Beware! Wolves in sheep's clothing!

We have had a "learning experience," to put this situation in a positive light.  And, I say this as a warning to you who might be reading too.

We had a Guarani pastor we work with and trust to introduce us to another Guarani pastor.  The new Guarani pastor worked with us for a while, and we began to start a sort of trusting relationship with him.   He called himself an "independent missionary" who had once had a successful business in the city then felt called to minister to his people, the Guaranis.  For a trip we were going to take together, he asked to borrow money, and we(Peace and Hope) gave him what he asked for, which was a significant amount for a Bolivian loan.  After the trip, we have called the man many times.  Had other people try to call him, and no one can get ahold of him.  We realized that we had never asked this man what Church he was a part of, to keep him accountable.

Already, we had begun to be suspicious of him because at a weekend conference in the middle of the Chaco, the "missionary" preached the whole weekend, but had not once opened the Bible,only speaking of giving lots of money.  So, what does a poor Guarani community in the middle of the Chaco do for a "missionary" who comes to preach for a weekend?  They empty their pockets out and give it all to the Preacher who says if you give money now, God will give you a car and a house and a beautiful life.

Through this experience, we have found it is a fairly lucrative business for men to dress up in suits and preach for a weekend begging these poor Bolivians for money, so God will bless them in return.  I am not hurting for the money he owes Peace and Hope, I am hurting for the people in the Chaco who gave all they had to a man claiming to be a missionary, called by God.  He has taken their money and run.  Not only that, this man used his family in the plot as well. Bringing his wife and three children with him on his missionary journey.  I pray their children will see the folly of the ways of their father, and not imitate him in the least bit.

We will take much more precaution before trusting another preacher again, particularly when he/she is an "independent missionary."