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Cornerstone Communications
South Africa
March 08, 2005

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings from Port Elizabeth, South Africa! First of all, I ask your forgiveness for being "the MIA Missionary"! I have been so busy with this production, I truly haven't had but just 10 minutes per day to check e-mails! I'm hoping the relentless schedule will subside a bit so that I can answer your very kind e-mails individually!

After the last month of "unusual circumstances", what do I possibly write about? Yet, I have found such a joy in doing the simple, mundane things that seemed to be so boring. Freedom is such a gift.

Autumn Cometh

We have been having some pretty serious hot spells here, but little by little, the weather is changing as the seasons are changing. It's been a hot summer, but now autumn seems to be arriving with a chill in the air, and with lots of rain! Remember, we're below the equator, so, the seasons are opposite than they are up north. Before long, it'll be winter here!

More News from Moldova!

You'll be happy to hear that this is actually GOOD NEWS! Last week, my wonderful friend, Pastor Victor, led my original cast from Nisporeni to do yet another production in Ungheni last week. Over 100 people came to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! And we are planning still ANOTHER production next week in the capital city of Kishenau! I'm believing that someday soon, Moldova will no longer be described as an "atheistic" country, but one through whom the Lord is using to bring great revival.

The actors are in full rehearsal, and we simultaneously are enjoying the beautiful weather.

Production Update

We will be presenting a beautiful Easter musical, "The Promise". The musical is about a grandfather telling his two grandchildren about the story of Jesus, and the musical slowly unfolds into beautiful scenes from Jesus' life. However, the show is mammoth, and we have been working hard to get the show ready. My prayer request is that we would be able to finish casting. White men in South Africa are very reluctant to commit. We have cast the women and children… no problem. We have cast some colored men… no problem (by the way, they prefer the term "colored" and not "black") . But for whatever reason, the white Afrikaan men drop out quickly. With only 2 weeks left before we open, I need some men!

We have ordered the wood, and the building on the set is beginning. The costumers are busy buying material, and we are in rehearsals, teaching dances, staging and designing lighting, draping, building props, etc. So, all in all, we are busy!

Touching God's Heart-Part II

You might recall that in January, I had written the first installment of "Touching God's Heart". I'm sure that your desire is the same as mine. Lately, it's become even more of a passion, a cry, a desire, to touch God's heart. I want Him to be so happy. I want Him to be pleased with what He sees me doing. How can any of this happen? It comes by trusting God with all our mind, our soul, and our strength".

Remember Mary? What an amazing woman of God! When we think of Mary, we think of her riding a donkey being pulled by Joseph as they make their way up a sleepy path to peaceful Bethlehem. It's there that everyone greeted them as they were the holy family, right? Hardly. How did Mary touch God's heart?

This Sunday I was able to share about my time in Moldova and also sing a few songs.

You'll recall the angel appeared to Mary and told her she would bear a child. Mary asked, "But how can this be, when I have never known a man?" The angel explained, and Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38

Why is this great faith? Let's look at our society today. Suppose that there was one young lady in your church that you were highly impressed with... her kindness, gentleness, and her love for God. She was pure and godly. You hear that she is now engaged, and even though she's a bit young for marriage, you're still happy for her and her fiancée.

However, after some time, you notice she's "showing". She's pregnant? How can that be? She's such a good girl? Rumors start spreading around your church. What a shame for her family, and what a shock to see that this girl whom you thought to have such high virtues and good wisdom, was in fact sleeping around outside of wedlock!

The word reaches the pastor's office, and "concerned Christians" have decided that she and her fiancée must go through deliverance, counseling, and even have their marriage plans cancelled. This must NOT be allowed in the house of the Lord! Soon, all of her friends have turned their back on her, no one is hiring the fiancée to do odd jobs around the church, and they have both been asked to step down from any leadership positions.

Some of the kids from the church mug for the camera!

Worse, they're not allowed at any social functions. What an embarrassment! How could this sweet girl get into such a predicament? "Serves her right! Maybe she'll learn from her loose morals". This is what Mary had to consider when she agreed to do God's will! But in fact, it was far worse. A young girl found guilty of being pregnant outside of marriage would be stoned. Her situation was very real, and intense.

We often forget that Mary was human. She also had a social life, she had a reputation, she was faithful to attend temple, and she was a dutiful daughter. She had many circumstances to consider why this kind of "service" could endanger not only her reputation, but her life.

Yet, Mary gave up her reputation. Her life was over, as she knew it. For the cause of Christ, she must die to herself, and all she's known, so that the Lord's will be done. She and Joseph were scorned and neglected. When they went to Bethlehem, no one knew them, nor cared.

They had a baby in a filthy stable, with no running water, no bed, no electricity, and perhaps no sufficient shelter. Where was the glory in any of this? There was none! We owe a debt of gratitude to Mary, because we now have a Savior who dwelt among us. Mary was obedient to God's call without regard to herself. This is what touches the heart of the Father!

Lunch time for some baby lion cubs. One of my highlights coming to South Africa is spending time with the lions.

Do we trust God to work through us, at the expense of our reputation? Do we shun the trappings of the world for holiness and purity? The world has slowly crept into the church, leaving us desiring and lusting after the things of this world.

We are annoyed with the pastor, because he allowed the service to go 10 minutes longer than usual, because it might make us late for our 2 ½ hour movie we want to go see. We don't want to give an offering to God, because that might mean doing without the latest fashion or electronic gadget which the world has dictated to be the "hottest".

Often, God wants to take us outside of our "comfort zone", and test us. It not only shows Him if what we're saying about how Him is really true, but it shows us, too. Do we really want Him to be first in our lives? "He can be first as long as it doesn't interfere with my life, my schedule, my social calendar, or my finances." Lord, please open our eyes.

Open your heart to God this week. Let Him rule. Offer up everything to Him. And don't be surprised if He tests you to see if you're really serious. After every test comes a testimony. By trusting God to work through you you'll also touch the heart of God.

God Het Jou Lief!

That is Afrikaans for "God loves you!" I'm still walking around in complete awe of the beauty of God. There's a new awareness that has "gripped" me that is making me enjoy life in such a focused, extreme way. I pray that doesn't leave me! I'm also more than ever grateful for YOU. Thank you for your amazing letters to pray for me, encourage me, and bless me. God bless you!

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez