God Opens Doors

Her name is...

A few weeks ago, we saw another baby abandoned in the newspaper. Today, Yolanda and I visited the city orphanage. Among the sweet ones we met, I was able to hold the baby I read about in the paper. When An abandoned baby arrives, the baby is taken to a doctor who determines their approximate age and they are given a first name. The police will investigate to see if they can find the mother or if a family member comes forward. The process usually takes about a year. I couldn't believe my ears when they told me baby girl was named Kimberly! Kimberly is not a normal name here. She was so precious. All I could think about was how much Jesus loves her. Oh that Kimberly will know one day Jesus will never abandon her.

Peru Follow Ups

The missionary in Peru, Yolanda, and her church are following up with the people who made decisions from the medical clinic.  We join them every few weeks to help out.  It can seem a bit overwhelming standing on the hillside overlooking the main city of Tacna:

We travel just like in the States - two by two or three by three  (Tyler with a mom and son)

 

Then we meet back up for report time:

And we realize again, we reach them one by one. The best part for us is the name on a page becoming real as we are able to knock on their door, see their face, listen to their story, pray for them, and let them know that in the middle of a huge city, the Lord specifically wanted to let them know personally Jesus is coming again soon.  May be have a deeper desire to reach the multitude one by one.

Arica

Well, I mentioned in a previous post there was good news about Arica.  Those of you who get our newsletter should be receiving it any day.  If you do not receive the newsletter, you can read it on the left sidebar. 

A few months ago, we began feeling unsettled here on the island.  Our goal in coming here was to help Ms. Ellie in the bookstore, become more fluent in Spanish, understand the culture better, and help a local church.  We felt our homework here was completed.  However, our question to the Lord was, if not here - then where?

As the time approached for our trip to Arica, the Lord began confirming a relocation there.   Long story short, He is still confirming the move.  In missionary work, the Lord does not always give you a vision for the place you are going until you get there.  So, our hope is the same as before - we are going to help the church and hoping to make disciples.  We still plan to make trips outside of Chile according to Acts 1:8 .  However, in 2009, we have plans to travel to Tacna, Peru and to the United States in November for our first furlough in almost three years.   

We are hoping to move at the end of January or February.  The boys have a camp in January and we are also commited to helping with a VBS.  Please pray as Arica is three days by bus from here.  Dokey is a problem because he can't go by bus.  The airlines here are very strict about carrying animals and we don't want to go through the headache it would take to travel with him by air.  We find ourselves waiting on the Lord to make a way.  Which - He always does. 

We ask for you to pray as we get ready to move - again.  Please pray for our wisdom on how we will relocate, where we will live, and what to take and what to leave.  The Lord has stripped us of our desire for things over the years.  Our biggest items to move is our mountain of homeschool books.  Garrett uses the same homeschool material as Tyler, so it has to all be moved! 

Thank you for your prayers.  You are welcome to comment and we will respond to you! 

Peru

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Back in Chiloe

We are home again.  Thank you for your prayers while we were in Peru.  Tyler and I were going strong again Thursday.  We were able to preach, pray for people, and learn from Pastor Israel and Lucy. 

The Bible school was a lot of fun for us.  Around 100 kids attended daily the 3-day Bible school.  Israel and Lucy have always pastored with the vision of reaching the children.  The kids who attend regularly know the Bible well.  They are taught weekly as well as bring scripture passages to quote from memory for the mid-week service.  Tyler stepped out of his comfort zone and led the worship Saturday and Sunday evening.  Garrett took pictures and helped clean up when needed.  It was a good time for us as a family to be in ministry together.  We find ourselves struggling at times to minister together here.  The Lord reminded us to keep it a priority.

Pastor Israel and Lucy spent a number of years in the U.S.  Israel is from El Salvador and Lucy from Peru.  Both of their countries went through periods with dictators which led their families to relocate to the United States.  Lucy’s father worked many years to build two meat stores.  The government took over their business which led to them leave Peru.  They are very patriotic and love the United States.  I think when you come from an area which has always been free it is hard to really appreciate that freedom.  I found myself asking the Lord to forgive me for not being more thankful for my country.  Lucy’s father worked for the Pentagon for a number of years before becoming sick.  Her parents eventually returned to Peru. 

They have two churches they pastor.  It was wonderful to see the people sharing in leadership and working with the children.  They have now equipped the body to the place where the people are taking responsibility for the ministry which needs to be carried out.  The Lord has placed another area in their hearts which they are praying about going.  This is the work of the missionary.  Building and equipping people to carry out a work which God raises up and being able to leave it in the hands of the people.  The missionary can then move on to the next work.  The equipping has not been overnight.  The first church was planted eight years ago, the second 6 years ago.

We were able to pray for the people and share the word.  The Lord touched many and we pray the seeds will grow.  The Lord seems to direct our focus on the ‘one’ person before us.  Instead of focusing on the crowds; He has us touching them one by one.

Thank you again for your prayers. We share more in our newsletter and we will post some pictures soon.

From Peru

I listen to the sounds outside with car horns blowing and dogs barking.  Familiar sounds of Peru.  Another familiar thing for us is that each time we come to Peru Tyler and I get sick!  I am asking for your prayers today.  Tyler began Sunday with fever and Monday diarrhea started.  I began fever on Monday and diarrhea started on Tuesday.  We have both run fever of over 103 degrees.  Today I decided to get up in faith that God would heal both Tyler and I.  Please lift us up and also Randy and Garrett´s protection from getting sick. 

Randy preached Sunday evening and he will preach again Thursday evening.  Semana Santa, Holy Week, begins Thursday and everything will close down Thursday afternoon until Saturday morning.  Israel and Lucy have been a huge blessing and we have been able to share much about ministry and missions in general.  I will share more later.

Until next week.....

We are here...

We made it to Peru.  Israel and Lucy´s church waited for us to do their VBS.  So, we get to help with that and we are very glad.  They have services on Saturday and Sunday.  We will be preaching on Sunday.  Pray for our Spanish! 

We´ll update more when we can.  Blessings to you!