Outreach

We just wanted to give a quick update of what we have been doing for the last 2 and a half months.  We have settled down here in Pichilemu, and have enjoyed forming new relationships in the church and around town.  The church has welcomed us with open arms and has made us feel so at home.  Although it is a small church, they have a very generous heart and share so openly with us.  I feel like we are the ones being blessed by being here, instead of us being a blessing to them.  I continue to lead a weekly Bible study on Thursday nights, which has been a stretching experience for me.  Junior has preached several times and continues to work in the construction of the new church building as resources are available.  He has also enjoyed the opportunity to minister on the radio.  I am so glad that it is his turn this time, and he is doing a great job.  We have also been getting to know other people around town such as the owner of the nearby mini market, the manager of the Christian radio station, many taxi drivers, and even the mayor of Pichilemu.  We have had a chance to share the gospel with some, and build up others with the word of God.  For example, a friend from church invited us to her house to meet her family.  Her and her elderly mother were Christians, but her husband and adult son had not made a commitment to the Lord yet.  During the visit, the son accepted the Lord.  Later, Junior was able to get to know the husband better, and he also decided to give his life to the Lord. So we are praying that their whole family will be able to grow together in their relationship with Jesus.  We pray that the Lord will continue to use our lives here as he desires and that we can be encouragement to those around us. 

However, our time here is almost over.  On the 10th of Septemer we have our graduation.  Then it will be on to the next step in our lives.  For now, we are planning on leaving Pichilemu about the 12th of September to begin the long road trip back to Peru. Please pray that God will help us along the way, because it is not an easy trip for five active children.  When we arrive in Lima, we are praying that God will continue to lead us and open doors.  We have a possibility of a place to live, which is a big encouragement, but we are asking God to help us make wise decisions and to provide what we need.  He knows our needs better than we do. 

One of our other prayer requests right now is for a vehicle.  We are praying for a miracle.  Cars are very expensive in Peru because of the high taxes charged for importing vehicles.  So it is a little daunting to go car shopping and see the crazy prices.  We need a car to be able to get up into the mountains and do the work we feel called to do.  So once again we are praying.  One of the teachers we had in our classes here talked about faith.  He said that faith is kind of like swimming.  You don't really need faith when you are in the shallow water, because you can stand on your own.  But once you get into the deep end, that's when you have to start swimming.  When things seem impossible, that's when faith can kick in.  That is the situation that we are in right now. We have no idea how things are all going to work out.  We can't do it in our power because things are too big for us.  But we have faith in God.  He will provide, He will lead us, and He will never leave us.  He has promised all of those things and so much more.  His answers may not look like what we were expecting, but if he has promised it, we can be sure that He will do it.  "However, as it is written, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him'"  1 Cor. 2:9  We look forward to seeing the amazing, inconceivable things that God will do in our lives.

Josh is now 4 years old!
Happy Birthday Joshua!