Hello, subscribers! The SATURDAY SPECIAL this morning is different than

what you're used to—which is probably a big part of why I like it. 

 

My dear friend of nearly four years now—Maria Panduro of Lima, Peru—came to town a few weeks ago, and while she was here I decided at the last minute (the day that she flew home) to put her in a video. She was more than willing because she is an even bigger ham than I am—if you can

believe that. But one thing for sure; she is better-looking than I am. 

 

I knew that Maria had been spoiled on God because of being raised in the Catholic church and being mistreated—along with everyone else—by the nuns there. I asked her to channel and vent that frustration in front of the camera and,as you will see here, she had no trouble doing that—to comic effect. 

 

Maria is naturally funny and a born actress. Here, she is channeling

fellow Latina Sophia Vergara (star of the American sit-com Modern Family): 

sexy, fashion-conscious, vain, outspoken, melodramatic—and quite funny.

 

Having 100% Latin blood, Maria can't help dancing. Any of the short

dance clips that you see here are her simply being herself. She literally 

can't help it. She can't hear even a snippet of music without moving her hips. She dances when the birds chirp. This woman dances as easily as you and I breathe. I definitely wanted to put something of that flavor and personality into this little video, so I did. It makes me happy. 

 

After Maria left, I put together an introduction with some of the clips I'd

shot during her visit. I found the music on a list of free non-copyrighted tracks offered by YouTube. I couldn't believe how well the music it fit. I thought to myself, "Holy crap, this is magical." In fact, I think it is the best intro I've ever done.

 

I may end up making a series with Maria, titled "Maria de Lima." I envision

it being short, two-minute mini-movies featuring the "craziness" of Maria

and making some tiny, Scriptural point—but mainly doing something that

is attractive, entertaining and fun, in the hopes that it may spark viewers—

especially South Americans—to go to my website.

 

My whole purpose with this is to draw people to my website, and thus to

God and the evangel of Paul. I know that there is not much Scriptural

substance in this video. There is not meant to be. It is purposely designed

to be "light." You and I love, want and need the meaty, Scriptural substance, 

but the world can't handle it. In fact, we forget how little the world can handle.

 

All they can handle is short, colorful tidbits. This current video is longer

than the ones I will possibly make with Maria in the future, but the intent

is—as our apostle says—"to become all things to all people, so that by all 

possible means I might save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22).

 

By all possible means.

 

This coming week I will strain to subtitle this in Spanish (it is subtitled, presently, in English),and I will have Maria distribute it south of the equator next week, which she is anxious to do. Who knows what will happen? The gospel of Paul is non-existent in South America. I know this because I lived there (in Sao Paulo–"St. Paul"—Brazil) for a year. I realize that the gospel of Paul is not in this present video. It's not meant to be. But I do want this video to be a hook that eventually leads to the gospel of Paul. I love the South Americans, and I want to eventually bring the gospel to South America. Is this a start to that? I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. But it is my ultimate intention. One doesn't know if one doesn't try.

 

Let me know what you think. 

 

I remain yours from the peninsula, forever thinking of new ways to publish the evangel, 

 

Martin