,Christy, Craig &Cathy)

MISSION MESSAGES NEW DOORS OPEN

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1. JOBS FOR GOD'S GUYS Raymond Gonzalez, a high official in the Puerto Rican

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From the Fowlers

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May - June, 1978

government has asked me to join a special government board to secure jobs for the huge number of unemployed
on this island. I accepted on the condition that I could

II
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CO CO

Crisalida No. 54 {Urb. Munoz Rivera)

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00657

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concentrate my efforts on getting jobs for "God's Guys"

as they get out of prison.
2. ON THE PREVENTION END OF DRUGS AND
CRIME

Telephone: 789-8716 {Area Code 809)

he WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS (John 14:26)
In the Intensive Treatment Unit of the penitentiary
EVERYTHING is intense . . .

Because of my experience with criminals and addicts, the Wesleyan Academy invited me to join a special com mittee to study their drug problems and work on preven tion solutions. One of the first things we did was to get one of the new Christians, Roberto Monteserin, out from the prison on a passto speak to the student body about his testimony as an addict, healed by Jesus. What an impact! For days the students talked of nothing else! Through many sessions with Roberto, hundreds of kids were able to reconsider the only two directions available to them: Rebellion and Death ... or Jesus and Life.
3. PUERTO RICO'S DELEGATE

, . . the waiting, . . . the tension, . . . the sentences, . . . the hatred, . . . the hurt, . . . And the spiritual hunger.
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It's maximum-maximum security. Ten solitary confine

ment cells to a section. Twice a week I visit each section

1
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where eleven of us sit together on the hard concrete at the

end of a narrow hall and learn about Jesus.

Oh, the questions.

9

And the Intensity to know more.

I recently received word that I have been chosen one of Puerto Rico's three delegates to the Congress of Cor rections in Portland, Oregon, this coming August 19-24.

^ ,

-SO. . . We're going to take advantage and visit some of you! With a very limited schedule we plan to be available in

I
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But one Tuesday in Section "D", Victor hid in the sha dows of his cell, close enough to hear the Word, but far enough to escape notice of the others in the eager circle. You see, Victor could not read nor write and didn't want to expose his inability.. After each question the others would dig into the Word to search out the scripture, but he just sat. Listening intensely.
Alone in his cell that day, Victor was born into the

Oregon the last week in August {25th-31st) and in Idaho

the first week In September (1st-6th}. If you would like us to share in your church during
one of those two weeks, please conUct Bruce Marshall, 423 G St., No. 2, Springfield, Oregon 97477.

Kingdom by a simple decision. I didn't know It, but mil lions of angels did! As soon as he had invited Jesus to take over the Lordship of his life, he was flooded with joy, along with an intense hunger to read the Bible. With the
undiluted faith of a flve-minute-old Christian, he asked

Jesus what to do about it. How could he read the Bible?

He couldn't even read his own name!

we're

On Thursday Victor cautiously shared with me that

God's almost-immediate answer to his heart was:

2 C U!
"D CO (0 6) "D

CO 3

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"/ have chosen you to bear much fruit. And I have anointed you ivith an anointing that will remain. Therefore you have no need that man should teach you, because My anointing will

Bruce & Judy

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teach you all that you need to know. Stay in

Me and trust Me."
Continued

20

? s
3

HE WILL TEACH YOU....Continued

HAVE YOU NOTICED...

"But, Bruce/' he wondered, "Does that sound like something that God would say to a person like me?"

greetings from the fowler KIDS!

... That God's lessons come in series? For a couple of

months He gives you an intensive course in humility, and

then for the next few weeks He seems to say nothing but "Learn to Wait," and then maybe the lesson is "How to
Praise" or "Trust Me for Finances," or - - -

almost word for word what the Spirit had told him directly
That afternoon, he started studying the letters in his Bible, putting sounds to them. Within a few days he was

ment in such a newborn saint, I read I John 2:27 to him...

Excited over that kind of concern and spiritual discern-

Cathy, 3

'SjgjyV
X.. |\
'S

CS\4
3

Christy, 13

When God called us to come to work in Puerto Rico

over six years ago, he specified, "Quit your job and tmst

in Me. I will meet every need." And oh, how He has done

sounding out words, and in a few more he was piecing to-

gether whole sentences. In three weeks he had read nearly

the whole book of 'John! Hallelujah! Our Lord takes His promises seriously. Do you?

