THE MOSTELLER STORY
INSTALMENT #8
Well, our story continues....
I mentioned last time that our missionary colleague in the Cape Verde Islands, Everette Howard, was a man of prayer. He often got up at 4.00 a.m. to pray. He also had an interesting way of teaching his men to pray. For instance, if one of the pastors would say, “I like your pen” or “I like your piano accordion”, Everette would respond, “You like it? Pray that I get a better one, and I’ll give this one to you.”
And, it would happen!
A semi naked woman was attracted to Pastor Luciano Barros in the street. What was he to do? A crowd of people gathered around and followed the two up the street. His home was the safest place to go. He let no-one in except the demon possessed woman, the woman’s mother (whom the woman did not recognize), and several of the church people who were in the crowd. Once inside, Pastor Barros told her about God’s love for her, including the complete liberation of many in her circumstance. She seemingly gave little attention to anything being said. She looked around, looked at people. She had never been in a preacher’s home before. The minister prayed for her liberation. Nothing happened. A man of prayer indeed, he prayed a second time. Nothing. He prayed a third time, laying hold of achieving faith such as that found in Matthew 17 verse 20. God came on the scene, bringing joyous victory. The liberated, pointing to her mother, exclaimed, “There’s my mother,” and then to her illegitimate son, “There’s my son!” I am convinced that there are a lot of demon possessed persons in our midst; and certainly any saved and sanctified church member with a grain of mustard seed faith should be able to latch on to any mountain situation and say, “Remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible with you.” (Matthew 17 verse 20). Then and now. Glory to God!
Reading the Bible is also a powerful means of persuading.
Alvaro Andrade, a Catholic, read the Bible and got saved. The village priest accosted him in public. Alvaro held his own, and all the townspeople who had gathered around to hear the polemic said that Alvaro won the debate. He heard about the Nazarenes and joined their numbers, going on to study for the Nazarene ministry. He became one of our best preachers. In his pastorate he was known to have set time daily to pray with a group of men. Antonio Gomes de Jess was a barber and got saved. He sold booze and Bibles in his shop until the Lord told him to rid himself of the booze. Antonio wasn’t a relative of Solomon, but he was instrumental in winning more men who became preachers than any other preacher. He said what he meant and meant what he said – and everybody knew it. The Holy Spirit used him mightily.
God bless you dear Canada Central friends. We pray for glorious victories in your midst as you exercise mustard seed faith. Thank you again for all the ways you have expressed His and your love to us. You are superb!
In Christ’s Love, Earl E. Mosteller
I mentioned last time that our missionary colleague in the Cape Verde Islands, Everette Howard, was a man of prayer. He often got up at 4.00 a.m. to pray. He also had an interesting way of teaching his men to pray. For instance, if one of the pastors would say, “I like your pen” or “I like your piano accordion”, Everette would respond, “You like it? Pray that I get a better one, and I’ll give this one to you.”
And, it would happen!
A semi naked woman was attracted to Pastor Luciano Barros in the street. What was he to do? A crowd of people gathered around and followed the two up the street. His home was the safest place to go. He let no-one in except the demon possessed woman, the woman’s mother (whom the woman did not recognize), and several of the church people who were in the crowd. Once inside, Pastor Barros told her about God’s love for her, including the complete liberation of many in her circumstance. She seemingly gave little attention to anything being said. She looked around, looked at people. She had never been in a preacher’s home before. The minister prayed for her liberation. Nothing happened. A man of prayer indeed, he prayed a second time. Nothing. He prayed a third time, laying hold of achieving faith such as that found in Matthew 17 verse 20. God came on the scene, bringing joyous victory. The liberated, pointing to her mother, exclaimed, “There’s my mother,” and then to her illegitimate son, “There’s my son!” I am convinced that there are a lot of demon possessed persons in our midst; and certainly any saved and sanctified church member with a grain of mustard seed faith should be able to latch on to any mountain situation and say, “Remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible with you.” (Matthew 17 verse 20). Then and now. Glory to God!
Reading the Bible is also a powerful means of persuading.
Alvaro Andrade, a Catholic, read the Bible and got saved. The village priest accosted him in public. Alvaro held his own, and all the townspeople who had gathered around to hear the polemic said that Alvaro won the debate. He heard about the Nazarenes and joined their numbers, going on to study for the Nazarene ministry. He became one of our best preachers. In his pastorate he was known to have set time daily to pray with a group of men. Antonio Gomes de Jess was a barber and got saved. He sold booze and Bibles in his shop until the Lord told him to rid himself of the booze. Antonio wasn’t a relative of Solomon, but he was instrumental in winning more men who became preachers than any other preacher. He said what he meant and meant what he said – and everybody knew it. The Holy Spirit used him mightily.
God bless you dear Canada Central friends. We pray for glorious victories in your midst as you exercise mustard seed faith. Thank you again for all the ways you have expressed His and your love to us. You are superb!
In Christ’s Love, Earl E. Mosteller
P.S. From daughter Ginny:
Dad (Earl) was hospitalized on January 20th, extremely weak from numerous infections (affecting an abdominal aneurysm for which surgery is not viable given his medical issues), but was discharged on January 31st and is recuperating back home at Callahan Village with home rehabilitation therapists. He is a trooper! While in the hospital he didn’t miss any opportunity to share the Lord with the staff!
One therapist in particular was deeply moved and said that upon meeting and talking with dad, he had become very “God-conscious” (He told us that every time he left dad’s room, he was all “choked up”). He seems so hungry for God, yet afraid to commit his life to Him. We are praying for him.
Mom (Gladys) is doing well and escaped the flu bug that went through Callahan Court and is rampant in this area right now. She has a smile for everyone and loves reading --- again and again and again --- the cards you send, each occasion as if it were for the very first time!
Dad (Earl) was hospitalized on January 20th, extremely weak from numerous infections (affecting an abdominal aneurysm for which surgery is not viable given his medical issues), but was discharged on January 31st and is recuperating back home at Callahan Village with home rehabilitation therapists. He is a trooper! While in the hospital he didn’t miss any opportunity to share the Lord with the staff!
One therapist in particular was deeply moved and said that upon meeting and talking with dad, he had become very “God-conscious” (He told us that every time he left dad’s room, he was all “choked up”). He seems so hungry for God, yet afraid to commit his life to Him. We are praying for him.
Mom (Gladys) is doing well and escaped the flu bug that went through Callahan Court and is rampant in this area right now. She has a smile for everyone and loves reading --- again and again and again --- the cards you send, each occasion as if it were for the very first time!