August 2026 Newsletter
As I stood in Riverside Cowboy Church and listened to the students and leaders sing the worship songs being played via YouTube videos, I was yet again stunned by their excitement and participation. Whether it's a live band or a video being played, when was the last time you heard the people in the room singing louder than the worship team? These students had gathered for the nineteenth Rodeo Bible Camp, and for the fourth consecutive year I was the camp preacher. It is one of the highlights of our summer travel schedule to be included in the event. The theme of this year's camp was Breaking Barriers. Watching the migration of the room is very interesting. The boys always begin the week on the bleachers as far from the front as possible. By the second service, a few of them will have migrated off the upper seats and closer to the front. By the end of camp, most of them will have pushed their way to the front and be fully engaged in the proceedings.
I don't mind telling you it's a little intimidating communicating to ages 8-80 with the hope of keeping everyone's attention. During one of the services, I was telling the history of 1930 Ministries and how my first trip to Cuba in 2000 was the launching pad for today's work. I was speaking on the subject of breaking barriers and the struggles breaking them can present. As I described the challenge of learning to speak Spanish, I went into great detail about the real barrier it presented to a then 41-year-old Jim Stockdale. I spoke of Joseph learning the Egyptian language and the doors it opened for him later on. I told of the importance of learning the language of the dream in your heart so that you don't need a translator to speak to that dream.
As I continued with the story of returning to Cuba in 2013 and fulfilling the promise made in 2000 that someday I would be back and preach in Spanish, a young student (perhaps 10 years old) shouted out to me from the front row, "Can you still do it?" Without hesitation, I switched to Spanish for the next few sentences. You could see the astonished look on the faces of students who were facing their own barriers and challenges.
Every phase and leg of our journey through life is linked to the last one and transitions us to the next one. Allow God to develop you as He wills and not as you think best. His ways are not our ways, and neither are they limited by our limited thinking. If you allow today’s barriers to limit you, they also limit all those who are waiting on the other side of today’s challenges. Even if it’s just one word at a time, learn the language of your dream and begin to speak to it daily. You’ll be glad you did.
The dramatic conclusion to the message was a highlight for me. It reminded me of the privilege I have been given of traveling in Latin America with the commission of sharing the good news. A language barrier had once stood in front of me, but now it is behind me. I was once again so thankful for people like you who have enabled this ministry to take shape over the last 26 years. It continues to develop through your generosity and faithful support. Thank you again for your kindness.
