We have learned a great deal in Peru; it has been a good first experience. After prayer and evaluation, we have determined that our current ministry does not fully meet our long-range goals.
We are going to come home for 18-24 months in order to take advantage of some significant training opportunities and to evaluate the best location for future ministry.
We enjoyed spending time here in Peru and have made long lasting relationships. Please keep us in your prayers and we will see you next month!
Thank you all for your support!!!!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Arkansas Baptist High School
Wow, what an extraordinary team! Watching these youth evangelize, getting out of their comfort zone, has been amazing. They arrived Saturday and ready! We did the normal eat, rest and orientation but these teens were itching to get out. But before we got started, we showed them a bit of God's beauty. We took them to the waterfalls. After viewing God's work, they did a skit and told their testimonies to the youth group of Monte Sion Church. We all enjoyed watching and listening.
Next, we took them to the Plaza de Armas. We were suppose to do the ordinary city tour but God had other plans. Instead they ventured out into the Plaza and let God do all the work. They spoke to all that could hear about God's word. People were surrounding them...watching, listening. This is what they prepared for, this is what they prayed for and God received all the Glory!!!
That night, they went up to a new church named Lucmacucho. This church was started by Celso Infante Castrejon. He grew up working with Larry Johnson. Celso does many things for VM today and without him we would surely struggle. But Celso saw a need, heard God and started a church. This church is about 30-45 minutes from in town. He started this church because his wife's family couldn't come to church because of how far they lived. So he brought the church to them. We first attended his church last October and they had about 8 people attending. Today, they have 15+. With all of the members of the church and our youth, we ran out of space and had to go outside. This youth group did skits, interacted with the people and told their testimonies. Again, a remarkable experience to see, and God received all the Glory!
Monday, we held a medical clinic at Monte Sion Clinic. We only had 1 Doctor and his family that came from North Carolina. This group immediately clicked with the youth group from Arkansas. Another example of how God knows and we need to just sit back and watch Him work.
We were able to get 2 more Peruvian Doctors and members from the Monte Sion Church to help. This clinic was a success...not a success because we were able to see, medicate, and dental but a success because not one person walked out of that clinic without seeing Jesus's love and hearing God's word. We all came together and worked as a team.
After the clinic, we stayed and listened to the group's devotional and hear a testimony from one of the teachers. We thank God to be a part of this ministry...to be able to work along with the volunteers and see God receive all the Glory.
Next, we took them to the Plaza de Armas. We were suppose to do the ordinary city tour but God had other plans. Instead they ventured out into the Plaza and let God do all the work. They spoke to all that could hear about God's word. People were surrounding them...watching, listening. This is what they prepared for, this is what they prayed for and God received all the Glory!!!
That night, they went up to a new church named Lucmacucho. This church was started by Celso Infante Castrejon. He grew up working with Larry Johnson. Celso does many things for VM today and without him we would surely struggle. But Celso saw a need, heard God and started a church. This church is about 30-45 minutes from in town. He started this church because his wife's family couldn't come to church because of how far they lived. So he brought the church to them. We first attended his church last October and they had about 8 people attending. Today, they have 15+. With all of the members of the church and our youth, we ran out of space and had to go outside. This youth group did skits, interacted with the people and told their testimonies. Again, a remarkable experience to see, and God received all the Glory!
Monday, we held a medical clinic at Monte Sion Clinic. We only had 1 Doctor and his family that came from North Carolina. This group immediately clicked with the youth group from Arkansas. Another example of how God knows and we need to just sit back and watch Him work.
We were able to get 2 more Peruvian Doctors and members from the Monte Sion Church to help. This clinic was a success...not a success because we were able to see, medicate, and dental but a success because not one person walked out of that clinic without seeing Jesus's love and hearing God's word. We all came together and worked as a team.
After the clinic, we stayed and listened to the group's devotional and hear a testimony from one of the teachers. We thank God to be a part of this ministry...to be able to work along with the volunteers and see God receive all the Glory.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Still walking with Faith
We are still walking with Faith. The Pastor's group left last week and we have been busy working on the next groups. These groups will be coming the 10th of March and leaving the 23rd. There are several groups, one from the Arkansas Baptist High School - Spanish Class, Geyer Springs First Baptist Church - Physical Therapists, and Calico Rock - Samaritan Purse Shoe boxes. These groups will have very busy days but fulfilling! We are excited about the upcoming groups and can not wait to see how God uses each person.
Our Children's Church we started last year is still going! Our first week we arrived, we had about 100 children. This was because the week before the Monte Sion Church has just done a week of VBS. This last Sunday we had about the same children 30-35. Some haven't been coming because in Peru January and February it is summer vacation. Children are out of school until March. We have had some members from the Church volunteer helping out which has been a blessing. We enjoy our time here in Peru and are looking forward to see more of what God has in store for us.
