Street Preaching in Villa El Salvador

EFATA Baptist Church put together a street preaching ministry where we were able to pass out tracts and witness to people in the town of Villa El Salvador.

This is our son Nathan passing out tracts to drivers when stopped for a red light.

Nisha and Jon's Dad enjoying the choir singing and the street preaching.

Investment in another life is like planting a tree and watching it grow

EFATA ministries in Peru work with deaf children. On this day the deaf children had the opportunity to plant trees throughout the area. Jon was able to spend time with the deaf children and to see them use their talents in school.

Bible Study in Peru

Jon has had the opportunity to observe an in-home Bible Study for a few weeks before being asked to prepare weekly Bible Studies to present in spanish to the group. It has been challenging but rewarding to learn how to present in spanish. The group averages about ten adults each week.

December Prayer Letter!

To Our Supporting Churches and Faithful Prayer Warriors,

John 3:16, a powerful reminder that God gave us His Son for all to be saved.

In a month when we give and receive gifts, we also remember the greatest Gift of all.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” Luke 2.

These last two months have been filled with reasons to rejoice in the Lord. Jon’s parents were with us for two months which made “Family Day” at the church even more enjoyable. Jon and his dad were able to go visit Andahuaylas in November where they were able to be with our missionary team. We were able to minister to the church and the missionaries during our stay. Jon’s dad is planning on returning to Andahuaylas in January 2012 to fix up and complete the house we will be renting. Please pray for all the preparations for our move in March.

Our twins celebrated their 10^th birthday on November 26^th where they had opportunity to interact with many of their Peruvian and missionary friends at their” Tea Party”.

A Thanksgiving feast, prepared by Jon’s mom and Nisha, was celebrated with our spanish teacher and his wife. Our first Christmas in Peru made quite an impression on us. Their tradition of Christmas is celebrated on the 24^th of December instead of the 25^th and isn’t completed until the traditional Christmas Eve fireworks displays that lasts throughout the night. Our children sang with the church choir before the Peruvian Congress Christmas program and were involved in the drama presentation at the church. It was a blessing to see different institutions donate and minister to the deaf ministry where we are currently staying.

Jon has been able to prepare and deliver devotionals in spanish at a house bible study every week for the last two months. This has helped in learning the language as well as ministering the Word. Our children have been learning to play the piano as demonstrated in their piano recital. It has been a blessing to host and minister to the deaf children at EFATA. We were able to participate in soul-winning, street preaching, men’s prayer meetings, special music, caroling, and Bible studies.

Thank you to those who have prayed for the ministry in Andahuaylas. God has allowed the church to grow and has been given land in the country to begin a camp ministry. The missions team is currently looking for a larger building to meet the growing demands of interest in the church. Our mission team desires to see God build the church through the effective tools of preaching the Bible, prayer, and the working of the Holy Spirit. There is an interest in starting a Christian School, Bible Institute, and a camp in the near future. We are asking for your prayers for wisdom in the decisions ahead.

Serving Christ in Peru,

The Harris Family

Jon, Nisha, Matthew, Nathan, Becca, and Katie

Oh Danny Boy!

This is a deaf boy that arrived here at EFATA recently named Danny. What a blessing it was to spend some time with him as a family.

Jon's Parents visit to Peru

We were all excited about Jon's parents visit to Peru from October 12th-December 5th.

Arriving at the Lima, Peru airport late at night.

It didn't take long before we had them busy with work (or ministry)

Participating in the churches Family Day activities

Holding the ropes for Hosea while at work

Shopping at the market

Don't worry Dad your secret is safe with me that you were playing or assembling the girls toys.

This photo is from the twins 10th birthday party (Tea Party Theme)

Mom couldn't be convinced to go on this ride; she wasn't sure if it was going to flip (recalling the past experiences).

Rolling up the sleeves for another day of work.

I hope these kids are enjoying themselves.

Mom preparing pies for Thanksgiving

Dad visits the town of Andahuaylas in the mountains and had opportunity to share his testimony and give a challenge from God's Word with Gary Greenwood translating for him.

Dad is getting a chance to eat the Peruvian food. This is the guinee pig (cuy) that he ate.

Having fun with the missionary kids can be more overwhelming than other labor especially if attempting to climb in the mountains with the high altitude.

Now doesn't this make you feel tall?

Mom accepts the risk of shopping at the market.

Dad using the motor taxi to get more wood.

Have you heard that we live on the third floor and that there are plenty of steps to climb for exercise.

Painting, Painting, and still yet more to Paint!

Did you have enough work to get your hands dirty and keep you out of trouble?

Time with the grandchildren------Precious!

October Prayer Letter 2011

To Our Supporting Churches and Faithful Prayer Warriors,

I Thessalonians 1:2-3, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

Our family is reading the New Testament in chronological order for family devotions and this morning we began I Thessalonians. We are thankful for all of your prayers on our behalf and understand that each of you are serving God in various ministries and need prayer as well.

As mentioned before,we have changed Spanish teachers and have been making improvements in our conversational Spanish. Pastor Silvano (our tutor) has helped Jon go through the verses we’ve memorized in class and through presenting the Gospel with the tracts they pass out on visitation. This has helped Jon to present the gospel more clearly in Spanish and as a result was able to lead another Peruvian to the Lord on his own! How exciting it is to understand enough of the language to share the gospel more confidently with others each day!

It’s exciting and a little scary to think that we are now parents of a teenager! Our oldest son Matthew turned thirteen on October 5^th adding a different level of challenges to us as parents. Matthew was able to attend his first youth conference where it was evident that God was working in many hearts. We are praying for those who made decisions at the conference.

All of our kids began school at the end of August. Please continue to pray for Nisha as she juggles language school, homeschooling, and her ministry in our home. It’s a blessing to have Jon’s parents down visiting us and for the gifts from the States that they brought with them.

We were able to spend time with the Gary Greenwood family in September when they visited us in Lima before returning to the mountains from their three month furlough in the States. We were excited to see them and plan to join them in March of next year. We ask for prayer concerning the ministry in Andahuaylas where there is the possibility of receiving some land in order to build a camp ministry, prayer for our growth in our understanding of Spanish, and prayer for the preparation of our future move to Andahuaylas.

Again, we thank each of you who faithfully support us prayerfully and financially. We count it a privilege to serve God in Peru!

The Harris Family

Jon, Nisha, Matthew, Nathan, Becca, and Katie