Conference Update

While the number of participants was not what we had expected, we were greatly surprised in that we have 8 different People Groups represented this year. Representing 4 of them are pictured above. (L to R) Juan Julio Huaman - Huaylas Quechua, Elvis Shantiori - Ashanika,  Aquiles Tapullima - Shipibo, Jhoni Cenepo Sangama - Quechua San Martin and Alfredo Guimaraes - Shipibo. Pray that these men will find the information useful and will find ways to apply it to the cultures they represent.

Across this river and .......

As I mentioned in a previous blog, many Believers have little opportunity for training. This applies to the people of the jungle more than anyone else. The Amazon Basin and jungle could be a synonym for UTTERMOST PARTS, and having been there, in my mind it is. I just received a request for prayer for 3 or 4 brothers who are planning to attend the conference. Pray that the funds ($) transfer for travel expenses arrives in a timely manner and once there, their travels will go well. Also, if God wills, maybe they will bring a friend or two. It is men like these who will carry the Gospel to the Uttermost Parts and beyond.....to people like Percy and his tribe, pictured below, on the Urubamba, who are still waiting.....

Sixth Annual Regional Conference

This is a particularly busy and exciting time of the year for me here in the Callejón de Huaylas and Huaraz.  For a number of weeks many people have been preparing for this annual event that continues in attendance. Pictured above is the main meeting place for this year’s conference, the Iglesia de Dios. We are expecting over 500 people from all over Perú to fill the sanctuary. Since most pastors, leaders and Believers have little opportunity for formal training this event is an opportunity to learn as well as fellowship with other Believers. Topics will include how to deal with alcohol abuse, recognizing sects, dealing with factions in the church and others.
Please join me in praying for those who will be attending, the speakers and those will be working behind the scenes during the meetings. More prayer requests will be coming later. 

McNeese State Student Ministry

As this is being written a team from McNeese State (La.) is making there way to Peru. They will serve in Huaripampa, Olleros, Huancapampa and Octuyacu. We will be working with Pastor Cristian who has been leading Bible studies in the area. The group will share their testimonies, conduct Bible studies and work with the children. Pray for safe travel and that attendance will be good at the various activities. Also pray for our translators, JB, Humberta, Eva and Alberto.

Pray for Huaraz

For the past week there has been considerable unrest in Huaraz and the Huaylas Valley. One person was killed and a number were injured. All roads have been blocked to Huaraz, many businesses and government buildings have been damaged and the central market was looted.  A strike has been taking place in protest of  a mining companies exploration plans near Laguna Conococha. For the moment talks are taking place and we are hopeful order will return beyond the 5 day moratorium now being observed. Fortunately, I left the area Monday afternoon (Dec. 6) with a team and headed to Lima so they could catch their flight back to the US. I plan to leave Lima tomorrow and return to Huaraz for a few days. Pray that the negotiations will go well and all parties will seek peaceful solutions.

Pray for Caraz

This week we will be working with Pastors Ken and Jonathan and from North Carolina along with our translator, Tavo. We will be in the northern extreme of the Huaylas Valley. While there we will be prayer walking, engaging people on the street and setting up a crusade for February 2011. We also hope to spend time with 2 new Believers at the hotel where we will be staying.  Pray for the pastors and the translators as they seek to share the Gospel with the people in Caraz. Pray for the people we will encounter.

Please pass this on to other prayer warriors.

Stay Strong

Please pray for our leaders in Tapacocha, Lucho and Claudia, pictured above with their sons Jesús and Jack. (They have a new addition who was not born at the time.) There are few, if any, other Believers to fellowship with and turn to in times of trouble and temptation. Pray that they will always turn back to the Word and know that people as far as 3,000 miles away are praying for them. Pray they will know "He is near."
Isaiah 55:6.