Summer Missionaries in Ancash

Arriving tomorrow and pictured above is the team of summer missionaries and their translators who will be serving in the Recuay area for the next 7 weeks. They come from Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland and Peru. They will lead adult and children's Bible studies, teach English, disciple believers and look for new opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray that the team will adjust rapidly to the high altitude (11,100') and enjoy good health as they serve. Pray that they will see and respond to opportunities as Christ would. Pray that the ladies, children and men they come in contact with will truly hear the Message.

FBC Yazoo City Youth Recap

What do you get when you have a focused, energetic, well-prepared  and "prayed up" team of 21 from Mississippi + 4 of the best translators in Peru? Answer - An incredible week serving the Lord! They served in the plaza in Huaraz, in the local university, Huancapama, Recuay, Ocunan and Utcuyacu with great success. Through Bible-storying, testimonies and crafts, they shared the Good News boldly and faithfully.
Pray for the little ones above, that they will grasp the true meaning of the stories they heard and the meaning behind the crafts they made. Pray for the Yazoo Team, that they will continue to grow in their faith. (Yazoo team - you were an awesome group, come back anytime!)

~ Pictured above are some of the faces in the village of Utcuyacu & one of the team members with Erick, translator, sharing a Bible story.~

Election Runoff for President on Sunday

On Sunday, June 5th, the people of Peru will cast their vote for the next president. Many businesses will close and there will be no church services. Peru has been blessed with economic growth the past few years, construction is going on everywhere, the highways are better than I have ever seen and the country has once again been peaceful after many years of violence. Many are fearful that the economy will regress, others think the government needs to do more for the poor and some speak of  a possible return to a violent  government. No matter who wins, the next five years will be very interesting.
Pray that the people of Peru will select the best person to lead the country. Pray for the next president whether it be Keiko Fujimori or Ollanta Humala, and that they will serve all the people of Peru in an unselfish and wise manner.

First Baptist - Yazoo City Youth Team

This week, youth from First Baptist Church, Yazoo City, MS will be coming to the Huaylas Valley and Huaraz to minister in neighboring villages. They will conduct backyard Bible studies, share their testimonies with children and other youth and experience playing futbol (soccer) at 11,200 feet. Pray for safe travel, good health and that they will find ways to connect with those they minister to.

Macate and Santa Cruz Recap

The team returned yesterday from Huanroc and the Santa Cruz district after having a very productive week. As is often the case, it exceeded our expectations. In Huanroc, the team taught "Pioneer Evangelism" to a very faithful group of about 25 each night. They left their fields early and got home far after their usual bedtime to attend the training. Pray for these fellow believers who will soon be going out in their communities with new skills to reach others.
(Top photo - Esperanza, Pastor Victor Saenz with new believers. 2nd photo - Pastors Josue, Raul, Juan Julio and others. Bottom photo - Some of the faithful attendees just before the last session in Huanroc)
NOTE - If you would like to hear a praise song sung in Huaylas Quechua by Juan Julio Huaman, middle photo in his distinctive hat, go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X13QL_OVqFM

To Santa Cruz, Huaylas and Macate

Later this week a team from Ingleside Church (Macon, GA.) will make their way to the end of the Huaylas Valley. After a day in Santa Cruz in the Cordillera Blanca some of us will travel to Macate in the Cordillera Negra. The team will minister in various ways in these places and will encourage the local pastors and leaders. The team has asked that you specifically pray for:

* Flexibility to deviate from their plans if God has other plans for this team
* Safe travel and good health
* Willingness to serve in any capacity that God asks of them
* The Holy Spirit to be upon each of them to give them power, boldness, and the words that the Lord wants them to speak
* Opportunities to witness
* For God to open the hearts of the Peruvians who will hear these messages and lead them to salvation and transformed lives - that those who are already believers would be encouraged in their walk with the Lord
* For the lost in Peru to come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ
* That the families these men are leaving behind will feel the arms of the Lord carrying them during this trip and providing for all of their needs
*That the Lord will be glorified in all that these men say and do.

Thank you for your willingness to be a part of this mission through prayer. I know these men will feel covered and empowered through them. Glory to god! ~ Ingleside Team - May - 2011

(Ingleside Church has been a Strategy Coordinating Church for about 10 years. They have invested there lives and resources to reach the people of this area. If you believe your church is ready to "get out of the boat" please let me know. We at REAP North will assist you in finding a place to serve. Also, I know that Ingleside will be glad to share their experiences with you.)

Return to Llacón and Llacsa

While in Llacón and Llacsa we were blessed with good weather and far better roads than on the last trip. The team from Riverland Hills has begun to build relationships and learn more about the people and their worldview. We encountered one group who did not know: (1) the "connection" between God and Jesus Christ (2) That God loves them and (3) how to pray. Above is a photo of calla lillies and a burning candle before the image of Christ in the little and all but abandoned church. I see this as evidence that at least one person in the village is searching for the One True God who loves them and wants to have a relationship with not only them but everyone.
Continue to pray for the Huallaga Quechua and the Riverland Hills team as they search for methods to reach the people of these villages and beyond.