“HAPPY INDEPENDENCE"

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

July is not only when we celebrate the independence of the United States but also the independence of Peru on July 28th. Streets are filled with vendors selling patriotic red and white colors, parades and flags fill the towns. It is exciting to see unity in the country during this time and when their national soccer team is playing. Many seem to be searching for happiness and independence apart from God not realizing the bondage of slavery to sin that they are trapped in.  I’m thankful for my freedom and the sacrifice given for that independence. Jesus died to give us eternal life and freedom from the bondage of sin. We are here in Peru as missionaries to share the Gospel. 

            We’re asked many times of the reason we are in the area. This has provided an open door to share the gospel and explain the desire to have a church in the area in which they can grow spiritually. They then do a follow-up question of how long will we be staying. We explain that we have no set time table but are praying for the church to be self-sustaining and independent. The church now has paint, curtains, new chairs and tables, a lighted sign, a kids club banner, tracts, and dry-erase board. Praise the Lord for answered prayers. We have continued with our regular services now for the last two months and have over twenty in our Sunday services and over thirty in our weekly kids club. We are still using our house to meet for the services and are running into trouble for space. We will need to begin another class as I have been meeting with the adults and my wife with all the children but now will create another childrens class for our girls to teach. We are praying for continued growth and for God to provide more space to meet the need. 

Please pray for Maria, an elderly lady that has been coming to church struggling with a tumor. She is in need to travel to a specialized doctor in a town an hour and a half away monthly for treatment of the pain and liquid build up. Her faith in God has been getting stronger as we have been praying with her.  Please also pray for Elí and Jesús.  Elí is a neighbor who has come to a couple of our services.  He came over last Saturday evening and asked to begin a bible study with Jon.  Jesús has come over the last two Thursdays for fellowship and to help with the kids club. He is from Venezuela and we met him when we purchased some furniture in town.  He grew up in an Assembly of God church, but has taken an interest in getting to know us and is interested in a possible bible study with Jon.

Nisha has begun a ladies cooking class the last Saturday of every month and last month, nine ladies attended.  She was able to share a little about our ministry here and our purpose.  This is a good way for her to get to know the mothers of the neighborhood and is hoping this will open doors to have bible studies and share the gospel with them. 

Matthew and Nathan are working through the summer in the States with plans to return to college. They have been excited to be ministering in our sending church this summer. Rebecca and Katie are still finishing up a couple of classes to finish their junior year to make-up for missed classes from traveling on furlough. Nisha and I celebrated our birthdays in June and are looking forward to celebrating our 24^thwedding anniversary on July 15^th. We praise the Lord for our good health and strength these last two months to continue to minister here in Peru. Thank you for your prayers and compassion for the Peruvians.
Serving a Great God, 
The Jon Harris Family