Ridge, Chillicothe and Lifepoint

The team representing Ridge, Chillicothe and Lifepoint churches has arrived safely and are now serving in Pararin, Tapacocha and Cotoparaco. They have already been welcomed with open arms! This is a vision trip for the Ridge crew. Pray for them as they discern God's will for them in missions whether it be Peru or another part of the world. Pray for the leaders of the 3 groups as they make many decisions this week concerning the ministry.
(Photo above is translator Jerry interpreting a Bible story to the ladies of Tapacocha.)

Training Pastors and Leaders

This week a team of 5 from Ingleside Church of Macon, Georgia and 3 from Training Pastors International will be serving in the Santa Cruz District. Ingleside has been a long-time partner here in the Huaylas Valley and are now implementing their exit strategy. As they do so, they are offering an on-site seminary for pastors and leaders.
Pray:  for the leaders of the district - that they will commit and be faithful to this unique opportunity. Pray for wisdom and guidance for Jaime H. as he leads the TPI team. There is a lot of unrest here. Pray that the impending strikes will not prohibit the teams as they travel each day to the training site. Pray for our translators: Erick, Humberta and Carlos. Pray for the Ingleside team: David, Robert, Cortney, Jamie and Janice.
(Pictured above are area Believers in Huancarhuaz.)

Lifepoint to Cotoparaco, Tapacocha & Pararin

A team of  5 from Lifepoint Church of Delaware, OH will soon return to their place of ministry in the Cordillera Negra. Pray for Team Leader Jonathan, Brian, Megan, Ryan and Christine as they prepare and serve next week. Specifically they ask that you pray for:

NOW - :  Pray that God is preparing the hearts of the villagers to be open to hearing what He has in store for them next week.  Pray for the team that God is working to help us stay focused on Him and what He wants us to do….not that we do what we want.

Saturday: Safe travels as the team flies from Columbus to Washington DC to Miami and into Lima.  That the three flights line up with no delays getting into Lima.

Sunday: Safe travels on the 5-8 hour drive from Lima into the Andes Mountains.  For protection of the team from altitude illness and any other ailments.  That the villages would be excited and welcoming of us and accommodations are made for our first night.

Monday:  This is truly the first day that the team has in the villages.  Pray that God gives the team strength to share His message. Pray that He opens doors to allow us to share His message and that the team is responsive to what God wants us to do.  That people in the village are present and are available to listen and share.

Tuesday:  Pray that the team is listening to God and takes advantage of doors that He opens.  Pray that the children of the village warm up to the team quickly and want to engage in sporting events (soccer/volleyball).  That window allows the team share Bible Scripture and how God has impacted our lives.  Pray that God opens doors in the schools to let the team talk with teachers and students in an educational setting.

Wednesday:  Pray that God allows us to talk with the government officials in the villages of Tapacocha, Cotaporacho, and Pararin.  That God uses the team to encourage them, continue to build relationships, and point them towards God.

Also, pray for their translator, Luigi, as he serves with the team.

(Pictured above is Moises, Doris and family. Moises, a local school teacher, is currently leading the group of Believers in the area.)

Outreach to Children and Farmers

On Friday a team of 5 from the lovely hamlet of Jesup, Georgia will arrive in Yungay. Translating for them will be Anibal and David. They will be working with Pastor Joel and his wife Hilda. Pray that the Lord will use them in a mighty way to reach the children in the after school Bible club and the farmers in their fields. Also, pray for safe travel as they fly to Lima then Anta.
(Pictured above is a Peruvian farmer with his wooden, hand-made plow. They are far more of these than tractors.)

Beautiful Feet

64 of them from FBC Yazoo City MS, Iquitos and Lima will arrive in Huaraz to serve in the Huaylas Valley. They will serve in the city, the Recuay area and in the Cordillera Negra. They will work will children, sing, preach, lead Bible studies and worship and may even paint a local church. It should be an exciting week.
Pray that we will all be patient with one another! The logistics are overwhelming! Pray that the team will quickly make relationships with the people they serve and through His power they will truly see Jesus in us.

For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you. 2 Corinthians 13:4
(Photo credit http://hisfirefly.blogspot.com/)

Ingleside to Santa Cruz & Macate

Today a team of 3 with Javier, Jaime and Zosimo arrived in Huaraz. Tomorrow we will travel down the valley then up to the Santa Cruz District where the pastors and leaders will be waiting. The team asks that you pray for 1. The Word Pastor Jaime of TPI will be well received . 2. The Believers will be encouraged and challenged. 3. The pastors and leaders will be receptive to the opportunity to participate in the on-site seminary. 4. That the vet clinic will provide opportunities to share the gospel. Thanks so much to all of you who will lift the team in prayer. (Pictured above is the community of Tzactza where the kiwicha is nearing harvest time.)

Ellen, Faithful Servant

This morning a faithful and precious servant went home to Jesus. I first met Ellen Wroughton in June of 2001 on a short-term mission trip to the Northern Conchucos Valley of Peru. She became an inspiration and no doubt, played a part in me being here in full time service. Her husband, Jim, Ellen and their daughters, Katherine and Elizabeth, lived here in Huaraz and Pomabamba for many years as Jim translated the New Testament into Northern Conchucos Quechua. Translating the Word is difficult enough, but they did this during one of Peru’s darkest and most dangerous times. Not even the Sendero Luminoso could shake her faith, even when one of their bullets lodged in the wall of one of the girl’s bed. She viewed it as satan trying to stop the translation and remained faithful to her call. May we be found as faithful as Ellen. Please pray for Jim, Katherine and Elizabeth in the days ahead.