2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiracion of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
The ministry is continuing to meet weekly with Sunday services, Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study, Thursday kids program, discipleships, and evangelism. I (Jon) am teaching the church Baptist Distinctives, as many are not familiar with how the Baptists differ from other denominations. It has been good to see those in the church growing by using the Bible as their authority.
We have finished our summer break and rainy season from January to April. Perú was hit harder this year with mudslides and a water cyclone causing state of emergencies in the Northern part of Perú. The protests that started in the South have died down and are being controlled. One of the blessings of being in the center jungle region of Perú is that we were not directly affected by any of these dangers. We only ran into problems when we needed to travel outside of our area.
We traveled to Lima in January to submit our permanent resident visas and expected to have them shortly after. We have yet to be approved and are still waiting for the process. In February, I (Jon) was able to help direct a single adults camp on the coast to 250 campers. We were able to offer a VBS to over 70 children at the end of February. It was so encouraging to see so many from the church working together to make it possible. In March, we traveled to Brazil for the BIMI missionary field conference. 60 missionaries gathered together to be renewed and strengthened. It was our first time to Brazil and it was a blessing to meet many of the Brazilian missionaries.
The month of April allows us to be in Chontabamba, strengthening the church before our trip to the States for our son´s graduation from Maranatha Baptist University in May. The last week of May will be filled with evangelistic emphasis with a group from Lima coming to help us.
Perú´s school year began in March. Each year the teachers take tests and are assigned a school, many times resulting having to teach in a different city. Please pray for Ingrid (from our church) who has been reassigned to a school in a remote village about four hours away. The village currently doesn´t have a church, internet, or phone signal. Nisha had been counseling her but it has become very difficult with no means to communicate with her.
Easter Sunday was a blessing. We offered a pancake breakfast and had 14 attend breakfast before the service. We had 40 in attendance for Sunday morning. We have been praying for more adults and were encouraged with those that came out for services.
Family Update: I (Jon) struggled with back pain for a couple of months that continued to increase until I could not walk without severe pain and spasms. I was finally able to get to the doctor. The result was a nerve infection in my lower back. It was treated and I am doing much better. Nisha´s health is good with no concerns. Our children are finishing their university classes for this semester while balancing their responsibilities with work and church. God seems to be stretching and maturing them along the way. Matthew will be graduating in May; traveling to Perú in June and getting married in July. Please pray with us that his fiancé, Paty, will receive her visa paperwork to the States.
