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Cornerstone Communications
Turkey
February 16, 2007

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings from Managua, Nicaragua! You are REALLY going to enjoy this newsletter! This is an exclusive newsletter… ONE OF A KIND!

I had the amazing privilege of entering St. John's Tomb!

It is important to note that it is NOT open to the public! The text information in the video is so important, I have copied it here, in case you want to read it after watching the video.

VIDEO MESSAGE

After the show, I have a chance to challenge the audience to follow after Jesus Christ. It was a blessing to see the audience so moved by the message in the production.

TEXT for the VIDEO

Production Update

The show in Kiev was held at the Cultural Hall called NAU., and it was a tremendous blessing, as we were able to touch thousands with the message of Jesus. Here's a short report. Before the production, I would minister to the actors, so that they could in turn minister to the audience afterwards. One of the most thrilling sights is to see the actors praying over audience members. However, at this moment, it's my chance to be a blessing to them. I love my actors, whatever country they're in or whatever language they speak.

The performances were great, and the audience loved the musical, "Joseph", sponsored by Victory Church and the Messianic Jewish Fellowship, both in Kiev. And what a time we had. The show is a mixture of fun and laughter. The audience listened to every word, and so for the more serious moments in the production, we had their undivided attention.

I had a chance to challenge the audience after each production. Not only do we try to reach them with the Gospel at the show, but even as they leave, we give them brochures on how to be born again. We want to give them as many chances as possible to receive Christ. Pastor Henry Madava, pastor over 10,000 member Pobeda Church was our biggest fan. He was an inspiration to the cast, especially to me.

The actors wanted to bless me on our final performance, and what a surprise! They each handed me a rose, and from a cast of 50, that's a lot of flowers! I am so blessed to have so many actors who love me. And I love them! I will dearly miss my time in Kiev!

Standing in the center of the stage of the coliseum where the great riot in Ephesus occurred, as found in the Book of Acts. It's huge!

On to Turkey

As soon as our production in Kiev was over, my dear friend and fellow worker from Korea, Il Hwan Cho accompanied me to Turkey, where I was able to visit close friends and fellow workers, Mark and Michelle Moore.

Ephesus, Turkey

We had a chance to go to some of the 7 Churches of Revelation, particularly Ephesus. We walked down Curetes Street, the main street in Ephesus, and the same street where the Apostles Paul, John, Luke and other disciples had also walked. It's here that the tombs of St. Luke and St. John can still be seen. What a blessing to be here. It's here that the great riot over the false goddess, Artemis, occurred. The coliseum filled with people shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Paul was kept from entering the coliseum, but was later imprisoned here.

The great Celsus Library in Ephesus was the second largest library in ancient times, and the edifice still stands today.

Visiting Mary's Home

Of course, one of the highlights of coming to Ephesus is going to Mary's home, the mother of Jesus, who spent her last days here on earth in the home that you see here. The home is visited by tens of thousands of visitors each year. You'll recall that during the persecution in Jerusalem, the disciples cast lots, and John was given Asia Minor, which is current day Turkey. John brought Mary here and made her a home, where she lived out her last days.

This is the home where Mary spent her last days here on earth. St. John had the home build for her near a church he built in Ephesus, that came complete with a baptistry which still exists today.

St. John's Tomb

Perhaps the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me in the physical realm, is the opportunity to enter the Apostle John's tomb! I had been to see John's tomb before, and all along I had thought he was buried in the earth. I was surprised to find out from our guide that he is in fact, in a room under a marble slab that can be seen on the earth's surface.

Going Inside John's Tomb!

He showed us the window on the ground that serves as a sky light for the tunnel below the earth, which leads to John's tomb. He then showed us the door, which shows the steps going down into the tunnel of the tomb. As I studied the steps through the grated door, I was surprised to see that, although the door was securely locked, the hinge pins were missing. As we looked around, no one was anywhere in sight, and we lifted the door, after asking permission of our guide. He, in fact had never been down there either! This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We went down into the tunnel, but it was very dark. Our guide had a small pocket flashlight, which we used to go inside of St. John's Tomb!

This is one of my favorite pictures, because I'm at the tomb of the Beloved Disciple, John. However, this time, my life was about to change forever.

There, in the darkness, is a marble sarcophagus, which holds the body of St. John! Could I truly be so close to the apostle whom Jesus loved, and who actually walked and knew Jesus? It was truly an incredible moment in my life. We had to leave quickly, as we were not supposed to be there, but it was a moment I'll never forget! Since then, I have contacted friends and authorities in Turkey to make sure that the door is repaired and secured. We showed only honor in such a place, but I fear that anyone else could discover the door in disrepair, and perhaps defile or even worse, open the sarcophagus. I have informed them that I am willing to pay for the repair, or replacement of the door leading into his tomb. I never thought I'd be part of protecting the body of St. John. Thank You, Lord for the honor.