Ihave here aletter Victor wrote to me in his own handwriting {only two words misspelled!) in which he says,

^\
..

lessons.... Curt is mtrack and having having a ball. ball. Craig Craig is is speaking more Spanish than speaking more^Spa^ than any of us and Cathy is a
real joy to me in the morn ings while everyone everyone is is off off to school, etc."

and take Chnsty to sewing lessons.... Curt is in track

Judy writes: writes: "....Gotta "....Gotta go go and take Christy to sewing

it!

Then the next set of lessons had to do with listening

^ mom-

more carefully so as not to confuse HIS will with OUR will, even with the noise of confusion trying to garble the reception. And then came the "Have No Anxieiy" lesson
as He tested our commitment to live independently of com

"77{c Holy Spirit has given me (he ability to read and write
ailhotigh before I couldn't rend nor write. I feel a great peace now that the Holy Spirit has given me everything,
Victor Alvarez Canales"

school,

mitted support from many people and big churches. We're still amazed and delighted to giggles every time He uses some of you to do just what He promised.
Of all His lessons, the one that stands out most strongly
over and over is "HE IS FAITHFUL."

+ + + + + + + 4. + + + + + + 4- + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + '*""'""'"'^"^ + +

Well, then there was the "Satan-ls-Sneaky-and-Yon'd-

MEET ONE OF "GOD'S GUYS"

Better-Learn-to-Recognize-Him" lesson. That was the per

"""

TONY LEWIS, a prisoner from Jamaica, has been in my groups for nearly five years. He went home on parole this week and asks prayer for his finding a group of Christians for his spiritual support. During five years of praying with Tony almost every day. I never heard him
pray for God to get him out of prison. His gentle love and quiet solidarity in the Word of God was used by the Holy Spirit to draw many
fearful, and depressed. Looking in the wrong place for a solution led Tony to a 5-12 year jail sentence for drugs.
He wrote:

^ ^

iod about four years ago when the Satanic church inlhe
penitentiary was so strong. Having decimated their ranks through conversions to Christ, God's power has forced
them underground.

*
+

other prisoners to the feet of Jesus. Although raised in a Christian home. Tony's involvement with a gang-war revenge left him confused,
"During the early years of my imprisonment, I went through one agony of Spirit after another.

^
^

^
^
+

'Hey, Lord, you know Pm not guilty of what they are accusing me of!'
'Why are You allowing these things to happen to me?'

+
+
+

But let's not get cocky about Christ's victory. Satan is retaliating with attacks and persecutions against "ALL who desire to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus." (II Timothy
3:12)
And that for me has been one of the most valuable

'Howcan You still love such a sinner as I?'

'Why has my life become such a turmoil? Why such anguish and danger?' "Then Codasked mea question:

'Tony, Who do you think saved you through all those dangers? Don't you think I have an abundant life in mind for you?'

+ ^ + + ^

lessons . . . how God uses opposition, disappointments,

and pressures to mold us into His likeness. In addition

to real affirmation from the Body of Christ, we have occa sionally gotten persistent opposition too. And it is easy to see that "this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison ... (II Corinthians4:17)

+ +

"There were times when / fasted and prayedfor forgiveness, but this did not avail much. I was overpowered with depression, thinking of myself as the worst sinner who could not beforgiven.

"The change came in one of ourregular Bible study meetings here in the prison. Romans 8:1 came alive to me:

THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.
"Oh, how can I tell it! Those few words opened up a whole new world for me. Jesus'forgiveness is for me! I'm free! I've never been so enthusiastic about anything as I am about His plan ofsalvation for me. My faith is becoming stronger and I talk with God as a Dear "There's no depression ... no fear ... no guilt . . . because I know there is no situation beyond Cod's power to help and heal."

+ +
+ ^ ^

If God is letting you go through disappointments, then

join us in praising Him for them. It's a sign that He's pre paring you for sharing His throne with Him! (You didn't
realize that? Check it out in Revelation 3:21 and 5:10).

^ Friend. And in most cases He answers me, as I'm getting to know His voice.
+

It's a part of His "REIGNING TRAINING" program

for you!

+ ^ + 4. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + -t--t- + + + + + + 4- + -f + + + + + + -f + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + -l----l- + + + + + +