Our Children's Church we started last year is still going! Our first week we arrived, we had about 100 children. This was because the week before the Monte Sion Church has just done a week of VBS. This last Sunday we had about the same children 30-35. Some haven't been coming because in Peru January and February it is summer vacation. Children are out of school until March. We have had some members from the Church volunteer helping out which has been a blessing. We enjoy our time here in Peru and are looking forward to see more of what God has in store for us.
Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Back in Peru...Home Sweet Home!
We had a wonderful time in the USA but we are glad to be back in Peru. We arrived Feb 9th and crashed. We did what most groups do and stayed the night in the wonderful Lima airport. We visited everyone at the VM farm, unpacked, and went to bed.
It was really nice to see Viviana again too. She has grown in her new Christian life since we have been gone. She continued to help Lucy and Dante at the children's church we started at Monte Sion Church. She didn't spend much time at home, she said staying home was too quiet for her. So her and Lily (puppy) went everywhere together. Vivi started college while we were gone. She is taking classes to help her prepare for a college test. If she passes this test, makes a good high score, than this specific college in Cajamarca, will accept her for free! We are praying daily for that. She is excited about college which is a change because just 5 months ago she didn't want to go. Time has also increased our relationship with each other. Before, she was always stand-off-ish. Hugs, Kisses, showing affection was too hard but now, we can't stop her from her telling us that she loves us, hugs us...more! It has been a blessing! Now, we are working on getting her a Visa and passport for her to come with us to the states in November.
The girls are doing great! We were all ready to get home but they were more ready to come back than us. At the last week, they were counting the days. We have new home school material and it is much better. They are liking the new challenges. They are also happy to be around their Peruvian friends again. What has also been great is a new family (The Heaths) moved here in January and live just behind the VM farm. They are the new Villa Milagro Missionaries that will be doing a soccer ministry. They have 3 boys and 1 girl. The girl is between Anna and Maddie's ages so they are loving it. The Heaths, are happy to be in Peru and are asking for your prayers as they adjust to Peruvian life.
Currently, we are visiting with our first group this year. It is a Pastor's Conference that bring Pastors from the USA to disciple/train the Pastors in Peru. It has been a great experience for us. We are all to be disciples; Pastors, Missionaries, Newly Christians...All. We are thankful to be here and involved with this group.
Since we have been home, we have experienced the Cajamarca Carnival. It is a 4 day extravaganza to where they throw water balloons, paint balloons, dress up in carnival outfits, parade down the main city roads playing musical instruments etc. It was something to watch.
Our home at Villa Milagro is coming along. We plan to be finished - ready to move in - August. Hopefully we will not experience an hiccups! We will be counting on volunteer groups to come and help build on our new home.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
Anyone who knew these men would realize they were not the kind of people on which you build a worldwide kingdom. Yet something happened to them as they were with Jesus. The Holy Spirit transformed them, giving them new boldness and wisdom. Anyone can serve Him...Just Go and Serve!
Our View from the 7th floor from our apartment
It was really nice to see Viviana again too. She has grown in her new Christian life since we have been gone. She continued to help Lucy and Dante at the children's church we started at Monte Sion Church. She didn't spend much time at home, she said staying home was too quiet for her. So her and Lily (puppy) went everywhere together. Vivi started college while we were gone. She is taking classes to help her prepare for a college test. If she passes this test, makes a good high score, than this specific college in Cajamarca, will accept her for free! We are praying daily for that. She is excited about college which is a change because just 5 months ago she didn't want to go. Time has also increased our relationship with each other. Before, she was always stand-off-ish. Hugs, Kisses, showing affection was too hard but now, we can't stop her from her telling us that she loves us, hugs us...more! It has been a blessing! Now, we are working on getting her a Visa and passport for her to come with us to the states in November.
The girls are doing great! We were all ready to get home but they were more ready to come back than us. At the last week, they were counting the days. We have new home school material and it is much better. They are liking the new challenges. They are also happy to be around their Peruvian friends again. What has also been great is a new family (The Heaths) moved here in January and live just behind the VM farm. They are the new Villa Milagro Missionaries that will be doing a soccer ministry. They have 3 boys and 1 girl. The girl is between Anna and Maddie's ages so they are loving it. The Heaths, are happy to be in Peru and are asking for your prayers as they adjust to Peruvian life.
Since we have been home, we have experienced the Cajamarca Carnival. It is a 4 day extravaganza to where they throw water balloons, paint balloons, dress up in carnival outfits, parade down the main city roads playing musical instruments etc. It was something to watch.
Our home at Villa Milagro is coming along. We plan to be finished - ready to move in - August. Hopefully we will not experience an hiccups! We will be counting on volunteer groups to come and help build on our new home.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
Anyone who knew these men would realize they were not the kind of people on which you build a worldwide kingdom. Yet something happened to them as they were with Jesus. The Holy Spirit transformed them, giving them new boldness and wisdom. Anyone can serve Him...Just Go and Serve!
Our View from the 7th floor from our apartment
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)