On to Istanbul

We went back to Istanbul with hundreds of photos. And, true to my nature, I took advantage of every moment to see as much as I could. I love Istanbul with it's culture which celebrates living. There is an energy here that you just can't find anywhere else on earth, and the food! It's worth coming to Turkey for the food alone! Of course, work is a pleasureable part of my ministry, because of the precious saints I am privileged to know. I met with fellow workers Larry and Heidi Jones, who are also getting me contacts for Israel. Please pray that the Lord will open those doors.

Inside John's Tomb! I thought he was buried in the earth, but our guide showed us a locked door, and we discovered the hinges were broken! We removed the door, went into the tomb and took this picture! A once in a lifetime shot!

To Kiev, Dallas and Beyond!

From there, it was back to Kiev, Ukraine! I met with Pastor Henry about our shows for next year, spent some last minute fellowship, and said goodbye to dear friends, and boarded for the Western Hemisphere! I landed in Dallas just long enough to change out my clothes, take care of business with my assistants, Tracy and Lori Jackson, and to continue on to Nicaragua.

END OF VIDEO TEXT

The Enemy of Self

I used to tell the Lord, "I could be so much more of a better Christian if it weren't for people!" Ahhh! Immaturity! There's nothing quite so amusing, or embarrassing as a nostalgic view back on our lives just a few years ago! However, some of the things that we're doing now that we feel are so "mature" or "wise" we'll also look back in a few years and be embarrassed by! So, how can we change now, without having to wait for the outcome?

I believe that the major problem that most of us are facing is our own attitudes. My favorite saying for this year is "Life is 10% fact, 90% attitude".

We need to pay attention to what's going on inside of us instead of what's going on around us when we feel we're under attack, or depressed, or stressed. The Holy Spirit patiently waits to lead us out of misery and defeat, and into glorious victory and restful peace. "Purity equals power". Once we've allowed the Lord to "clean us" on the inside, we find we've so much more strength and motive to live life to the fullest.

I mean, if you put this thought of "Purity equals power" to work, you can see the very reason it took the Israelites 40 YEARS to cross what would have normally been a 10-11 day journey! They blamed the situation on the lack of food, the lack of water, the lack of immediately entering the Promised Land, the (seeming) lack of leadership. Was it really Moses' fault? No, the problem lay completely with their lack of unbelief. What about you? Is it going to take you 40 YEARS to learn what God wants to teach you in the next week or two? The choice is yours. Is God's lesson going to be tough? Maybe. But it'll be tougher if you keep running from it, or failing the lesson time after time.

"I want patience, and I want it NOW!" We laugh at that, but it's this very attitude that has caused more problems in history. As Abram and Sarai received God's word that they would be blessed with a son, they tried to make it happen on their own. So, Sarai gave her handmaiden, Hagar to her husband to force God's word to come true (See Genesis 16) . That's not when the blessings began…. No, that was when the troubles began!

When we get impatient and try to "help God" along, we're going to create something that's out of God's will. What's worse, is that we're now "stuck" with what we've created. "What God starts, He pays for. What God births, He maintains." By walking in patience, we see the fruit of the Spirit take over and grow even as trials come our way. James 1:2-4 says "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into different temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith creates patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, wanting nothing."

Patience isn't just about waiting, either. No, it's what you do, how you behave while you're waiting. Do you act godly when you're under attack? Do you act "sweet and kind" even when things aren't going your way? Let's review that scripture we just read (or were you so impatient you just skipped over it?) , vs. 3, "knowing this, that the trying of your faith creates patience." I used to use the Toothpaste Test, "Whatever you get when you squeeze the tube is exactly how to find out what's inside." So, I ask you: What comes out when you're put under pressure? Painful as that may be, it'll be good for you to realize where you stand.

I used to get furious when I would be in the slowest line while checking out. "I'm busy!" was my lame excuse. I would add to the problem in my impatience. I would declare over my life (and therefore it came to be, after all : "Life and death is in the power of the tongue") "I always choose the slowest or longest line!" I finally learned to pray during those times, and even speak kindness to those around me. I'd admire someone's baby. I'd talk about the weather. I was still in a hurry. I was still busy. I still didn't like it, but I learned a discipline, that would help me overall in every area: be kind even in seemingly uncomfortable situations. I "practiced" peace and joy in the middle of a bad circumstance.

I'm going to stop for now. So, your homework assignment is to be kind this week when you're in those long lines at the supermarket, the bank or the amusement park! If someone's mean to you, show the Lord how mature YOU really are.

A Dios!

That's Spanish for "bye y'all!". I'm having a wonderful time here in Managua, and the Holy Spirit is moving, in spite of some challenges. Auditions are going well. We begin rehearsals this weekend, for a show that opens in 4 weeks! I'd appreciate your prayers, as I make the time change adjustment, and try to recuperate from a busy three weeks! God bless you, my friend. If you have any need, let me know, and I'd be blessed to pray for you. I care.

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez