Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,
Busy, busy, busy! As the holiday season descends upon us, we find ourselves busier than ever in the service of the King! While our thoughts and prayers are with our families and friends back in the States, our attention and devotion remain firmly planted right here in Lima, Peru.
God has been very good to our family in the last month. We have seen our church grow
both numerically and spiritually. We have been enjoying the challenging task of
discipling people who have been steeped in Catholicism and various cults. These people are truly hungry for the truth of God’s Word. At each Bible study and after each service at the church, men and women remain to ask questions about the Bible. We often find ourselves wearily dragging home very late into the night after these times, rejoicing that God would allow us to help these precious people learn more about Him.
Recently one of our faithful men named Pablo approached me on a Saturday morning at
the soul-winning meeting. He was on his way to the funeral of one of his coworkers and asked if I would be willing to attend with him to help him share the Gospel with the friends and family of the deceased. Of course, I was glad to do so, and soon we arrived at the house where the body of the man was being held. (They do not embalm the bodies here generally. So the bodies are kept in the house, and a memorial service is held there.) After I greeted the family and friends who were assembled, the wife asked if I would be willing to speak from the Bible to all those present. I gave a simple salvation message and then led in the sinner’s prayer for anyone who wished to receive Christ as their personal Saviour. After the prayer, I asked those who had prayed with me to raise their hands, and 13 adults acknowledged that they had trusted Christ to save them. Praise the Lord! Later the wife told me that Pablo had repeatedly asked her husband to attend church with him, but her husband had always refused to come. We rejoice that his funeral allowed many of his relatives a chance to trust Christ. We are so excited about the many souls who have come to Christ recently.
Although much of my time this last month has been occupied with working to get our
container released from customs, our family was still able to see more than 40 people
trust Christ as their Saviour. At this writing, the container has finally been released, and we are happy to report that the team families’ belongings and our church materials are safe and sound! Please continue to pray for our property search. With attendances now over 100 on Sundays, we are in desperate need of a larger facility for our main church. As always, we will work diligently to secure a location while relying on God to direct in His timing.
We hope each of you has a very Merry Christmas! May God continue to bless you.
His for souls,
Zach and Karin Foust, Zachary, C.J., and Logan
Monday, December 17, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
November Prayer Letter from the Martin Family
December 5, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4 We truly have so much for which to be thankful. I know that November is not the only month that should reflect our gratitude, however, I must admit that this November gave us a lot to be thankful for! Where oh where do I begin…
Thankful for our church. God has blessed us with an amazing ministry in the heart of Chorrillos! The way that our church has grown can only be contributed to God. In all honesty (I dread even saying this), we have not tried to accelerate the growth of our church. We have not promoted or had any type of campaign, simply because we do not have the space to accommodate the growth. We go soul-winning, follow-up on our visitors, and hold 8 different Bible studies each week. But God has given us a great group of people! Just this past Sunday we had our two highest attendances to date, 109 in the morning and 93 that night! God is so good!
Thankful for our people. That is what the church truly is! As thankful as I am for the numerical growth of our people, I am even more thankful for their spiritual growth. We have seen so many miracles in the lives of our people. As Cecilia went soul-winning with my wife this past week, we both realized that incredible desire she has serve God and reach her family. Yanira is a new teenager who has humbled both of us with her sweet spirit. She too has a desire to grow and has helped us lead many of her family to Christ.
Another family we have seen great growth in is Julio and Veronique. Several weeks ago, they were able to set their reservations aside and follow the Lord in baptism. It was a great day! Every Saturday night, I have a Bible study at their house. I started the 10 week study with them 15 weeks ago (you do the math)! They can’t get enough. Lord willing, they will be helping me start another Bible study this month.
Thankful for opportunities. God has given us some great opportunities to make a difference in our area. As already stated we have 8 in-home Bible studies occurring every week. These Bible studies are averaging 68 people every week. Between 14 and 20 of these are people that do not even attend our church! In addition to this, I am glad that soul-winning still works! This last month a total of 31 trusted Christ as a result of soul-winning. An additional 32 people were saved through outreach and services, and a total of six were baptized.
The greatest opportunity for which I am thankful is the opportunity to be used. Two weeks ago, Jessica and I reflected on that opportunity. It is hard to believe that one year ago, we were both in the hospital not sure if we would have this opportunity. But God is the great physician and I am so amazed by his healing and the way He has worked in our lives. God is so good to use us!
Thankful for answered prayers. I am grateful for a God Who hears and answers our prayers. We have had so many prayers answered, but one prayer in particular has been prayed for by many of you. The Wednesday after Thanksgiving our container was released and all of our personal and ministry items were delivered to our home. This was a great day! Thank you to each and every one of you who prayed. God blessed miraculously not only in giving us our stuff, but also in the amount of taxes we payed. I serve an awesome God!
Thankful for our team. Every day, I am able to rejoice in the great group of people God has called to work alongside us here in Peru. Especially, during this holiday season, while family is far away, it is a blessing to have a group of people we can celebrate with. We had a grand Thanksgiving dinner with the members of our team and several of our church people! I could not imagine this ministry without the families God has brought together as Team Peru!
Thankful for you. Every day, we feel the loves and prayers of each of you. Thank you to each and everyone of you who make this ministry what it is. Thank you also to the Antioch Baptist Church in Michigan who voted to take us on for support this past month. I believe with all my heart that we will reach Peru through Chorrillos; thank you sharing in our burden.
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Dear Praying Friends,
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4 We truly have so much for which to be thankful. I know that November is not the only month that should reflect our gratitude, however, I must admit that this November gave us a lot to be thankful for! Where oh where do I begin…
Thankful for our church. God has blessed us with an amazing ministry in the heart of Chorrillos! The way that our church has grown can only be contributed to God. In all honesty (I dread even saying this), we have not tried to accelerate the growth of our church. We have not promoted or had any type of campaign, simply because we do not have the space to accommodate the growth. We go soul-winning, follow-up on our visitors, and hold 8 different Bible studies each week. But God has given us a great group of people! Just this past Sunday we had our two highest attendances to date, 109 in the morning and 93 that night! God is so good!
Thankful for our people. That is what the church truly is! As thankful as I am for the numerical growth of our people, I am even more thankful for their spiritual growth. We have seen so many miracles in the lives of our people. As Cecilia went soul-winning with my wife this past week, we both realized that incredible desire she has serve God and reach her family. Yanira is a new teenager who has humbled both of us with her sweet spirit. She too has a desire to grow and has helped us lead many of her family to Christ.
Another family we have seen great growth in is Julio and Veronique. Several weeks ago, they were able to set their reservations aside and follow the Lord in baptism. It was a great day! Every Saturday night, I have a Bible study at their house. I started the 10 week study with them 15 weeks ago (you do the math)! They can’t get enough. Lord willing, they will be helping me start another Bible study this month.
Thankful for opportunities. God has given us some great opportunities to make a difference in our area. As already stated we have 8 in-home Bible studies occurring every week. These Bible studies are averaging 68 people every week. Between 14 and 20 of these are people that do not even attend our church! In addition to this, I am glad that soul-winning still works! This last month a total of 31 trusted Christ as a result of soul-winning. An additional 32 people were saved through outreach and services, and a total of six were baptized.
The greatest opportunity for which I am thankful is the opportunity to be used. Two weeks ago, Jessica and I reflected on that opportunity. It is hard to believe that one year ago, we were both in the hospital not sure if we would have this opportunity. But God is the great physician and I am so amazed by his healing and the way He has worked in our lives. God is so good to use us!
Thankful for answered prayers. I am grateful for a God Who hears and answers our prayers. We have had so many prayers answered, but one prayer in particular has been prayed for by many of you. The Wednesday after Thanksgiving our container was released and all of our personal and ministry items were delivered to our home. This was a great day! Thank you to each and every one of you who prayed. God blessed miraculously not only in giving us our stuff, but also in the amount of taxes we payed. I serve an awesome God!
Thankful for our team. Every day, I am able to rejoice in the great group of people God has called to work alongside us here in Peru. Especially, during this holiday season, while family is far away, it is a blessing to have a group of people we can celebrate with. We had a grand Thanksgiving dinner with the members of our team and several of our church people! I could not imagine this ministry without the families God has brought together as Team Peru!
Thankful for you. Every day, we feel the loves and prayers of each of you. Thank you to each and everyone of you who make this ministry what it is. Thank you also to the Antioch Baptist Church in Michigan who voted to take us on for support this past month. I believe with all my heart that we will reach Peru through Chorrillos; thank you sharing in our burden.
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Thursday, November 15, 2012
October Prayer Letter from the Kokubun Family
Sitting in a small storefront church on a Sunday morning, I gazed across a congregation of people as they partook in the Lord's Supper. Some had a tear in their eye, others a peaceful look on their face, but all the joy of salvation in their heart. This Sunday morning, God's people participated in what has become one of my personal favorite times in our young church. Young Christians realizing how great a Savior they have, what it took to save them from eternal hell, and how much God really loves them.
More and more our little church on the corner is becoming like a family. Many Wednesday evenings are filled with laughter, good teaching, and fellowship. Preacher always asks for a short time where we get to share blessings that have happened to us that week before we pray. I enjoy so much hearing our people praise the Lord.
We have gotten particularly close to one family: Carlos, Anita, Alexandra and Lucas Alvites. What a joy it has been to teach them the Bible every Thursday in our weekly Bible study. Their hunger for truth has been humbling and amazing to me. There are few things I like more than explaining the Bible to them.
It all started with a visit from Anita to our church. Anita had heard the buzz of the new church in Chorrillos, but being Catholic was a bit skeptical of Iglesia Bautista International. Finally one Sunday night about three months ago, she casually
walked in and sat in the back of our service. Her husband Carlos stayed outside the church walking back and forth scared to enter this "new" church. An invitation from the pulpit cured him as Preacher in the middle of his announcements compelled Carlos to enter. They were hooked. Both received Jesus Christ as their Savior that night. After the service both thanked preacher for his kindness and asked him to pray for
their daughter who was giving them trouble at home.
The very next Wednesday Alexandra attended our services. My wife had the wonderful
opportunity of sharing the Gospel with her. Alexandra was sweetly saved. Over the next week something incredible happened. I do not know what kind of girl Alexandra was before she entered our church building, but her parents say that she was completely transformed as a result of finding the truth. Jesus completely changed her life. She was no longer a rebellious teenager, but now a child of God with a sweet joyful spirit. She is now one of our core young people in our growing youth group.
There is something special about winning someone to Christ, but there is nothing like seeing your convert lead another person to the Lord. What a happy day it was when I looked down the street and saw my wife witnessing to a little girl and just across the way, Alexandra winning her first soul to Christ.
Our youth department is slowly growing. God's timing in our lives has truly been perfect. It seems the more of the Spanish language I am able to understand and speak, the more God allows me to do with our young people. We have started our youth choir this month who will be singing in church in a couple of weeks. We also had our first youth activity. The couple you see on the left of the picture are Anita and Carlos. They have and continue to change my life with each passing week. Carlos has a desire to teach and preach the Word of God. Their family has been a blessing to us in so many ways. It is funny, so many times when you are working to give a blessing whether through our Bible study, soul winning, or working with our young people, that I many times am the one receiving the blessing.
We also feel this way about you and your church through every kind word that is messaged, every phone call made, and every dollar given. We know that we represent you and God to these people here in Chorrillos, Lima, Peru. We do not take that lightly. Thank you never seems to be sufficient to say for all you have done for us. But, Thank You.
Always in our prayers,
Daniel & Heather Kokubun
More and more our little church on the corner is becoming like a family. Many Wednesday evenings are filled with laughter, good teaching, and fellowship. Preacher always asks for a short time where we get to share blessings that have happened to us that week before we pray. I enjoy so much hearing our people praise the Lord.
We have gotten particularly close to one family: Carlos, Anita, Alexandra and Lucas Alvites. What a joy it has been to teach them the Bible every Thursday in our weekly Bible study. Their hunger for truth has been humbling and amazing to me. There are few things I like more than explaining the Bible to them.
It all started with a visit from Anita to our church. Anita had heard the buzz of the new church in Chorrillos, but being Catholic was a bit skeptical of Iglesia Bautista International. Finally one Sunday night about three months ago, she casually
walked in and sat in the back of our service. Her husband Carlos stayed outside the church walking back and forth scared to enter this "new" church. An invitation from the pulpit cured him as Preacher in the middle of his announcements compelled Carlos to enter. They were hooked. Both received Jesus Christ as their Savior that night. After the service both thanked preacher for his kindness and asked him to pray for
their daughter who was giving them trouble at home.
The very next Wednesday Alexandra attended our services. My wife had the wonderful
opportunity of sharing the Gospel with her. Alexandra was sweetly saved. Over the next week something incredible happened. I do not know what kind of girl Alexandra was before she entered our church building, but her parents say that she was completely transformed as a result of finding the truth. Jesus completely changed her life. She was no longer a rebellious teenager, but now a child of God with a sweet joyful spirit. She is now one of our core young people in our growing youth group.
There is something special about winning someone to Christ, but there is nothing like seeing your convert lead another person to the Lord. What a happy day it was when I looked down the street and saw my wife witnessing to a little girl and just across the way, Alexandra winning her first soul to Christ.
Our youth department is slowly growing. God's timing in our lives has truly been perfect. It seems the more of the Spanish language I am able to understand and speak, the more God allows me to do with our young people. We have started our youth choir this month who will be singing in church in a couple of weeks. We also had our first youth activity. The couple you see on the left of the picture are Anita and Carlos. They have and continue to change my life with each passing week. Carlos has a desire to teach and preach the Word of God. Their family has been a blessing to us in so many ways. It is funny, so many times when you are working to give a blessing whether through our Bible study, soul winning, or working with our young people, that I many times am the one receiving the blessing.
We also feel this way about you and your church through every kind word that is messaged, every phone call made, and every dollar given. We know that we represent you and God to these people here in Chorrillos, Lima, Peru. We do not take that lightly. Thank you never seems to be sufficient to say for all you have done for us. But, Thank You.
Always in our prayers,
Daniel & Heather Kokubun
Thursday, November 8, 2012
October Prayer Letter from the Hubbard Family
September-October 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
It is unbelievable how quickly time is racing by. Shortly we will have been in Peru for five months. I pause amidst our busy lives and see all that God has done in five short months. All I can do is praise His name. It is truly to His praise and glory—
every soul that has been saved and every life that has been changed, and the little church on the corner is there only because He has allowed it to happen!
We have yet to secure a larger facility for our church, although we have been earnestly asking and seeking and knocking all around our district. The property we were so hopeful to get has fallen through. I am confident we are where we should be
at this moment, and I know God has what we need. We are simply waiting for God to open the door on His timetable.
We’ve held three baptismal services now. Because our little corner church is far too small to house a baptistery, we hold baptismal services at the house of a church
member every other Sunday. It is thrilling to see new believers make their faith public in following in obedience to be baptized. We’ve baptized 23 converts thus far.
Because we have maxed out our church facility’s space, we have not had one big push for attendance to services. Nonetheless, there has not been one public service that
we haven’t had visitors and souls saved, and we fill the house nearly every service! We have concentrated much on discipling our converts. I personally am teaching eight
to nine times a week. Outside of the three main services, I teach two different home Bible studies, as well as teaching the Spanish language to those on the team who don’t speak it. We meet three days a week, four hours a day.
As I look over my statement from the mission board the first of each month, I am reminded of the host of families that make it possible for us to do what we get to do here. Those families make up the faithful churches that send their support each month. We are so grateful for your faithful support. We are witnessing miracles every week here. Thank you for partnering with us to reach these precious people.
For His glory,
Dan Hubbard
Dear Praying Friends,
It is unbelievable how quickly time is racing by. Shortly we will have been in Peru for five months. I pause amidst our busy lives and see all that God has done in five short months. All I can do is praise His name. It is truly to His praise and glory—
every soul that has been saved and every life that has been changed, and the little church on the corner is there only because He has allowed it to happen!
We have yet to secure a larger facility for our church, although we have been earnestly asking and seeking and knocking all around our district. The property we were so hopeful to get has fallen through. I am confident we are where we should be
at this moment, and I know God has what we need. We are simply waiting for God to open the door on His timetable.
We’ve held three baptismal services now. Because our little corner church is far too small to house a baptistery, we hold baptismal services at the house of a church
member every other Sunday. It is thrilling to see new believers make their faith public in following in obedience to be baptized. We’ve baptized 23 converts thus far.
Because we have maxed out our church facility’s space, we have not had one big push for attendance to services. Nonetheless, there has not been one public service that
we haven’t had visitors and souls saved, and we fill the house nearly every service! We have concentrated much on discipling our converts. I personally am teaching eight
to nine times a week. Outside of the three main services, I teach two different home Bible studies, as well as teaching the Spanish language to those on the team who don’t speak it. We meet three days a week, four hours a day.
As I look over my statement from the mission board the first of each month, I am reminded of the host of families that make it possible for us to do what we get to do here. Those families make up the faithful churches that send their support each month. We are so grateful for your faithful support. We are witnessing miracles every week here. Thank you for partnering with us to reach these precious people.
For His glory,
Dan Hubbard
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
October Prayer Letter from the Martin Family
November 5, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
Another month has passed, and God has continued to increase my faith and bless in ways I never thought possible. October is a very unique month in Peru. October is the Month of Purple, a “holy month” (as deemed by the Catholic church), an entire month dedicated to a so-called saint, Señor de los Milagros. Every day we watched as men, women, boys, and girls went about their daily routines dressed in purple and white outfits as seen in the picture. Each Sunday the large Catholic church down the street had parties, services, and parades, which many times marched in front of our church during our services! As weird and even annoying as this month may have been, these last few weeks have opened my eyes to the sad truth, the truth of how blinded the Peruvian people are! God is blessing us in an incredible way; however, we are barely scratching the surface! We still have a lot of work that needs to be done!
I am grateful for the work we have been able to do. In just a few days, our church will be a vibrant four months old! I am so thankful for all that God has done these last four months. Not a service goes by where we do not have visitors and people saved. We have been able to maintain our baptistery at the Yañez house, and we are having a baptismal service every other Sunday. In October we were able to baptize six of our converts. God is good! We also have eight Bible studies going on in different homes throughout the week.
As I mentioned in our last letter, Zach Foust and I were able to start a new Bible study four weeks ago in the San Gabriel neighborhood of Villa María del Triunfo. It has been a great success. We have been averaging 17 in the Salazar home and have seen a total of seven people saved. This is such a precious family with a great desire to have a church in their neighborhood. I believe that dream will come to fruition sooner than they realize!
Although Señor Milagros has no saving power, my God does, and His saving grace is available. A total of 108 people trusted Christ this month through soul winning and our church services! Amen! A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting in San Genaro like I do every Saturday. As I was leaving a visit, I passed by a young lady who was rushing home. I handed her tract and invited her to church. She was very kind and interested, so I asked her if she knew she was on her way to Heaven. She replied, “No, it all depends on how much good we do, right?” I told her it was not and began to share the Gospel with her. As soon as I started, she explained to me that her mom was at work, and she had to rush home to fix lunch for her little brother before going to work herself. Reluctantly, I asked her if I could come back earlier the next week and visit her. She said, “Yes,” and we parted company. The next Saturday, with high hopes, I went to her house. When she answered the door, she said with a smile, “You remembered to come!” I proceeded to share the plan of salvation with her, and Katy (not to be confused with the other one) prayed and asked Christ into her heart. What an open door God has given us here!
Speaking of open doors, God has already begun to show us how we will begin to accomplish our goal of multiplying churches through Peru. Just last week Bro. Hubbard and I sat down with two Peruvian pastors to discuss the possibility of training young men from their churches to start churches. I also spoke with another Peruvian man this week who has a desire and wants help starting a church in Surco—where we just started a new Bible study! God is opening doors; we just need to be ready to walk through them!
Please continue to be in prayer for several items. First, we still are searching and praying that God will help us find a new, larger location for our church. Second, pray for our people as they continue to grow in the Christian life. Third, pray for our container from the States. I have not mentioned much about this, but despite a few setbacks, we should have it in our possession by the end of this week. This will be a huge answer to prayer. Finally, pray that God will continue to bring men across our path, as well as call men out of our church to help us take the Gospel throughout Peru.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your faithful prayers and support. It is truly an honor to serve in Peru on your behalf. Each day I get to live a dream and see miracle after miracle. This is only possible because of you. God bless you, and we appreciate your prayers!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Dear Praying Friends,
Another month has passed, and God has continued to increase my faith and bless in ways I never thought possible. October is a very unique month in Peru. October is the Month of Purple, a “holy month” (as deemed by the Catholic church), an entire month dedicated to a so-called saint, Señor de los Milagros. Every day we watched as men, women, boys, and girls went about their daily routines dressed in purple and white outfits as seen in the picture. Each Sunday the large Catholic church down the street had parties, services, and parades, which many times marched in front of our church during our services! As weird and even annoying as this month may have been, these last few weeks have opened my eyes to the sad truth, the truth of how blinded the Peruvian people are! God is blessing us in an incredible way; however, we are barely scratching the surface! We still have a lot of work that needs to be done!
I am grateful for the work we have been able to do. In just a few days, our church will be a vibrant four months old! I am so thankful for all that God has done these last four months. Not a service goes by where we do not have visitors and people saved. We have been able to maintain our baptistery at the Yañez house, and we are having a baptismal service every other Sunday. In October we were able to baptize six of our converts. God is good! We also have eight Bible studies going on in different homes throughout the week.
As I mentioned in our last letter, Zach Foust and I were able to start a new Bible study four weeks ago in the San Gabriel neighborhood of Villa María del Triunfo. It has been a great success. We have been averaging 17 in the Salazar home and have seen a total of seven people saved. This is such a precious family with a great desire to have a church in their neighborhood. I believe that dream will come to fruition sooner than they realize!
Although Señor Milagros has no saving power, my God does, and His saving grace is available. A total of 108 people trusted Christ this month through soul winning and our church services! Amen! A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting in San Genaro like I do every Saturday. As I was leaving a visit, I passed by a young lady who was rushing home. I handed her tract and invited her to church. She was very kind and interested, so I asked her if she knew she was on her way to Heaven. She replied, “No, it all depends on how much good we do, right?” I told her it was not and began to share the Gospel with her. As soon as I started, she explained to me that her mom was at work, and she had to rush home to fix lunch for her little brother before going to work herself. Reluctantly, I asked her if I could come back earlier the next week and visit her. She said, “Yes,” and we parted company. The next Saturday, with high hopes, I went to her house. When she answered the door, she said with a smile, “You remembered to come!” I proceeded to share the plan of salvation with her, and Katy (not to be confused with the other one) prayed and asked Christ into her heart. What an open door God has given us here!
Speaking of open doors, God has already begun to show us how we will begin to accomplish our goal of multiplying churches through Peru. Just last week Bro. Hubbard and I sat down with two Peruvian pastors to discuss the possibility of training young men from their churches to start churches. I also spoke with another Peruvian man this week who has a desire and wants help starting a church in Surco—where we just started a new Bible study! God is opening doors; we just need to be ready to walk through them!
Please continue to be in prayer for several items. First, we still are searching and praying that God will help us find a new, larger location for our church. Second, pray for our people as they continue to grow in the Christian life. Third, pray for our container from the States. I have not mentioned much about this, but despite a few setbacks, we should have it in our possession by the end of this week. This will be a huge answer to prayer. Finally, pray that God will continue to bring men across our path, as well as call men out of our church to help us take the Gospel throughout Peru.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your faithful prayers and support. It is truly an honor to serve in Peru on your behalf. Each day I get to live a dream and see miracle after miracle. This is only possible because of you. God bless you, and we appreciate your prayers!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
October Prayer Letter from the Raders
Dear Praying Friends,
October was outstanding! We presented our work in 7 churches in 4 different states. We devoted a great amount of time to our final preparations for Peru. We fly to Peru on November 27. One huge blessing to report concerning our preparations: the Lord gave us a pediatrician who took care of our children’s vaccinations free of charge. Another blessing is that our outgoing and departure needs are being met by so many kind friends and churches. Over half is raised now.
There are some soul-winning blessings from this month that are too good not to share. Aaron Vance and I were visiting during the week for a church bus route in Indiana. We were promoting a free carnival after church on Sunday. As we were signing up bus riders, one of the moms invited us in to pray over her husband Ken. While in the military, Ken fell out of a Blackhawk helicopter in Somalia. Half of his body was paralyzed. This caused his speech to be slurred, but his mind was very sharp. After we prayed over Ken, I knelt down next to him and firmly looked him in the eyes. I then asked softly, “Ken, if there was only one thing that you could ask from God, for what would you ask?” He said, “To walk.” I continued by telling a story in Mark 2: There was a crippled man who was brought to Jesus through the roof of a house. Before Jesus healed the man, He said to him, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Being healed
was important to the man. The man being saved from sin and Hell was much more important to God. Less than 30 minutes later, Ken accepted Christ as his only Saviour. While out visiting the next day, Ken’s wife found us and said, “Ever since you helped my husband get saved, he has been on Cloud 9. I have never seen him this happy.” Don’t worry. Ken will walk again. Hallelujah!
Later that week on Sunday, we had 44 first-time visitors ride our bus. I taught a Sunday school class of 4 boys. All 4 came on our bus. All 4, Jesse, Thomas, William, and Justin, were saved that morning; and after calling their moms, all 4 were baptized the same day. God is good!
Our deputation is coming to a close. We have enjoyed the fellowship of so many friends and churches and countless blessings along the way. Please pray for our family and Team Peru as a whole. Some of our teammates in Peru are sick right now. Please pray that God will continue to open great doors of opportunity for our team. If you would like to help with our outgoing and departure needs, you can request them by e-mail at rader.teamperu@gmail.com. Thank you to so many for your love, prayers, and support. We love you. God bless you.
His for souls,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
October was outstanding! We presented our work in 7 churches in 4 different states. We devoted a great amount of time to our final preparations for Peru. We fly to Peru on November 27. One huge blessing to report concerning our preparations: the Lord gave us a pediatrician who took care of our children’s vaccinations free of charge. Another blessing is that our outgoing and departure needs are being met by so many kind friends and churches. Over half is raised now.
There are some soul-winning blessings from this month that are too good not to share. Aaron Vance and I were visiting during the week for a church bus route in Indiana. We were promoting a free carnival after church on Sunday. As we were signing up bus riders, one of the moms invited us in to pray over her husband Ken. While in the military, Ken fell out of a Blackhawk helicopter in Somalia. Half of his body was paralyzed. This caused his speech to be slurred, but his mind was very sharp. After we prayed over Ken, I knelt down next to him and firmly looked him in the eyes. I then asked softly, “Ken, if there was only one thing that you could ask from God, for what would you ask?” He said, “To walk.” I continued by telling a story in Mark 2: There was a crippled man who was brought to Jesus through the roof of a house. Before Jesus healed the man, He said to him, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Being healed
was important to the man. The man being saved from sin and Hell was much more important to God. Less than 30 minutes later, Ken accepted Christ as his only Saviour. While out visiting the next day, Ken’s wife found us and said, “Ever since you helped my husband get saved, he has been on Cloud 9. I have never seen him this happy.” Don’t worry. Ken will walk again. Hallelujah!
Later that week on Sunday, we had 44 first-time visitors ride our bus. I taught a Sunday school class of 4 boys. All 4 came on our bus. All 4, Jesse, Thomas, William, and Justin, were saved that morning; and after calling their moms, all 4 were baptized the same day. God is good!
Our deputation is coming to a close. We have enjoyed the fellowship of so many friends and churches and countless blessings along the way. Please pray for our family and Team Peru as a whole. Some of our teammates in Peru are sick right now. Please pray that God will continue to open great doors of opportunity for our team. If you would like to help with our outgoing and departure needs, you can request them by e-mail at rader.teamperu@gmail.com. Thank you to so many for your love, prayers, and support. We love you. God bless you.
His for souls,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
Thursday, November 1, 2012
October Prayer Letter from the Miskovics
November 1, 2012
Dear Friend,
As October has come to an end and I reflect back on all the blessings that have come our way, I am still overwhelmed at the greatness of God. We started our weekly Friday night Bible study in the district of Surco, Peru. The attendance has been great. We are using a storefront building where a Christian lady has a curtain business. She came to the main church in Villa Marina and asked us to start a Bible study there. We have seen people saved and coming to the main church because of the Bible study.
The main church, Iglesia Bautista International, in Villa Marina has been doing great. We have been seeing people saved every week and during every service. The church is growing so fast we don’t have enough room to put everybody. The properties that we have been praying about have all fallen through. We have several other places we are looking at, and the most exciting thing is that our Peruvian members are looking aggressively for property also. They see the vision that we came with and want to be a big part of that vision. They want their people to get saved and see churches started all over this city.
Several weeks ago a man named Julio walked up to our church before the service started and was very curious about the church and wondered why all these Americans were here. I had the opportunity to witness to him in Spanish, and he trusted Christ as his Savior. He came back that Sunday evening and brought his son with him, and his son got saved that night. He then brought his wife to one of our Tuesday night home Bible studies near his house, and she got saved. Praise the Lord! God is still in the saving business.
The month of October is the big Catholic holy month where they parade all around the city carrying their statues to be worshiped. This past Sunday was the big parade by our church. It happened to be the same time that we start our service. They paraded right in front of our church, and we began to sing and preach the Word. There were hundreds of people in that parade. Many stopped to watch us and listened, wondering what it was all about. We sang so loudly that it drowned out their singing. The louder they sang, the louder we sang. Some of them even came into the service and got saved.
God has opened an effectual door for us, but as the Bible says, there are many adversaries. Please continue to pray for us as we do the work of God here. We appreciate every one of you and the prayers that you have prayed for us. Many times we have felt the presence of God in a mighty way because of your praying. We could not be doing what we are doing without your prayers and financial support. Marsha and I appreciate you all very much, and we often have you in our prayers. Thank you for your support.
Serving Christ in Peru,
Mark and Marsha Miskovic
Dear Friend,
As October has come to an end and I reflect back on all the blessings that have come our way, I am still overwhelmed at the greatness of God. We started our weekly Friday night Bible study in the district of Surco, Peru. The attendance has been great. We are using a storefront building where a Christian lady has a curtain business. She came to the main church in Villa Marina and asked us to start a Bible study there. We have seen people saved and coming to the main church because of the Bible study.
The main church, Iglesia Bautista International, in Villa Marina has been doing great. We have been seeing people saved every week and during every service. The church is growing so fast we don’t have enough room to put everybody. The properties that we have been praying about have all fallen through. We have several other places we are looking at, and the most exciting thing is that our Peruvian members are looking aggressively for property also. They see the vision that we came with and want to be a big part of that vision. They want their people to get saved and see churches started all over this city.
Several weeks ago a man named Julio walked up to our church before the service started and was very curious about the church and wondered why all these Americans were here. I had the opportunity to witness to him in Spanish, and he trusted Christ as his Savior. He came back that Sunday evening and brought his son with him, and his son got saved that night. He then brought his wife to one of our Tuesday night home Bible studies near his house, and she got saved. Praise the Lord! God is still in the saving business.
The month of October is the big Catholic holy month where they parade all around the city carrying their statues to be worshiped. This past Sunday was the big parade by our church. It happened to be the same time that we start our service. They paraded right in front of our church, and we began to sing and preach the Word. There were hundreds of people in that parade. Many stopped to watch us and listened, wondering what it was all about. We sang so loudly that it drowned out their singing. The louder they sang, the louder we sang. Some of them even came into the service and got saved.
God has opened an effectual door for us, but as the Bible says, there are many adversaries. Please continue to pray for us as we do the work of God here. We appreciate every one of you and the prayers that you have prayed for us. Many times we have felt the presence of God in a mighty way because of your praying. We could not be doing what we are doing without your prayers and financial support. Marsha and I appreciate you all very much, and we often have you in our prayers. Thank you for your support.
Serving Christ in Peru,
Mark and Marsha Miskovic
Friday, October 19, 2012
October Prayer Letter from the Foust Family
October 6, 2012
Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,
It certainly is exciting to be serving the Lord here in Lima, Peru. What a privilege to be representatives of Christ here in South America. We are thanking God for His continued provision of all of our needs. Our family is thankful for good health and strength to serve our God. Our family is doing well, and the boys are growing like weeds!
We are also excited about the growth of our church family. At this time our church is at capacity; we cannot fit many more people inside our building. The children are meeting at the community center down the road on Sunday mornings. This allows for a bit more room. We are praying for God’s leading on a new building for our church. We are hoping to move soon to facilitate more growth in our main location.
I have been enjoying teaching on the subject of “The Church” in the adult Sunday school class. It is a blessing to teach on this while watching a church being formed. The people are eagerly learning more and more each week. One of the things that really is exciting is teaching young Christians how to win souls to Christ. In the last several weeks, I have been privileged to have a man named Paul as my soul-winning partner. He was able to lead his first soul to Christ. Then this last Saturday, I was able to take three adults soul winning with me, and two were able to lead their first soul to Christ! Soul winning here is such a blessing! People are very open to the Gospel. We are praying that we continue to see much fruit to your account.
Last week we attended the memorial service for the son of a man who faithfully attends our church. Although he lives in a district some distance away, Jose and his wife come each week and usually bring visitors. At the memorial service, 78 people attended, and 2 people trusted Christ after hearing a Gospel message by Bro. Hubbard. Jose and his wife have asked that I start a Bible study in their home each week so that they can reach some of these people who are dear to their hearts. Bro. Junior Martin and our family will be working with these people in the district of Villa Maria de Triunfo. Please be in prayer for this new work. We feel that God would have us to start a church there from this Bible study.
Please continue to be in prayer for our ministry here. Words cannot express how grateful we are to God for each of you. We pray for you often. Thank you again for your support and prayers.
His for souls,
Zach and Karin Foust, Zachary, C.J., and Logan
Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,
It certainly is exciting to be serving the Lord here in Lima, Peru. What a privilege to be representatives of Christ here in South America. We are thanking God for His continued provision of all of our needs. Our family is thankful for good health and strength to serve our God. Our family is doing well, and the boys are growing like weeds!
We are also excited about the growth of our church family. At this time our church is at capacity; we cannot fit many more people inside our building. The children are meeting at the community center down the road on Sunday mornings. This allows for a bit more room. We are praying for God’s leading on a new building for our church. We are hoping to move soon to facilitate more growth in our main location.
I have been enjoying teaching on the subject of “The Church” in the adult Sunday school class. It is a blessing to teach on this while watching a church being formed. The people are eagerly learning more and more each week. One of the things that really is exciting is teaching young Christians how to win souls to Christ. In the last several weeks, I have been privileged to have a man named Paul as my soul-winning partner. He was able to lead his first soul to Christ. Then this last Saturday, I was able to take three adults soul winning with me, and two were able to lead their first soul to Christ! Soul winning here is such a blessing! People are very open to the Gospel. We are praying that we continue to see much fruit to your account.
Last week we attended the memorial service for the son of a man who faithfully attends our church. Although he lives in a district some distance away, Jose and his wife come each week and usually bring visitors. At the memorial service, 78 people attended, and 2 people trusted Christ after hearing a Gospel message by Bro. Hubbard. Jose and his wife have asked that I start a Bible study in their home each week so that they can reach some of these people who are dear to their hearts. Bro. Junior Martin and our family will be working with these people in the district of Villa Maria de Triunfo. Please be in prayer for this new work. We feel that God would have us to start a church there from this Bible study.
Please continue to be in prayer for our ministry here. Words cannot express how grateful we are to God for each of you. We pray for you often. Thank you again for your support and prayers.
His for souls,
Zach and Karin Foust, Zachary, C.J., and Logan
Thursday, October 18, 2012
September Prayer Letter from the Raders
Dear Praying Friends,
September was exceptional! We presented our work in 9 churches in 4 different states. My wife and I were privileged to see 7 saved through personal soul winning. In Waupaca, Wisconsin, two men approached me after the evening service and asked me to come soul winning with them that evening. Marty, Pat, and I went to a park where a group of teenagers were congregated. We began to witness, and the scoffers spoke first. As we dwelt with them kindly, the sincere teenagers listened. When the
scoffers left, we spoke with the others. Rocky, York, and Marriah put all their trust in Christ close to midnight. This is my kind of late-night party!
A week later we were in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. I was soul winning with Tim Koslowski. We knocked on Sheila and Dean’s door. They both listened as we carefully witnessed. Sheila told us that this is the first time in years Dean had listened to anyone talking about the Bible. They were going to a wedding later that day where Sheila would meet her half-sister for the first time in 25 years. Sheila was
rescued from a dumpster when she was a baby. When she was a young adult, her half-sister dumped her children on Sheila’s doorstep and disappeared. The children are now grown. We led Sheila to Christ. Just as we were leaving, Sheila’s half-sister and her adult children were at the door. We had to dismiss ourselves, but it was a sweet reunion. God is good!
Speaking of the goodness of God, on September 17, we purchased our tickets to Peru.
“Woo, who!” We fly to Peru on November 27. We are so grateful for the grace of God shown through so many churches that have made this possible. We hope to represent you well as your ambassadors. For the time remaining, we are working on our outgoing and departure needs. If you would like to know our needs, you may request them by e-mail. Our e-mail address is markrader@fbmi.org.
We cannot properly express our gratitude for so many churches giving so much to make our ministry possible. Our support is now over 70% and increasing. Please pray that the rest will come in time. Our team already in Peru is already seeing amazing blessings and great progress. We’re looking forward to joining them. Thank you to so many for your love, support, and prayers. We love you. God bless you.
His for Peru,
Mark, Sarah,
Savannah, & Paul Rader
September was exceptional! We presented our work in 9 churches in 4 different states. My wife and I were privileged to see 7 saved through personal soul winning. In Waupaca, Wisconsin, two men approached me after the evening service and asked me to come soul winning with them that evening. Marty, Pat, and I went to a park where a group of teenagers were congregated. We began to witness, and the scoffers spoke first. As we dwelt with them kindly, the sincere teenagers listened. When the
scoffers left, we spoke with the others. Rocky, York, and Marriah put all their trust in Christ close to midnight. This is my kind of late-night party!
A week later we were in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. I was soul winning with Tim Koslowski. We knocked on Sheila and Dean’s door. They both listened as we carefully witnessed. Sheila told us that this is the first time in years Dean had listened to anyone talking about the Bible. They were going to a wedding later that day where Sheila would meet her half-sister for the first time in 25 years. Sheila was
rescued from a dumpster when she was a baby. When she was a young adult, her half-sister dumped her children on Sheila’s doorstep and disappeared. The children are now grown. We led Sheila to Christ. Just as we were leaving, Sheila’s half-sister and her adult children were at the door. We had to dismiss ourselves, but it was a sweet reunion. God is good!
Speaking of the goodness of God, on September 17, we purchased our tickets to Peru.
“Woo, who!” We fly to Peru on November 27. We are so grateful for the grace of God shown through so many churches that have made this possible. We hope to represent you well as your ambassadors. For the time remaining, we are working on our outgoing and departure needs. If you would like to know our needs, you may request them by e-mail. Our e-mail address is markrader@fbmi.org.
We cannot properly express our gratitude for so many churches giving so much to make our ministry possible. Our support is now over 70% and increasing. Please pray that the rest will come in time. Our team already in Peru is already seeing amazing blessings and great progress. We’re looking forward to joining them. Thank you to so many for your love, support, and prayers. We love you. God bless you.
His for Peru,
Mark, Sarah,
Savannah, & Paul Rader
Thursday, October 11, 2012
September Prayer Letter from the Martin Family
October 8, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
Spring has sprung here on the south side of the equator! The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining more, and God continues to bless us here in Chorrillos. September has been an interesting month for us, as well as one full of blessings. Don’t worry . . . I will try to condense!
A month of achievement. God granted many victories to us this last month. The biggest, of course, was our first baptismal service. I found a local man who constructed a baptistery for us out of fiberglass, and we set it up at the home of one of our church members. His large backyard was a huge blessing, as we have no space for it at our church. At the conclusion of our Sunday morning service, we relocated everyone over to Paul’s house and baptized 14 people! This was a huge step for so many of church people. We have since baptized 3 more and have 6 lined up for our next service. I wish I could tell you each story. The story of Miri and her children is especially amazing! Please take a moment to read more about her at this link from my wife’s blog: http://happytrails365.wordpress.com /2012/09/14/faiths-real-heroes/.
A month of accomplishment. Another great victory comes from our church people soul winning. In September, 6 of our Peruvian people led their first soul to Christ! Amen! Cecilia has already won 7 people to the Lord. There is nothing greater than seeing that excitement in their eyes and the hunger they have as they share the Gospel. Recently 2 of our teen girls, Katty and Esperanza, wanted me to meet one of their friends and talk to her parents about church. The next Saturday, Jess and I picked both of them up and were then informed we needed to pick up another one of their friends. We did and then went to make our visit. When we got to her house, we discovered her parents were not at home, but Katty had already told her she was coming with us. We took the four of them to lunch, and sitting around the table, I was able to lead both Estefani and Nicole to Christ. Best of all, the girls set the whole thing up!
A month of advancement. Knowing that God has great things in store for us, we are moving forward with the vision God has given us for Peru. We are currently conducting six Bible studies each week in the homes of our church people. However, we also realized we had two great opportunities that were waiting for us. We have two different groups of people that have been coming to our church from two different districts close to Chorrillos: Surco and Villa Maria del Triunfo. As these groups continue coming and continue bringing visitors, we realized we needed to start something in their district. So this week we will be starting a midweek Bible study in each of these districts! God has brought these families to us for a purpose. Within time, both of these Bibles studies will evolve into churches!
A month of asking. I am not so naïve to think that the Devil is oblivious to what God is doing here. These last two months have truly taught us to pray. Pray for our people for the growing pains and family pressure that come from being a new Christian. Please also continue to pray for our space issue. The church is maxed out in our current location, and if we are going to continue growing, we must get a new building. I mentioned in our last letter that God had opened a door for us on a new property. This door has not been shut, but the deal is very close to falling through. I know that God has a place for us in His timing. Please pray for patience, wisdom, direction, and, most of all, a permanent home for IBI that can sustain our growth.
A month of addition. In September we also had our best attendance yet of 92. This is incredible, especially because we still have not had a big attendance push (due to space). However, through our church services and Bible studies, we are averaging 116 different people attending our church each week! God is so good! We also saw a total of 78 saved last month through our services and personal soul winning.
I never feel as if words are adequate enough to express how grateful we are to each of you. It is your prayers and financial support that allow us to do everything we do. How great your rewards will be in Heaven one day! I hope one day you will be able to see the faces and hear firsthand all the stories of the lives you have touched. I would especially like to thank the Open Door Baptist Church in California for taking us on for support this last month.
God bless each of you and thank you again for the privilege of serving on your behalf in Lima, Peru!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Dear Praying Friends,
Spring has sprung here on the south side of the equator! The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining more, and God continues to bless us here in Chorrillos. September has been an interesting month for us, as well as one full of blessings. Don’t worry . . . I will try to condense!
A month of achievement. God granted many victories to us this last month. The biggest, of course, was our first baptismal service. I found a local man who constructed a baptistery for us out of fiberglass, and we set it up at the home of one of our church members. His large backyard was a huge blessing, as we have no space for it at our church. At the conclusion of our Sunday morning service, we relocated everyone over to Paul’s house and baptized 14 people! This was a huge step for so many of church people. We have since baptized 3 more and have 6 lined up for our next service. I wish I could tell you each story. The story of Miri and her children is especially amazing! Please take a moment to read more about her at this link from my wife’s blog: http://happytrails365.wordpress.com /2012/09/14/faiths-real-heroes/.
A month of accomplishment. Another great victory comes from our church people soul winning. In September, 6 of our Peruvian people led their first soul to Christ! Amen! Cecilia has already won 7 people to the Lord. There is nothing greater than seeing that excitement in their eyes and the hunger they have as they share the Gospel. Recently 2 of our teen girls, Katty and Esperanza, wanted me to meet one of their friends and talk to her parents about church. The next Saturday, Jess and I picked both of them up and were then informed we needed to pick up another one of their friends. We did and then went to make our visit. When we got to her house, we discovered her parents were not at home, but Katty had already told her she was coming with us. We took the four of them to lunch, and sitting around the table, I was able to lead both Estefani and Nicole to Christ. Best of all, the girls set the whole thing up!
A month of advancement. Knowing that God has great things in store for us, we are moving forward with the vision God has given us for Peru. We are currently conducting six Bible studies each week in the homes of our church people. However, we also realized we had two great opportunities that were waiting for us. We have two different groups of people that have been coming to our church from two different districts close to Chorrillos: Surco and Villa Maria del Triunfo. As these groups continue coming and continue bringing visitors, we realized we needed to start something in their district. So this week we will be starting a midweek Bible study in each of these districts! God has brought these families to us for a purpose. Within time, both of these Bibles studies will evolve into churches!
A month of asking. I am not so naïve to think that the Devil is oblivious to what God is doing here. These last two months have truly taught us to pray. Pray for our people for the growing pains and family pressure that come from being a new Christian. Please also continue to pray for our space issue. The church is maxed out in our current location, and if we are going to continue growing, we must get a new building. I mentioned in our last letter that God had opened a door for us on a new property. This door has not been shut, but the deal is very close to falling through. I know that God has a place for us in His timing. Please pray for patience, wisdom, direction, and, most of all, a permanent home for IBI that can sustain our growth.
A month of addition. In September we also had our best attendance yet of 92. This is incredible, especially because we still have not had a big attendance push (due to space). However, through our church services and Bible studies, we are averaging 116 different people attending our church each week! God is so good! We also saw a total of 78 saved last month through our services and personal soul winning.
I never feel as if words are adequate enough to express how grateful we are to each of you. It is your prayers and financial support that allow us to do everything we do. How great your rewards will be in Heaven one day! I hope one day you will be able to see the faces and hear firsthand all the stories of the lives you have touched. I would especially like to thank the Open Door Baptist Church in California for taking us on for support this last month.
God bless each of you and thank you again for the privilege of serving on your behalf in Lima, Peru!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
September Prayer Letter from the Kokubuns
Dear Friends,
Growth is the one word that describes the recent events here at Iglesia Bautista Internfacional. Physically and spiritually, we have seen the church in the heart of Chorrillos mature little by little. "Line upon line; precept upon precept," the little church on the corner is bringing new life to a dying area.
The first baptismal service of IBI was a very sweet time in the life our young church. We recently had a local Peruvian construct a semi-portable baptistery tank. (It’s amazing what they can construct on an empty lot!) With the church full to capacity every Sunday morning, we had nowhere to put it comfortably. A couple of our faithful members, Paul and his father Percy, allowed us to use their back patio to stage the baptistery service. Living only a couple blocks from the church, this was perfect.
You could feel the excitement as you pulled into church that morning. Every other person had a Bible in one hand and a change of clothes in the other. After the morning service, the whole church walked down the street a couple of blocks to Paul's house for the baptismal service. I asked one of the older gentlemen in the church if he wanted a ride to the house. He looked at me and said, "No, I'm still young. I'm only seventy years old. I'll walk." He laughed as he turned around to join the others walking to the house. I remember looking over his shoulder and seeing an army of people walking down the street to get baptized. What a sight!
The service was so sweet. Seeing those people who had trusted Christ and now make up Iglesia Bautista Internacional was incredible. Anna, a practicing Catholic, was the first to get in the water. For her this was, yes, a step of obedience but more a change of life. It was a decision to forsake all that she had been taught to walk in the right path.
Every Thursday now for about a month, Anna, her husband Carlos, and their two kids come to my house to study the Bible with another family. I marvel every week as they hang on every word that I teach. Our Bible study starts at 7:00 p.m., and there has not been a night yet that we have finished before 10:00 p.m.—over three hours of just teaching and answering questions about the Bible. I love it! It never ceases to amaze me how God has placed us here for just this time.
I went out to lunch the other day with one of my teenagers. He is a little older. He has finished what we would call high school. Renzo was telling me how he had pursued other professions; but nothing had every worked out, and he did not understand why. He told me that now that he and his family have attended our church, God has showed him he believes why: to attend our seminary that we plan to start this spring. Just the other day after Bro. Hubbard finished preaching, Renzo told Preacher that he feels like God wants him in the ministry.
I got to pray with Renzo Wednesday morning at our first church-wide prayer meeting. God has given our church a core of strong, educated, working men. What an honor it was for me to pray with such men of faith, who, in the past of couple months, have had their lives and families transformed.
Many things are happening. The church is growing. We had 92 in attendance a couple weeks of ago. People are getting involved through tithes, painting the church, repairing the building, soul winning, cleaning, praying, and much more. We are very excited about the future.
I would ask that you pray for two pressing things at the moment. We need another location for the church; we are over capacity right now. Pray for God to open a door there. Also pray for God's protection from Satan during these times. It is becoming more and more evident that Satan is aware and hates what is going on in the little church on the corner. Please pray for God's protection.
Thank you for your love and support through these times. I look forward to serving on your and my Saviour’s behalf for many years to come. My wife and I love you and pray for you often.
Very sincerely,
Daniel & Heather Kokubun
Growth is the one word that describes the recent events here at Iglesia Bautista Internfacional. Physically and spiritually, we have seen the church in the heart of Chorrillos mature little by little. "Line upon line; precept upon precept," the little church on the corner is bringing new life to a dying area.
The first baptismal service of IBI was a very sweet time in the life our young church. We recently had a local Peruvian construct a semi-portable baptistery tank. (It’s amazing what they can construct on an empty lot!) With the church full to capacity every Sunday morning, we had nowhere to put it comfortably. A couple of our faithful members, Paul and his father Percy, allowed us to use their back patio to stage the baptistery service. Living only a couple blocks from the church, this was perfect.
You could feel the excitement as you pulled into church that morning. Every other person had a Bible in one hand and a change of clothes in the other. After the morning service, the whole church walked down the street a couple of blocks to Paul's house for the baptismal service. I asked one of the older gentlemen in the church if he wanted a ride to the house. He looked at me and said, "No, I'm still young. I'm only seventy years old. I'll walk." He laughed as he turned around to join the others walking to the house. I remember looking over his shoulder and seeing an army of people walking down the street to get baptized. What a sight!
The service was so sweet. Seeing those people who had trusted Christ and now make up Iglesia Bautista Internacional was incredible. Anna, a practicing Catholic, was the first to get in the water. For her this was, yes, a step of obedience but more a change of life. It was a decision to forsake all that she had been taught to walk in the right path.
Every Thursday now for about a month, Anna, her husband Carlos, and their two kids come to my house to study the Bible with another family. I marvel every week as they hang on every word that I teach. Our Bible study starts at 7:00 p.m., and there has not been a night yet that we have finished before 10:00 p.m.—over three hours of just teaching and answering questions about the Bible. I love it! It never ceases to amaze me how God has placed us here for just this time.
I went out to lunch the other day with one of my teenagers. He is a little older. He has finished what we would call high school. Renzo was telling me how he had pursued other professions; but nothing had every worked out, and he did not understand why. He told me that now that he and his family have attended our church, God has showed him he believes why: to attend our seminary that we plan to start this spring. Just the other day after Bro. Hubbard finished preaching, Renzo told Preacher that he feels like God wants him in the ministry.
I got to pray with Renzo Wednesday morning at our first church-wide prayer meeting. God has given our church a core of strong, educated, working men. What an honor it was for me to pray with such men of faith, who, in the past of couple months, have had their lives and families transformed.
Many things are happening. The church is growing. We had 92 in attendance a couple weeks of ago. People are getting involved through tithes, painting the church, repairing the building, soul winning, cleaning, praying, and much more. We are very excited about the future.
I would ask that you pray for two pressing things at the moment. We need another location for the church; we are over capacity right now. Pray for God to open a door there. Also pray for God's protection from Satan during these times. It is becoming more and more evident that Satan is aware and hates what is going on in the little church on the corner. Please pray for God's protection.
Thank you for your love and support through these times. I look forward to serving on your and my Saviour’s behalf for many years to come. My wife and I love you and pray for you often.
Very sincerely,
Daniel & Heather Kokubun
Monday, September 24, 2012
August Prayer Letter from the Raders
Dear Praying Friends,
August was an august (“supreme”) month! We presented our work in 8 churches in 4
different states. We were privileged to see 9 souls saved through personal soul winning. This month Sarah would like to share one of her soul-winning testimonies. “A few weeks back during a Vacation Bible School in which we were privileged to help, I met a teen girl, Neff, who was a new Christian and concerned for her friends and family to know Christ. When she found out we were coming back to her area for a Wednesday night service, she texted me and asked if I would come and share God’s plan of salvation with her mom Rosa, who was Spanish-speaking only. For the next several days, Rosa was on my mind and heart and in my prayers. When we arrived in Carbondale, I couldn’t wait to meet her. On Thursday evening Mark and I went out to meet her and share the Gospel. After about 35 minutes of sharing God’s plan of salvation through faith in Christ alone, Rosa prayed, asking Christ to save her. It’s hard to say whose smile was biggest, but I think possibly Neff was the most excited to know her Mom will spend eternity in Heaven with her.”
We enjoyed more blessings this month than we have time or space to share. Thank you
to Pastor Reeves for taking us to Adventure Park and spoiling us for a day. What a joy this month also to see many of our friends from college serving the Lord faithfully. Our van had a head-gasket leak to the point of not being road-worthy anymore. My father-in-law switched vans with us. We did not have to miss one meeting. What a God we serve!
The Lord is moving many things in place for us to leave for Peru shortly. We are now at 57% of our monthly support. We hope to leave for Peru sooner than we had planned, due to the difference in airline ticket prices. It is cheaper to fly out the middle of November than the first week in December. Please pray that God will provide the money we need to purchase our tickets, as the longer we wait, the prices jump higher.
Please pray for our other teammates raising support and for our teammates already
there doing a great work. Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support. We look forward to bringing much fruit to your account. God bless you as you serve on the home front.
Yours for the souls of Peru,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
August was an august (“supreme”) month! We presented our work in 8 churches in 4
different states. We were privileged to see 9 souls saved through personal soul winning. This month Sarah would like to share one of her soul-winning testimonies. “A few weeks back during a Vacation Bible School in which we were privileged to help, I met a teen girl, Neff, who was a new Christian and concerned for her friends and family to know Christ. When she found out we were coming back to her area for a Wednesday night service, she texted me and asked if I would come and share God’s plan of salvation with her mom Rosa, who was Spanish-speaking only. For the next several days, Rosa was on my mind and heart and in my prayers. When we arrived in Carbondale, I couldn’t wait to meet her. On Thursday evening Mark and I went out to meet her and share the Gospel. After about 35 minutes of sharing God’s plan of salvation through faith in Christ alone, Rosa prayed, asking Christ to save her. It’s hard to say whose smile was biggest, but I think possibly Neff was the most excited to know her Mom will spend eternity in Heaven with her.”
We enjoyed more blessings this month than we have time or space to share. Thank you
to Pastor Reeves for taking us to Adventure Park and spoiling us for a day. What a joy this month also to see many of our friends from college serving the Lord faithfully. Our van had a head-gasket leak to the point of not being road-worthy anymore. My father-in-law switched vans with us. We did not have to miss one meeting. What a God we serve!
The Lord is moving many things in place for us to leave for Peru shortly. We are now at 57% of our monthly support. We hope to leave for Peru sooner than we had planned, due to the difference in airline ticket prices. It is cheaper to fly out the middle of November than the first week in December. Please pray that God will provide the money we need to purchase our tickets, as the longer we wait, the prices jump higher.
Please pray for our other teammates raising support and for our teammates already
there doing a great work. Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support. We look forward to bringing much fruit to your account. God bless you as you serve on the home front.
Yours for the souls of Peru,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
Thursday, September 20, 2012
August Prayer Letter from the Hubbards
August-September 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
This week crosses the five-year mark since my first cancer surgery. I can’t help but feel sentimental every year when this date approaches. I’m amazed to see where I am five years removed from one of the most pivotal events in my life. I praise the Lord for the work He has done through my life and my testimony. Truly He deserves all the praise and glory! Nonetheless, the cancer is still a present enemy, and although most of the time I push thoughts of it from my mind, this time of year causes me to remember that my future is solely in HIS hands. That knowledge is the driving passion behind all that I do. I know ultimately it is according to the sovereign will of God that we all breathe each and every breath; however, this season of year makes me so much more aware of it. We are so blessed!
International Baptist Church in Chorrillos, Lima, Peru, is growing at a steady pace. In addition to regular services, we are currently conducting 7 Bible studies to disciple our converts. We have completely outgrown the facility we are renting; however, the Lord has opened a door for a property about two blocks from where we currently meet that would care for all of our needs for some time, as it has a three-story house we could use for Sunday school, room for language school for the team, and place for our ACE school for the team children. It also has a warehouse behind the house that could easily be transformed into an auditorium and nursery. We are moving forward to rent this facility. I hope next month to report that we are settled and remodeling!
I have been using Wednesday night Bible studies to teach the biblical perspective of the fundamentals of the faith. We’ve seen our young converts build their faith as they follow in obedience to begin tithing. Likewise, we held our first Lord’s Supper this past Sunday, which was a tremendously sweet service. Now we’ve been making preparations for our first baptismal service. I’ve taught for the past two Wednesdays all that is involved in baptism, what it symbolizes, and how important that step of obedience is. Lord willing, our baptistery will be finished this week, and we will hold our first baptismal service next week. We have many converts lined up to participate in this important service. Praise the Lord!
We are consistently having about a dozen Peruvians join us for weekly soul winning. Our services are averaging about 70-80 in attendance. We have visitors at every services with souls saved. We are anxious to get into a larger facility so we can begin pushing for a big day. We will begin our second church on October 4 in the San Genaro area. I’m so excited to see what the Lord has for this next area of outreach.
Never underestimate the power of your prayer. Never doubt to give your pledge to missions. Never pass up an opportunity to take a missions trip. The heartbeat of the Saviour is “that ALL men would come to repentance.” Team Peru is committed to putting your investment into eternity. Thank you for partnering with us.
For His glory,
Dan
Dear Praying Friends,
This week crosses the five-year mark since my first cancer surgery. I can’t help but feel sentimental every year when this date approaches. I’m amazed to see where I am five years removed from one of the most pivotal events in my life. I praise the Lord for the work He has done through my life and my testimony. Truly He deserves all the praise and glory! Nonetheless, the cancer is still a present enemy, and although most of the time I push thoughts of it from my mind, this time of year causes me to remember that my future is solely in HIS hands. That knowledge is the driving passion behind all that I do. I know ultimately it is according to the sovereign will of God that we all breathe each and every breath; however, this season of year makes me so much more aware of it. We are so blessed!
International Baptist Church in Chorrillos, Lima, Peru, is growing at a steady pace. In addition to regular services, we are currently conducting 7 Bible studies to disciple our converts. We have completely outgrown the facility we are renting; however, the Lord has opened a door for a property about two blocks from where we currently meet that would care for all of our needs for some time, as it has a three-story house we could use for Sunday school, room for language school for the team, and place for our ACE school for the team children. It also has a warehouse behind the house that could easily be transformed into an auditorium and nursery. We are moving forward to rent this facility. I hope next month to report that we are settled and remodeling!
I have been using Wednesday night Bible studies to teach the biblical perspective of the fundamentals of the faith. We’ve seen our young converts build their faith as they follow in obedience to begin tithing. Likewise, we held our first Lord’s Supper this past Sunday, which was a tremendously sweet service. Now we’ve been making preparations for our first baptismal service. I’ve taught for the past two Wednesdays all that is involved in baptism, what it symbolizes, and how important that step of obedience is. Lord willing, our baptistery will be finished this week, and we will hold our first baptismal service next week. We have many converts lined up to participate in this important service. Praise the Lord!
We are consistently having about a dozen Peruvians join us for weekly soul winning. Our services are averaging about 70-80 in attendance. We have visitors at every services with souls saved. We are anxious to get into a larger facility so we can begin pushing for a big day. We will begin our second church on October 4 in the San Genaro area. I’m so excited to see what the Lord has for this next area of outreach.
Never underestimate the power of your prayer. Never doubt to give your pledge to missions. Never pass up an opportunity to take a missions trip. The heartbeat of the Saviour is “that ALL men would come to repentance.” Team Peru is committed to putting your investment into eternity. Thank you for partnering with us.
For His glory,
Dan
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
August Prayer Letter from the Martins
September 6, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
Time is a funny thing. During deputation, time seemed to creep by ever so slowly. However, since our arriving in Peru, the days fly by! It seems like just last week, it was July and I was writing our last prayer letter. Now here we are in September, approaching three months on the field! What a three months they have been! There is nothing better than being busy about my Father’s business.
Busy is truly an understatement. God has surpassed our every dream and imagination of what could be done in such a short time. Since we started IBI (Iglesia Bautista Internacional), over 156 different people have walked through the doors of our young church. We have had over 70 each Sunday, with a high day of 88! I can truly say God has built this church. We have not promoted, made a big push, or held an evangelistic campaign. Through simply soul winning and establishing relationships with the people God has brought across our path, God has flooded our church with people who are excited and eager to learn.
I believe I have said this before, but God likes to open doors for us when we least expect it, just to remind us we are in the right place doing the right thing. As you have probably figured out by now, we have already outgrown our storefront building. We have been praying and searching for some time for a permanent location that would allow us to grow and begin really “building” the church. We thought we knew what property that would be, but God would not give us peace on it. Then this last Saturday, a new location came up for rent! I am sure this is just a coincidence! The property includes a three-story house with a very large warehouse in the back of the property. It is within our budget and only three blocks from our current location! God is so good! We met with the owner on Monday, and barring any paperwork and moving issues, we will move in and take possession sometime in October! Please continue to pray that God will care for all the details and grant us wisdom.
Although our numeric growth may be limited, the spiritual growth of our people is not. In order to execute our vision of planting thousands of churches in Peru, we must begin growing the core people whom God has already sent to us. This has been our primary focus. To date, we have started six Bible studies in the homes of our church people. Each study is personal and unique and serves as discipleship, as well as a question-and-answer time. These are such sweet and encouraging meetings and probably my favorite times of the week.
Then again, the weekend is probably my favorite, favorite time! Four weeks ago, I began teaching soul winning in our visitation meeting on Saturday mornings. This has been an exciting time, teaching and training our new converts how to share the Gospel with family, friends, and everyone they meet. Since this started, we have had over 30 people go out each Saturday passing out tracts and sharing the Gospel!
I always feel as if I am cramming so much into a small letter, but there is so much going on! Another highlight of this last month was our first monthly men’s meeting and prayer breakfast. For the first time, we sat down with the core men of our church, shared a Bible study, and cast our vision for Peru before them. If you could have seen their faces as they heard how an entire country could be reached through them! Seventeen men whose heart God has touched—the men who will turn Peru upside down with the Gospel!
Of course, all of this is only possible because of your prayers and support. I hope you understand the difference you are making in a country you may have never been to. Two Saturdays ago I was up in San Genaro, a neighborhood way up in the hills, making a visit. The addresses there are nearly impossible to find, and a vehicle can only make it so far up the hill. After walking three blocks up a steep hill, I was ready to turn around and go back down. Just then, a lady came out of her house. I introduced myself and told her the house I was trying to find. She pointed me in the right direction, which, of course, was back where we came from. After catching my breath, because I’m out of shape, I began to share the Gospel with Yeny. Several minutes later, she trusted Christ! As I began to leave, she made this statement to me: “I know that you think you were lost, but God makes no mistakes. I am so blessed that He brought you to my house.” Amen! A total of 105 people were saved this past month through our church services and personal soul winning. Thank you for making this possible.
In closing, there are several things you could pray about: our new building, our first baptismal service coming up this month, new Bible studies to be started, and for God to continue to bond the hearts of our men to us and to Himself. I believe God has put us in the prime location at the prime time to reach Peru for Jesus Christ. I cannot wait to see what the future holds!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Dear Praying Friends,
Time is a funny thing. During deputation, time seemed to creep by ever so slowly. However, since our arriving in Peru, the days fly by! It seems like just last week, it was July and I was writing our last prayer letter. Now here we are in September, approaching three months on the field! What a three months they have been! There is nothing better than being busy about my Father’s business.
Busy is truly an understatement. God has surpassed our every dream and imagination of what could be done in such a short time. Since we started IBI (Iglesia Bautista Internacional), over 156 different people have walked through the doors of our young church. We have had over 70 each Sunday, with a high day of 88! I can truly say God has built this church. We have not promoted, made a big push, or held an evangelistic campaign. Through simply soul winning and establishing relationships with the people God has brought across our path, God has flooded our church with people who are excited and eager to learn.
I believe I have said this before, but God likes to open doors for us when we least expect it, just to remind us we are in the right place doing the right thing. As you have probably figured out by now, we have already outgrown our storefront building. We have been praying and searching for some time for a permanent location that would allow us to grow and begin really “building” the church. We thought we knew what property that would be, but God would not give us peace on it. Then this last Saturday, a new location came up for rent! I am sure this is just a coincidence! The property includes a three-story house with a very large warehouse in the back of the property. It is within our budget and only three blocks from our current location! God is so good! We met with the owner on Monday, and barring any paperwork and moving issues, we will move in and take possession sometime in October! Please continue to pray that God will care for all the details and grant us wisdom.
Although our numeric growth may be limited, the spiritual growth of our people is not. In order to execute our vision of planting thousands of churches in Peru, we must begin growing the core people whom God has already sent to us. This has been our primary focus. To date, we have started six Bible studies in the homes of our church people. Each study is personal and unique and serves as discipleship, as well as a question-and-answer time. These are such sweet and encouraging meetings and probably my favorite times of the week.
Then again, the weekend is probably my favorite, favorite time! Four weeks ago, I began teaching soul winning in our visitation meeting on Saturday mornings. This has been an exciting time, teaching and training our new converts how to share the Gospel with family, friends, and everyone they meet. Since this started, we have had over 30 people go out each Saturday passing out tracts and sharing the Gospel!
I always feel as if I am cramming so much into a small letter, but there is so much going on! Another highlight of this last month was our first monthly men’s meeting and prayer breakfast. For the first time, we sat down with the core men of our church, shared a Bible study, and cast our vision for Peru before them. If you could have seen their faces as they heard how an entire country could be reached through them! Seventeen men whose heart God has touched—the men who will turn Peru upside down with the Gospel!
Of course, all of this is only possible because of your prayers and support. I hope you understand the difference you are making in a country you may have never been to. Two Saturdays ago I was up in San Genaro, a neighborhood way up in the hills, making a visit. The addresses there are nearly impossible to find, and a vehicle can only make it so far up the hill. After walking three blocks up a steep hill, I was ready to turn around and go back down. Just then, a lady came out of her house. I introduced myself and told her the house I was trying to find. She pointed me in the right direction, which, of course, was back where we came from. After catching my breath, because I’m out of shape, I began to share the Gospel with Yeny. Several minutes later, she trusted Christ! As I began to leave, she made this statement to me: “I know that you think you were lost, but God makes no mistakes. I am so blessed that He brought you to my house.” Amen! A total of 105 people were saved this past month through our church services and personal soul winning. Thank you for making this possible.
In closing, there are several things you could pray about: our new building, our first baptismal service coming up this month, new Bible studies to be started, and for God to continue to bond the hearts of our men to us and to Himself. I believe God has put us in the prime location at the prime time to reach Peru for Jesus Christ. I cannot wait to see what the future holds!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Monday, September 10, 2012
August Prayer Letter from the Kokubuns
Dear Friends,
The expression "Time flies when you’re having fun!" is such a reality in my life. There is nothing more satisfying than investing in other people. I feel as if I could write a book of all that has transpired since we arrived.
As of this writing, we are averaging in the 70s and 80s in our services. We just observed the Lord's Supper last Sunday night with 70 in attendance. It was one of the most powerful services we have had at Iglesia Bautista Internacional. Sitting at the piano, I could see dozens of brand-new Christians taking the elements for the very first time! God's presence was very evident as tears flowed down many young believers’ faces as they were overwhelmed with the truth of their salvation.
One of my favorite times of the whole week has become Saturday evenings. Saturdays are quickly becoming my favorite day because it is filled with teenage soul winning, music practice, activities, and a prayer meeting. There is nothing like hearing young people pray! After our weekly soccer game, all of our young people meet at the church to pray for the next day. This past Saturday, Carlos (the father of one of our youth girls) closed out our prayer meeting. When I looked up after he had prayed, he had tears in his eyes and a smile on his face.
This week we are starting a Bible study at my house with Carlos and his family. This will be the first time I will teach in Spanish! Pray for me. These baby Christians are so hungry for the things of God. I enjoy answering all their questions. Carlos told me the other day that he has already seen a change in his family since they have started attending our church.
Our little church on the corner is already filled to capacity. We have been praying and searching God's heart for another property. God has recently dropped a property in our laps that has a lot of potential. Please continue praying for IBI as we move on to another stage in our ministry. We are currently training the new believers through Bible studies in different homes.
There is no doubt in my mind that your prayers and support are making an eternal impact in South America. Each day gets more exciting. We can't wait for what God has for us in the future. My wife and I pray for you and love you very much.
Serving Him,
Daniel & Heather Kokubun
The expression "Time flies when you’re having fun!" is such a reality in my life. There is nothing more satisfying than investing in other people. I feel as if I could write a book of all that has transpired since we arrived.
As of this writing, we are averaging in the 70s and 80s in our services. We just observed the Lord's Supper last Sunday night with 70 in attendance. It was one of the most powerful services we have had at Iglesia Bautista Internacional. Sitting at the piano, I could see dozens of brand-new Christians taking the elements for the very first time! God's presence was very evident as tears flowed down many young believers’ faces as they were overwhelmed with the truth of their salvation.
One of my favorite times of the whole week has become Saturday evenings. Saturdays are quickly becoming my favorite day because it is filled with teenage soul winning, music practice, activities, and a prayer meeting. There is nothing like hearing young people pray! After our weekly soccer game, all of our young people meet at the church to pray for the next day. This past Saturday, Carlos (the father of one of our youth girls) closed out our prayer meeting. When I looked up after he had prayed, he had tears in his eyes and a smile on his face.
This week we are starting a Bible study at my house with Carlos and his family. This will be the first time I will teach in Spanish! Pray for me. These baby Christians are so hungry for the things of God. I enjoy answering all their questions. Carlos told me the other day that he has already seen a change in his family since they have started attending our church.
Our little church on the corner is already filled to capacity. We have been praying and searching God's heart for another property. God has recently dropped a property in our laps that has a lot of potential. Please continue praying for IBI as we move on to another stage in our ministry. We are currently training the new believers through Bible studies in different homes.
There is no doubt in my mind that your prayers and support are making an eternal impact in South America. Each day gets more exciting. We can't wait for what God has for us in the future. My wife and I pray for you and love you very much.
Serving Him,
Daniel & Heather Kokubun
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
September Prayer Letter from the Miskovics
Dear Friends,
Our first month in Peru has been a very exciting time. We have been going non-stop since we arrived. We are settling into our apartment, and we are getting acclimated to our new way of living in Peru. There are many things that are quite different. Friday is the grocery day for our team ladies, and the market has been quite an experience. It’s not like the States. There is fresh meat being cut and hung out in the open for sale. The merchants are getting used to us as we are getting used to them.
We started language school two weeks ago and are being taught by a Peruvian, Bro. Johnny. It is intense! However, Marsha sang with two of our team ladies in Spanish on Sunday. They did a great job! We can’t wait until we have mastered the soul-winning plan in Spanish. We are working on that now.
A week ago a young man was walking by the church, and I invited him in. His name was David. He came in and seemed to enjoy it. He gloriously got saved that morning. The people who are trusting Christ as their Saviour are already soul-conscious. They are telling their friends and family about Jesus. Some aren’t sure how to give the Gospel, but they are bringing a lot of people to church. Many are coming to Saturday morning soul winning for training.
Our team is involved in five in-home Bible studies during the week. Bro. Zach Foust and I will be starting one this coming Saturday afternoon at Bro. Pablo’s house. This has been a great way of discipling the new converts.
God is doing great things here. In August, 97 people were saved in the church services. There have also been others saved at the Bible studies and during personal soul winning. We are planning a baptismal service soon, because many want to be baptized. We are in the process of having a baptistery made.
We are aggressively looking for property so that we can have a larger place to meet. Right now we are having services in a 25 by 35-foot room, and we are packing it out. Please pray for us to find the right place to meet.
We have several prayer requests. Please join us in praying for property, for souls to be saved, for more in-home Bible studies to be started, for our support to come in, and for the power of God on our team. We appreciate every one of you and are praying for you too. Thank you for all of your financial and prayer support. We couldn’t do this without YOU.
Serving Christ in Peru,
The Miskovics
Our first month in Peru has been a very exciting time. We have been going non-stop since we arrived. We are settling into our apartment, and we are getting acclimated to our new way of living in Peru. There are many things that are quite different. Friday is the grocery day for our team ladies, and the market has been quite an experience. It’s not like the States. There is fresh meat being cut and hung out in the open for sale. The merchants are getting used to us as we are getting used to them.
We started language school two weeks ago and are being taught by a Peruvian, Bro. Johnny. It is intense! However, Marsha sang with two of our team ladies in Spanish on Sunday. They did a great job! We can’t wait until we have mastered the soul-winning plan in Spanish. We are working on that now.
A week ago a young man was walking by the church, and I invited him in. His name was David. He came in and seemed to enjoy it. He gloriously got saved that morning. The people who are trusting Christ as their Saviour are already soul-conscious. They are telling their friends and family about Jesus. Some aren’t sure how to give the Gospel, but they are bringing a lot of people to church. Many are coming to Saturday morning soul winning for training.
Our team is involved in five in-home Bible studies during the week. Bro. Zach Foust and I will be starting one this coming Saturday afternoon at Bro. Pablo’s house. This has been a great way of discipling the new converts.
God is doing great things here. In August, 97 people were saved in the church services. There have also been others saved at the Bible studies and during personal soul winning. We are planning a baptismal service soon, because many want to be baptized. We are in the process of having a baptistery made.
We are aggressively looking for property so that we can have a larger place to meet. Right now we are having services in a 25 by 35-foot room, and we are packing it out. Please pray for us to find the right place to meet.
We have several prayer requests. Please join us in praying for property, for souls to be saved, for more in-home Bible studies to be started, for our support to come in, and for the power of God on our team. We appreciate every one of you and are praying for you too. Thank you for all of your financial and prayer support. We couldn’t do this without YOU.
Serving Christ in Peru,
The Miskovics
Thursday, August 16, 2012
July Prayer Letter from the Rader Family
Dear praying friends,
We started the month of July on Sarah’s uncles’ farm in Georgia. One of her uncles, Pastor Heck Davis, is also one of our supporters. Pastor Davis helped us earn some extra money by letting us pick corn during their corn season. Upon leaving the farm we journeyed out to the West Coast as far as Washington visiting churches along the way there and back. We ended the month helping in a Vacation Bible School in the mountains of Colorado with Pastor Darryl Reeves. During the month we presented the vision for Peru in 12 churches, preached 11 times, and saw 11 saved through personal soul winning. While picking corn, traveling across our great country, and participating in Vacation Bible School, we were reminded again and again that GOD IS SO AWESOME!
We could write a book if we shared all the blessings and stories of the great fellowship from church to church, souls saved along the way, and Vacation Bible School; however, because of time we will share two. While out soul winning in Colorado with Elijah Reeves we had a man answer the door. As I was introducing myself, I completely forgot my partner’s name. Please forgive me. I didn’t want to look dumb so I instantly made up a name. I introduced him as Bob. The man invited us into his home and I had to confess that I had lied about my partner’s name. Thankfully he found it humorous. We continued talking and found out he was a Navy Seal with many kills. He was doubtful that God could forgive him for his past deeds. We then talked about the omnipotent power of God’s forgiveness. A half hour later he put all his trust in Christ for salvation. In spite of being a bad soul winning partner, God still saves! Hallelujah! Our next story is about two children. Irene and Angel came everyday for VBS from one of the homes Sarah got to visit and invite. Irene, a second-grader, raised her hand for salvation on Monday. Her teacher, a mother of four small children, gave her the gospel; however, she seemed hesitant to pray and trust Christ. Two days later she raised her hand again and went out with
the same teacher. After the teacher reviewed salvation she invited the children to pray and receive Christ. Irene spoke out and said, “I did that already.” The teacher asked her, “Where and when did you do this?” Irene answered, “Yesterday, in my room, I knelt by my bed and asked Jesus to come into my heart and wash away my sins with His blood.” Testimonies like Irene’s make the extra effort it takes for moms of small children like Sarah Rader and Christy Spillman to go out and invite children to VBS and teach in VBS so worth it!
We cannot thank you enough for your love, prayers, and support. Please continue pray for our van and our safety on the road. Please pray for our team members already in Peru doing a great work. Please pray for our support and travel needs. Our plans are to leave the first week of December for Peru. We have 50% of our monthly support coming in presently. Thank you to all who are helping us along the way. We count it an honor and a privilege to represent Christ and you to the lost of Peru. Thank you, and God bless you.
His for souls,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, Paul Rader
We started the month of July on Sarah’s uncles’ farm in Georgia. One of her uncles, Pastor Heck Davis, is also one of our supporters. Pastor Davis helped us earn some extra money by letting us pick corn during their corn season. Upon leaving the farm we journeyed out to the West Coast as far as Washington visiting churches along the way there and back. We ended the month helping in a Vacation Bible School in the mountains of Colorado with Pastor Darryl Reeves. During the month we presented the vision for Peru in 12 churches, preached 11 times, and saw 11 saved through personal soul winning. While picking corn, traveling across our great country, and participating in Vacation Bible School, we were reminded again and again that GOD IS SO AWESOME!
We could write a book if we shared all the blessings and stories of the great fellowship from church to church, souls saved along the way, and Vacation Bible School; however, because of time we will share two. While out soul winning in Colorado with Elijah Reeves we had a man answer the door. As I was introducing myself, I completely forgot my partner’s name. Please forgive me. I didn’t want to look dumb so I instantly made up a name. I introduced him as Bob. The man invited us into his home and I had to confess that I had lied about my partner’s name. Thankfully he found it humorous. We continued talking and found out he was a Navy Seal with many kills. He was doubtful that God could forgive him for his past deeds. We then talked about the omnipotent power of God’s forgiveness. A half hour later he put all his trust in Christ for salvation. In spite of being a bad soul winning partner, God still saves! Hallelujah! Our next story is about two children. Irene and Angel came everyday for VBS from one of the homes Sarah got to visit and invite. Irene, a second-grader, raised her hand for salvation on Monday. Her teacher, a mother of four small children, gave her the gospel; however, she seemed hesitant to pray and trust Christ. Two days later she raised her hand again and went out with
the same teacher. After the teacher reviewed salvation she invited the children to pray and receive Christ. Irene spoke out and said, “I did that already.” The teacher asked her, “Where and when did you do this?” Irene answered, “Yesterday, in my room, I knelt by my bed and asked Jesus to come into my heart and wash away my sins with His blood.” Testimonies like Irene’s make the extra effort it takes for moms of small children like Sarah Rader and Christy Spillman to go out and invite children to VBS and teach in VBS so worth it!
We cannot thank you enough for your love, prayers, and support. Please continue pray for our van and our safety on the road. Please pray for our team members already in Peru doing a great work. Please pray for our support and travel needs. Our plans are to leave the first week of December for Peru. We have 50% of our monthly support coming in presently. Thank you to all who are helping us along the way. We count it an honor and a privilege to represent Christ and you to the lost of Peru. Thank you, and God bless you.
His for souls,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, Paul Rader
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
July Prayer Letter from the Foust Family
Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,
We are not starting the church until September. At least, that is the joke that is
going around the team right now. Although we did not plan to start Iglesia Bautista
International until we’re all settled, we decided to rent a storefront in which to hold services in the same neighborhood as our future property. We printed one thousand tracts and spent a Saturday soul winning and inviting people to church. The tracts were gone in a few days and we filled all of our chairs the first Sunday. We now have several faithful families who call IBI their home church, and each service brings new visitors. This last Sunday, we had 66 in attendance. (And, yes, we had ten thousand tracts printed the next time!)
The business of not starting a church has kept us very busy. We have been able to purchase 2 vans to move our families around. We also rent a combi (small bus) in
which to have Sunday school for the children. I teach the adult Sunday school class each week called the Common Faith class and we now have many adults who come faithfully to learn more about God’s word. It is so exciting to be a part of this amazing work, and watch so many people trust Christ as their Savior.
One of the greatest sights is watching new Christians bring their own visitors to church.
A man named Mateo goes visiting with me each Saturday. Many of the people have brought their family and friends to services. Jorge, a teenage boy, brings friends to
be saved at almost every service. Zach, Jr. led a boy named Clayton to the Lord (his first in Spanish) as he was watching the service thru the open doorway. The next service Clayton returned, bringing a friend with him! A man named Pablo trusted Christ and took Bro. Hubbard to the homes of many of his family members asking him to give the Gospel to his family of whom several were saved. There are too many stories of God’s grace to give them all in this prayer letter. More than 70 souls have been saved this month.
While Satan’s attacks are certainly in evidence, God’s blessings are around us
every day. May you continue to feel God’s blessing and goodness in your life. Thank
you for your investment into this ministry and into our family. Please know none of the blessings we see here today would be possible without your help and prayers.
Please continue to pray for the great vision God has put before us. Please pray for the families who are still stateside raising support to join us. Safety on both sides of the pond is of great concern. Pray for our families getting settled in Peru. God has been so good to us.
His for Souls,
Zachary and Karin Foust, Zach, C.J., and Logan
We are not starting the church until September. At least, that is the joke that is
going around the team right now. Although we did not plan to start Iglesia Bautista
International until we’re all settled, we decided to rent a storefront in which to hold services in the same neighborhood as our future property. We printed one thousand tracts and spent a Saturday soul winning and inviting people to church. The tracts were gone in a few days and we filled all of our chairs the first Sunday. We now have several faithful families who call IBI their home church, and each service brings new visitors. This last Sunday, we had 66 in attendance. (And, yes, we had ten thousand tracts printed the next time!)
The business of not starting a church has kept us very busy. We have been able to purchase 2 vans to move our families around. We also rent a combi (small bus) in
which to have Sunday school for the children. I teach the adult Sunday school class each week called the Common Faith class and we now have many adults who come faithfully to learn more about God’s word. It is so exciting to be a part of this amazing work, and watch so many people trust Christ as their Savior.
One of the greatest sights is watching new Christians bring their own visitors to church.
A man named Mateo goes visiting with me each Saturday. Many of the people have brought their family and friends to services. Jorge, a teenage boy, brings friends to
be saved at almost every service. Zach, Jr. led a boy named Clayton to the Lord (his first in Spanish) as he was watching the service thru the open doorway. The next service Clayton returned, bringing a friend with him! A man named Pablo trusted Christ and took Bro. Hubbard to the homes of many of his family members asking him to give the Gospel to his family of whom several were saved. There are too many stories of God’s grace to give them all in this prayer letter. More than 70 souls have been saved this month.
While Satan’s attacks are certainly in evidence, God’s blessings are around us
every day. May you continue to feel God’s blessing and goodness in your life. Thank
you for your investment into this ministry and into our family. Please know none of the blessings we see here today would be possible without your help and prayers.
Please continue to pray for the great vision God has put before us. Please pray for the families who are still stateside raising support to join us. Safety on both sides of the pond is of great concern. Pray for our families getting settled in Peru. God has been so good to us.
His for Souls,
Zachary and Karin Foust, Zach, C.J., and Logan
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
July Prayer Letter from the Martin Family
August 6, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
I am overwhelmed and amazed at the awesomeness of my God! I wonder every month how I should begin this letter. I have thought and thought what the first sentence should be. So as I compile all my thoughts and emotions and begin reflecting on the last four weeks, I can really only say that God is great, and I am so humbled to be His servant!
Seven weeks have passed since we arrived in Lima. During this time Jessica and I have been able to move into our permanent home and purchase all of our necessary appliances and furniture. We will continue “equipping” our house little by little each month, but I am thankful that God has given us such a beautiful place that my wife can call home.
As I stated in our last letter, we started the Iglesia Bautista Internacional the day after our arrival. We spent the entire month of May planning how to launch our church and make an immediate impact in our community. Our plan is to do this in the month of September, once the majority of the team has joined us. However, as you could imagine, we were very eager to get busy doing what God has called us to do. We decided to simply start a church in the home of Bro. Dan Hubbard and see where God would lead. Since our arrival, we have been walking through the streets of Chorrillos praying for God to open a door for us. After walking several miles one Saturday, we “stumbled” across a small storefront for rent. Then God blew a door open for us! After only one phone call, the building was offered to us for only $270 a month! Four weeks ago we held our first service in the Villa Marina neighborhood. The corner that was once covered in graffiti and known for drugs, gangs, and drinking is now a church!
God has truly blessed our church. We have since already begun to look at property for sale to give us a more permanent location and to accomodate the crowd in the building we have already outgrown! In the month of July, God brought a total of 94 different people through the doors of our church and allowed us to see a total of 54 trust Christ as their Saviour! Praise God! Oh for more time and space to tell all the stories of what God is doing!
God has brought many precious people into our lives. Julio, Veronique, and Kenya were our first visitors! Veronique got saved and has become our biggest helper and volunteer around the church. They have such sweet spirits, and we are excited for what God is doing in their lives.
Cecilia also came to church our first Sunday and got saved. Right away she brought her mom and younger sister to church, and they, too, accepted Christ. The Naupari home then became the site of our first weekly Bible study! There is something special about the hunger they have for the Word of God. When we arrived for our first Bible study, Olga (Cecilia’s mom) was walking outside her home with her Bible clutched to her chest. She said, “Pastor, I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it, so I told my children that we would just sit down and read the Bible.” Oh, if we all still hungered for God like that! So far, six members of her family have trusted Christ and are faithful to church.
We knew that any endevour for God would be met with resistance from Satan. The Devil did not disappoint. But I am so glad that Jesus said of His church that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Please do keep us in your prayers. The Devil has attacked us on the homefront, here, and by attacking our people. With a church full of new converts, we have many hurting people in need of big things from God. I am so glad that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
Thank you for your love, prays, and support. Jessica and I and the people of Chorrillos owe a great debt to each of you. Please keep us in your prayers. We are trusting God to continue to do great things in the church; plus this week we are planning on launching six in-home Bible studies. I know that God has a great plan for our people and our district. After a few services in our new building, a lady walked by and asked, “Is this THE church? The church that EVERYONE is talking about?” I cannot wait till the buzz going through Villa Marina travels throughout Chorrillos and then Lima and all of Peru!
Excited about what Jesus is doing,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Dear Praying Friends,
I am overwhelmed and amazed at the awesomeness of my God! I wonder every month how I should begin this letter. I have thought and thought what the first sentence should be. So as I compile all my thoughts and emotions and begin reflecting on the last four weeks, I can really only say that God is great, and I am so humbled to be His servant!
Seven weeks have passed since we arrived in Lima. During this time Jessica and I have been able to move into our permanent home and purchase all of our necessary appliances and furniture. We will continue “equipping” our house little by little each month, but I am thankful that God has given us such a beautiful place that my wife can call home.
As I stated in our last letter, we started the Iglesia Bautista Internacional the day after our arrival. We spent the entire month of May planning how to launch our church and make an immediate impact in our community. Our plan is to do this in the month of September, once the majority of the team has joined us. However, as you could imagine, we were very eager to get busy doing what God has called us to do. We decided to simply start a church in the home of Bro. Dan Hubbard and see where God would lead. Since our arrival, we have been walking through the streets of Chorrillos praying for God to open a door for us. After walking several miles one Saturday, we “stumbled” across a small storefront for rent. Then God blew a door open for us! After only one phone call, the building was offered to us for only $270 a month! Four weeks ago we held our first service in the Villa Marina neighborhood. The corner that was once covered in graffiti and known for drugs, gangs, and drinking is now a church!
God has truly blessed our church. We have since already begun to look at property for sale to give us a more permanent location and to accomodate the crowd in the building we have already outgrown! In the month of July, God brought a total of 94 different people through the doors of our church and allowed us to see a total of 54 trust Christ as their Saviour! Praise God! Oh for more time and space to tell all the stories of what God is doing!
God has brought many precious people into our lives. Julio, Veronique, and Kenya were our first visitors! Veronique got saved and has become our biggest helper and volunteer around the church. They have such sweet spirits, and we are excited for what God is doing in their lives.
Cecilia also came to church our first Sunday and got saved. Right away she brought her mom and younger sister to church, and they, too, accepted Christ. The Naupari home then became the site of our first weekly Bible study! There is something special about the hunger they have for the Word of God. When we arrived for our first Bible study, Olga (Cecilia’s mom) was walking outside her home with her Bible clutched to her chest. She said, “Pastor, I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it, so I told my children that we would just sit down and read the Bible.” Oh, if we all still hungered for God like that! So far, six members of her family have trusted Christ and are faithful to church.
We knew that any endevour for God would be met with resistance from Satan. The Devil did not disappoint. But I am so glad that Jesus said of His church that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Please do keep us in your prayers. The Devil has attacked us on the homefront, here, and by attacking our people. With a church full of new converts, we have many hurting people in need of big things from God. I am so glad that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
Thank you for your love, prays, and support. Jessica and I and the people of Chorrillos owe a great debt to each of you. Please keep us in your prayers. We are trusting God to continue to do great things in the church; plus this week we are planning on launching six in-home Bible studies. I know that God has a great plan for our people and our district. After a few services in our new building, a lady walked by and asked, “Is this THE church? The church that EVERYONE is talking about?” I cannot wait till the buzz going through Villa Marina travels throughout Chorrillos and then Lima and all of Peru!
Excited about what Jesus is doing,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Monday, August 13, 2012
July Prayer Letter from the Kokubuns
Dear Friends,
It has been a wonderful, exciting couple of months in the lives of the Kokubuns! As you know, July was THE month. All the hours, days, and months of preparation for our new lives in Peru were finally becoming a reality. Early on July 3, we boarded a plane headed to Peru. I could have never dreamed what the next month would bring.
In the past month, our team has started our first church plant. The morning after we arrived, my wife and I jumped into the vehicle with Dan Hubbard, Zach Foust, and Junior Martin. We were going to look at a storefront property that would eventually house our first church, not knowing how soon that would be. (This was on a Wednesday, July 4.) God moved. We signed a contract on the storefront, and that next Sunday we had the first service of Iglesia Bautista International.
We had over 30 people in our first service! The church is only four weeks old as of this writing, and the church is booming. Where the pulpit sits in our church is geographically right smack in the center of Chorrillos, a district of Lima. For the last four weeks, the Gospel has been preached at the heart of Chorrillos, Lima, a town we have come to love. There have been dozens of salvations and lives changed. The people God has called us to are eager to hear the good news of the cross.
There are so many stories of God using Iglesia Bautista International to reach the harvest. Here are two:
One Wednesday night before church, I walked down the street inviting people to our new church. As I came to the end of the block, I found a soccer park with dozens of young people playing soccer. I walked over to the bleachers and sat down just to watch. My heart was truly broken for the youth. As I was sitting there, a couple of curious teenagers walked over to say hi. As I began in my broken Spanish to talk to them, they were curious about what an American was doing in their park. Before I knew it, two young men grew to twelve young men. We all talked and laughed at my accent. I invited them all to the service that night. Many of them have received Christ as their Saviour and attend church often.
One boy in particular, Jorge, has a special place in my heart. I handed Jorge a tract the first Saturday we were inviting people to church. Jorge was sitting on a bench watching his friends play soccer. Zach Jr. (my teenager from the team) and I approached him and invited him to church. Having a language barrier, we simply gave him a tract and prayed he would be in church the next morning. To my disappointment, he did not show on Sunday morning. I did not think another thought about it until Sunday evening while I was playing the prelude. In walked Jorge with two of his friends! All during the preaching, I was excited that they came, hoping that Jorge
would get saved. During the invitation one of the Spanish pastors who had been helping us approached the young men and asked them about salvation. When he asked Jorge if he knew he was going to Heaven, Jorge gave him a confident, "Yes!" When asked how he knew, Jorge explained that he had taken the tract that I had given him home and had asked Jesus to save him! Hallelujah! God truly is working here in Chorrillos, Lima, Peru.
I cannot thank you enough for your continued support and love. We love hearing from you through all your comments and letters. You are in our hearts and prayers; we love you very much. If there is ever anything we can do for you, please contact us. Now that we have settled in our first apartment as a married couple, we hope to connect more with you. We will be blogging and updating our Facebook much more in the future.
Here is our information:
Phone: 919.407.8668 (Call or text anytime; it's a USA number, so you will pay no international fees.)
Address:
Daniel y Heather Kokubun
Urb. Las Brisas de Villa
HB Lote 7 Costa Norte
Lima 09
Chorrillos, Lima, PERU
Serving Him,
Daniel and Heather Kokubun
It has been a wonderful, exciting couple of months in the lives of the Kokubuns! As you know, July was THE month. All the hours, days, and months of preparation for our new lives in Peru were finally becoming a reality. Early on July 3, we boarded a plane headed to Peru. I could have never dreamed what the next month would bring.
In the past month, our team has started our first church plant. The morning after we arrived, my wife and I jumped into the vehicle with Dan Hubbard, Zach Foust, and Junior Martin. We were going to look at a storefront property that would eventually house our first church, not knowing how soon that would be. (This was on a Wednesday, July 4.) God moved. We signed a contract on the storefront, and that next Sunday we had the first service of Iglesia Bautista International.
We had over 30 people in our first service! The church is only four weeks old as of this writing, and the church is booming. Where the pulpit sits in our church is geographically right smack in the center of Chorrillos, a district of Lima. For the last four weeks, the Gospel has been preached at the heart of Chorrillos, Lima, a town we have come to love. There have been dozens of salvations and lives changed. The people God has called us to are eager to hear the good news of the cross.
There are so many stories of God using Iglesia Bautista International to reach the harvest. Here are two:
One Wednesday night before church, I walked down the street inviting people to our new church. As I came to the end of the block, I found a soccer park with dozens of young people playing soccer. I walked over to the bleachers and sat down just to watch. My heart was truly broken for the youth. As I was sitting there, a couple of curious teenagers walked over to say hi. As I began in my broken Spanish to talk to them, they were curious about what an American was doing in their park. Before I knew it, two young men grew to twelve young men. We all talked and laughed at my accent. I invited them all to the service that night. Many of them have received Christ as their Saviour and attend church often.
One boy in particular, Jorge, has a special place in my heart. I handed Jorge a tract the first Saturday we were inviting people to church. Jorge was sitting on a bench watching his friends play soccer. Zach Jr. (my teenager from the team) and I approached him and invited him to church. Having a language barrier, we simply gave him a tract and prayed he would be in church the next morning. To my disappointment, he did not show on Sunday morning. I did not think another thought about it until Sunday evening while I was playing the prelude. In walked Jorge with two of his friends! All during the preaching, I was excited that they came, hoping that Jorge
would get saved. During the invitation one of the Spanish pastors who had been helping us approached the young men and asked them about salvation. When he asked Jorge if he knew he was going to Heaven, Jorge gave him a confident, "Yes!" When asked how he knew, Jorge explained that he had taken the tract that I had given him home and had asked Jesus to save him! Hallelujah! God truly is working here in Chorrillos, Lima, Peru.
I cannot thank you enough for your continued support and love. We love hearing from you through all your comments and letters. You are in our hearts and prayers; we love you very much. If there is ever anything we can do for you, please contact us. Now that we have settled in our first apartment as a married couple, we hope to connect more with you. We will be blogging and updating our Facebook much more in the future.
Here is our information:
Phone: 919.407.8668 (Call or text anytime; it's a USA number, so you will pay no international fees.)
Address:
Daniel y Heather Kokubun
Urb. Las Brisas de Villa
HB Lote 7 Costa Norte
Lima 09
Chorrillos, Lima, PERU
Serving Him,
Daniel and Heather Kokubun
Friday, July 27, 2012
June/ July Prayer Letter from the Hubbard Family
July 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
A lady approached one the ladies on Team Peru before our Wednesday night service and asked, “Is this THE church? The Baptist Church? The church everyone is talking about?” Well, “Amen” to that! We have been seeing the hand of God moving mightily on
behalf of Team Peru.
We’ve had a jam-packed, busy time since the wheels of our airplane touched down! We’ve been going day and night working to transition and settle five of our nine team families. It has been amazing to watch God open door after door and care for thousands of little details.
We were able to rent a small storefront for our church to meet in—about as centrally located in the district of Chorrillos that you could be! We’ve had visitors and souls saved at every service since we began meeting there. This Sunday we will begin a children’s Sunday school class, meeting in a micro-bus parked across the street!
Last Saturday and Sunday, we passed out 1,000 tracts, invited people to come visit, and witnessed. I personally have seen many souls trust Christ as Saviour as I’m out and about. The fields are white unto harvest!!
In addition to the present church building, we are preparing to begin the groundwork for the larger property that will become ours for a church in December. We also are looking to begin a third church in another area in the near future! It’s full-speed ahead for 10,000 churches!
Our family is well. We had a rough transition, as we arrived with a flu bug going through the family. However, we’ve worked through that and are enjoying greatly the mild temperatures and abundant, inexpensive produce. Our son Timothy has given us two “scares” in our short time here. He was bit by a spider six times our first Wednesday here in Peru when it got trapped in his shirt collar. It concerned us being unfamiliar with what is dangerous and what is not. He proved to be fine after an antihistamine and cortisone treatment. Then this past Sunday he was playing with our neighbor’s dog when the dog bit him on the left cheek. It was not a deep wound, but it did bleed a lot. Fortunately, it is a healthy dog and current with its shots. He is healing well once again. We are consistently reminded of the importance of the prayer support of our Christian brothers and sisters.
We are ever aware of you, our co-laborers in the ministry. We know that every dollar of support is a representation of long hours and sacrifice on the part of God’s people. We live our lives to be a worthy investment of your time, money, and sacrifice. Thank you for seeing, by faith, what was not seen. Thank you for your support. We are daily seeing the fruit of your faith as it is translated into Peruvian souls saved.
We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for the months to come.
For his Glory,
Dan Hubbard
Dear Praying Friends,
A lady approached one the ladies on Team Peru before our Wednesday night service and asked, “Is this THE church? The Baptist Church? The church everyone is talking about?” Well, “Amen” to that! We have been seeing the hand of God moving mightily on
behalf of Team Peru.
We’ve had a jam-packed, busy time since the wheels of our airplane touched down! We’ve been going day and night working to transition and settle five of our nine team families. It has been amazing to watch God open door after door and care for thousands of little details.
We were able to rent a small storefront for our church to meet in—about as centrally located in the district of Chorrillos that you could be! We’ve had visitors and souls saved at every service since we began meeting there. This Sunday we will begin a children’s Sunday school class, meeting in a micro-bus parked across the street!
Last Saturday and Sunday, we passed out 1,000 tracts, invited people to come visit, and witnessed. I personally have seen many souls trust Christ as Saviour as I’m out and about. The fields are white unto harvest!!
In addition to the present church building, we are preparing to begin the groundwork for the larger property that will become ours for a church in December. We also are looking to begin a third church in another area in the near future! It’s full-speed ahead for 10,000 churches!
Our family is well. We had a rough transition, as we arrived with a flu bug going through the family. However, we’ve worked through that and are enjoying greatly the mild temperatures and abundant, inexpensive produce. Our son Timothy has given us two “scares” in our short time here. He was bit by a spider six times our first Wednesday here in Peru when it got trapped in his shirt collar. It concerned us being unfamiliar with what is dangerous and what is not. He proved to be fine after an antihistamine and cortisone treatment. Then this past Sunday he was playing with our neighbor’s dog when the dog bit him on the left cheek. It was not a deep wound, but it did bleed a lot. Fortunately, it is a healthy dog and current with its shots. He is healing well once again. We are consistently reminded of the importance of the prayer support of our Christian brothers and sisters.
We are ever aware of you, our co-laborers in the ministry. We know that every dollar of support is a representation of long hours and sacrifice on the part of God’s people. We live our lives to be a worthy investment of your time, money, and sacrifice. Thank you for seeing, by faith, what was not seen. Thank you for your support. We are daily seeing the fruit of your faith as it is translated into Peruvian souls saved.
We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for the months to come.
For his Glory,
Dan Hubbard
Thursday, July 19, 2012
June Prayer Letter from the Rader Family
June 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
June has been jammed full of blessings and infallible proofs of God’s grace. We must begin by thanking David Norton of Williamsburg, IA, for buying us a radiator. We also would like to thank Brother Steve Herrmann of Merrilville, IN for helping us to replace the radiator and fix a tail light. In addition, we owe thanks to Brother Ivan and Paul Baker for replacing our water pump and giving us date money to eat out while our van was in the shop. Thank you to the Joshua Kent Family for deciding to support us monthly. Thank you to the Bob Jones family not only for the place to stay, tire, oil change, alignment, and over-all car check-up, but also for your decision to support us monthly. Thank you to every church we visited this month for spoiling us rotten! These and so many other friends have helped us along the way. Our God is AWESOME! His servants are wonderful people.
During the month of June we were able to present our work at nine churches in seven different states. Our mission board did an excellent job this month providing a full week of vital teaching and training of need to know facts for missionaries during Missionary Candidates’ School. What a pleasure to see old friends while increasing in wisdom and knowledge.
We were blessed to see four saved this month. One afternoon Sarah flagged a young Hispanic man down who was out selling popsicles. After purchasing a popsicle and inviting him to church, she was able to share salvation’s story with Christian. Now that he has invited Christ into his life, living up to his name will be possible. The profit he made from that stop was much greater than what he got from selling a popsicle. Amen! Another one of those saved this month was a fourteen year old mother living in a shelter with her son. My heart melted while hearing her story because my grandmother also stayed in a shelter with my Dad when he was a small baby. So many people of our country need the Lord and His wisdom. God bless you as you reach out to them.
Please pray for our vehicle and safety. We will be driving many miles in July. We are truly traveling on the grace of God. We are partakers of the profits of your prayers. Please pray for our teammates already in Peru, and those preparing to depart shortly. Please continue to pray. We need you. Thank you for your prayers, support, and love. God bless you.
His for souls,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
Dear Praying Friends,
June has been jammed full of blessings and infallible proofs of God’s grace. We must begin by thanking David Norton of Williamsburg, IA, for buying us a radiator. We also would like to thank Brother Steve Herrmann of Merrilville, IN for helping us to replace the radiator and fix a tail light. In addition, we owe thanks to Brother Ivan and Paul Baker for replacing our water pump and giving us date money to eat out while our van was in the shop. Thank you to the Joshua Kent Family for deciding to support us monthly. Thank you to the Bob Jones family not only for the place to stay, tire, oil change, alignment, and over-all car check-up, but also for your decision to support us monthly. Thank you to every church we visited this month for spoiling us rotten! These and so many other friends have helped us along the way. Our God is AWESOME! His servants are wonderful people.
During the month of June we were able to present our work at nine churches in seven different states. Our mission board did an excellent job this month providing a full week of vital teaching and training of need to know facts for missionaries during Missionary Candidates’ School. What a pleasure to see old friends while increasing in wisdom and knowledge.
We were blessed to see four saved this month. One afternoon Sarah flagged a young Hispanic man down who was out selling popsicles. After purchasing a popsicle and inviting him to church, she was able to share salvation’s story with Christian. Now that he has invited Christ into his life, living up to his name will be possible. The profit he made from that stop was much greater than what he got from selling a popsicle. Amen! Another one of those saved this month was a fourteen year old mother living in a shelter with her son. My heart melted while hearing her story because my grandmother also stayed in a shelter with my Dad when he was a small baby. So many people of our country need the Lord and His wisdom. God bless you as you reach out to them.
Please pray for our vehicle and safety. We will be driving many miles in July. We are truly traveling on the grace of God. We are partakers of the profits of your prayers. Please pray for our teammates already in Peru, and those preparing to depart shortly. Please continue to pray. We need you. Thank you for your prayers, support, and love. God bless you.
His for souls,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
June Prayer Letter from the Martins
July 3, 2012
Dear Praying Friends,
It’s hard to believe June has come and gone! For months we had been counting down to our arrival in Peru, and it is almost surreal to think we have been here for exactly two weeks! God has been so very good to us in our journey. As much as we longed for the end of our deputation, our travels taught us so many invaluable lessons that will always be with us. The churches we visited and the friends we made will always be very near to our heart as well.
Our trip to Peru was almost seamless! Our fellow teammates, the Szabatins, were so gracious to drive us up to Toronto. The check-in process at the Toronto airport started off a little rough, as we were told none of our baggage (which was a lot) was going to make it to Peru (very long story)! God quickly intervened, and we, along with our six totes, three carry-ons, and dog made it onto the plane. I wish I had the time and space to share all the “I love yous” God gave us along the way. We had a very smooth flight and then a 7½-hour layover in Bogota, Colombia. We were not sure how we were going to care for our small dog, but security quickly fell in love with her, as did all the drug-sniffing dogs! Once again, God showed us He was watching out for us. We then made the short flight into Lima. Believe it or not, we breezed through customs without a single question, retrieved ALL of our luggage, and only one tote was searched! I think we must be in God’s will!! Around 1:00 Wednesday morning, we were greeted at the airport by Bro. Dan Hubbard, Bro. Zach Foust, and a cup of Starbucks! Thank you to each one of you who have been praying. Your prayers have truly made a difference.
Our two weeks in Lima have gone by so fast. After being in the staging home for only three days, we moved into a temporary apartment in Chorrillos. What a beautiful area! Chorrillos is the district where we will be permanently located and where our church will be. We have spent a lot of time searching for the right apartment and for a church building. Please pray that God continues to guide us and give us the wisdom needed to make the right decisions. We have three beautiful apartments we are looking at and trying to “negotiate.” The negotiation process is certainly different than in States, and we want to make sure we get what is best for our family. After being without a home of her own for over a year, I am eager to give Jessica a place she loves and can call her own.
Since our arrival, we have officially started the Iglesia Bautist Internacional! We are currently meeting in Bro. Hubbard’s apartment but are looking at an ideal piece of property. Please pray that God will open the door for us if this is His will. Having the church started is great, but in our current neighborhood, it is hard for the people to get to us. I am eager to get the church in a permanent location in the midst of the people, so we can begin bringing in multitudes of Peruvian people!
We have spent much time walking up and down the streets of Chorrillos, praying for and talking to the people. We have been able to give the Gospel to many and have over a dozen people and/or families interested in visiting our church. God also has already opened a door for us to begin a home Bible study next week. Please continue to pray for the people of Lima. I have such big dreams and aspirations, not only for our district but also for the rest of Lima and all of Peru. In a city of 9 million people and a district alone of 260,000 people, I cannot wait to see what God will allow us to do!
Thank you to each of you for your faithful prayers and support. Jessica and I are so thrilled to labor in Peru on your behalf. I cannot wait to get through this time of acclamation and transition and consume myself in the ministry. We have spent much time purchasing appliances, apartment hunting, ordering furniture, acquainting ourselves with the stores and public transportation, and working on our visas. Although all this is necessary, I long to turn my attention solely to reaching the people of Peru. The Peruvian money unit is called a sol. Everytime I am asked for “just one sol,” I cannot help but think of the countless souls around me who need to hear the Gospel. Thank you for believing in us and for praying for us. I can hardly wait to see what amazing things will happen in July!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Dear Praying Friends,
It’s hard to believe June has come and gone! For months we had been counting down to our arrival in Peru, and it is almost surreal to think we have been here for exactly two weeks! God has been so very good to us in our journey. As much as we longed for the end of our deputation, our travels taught us so many invaluable lessons that will always be with us. The churches we visited and the friends we made will always be very near to our heart as well.
Our trip to Peru was almost seamless! Our fellow teammates, the Szabatins, were so gracious to drive us up to Toronto. The check-in process at the Toronto airport started off a little rough, as we were told none of our baggage (which was a lot) was going to make it to Peru (very long story)! God quickly intervened, and we, along with our six totes, three carry-ons, and dog made it onto the plane. I wish I had the time and space to share all the “I love yous” God gave us along the way. We had a very smooth flight and then a 7½-hour layover in Bogota, Colombia. We were not sure how we were going to care for our small dog, but security quickly fell in love with her, as did all the drug-sniffing dogs! Once again, God showed us He was watching out for us. We then made the short flight into Lima. Believe it or not, we breezed through customs without a single question, retrieved ALL of our luggage, and only one tote was searched! I think we must be in God’s will!! Around 1:00 Wednesday morning, we were greeted at the airport by Bro. Dan Hubbard, Bro. Zach Foust, and a cup of Starbucks! Thank you to each one of you who have been praying. Your prayers have truly made a difference.
Our two weeks in Lima have gone by so fast. After being in the staging home for only three days, we moved into a temporary apartment in Chorrillos. What a beautiful area! Chorrillos is the district where we will be permanently located and where our church will be. We have spent a lot of time searching for the right apartment and for a church building. Please pray that God continues to guide us and give us the wisdom needed to make the right decisions. We have three beautiful apartments we are looking at and trying to “negotiate.” The negotiation process is certainly different than in States, and we want to make sure we get what is best for our family. After being without a home of her own for over a year, I am eager to give Jessica a place she loves and can call her own.
Since our arrival, we have officially started the Iglesia Bautist Internacional! We are currently meeting in Bro. Hubbard’s apartment but are looking at an ideal piece of property. Please pray that God will open the door for us if this is His will. Having the church started is great, but in our current neighborhood, it is hard for the people to get to us. I am eager to get the church in a permanent location in the midst of the people, so we can begin bringing in multitudes of Peruvian people!
We have spent much time walking up and down the streets of Chorrillos, praying for and talking to the people. We have been able to give the Gospel to many and have over a dozen people and/or families interested in visiting our church. God also has already opened a door for us to begin a home Bible study next week. Please continue to pray for the people of Lima. I have such big dreams and aspirations, not only for our district but also for the rest of Lima and all of Peru. In a city of 9 million people and a district alone of 260,000 people, I cannot wait to see what God will allow us to do!
Thank you to each of you for your faithful prayers and support. Jessica and I are so thrilled to labor in Peru on your behalf. I cannot wait to get through this time of acclamation and transition and consume myself in the ministry. We have spent much time purchasing appliances, apartment hunting, ordering furniture, acquainting ourselves with the stores and public transportation, and working on our visas. Although all this is necessary, I long to turn my attention solely to reaching the people of Peru. The Peruvian money unit is called a sol. Everytime I am asked for “just one sol,” I cannot help but think of the countless souls around me who need to hear the Gospel. Thank you for believing in us and for praying for us. I can hardly wait to see what amazing things will happen in July!
Your ambassadors to Peru,
Junior and Jessica Martin
Romans 9:3
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
June Prayer Letter from the Foust Family
July 2012
Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,
Wow! It is hard to believe that we have been in Peru for an entire month. The month of
June literally flew by while we started the journey of learning to live in Peru.
We have spent the month going about the business of setting up our team to live here in
Lima. It has been exciting and a learning process for us. So far, we have signed the lease on five apartments for the families of our team. All of the apartments are in one very secure neighborhood. The neighborhood is located in Chorrillos where we have our
church. God has been very good to us, and He has allowed us to find very nice
apartments in a beautiful location for a very good price within our budget. It is always exciting to see how God provides!
We have also spent much time on the process of getting our residency established in
Peru. We hope to have the much-needed residency cards soon. We have learned that there
is little one can do in the way of business and purchasing without permanent residency.
Thankfully, we have some friends here in Lima who have been kind enough to help us
with this process. While the process seems frustratingly slow at times, we have learned
to rely even more upon God, and we are certainly learning that valuable trait of patience!
God has allowed us many opportunities to witness and invite people to church as we go
about our business of getting settled. Please be in prayer that God would give us the
capacity to help the many people who come across our path each day.
His For Souls,
Zach and Karin Foust, Zachary, Caleb, and Logan
Dear Praying Friends and Supporting Churches,
Wow! It is hard to believe that we have been in Peru for an entire month. The month of
June literally flew by while we started the journey of learning to live in Peru.
We have spent the month going about the business of setting up our team to live here in
Lima. It has been exciting and a learning process for us. So far, we have signed the lease on five apartments for the families of our team. All of the apartments are in one very secure neighborhood. The neighborhood is located in Chorrillos where we have our
church. God has been very good to us, and He has allowed us to find very nice
apartments in a beautiful location for a very good price within our budget. It is always exciting to see how God provides!
We have also spent much time on the process of getting our residency established in
Peru. We hope to have the much-needed residency cards soon. We have learned that there
is little one can do in the way of business and purchasing without permanent residency.
Thankfully, we have some friends here in Lima who have been kind enough to help us
with this process. While the process seems frustratingly slow at times, we have learned
to rely even more upon God, and we are certainly learning that valuable trait of patience!
God has allowed us many opportunities to witness and invite people to church as we go
about our business of getting settled. Please be in prayer that God would give us the
capacity to help the many people who come across our path each day.
His For Souls,
Zach and Karin Foust, Zachary, Caleb, and Logan
Sunday, July 1, 2012
June Prayer Letter from the Szabatins
May/June 2012
Dear Pastor & Praying Friends,
My wife says I always work best while under pressure. Well, this week we will see.
On June 18, we will be leaving to go to Canada to visit with family before we head back to Peru (and hopefully pick up some work to pay for plane tickets). During this same time, our belongings from Western Canada are on their way down to us here in Indiana. We have not seen any of this stuff in three years. I just checked the Yellow/Roadway website; and as I write this, our belongings are in St. Paul,
Minnesota, on their cross docks waiting for their next move toward Chicago Heights. Right now the ETA is this Wednesday. We have four skids of things that we have to go through, separate, and list, because on Thursday we are preparing to finish packing the container.
We also have water-filtration systems coming from Missouri that are going to arrive on Thursday that have to be on the container on—you guessed it—Thursday. It would be great for them to get here Wednesday instead.
Thursday will be pressure time as well. If you do not have Facebook or you did not see the posting, we had some wonderful gifts given to the team. We had 360 folding chairs donated by First Baptist Church. Brother Wayne Holder gave us 90,000 books of Romans in Spanish, with the Romans Road outlined. B.E.A.M.S Bibles gave us 1,000 Spanish Bibles for those we win to the Lord, and a church in Michigan gave us 360,000 Spanish Gospel tracts. Almost all of these things, plus four skids of toys given to us by Brother George Ranft at Reformers Unanimous of First Baptist Church of Hammond, need to be put into the container with our four skids of items.
I may start praying for a 25-hour day to get everything accomplished before we leave!
While we are looking forward to going to Canada to see family (we haven’t been there in a year), we are also sad at saying goodbye to Danica-Lee. She is staying in the Chicago area for the summer and preparing for her senior year at Hyles-Anderson College. We don’t get much opportunity to see her right now, and those few times we do see her at church, her time is limited because she also wants to spend time with
Fred, her fiancé. When we see her next, she will be putting on a graduation cap and gown and then two weeks later putting on a wedding dress and veil. My mind is still trying to wrap itself around the whole “daddy’s little girl” to “she’s graduating college and getting married” space/time continuum thingy.
Josiah has also been coming into his own, both physically and spiritually. I keep checking to see if he is taller than I am yet. We can always tell when he is in a growing spurt because we have to keep restocking the fridge quicker than the national deficit keeps rising. A few weeks ago, I took him to McDonald’s around 1:00 p.m. He had several items off the dollar menu. About 3:30, he was asking to go back because
he was hungry, and once again he got a couple of burgers, some fries, and a Coke. We got home at around 6:00, and the Hopsons had gotten some Papa John’s pizza. Josiah had four pieces. Now we don’t eat like that all the time, but when he is hungry, it’s like feeding coals to a hot fire. It just gets consumed faster than you can blink.
This past month Josiah has had a great time soul winning. He saw 15 people saved, and 12 of those were on one day!
I am working away at my Spanish. My understanding continues, and I look forward to the day when I am as fluent in Spanish as I am in English. At church we had the ordination of the men on the team, as well as the Commissioning Service. A week later we had the Spanish-church send-off. Each of the men was asked to preach for about ten minutes. I started off in Spanish for the first couple of paragraphs. It was so funny, because when I did that, the Spanish people started cheering. This was my first attempt at preaching in Spanish, and while I flubbed some words, I was happy I tried.
We are looking forward to getting back to Peru and back to where home is. We are so thankful for your prayers and support.
Prayer Requests:
Travel mercies here and abroad
Transportation and customs clearance of our container
That our team tax number (RUC) would get approved
That our application for a permanent visa would go smoothly in Peru
Thank-you for all your support, love and prayers on our behalf,
Paul, Andrea & Josiah Szabatin
Ezra 8:21-23
Dear Pastor & Praying Friends,
My wife says I always work best while under pressure. Well, this week we will see.
On June 18, we will be leaving to go to Canada to visit with family before we head back to Peru (and hopefully pick up some work to pay for plane tickets). During this same time, our belongings from Western Canada are on their way down to us here in Indiana. We have not seen any of this stuff in three years. I just checked the Yellow/Roadway website; and as I write this, our belongings are in St. Paul,
Minnesota, on their cross docks waiting for their next move toward Chicago Heights. Right now the ETA is this Wednesday. We have four skids of things that we have to go through, separate, and list, because on Thursday we are preparing to finish packing the container.
We also have water-filtration systems coming from Missouri that are going to arrive on Thursday that have to be on the container on—you guessed it—Thursday. It would be great for them to get here Wednesday instead.
Thursday will be pressure time as well. If you do not have Facebook or you did not see the posting, we had some wonderful gifts given to the team. We had 360 folding chairs donated by First Baptist Church. Brother Wayne Holder gave us 90,000 books of Romans in Spanish, with the Romans Road outlined. B.E.A.M.S Bibles gave us 1,000 Spanish Bibles for those we win to the Lord, and a church in Michigan gave us 360,000 Spanish Gospel tracts. Almost all of these things, plus four skids of toys given to us by Brother George Ranft at Reformers Unanimous of First Baptist Church of Hammond, need to be put into the container with our four skids of items.
I may start praying for a 25-hour day to get everything accomplished before we leave!
While we are looking forward to going to Canada to see family (we haven’t been there in a year), we are also sad at saying goodbye to Danica-Lee. She is staying in the Chicago area for the summer and preparing for her senior year at Hyles-Anderson College. We don’t get much opportunity to see her right now, and those few times we do see her at church, her time is limited because she also wants to spend time with
Fred, her fiancé. When we see her next, she will be putting on a graduation cap and gown and then two weeks later putting on a wedding dress and veil. My mind is still trying to wrap itself around the whole “daddy’s little girl” to “she’s graduating college and getting married” space/time continuum thingy.
Josiah has also been coming into his own, both physically and spiritually. I keep checking to see if he is taller than I am yet. We can always tell when he is in a growing spurt because we have to keep restocking the fridge quicker than the national deficit keeps rising. A few weeks ago, I took him to McDonald’s around 1:00 p.m. He had several items off the dollar menu. About 3:30, he was asking to go back because
he was hungry, and once again he got a couple of burgers, some fries, and a Coke. We got home at around 6:00, and the Hopsons had gotten some Papa John’s pizza. Josiah had four pieces. Now we don’t eat like that all the time, but when he is hungry, it’s like feeding coals to a hot fire. It just gets consumed faster than you can blink.
This past month Josiah has had a great time soul winning. He saw 15 people saved, and 12 of those were on one day!
I am working away at my Spanish. My understanding continues, and I look forward to the day when I am as fluent in Spanish as I am in English. At church we had the ordination of the men on the team, as well as the Commissioning Service. A week later we had the Spanish-church send-off. Each of the men was asked to preach for about ten minutes. I started off in Spanish for the first couple of paragraphs. It was so funny, because when I did that, the Spanish people started cheering. This was my first attempt at preaching in Spanish, and while I flubbed some words, I was happy I tried.
We are looking forward to getting back to Peru and back to where home is. We are so thankful for your prayers and support.
Prayer Requests:
Travel mercies here and abroad
Transportation and customs clearance of our container
That our team tax number (RUC) would get approved
That our application for a permanent visa would go smoothly in Peru
Thank-you for all your support, love and prayers on our behalf,
Paul, Andrea & Josiah Szabatin
Ezra 8:21-23
Monday, June 25, 2012
May Prayer Letter from the Hubbard Family
Dear Praying Friends,
Our time of departure has come! On June 15, my family and I left the country with
one-way tickets to Peru! We have anticipated this for many months and are very
excited about crossing “the Jordan River into the Promised Land.” There is much land
of which to take possession.
Our last two months have been jam-packed with activity. In May our entire team
came together for a month of training, teaching, strategizing, and prayer. We had the
opportunity to discuss in length our plan of reaching the city of Lima, the country of Peru, and ultimately the continent of South America. We’ve established our core
principles on which every part of the ministry will hang. We ended the month with an
ordination and send-off service. How honored I was to participate in the ordaining of my own men on the team. I believe in Team Peru. I believe this team is a group of the most skilled men and ladies and greatest Christians that could be found. How humbled I am that they would follow me to the “uttermost parts of the earth” for the cause of the Great Commission.
At the end of May, I left for Peru to establish our first family. The Foust family arrived in Peru on May 31. Zach and his family are here now helping with preparations to receive the rest of the team. He has been such a tremendous blessing helping me get my family established. We are now anticipating the Martins, who will join us on the 19th. Then three more families will join us July, two more in August, and the last in the fall. We will get the families acclimated during the remainder of the summer.
Although I will start the church almost immediately upon my arrival, our Grand Opening and big push will happen in September. On September 1, a beautiful property will become available for our use for the church, ACE Christian school for our children, and our college. It is awesome to see how the Lord has been opening doors for us. Next month I’ll share how the property became available.
We serve a great God, and I am so honored to represent Him and you on the mission field. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and support. Without you, this would not be possible. I am very anxious to translate your investment into souls saved and churches started. I love you and thank God for you.
For His Glory,
Dan Hubbard
Our time of departure has come! On June 15, my family and I left the country with
one-way tickets to Peru! We have anticipated this for many months and are very
excited about crossing “the Jordan River into the Promised Land.” There is much land
of which to take possession.
Our last two months have been jam-packed with activity. In May our entire team
came together for a month of training, teaching, strategizing, and prayer. We had the
opportunity to discuss in length our plan of reaching the city of Lima, the country of Peru, and ultimately the continent of South America. We’ve established our core
principles on which every part of the ministry will hang. We ended the month with an
ordination and send-off service. How honored I was to participate in the ordaining of my own men on the team. I believe in Team Peru. I believe this team is a group of the most skilled men and ladies and greatest Christians that could be found. How humbled I am that they would follow me to the “uttermost parts of the earth” for the cause of the Great Commission.
At the end of May, I left for Peru to establish our first family. The Foust family arrived in Peru on May 31. Zach and his family are here now helping with preparations to receive the rest of the team. He has been such a tremendous blessing helping me get my family established. We are now anticipating the Martins, who will join us on the 19th. Then three more families will join us July, two more in August, and the last in the fall. We will get the families acclimated during the remainder of the summer.
Although I will start the church almost immediately upon my arrival, our Grand Opening and big push will happen in September. On September 1, a beautiful property will become available for our use for the church, ACE Christian school for our children, and our college. It is awesome to see how the Lord has been opening doors for us. Next month I’ll share how the property became available.
We serve a great God, and I am so honored to represent Him and you on the mission field. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and support. Without you, this would not be possible. I am very anxious to translate your investment into souls saved and churches started. I love you and thank God for you.
For His Glory,
Dan Hubbard
Friday, June 15, 2012
May Prayer Letter from the Foust Family
Dear Pastors and Praying Friends,
Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers. We have just arrived in Lima
within the last week. It has been so exciting for us to see God’s hand in all that has been accomplished so far. What a miracle to see God moving. Our flight with the children went well; thank you for your prayers. Although it took all night and we had to reclaim our baggage and pass customs in Mexico City unexpectedly, we made it through with all of the children and only lost one large suitcase!
We have been very busy with the sometimes frustrating task of business in a third-world country. We have been blessed to find secure housing in an incredibly beautiful area for less cost than we had hoped. We have also found the kind of vehicles we wanted for much less than we thought we’d pay. During one of our housing appointments, the landlady mentioned that she and a group of twenty-two friends started an organization to take coats to the mountains for children in need. When I began to tell her of our plans in Peru, she asked if we could train those in her organization to help the children long-term and not just meet the temporary physical need. We excitedly look forward to the opportunity to train workers to satisfy an eternal need!
Karin and the boys had been practicing their Spanish in anticipation of our arrival in Peru. It’s been exciting to watch my wife and kids as they venture into Peruvian society. The people here have been very patient as we learn the culture. This has been so helpful as my family breaks the communication barrier. The people here love it when a cute little blonde kid comes up and in Spanish asks how much something costs.
Praise the Lord that we have had the opportunity to see people saved this month in
personal soul winning, as well as under the preaching. It has been so obvious to us in all that we do that you are faithfully praying. As a special favor, I would ask that you pray for the housing situation for nine families and the health and strength of our team leader, Bro. Dan Hubbard.
Today I accompanied Bro. Hubbard to the airport so that he could go home to get his
family. While there, I was surprised to discover that they had our lost suitcase there in storage!
His for souls,
Zachary and Karin Foust, Zachary, C.J., and Logan
Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers. We have just arrived in Lima
within the last week. It has been so exciting for us to see God’s hand in all that has been accomplished so far. What a miracle to see God moving. Our flight with the children went well; thank you for your prayers. Although it took all night and we had to reclaim our baggage and pass customs in Mexico City unexpectedly, we made it through with all of the children and only lost one large suitcase!
We have been very busy with the sometimes frustrating task of business in a third-world country. We have been blessed to find secure housing in an incredibly beautiful area for less cost than we had hoped. We have also found the kind of vehicles we wanted for much less than we thought we’d pay. During one of our housing appointments, the landlady mentioned that she and a group of twenty-two friends started an organization to take coats to the mountains for children in need. When I began to tell her of our plans in Peru, she asked if we could train those in her organization to help the children long-term and not just meet the temporary physical need. We excitedly look forward to the opportunity to train workers to satisfy an eternal need!
Karin and the boys had been practicing their Spanish in anticipation of our arrival in Peru. It’s been exciting to watch my wife and kids as they venture into Peruvian society. The people here have been very patient as we learn the culture. This has been so helpful as my family breaks the communication barrier. The people here love it when a cute little blonde kid comes up and in Spanish asks how much something costs.
Praise the Lord that we have had the opportunity to see people saved this month in
personal soul winning, as well as under the preaching. It has been so obvious to us in all that we do that you are faithfully praying. As a special favor, I would ask that you pray for the housing situation for nine families and the health and strength of our team leader, Bro. Dan Hubbard.
Today I accompanied Bro. Hubbard to the airport so that he could go home to get his
family. While there, I was surprised to discover that they had our lost suitcase there in storage!
His for souls,
Zachary and Karin Foust, Zachary, C.J., and Logan
Thursday, June 14, 2012
April and May Prayer Letter from the Raders
Dear praying friends,
What an honor to serve the Lord! For the months of April and May my wife and I were
privileged to see 21 souls come to Christ through personal soul winning. We have enjoyed some incredible meetings. I’d like to mention one conference in particular, where we were one of six missionary families. The last service our family was the only one who was still at the meeting. The entire group of church members present formed a circle along the walls of the auditorium with us in the center. Everyone then knelt and prayed for the missionaries. Next they voted to take on all six
missionaries for support. Hallelujah! The pastor came to me and hugged me with tears in his eyes. My spirit was truly renewed and encouraged by their love for the souls of the world and their faith.
I had the opportunity to tell three “atheists” about our great God using the laws of science as an illustration. I lead them to the conclusion that according to scientific law you cannot deny the existence of God while being of a reasonable scientific mind. Though I presented my argument kindly, they told me to leave. We then walked 50 feet away to three teens who had overheard parts of the first conversation. In spite of being heckled the entire conversation they listened intently to us. Josiah, Erika, and Everado then trusted Christ as their Saviour. What a great God we have!
The entire month of May was devoted to Team Peru’s preparation. We have thoroughly enjoyed finally being able to spend time with our fellow team families. Every day was busy as we discussed plans, aligned philosophies, strategized, loaded the container, detailed logistics, and spent much time in prayer together. An honor of my life occurred right in the middle of the month. Every man of Team Peru was ordained by my pastor, Dr. Jack Schaap. The last Sunday night in May our team enjoyed a send off by
our Spanish church. Closing out the month we had an all night prayer meeting. We prayed for Peru, our plans, our supporting churches, and much more.
My wife and I are excited about our team. Our teammates are some of the finest Christians we know. Our team is now beginning to land in Peru one family at a time. Our support is at 50%. We will be leaving in December for Peru having finished our deputation or not. God has given us a great vision and a great mission. Please be strong and of good courage, as we are strong and of good courage. Thank you. Thank you so much for your support, love, and prayers. Please continue to pray. God bless you.
For souls in need,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
What an honor to serve the Lord! For the months of April and May my wife and I were
privileged to see 21 souls come to Christ through personal soul winning. We have enjoyed some incredible meetings. I’d like to mention one conference in particular, where we were one of six missionary families. The last service our family was the only one who was still at the meeting. The entire group of church members present formed a circle along the walls of the auditorium with us in the center. Everyone then knelt and prayed for the missionaries. Next they voted to take on all six
missionaries for support. Hallelujah! The pastor came to me and hugged me with tears in his eyes. My spirit was truly renewed and encouraged by their love for the souls of the world and their faith.
I had the opportunity to tell three “atheists” about our great God using the laws of science as an illustration. I lead them to the conclusion that according to scientific law you cannot deny the existence of God while being of a reasonable scientific mind. Though I presented my argument kindly, they told me to leave. We then walked 50 feet away to three teens who had overheard parts of the first conversation. In spite of being heckled the entire conversation they listened intently to us. Josiah, Erika, and Everado then trusted Christ as their Saviour. What a great God we have!
The entire month of May was devoted to Team Peru’s preparation. We have thoroughly enjoyed finally being able to spend time with our fellow team families. Every day was busy as we discussed plans, aligned philosophies, strategized, loaded the container, detailed logistics, and spent much time in prayer together. An honor of my life occurred right in the middle of the month. Every man of Team Peru was ordained by my pastor, Dr. Jack Schaap. The last Sunday night in May our team enjoyed a send off by
our Spanish church. Closing out the month we had an all night prayer meeting. We prayed for Peru, our plans, our supporting churches, and much more.
My wife and I are excited about our team. Our teammates are some of the finest Christians we know. Our team is now beginning to land in Peru one family at a time. Our support is at 50%. We will be leaving in December for Peru having finished our deputation or not. God has given us a great vision and a great mission. Please be strong and of good courage, as we are strong and of good courage. Thank you. Thank you so much for your support, love, and prayers. Please continue to pray. God bless you.
For souls in need,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, and Paul Rader
Thursday, June 7, 2012
May Prayer Letter from the Kokubuns
Dear Friends,
We had been looking forward to meeting with the rest of the team in May! May was jam-packed with excitement, preparation, anticipation, prayer, and much more. On May 1, we found ourselves reuniting with friends. This was the first time that all of the team families had been together in one place. We enjoyed getting to know each other better through the many meetings and activities. Every day was spent detailing the many elements of our presence in Peru. From the first church plant, to training pastors, to multiplying churches, to cleaning our food, to living and transportation arrangements, we covered every foreseeable aspect of our launch. All the planning elevated our excitement to see what God has for us in Peru.
As most of you know, I was admitted into the hospital the second week of the month. My ulcerative colitis flared up beyond my control. As disappointed I was that I was missing out on mission preparation, God had other plans. Coming off of eight months of deputation, I became ill at just the right time. My doctor who deals with my condition just happens to be in Indiana, of all places. God graciously allowed me to be healthy until I returned to this area. It also allowed us to put together a good game plan for when we will be living in Lima, Peru. God is so smart. My condition is not life-threatening, and I believe we have a good plan to keep it under control and me healthy.
My wife stopped by the hospital to pick up some medication the day after I was released. As she walked back to the car, she saw three young people sitting on the curb. They were obviously distressed about something. She handed them each a tract, hoping that God would open a door to witness. They told her of their loved one in the hospital. My wife so wisely got to share the
Gospel with them, and all three accepted Christ as their Saviour. If nothing else, God put me in the hospital so that three more souls could hear salvation's story. Praise the Lord!
God so graciously allowed me to attend my own ordination on May 16, 2012. (I had just been released from the hospital the day before!) What a sweet, powerful service we had as the deacons of First Baptist Church, Dr. Moore, Dan Hubbard (team leader), and Preacher prayed over each of us team men. We were given a beautiful Spanish Bible with our names engraved on the cover
and a certificate of ordination. What an encouragement it was to me personally; after the service many church members came by and promised they would be praying for us, as many of you do on a regular basis.
We finished the month off with a commissioning service in the Spanish Department on a Sunday evening. Several of the team men had the opportunity to preach to the Spanish congregation. After the preaching, the Spanish deacons laid hands on and prayed over each of us. That evening the team got together for an all-night prayer meeting. We prayed for God's power, wisdom, and guidance, for the starting of thousands of churches, for the political leaders of Lima, and for our supporting churches. I believe God met with us that night.
Currently we have one family already moved and getting settled in Lima, Peru. The rest of the team will go down one family at a time about every two weeks throughout the summer. Our departure date is scheduled for July 3, 2012. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support and prayers. You are the force God is using to reach South America. Thank you for your investment in my family. There will be fruit that will remain on your account in Lima, Peru. We are looking forward to what God has for us.
Please pray for God's continued direction in the logistics of starting our first church and getting established. The Devil is certainly aware of our call to Peru, and he will not be idle in trying to disrupt God's work. Pray for protection from principalities. Pray for the churches that we are going to start. Lastly, pray for us to meet and cultivate relationships with the right people in the government, neighborhoods, schools, and elsewhere to accelerate God's business.
Thanks again for your prayers. They mean the world to us.
In Christ's love,
Daniel and Heather Kokubun
We had been looking forward to meeting with the rest of the team in May! May was jam-packed with excitement, preparation, anticipation, prayer, and much more. On May 1, we found ourselves reuniting with friends. This was the first time that all of the team families had been together in one place. We enjoyed getting to know each other better through the many meetings and activities. Every day was spent detailing the many elements of our presence in Peru. From the first church plant, to training pastors, to multiplying churches, to cleaning our food, to living and transportation arrangements, we covered every foreseeable aspect of our launch. All the planning elevated our excitement to see what God has for us in Peru.
As most of you know, I was admitted into the hospital the second week of the month. My ulcerative colitis flared up beyond my control. As disappointed I was that I was missing out on mission preparation, God had other plans. Coming off of eight months of deputation, I became ill at just the right time. My doctor who deals with my condition just happens to be in Indiana, of all places. God graciously allowed me to be healthy until I returned to this area. It also allowed us to put together a good game plan for when we will be living in Lima, Peru. God is so smart. My condition is not life-threatening, and I believe we have a good plan to keep it under control and me healthy.
My wife stopped by the hospital to pick up some medication the day after I was released. As she walked back to the car, she saw three young people sitting on the curb. They were obviously distressed about something. She handed them each a tract, hoping that God would open a door to witness. They told her of their loved one in the hospital. My wife so wisely got to share the
Gospel with them, and all three accepted Christ as their Saviour. If nothing else, God put me in the hospital so that three more souls could hear salvation's story. Praise the Lord!
God so graciously allowed me to attend my own ordination on May 16, 2012. (I had just been released from the hospital the day before!) What a sweet, powerful service we had as the deacons of First Baptist Church, Dr. Moore, Dan Hubbard (team leader), and Preacher prayed over each of us team men. We were given a beautiful Spanish Bible with our names engraved on the cover
and a certificate of ordination. What an encouragement it was to me personally; after the service many church members came by and promised they would be praying for us, as many of you do on a regular basis.
We finished the month off with a commissioning service in the Spanish Department on a Sunday evening. Several of the team men had the opportunity to preach to the Spanish congregation. After the preaching, the Spanish deacons laid hands on and prayed over each of us. That evening the team got together for an all-night prayer meeting. We prayed for God's power, wisdom, and guidance, for the starting of thousands of churches, for the political leaders of Lima, and for our supporting churches. I believe God met with us that night.
Currently we have one family already moved and getting settled in Lima, Peru. The rest of the team will go down one family at a time about every two weeks throughout the summer. Our departure date is scheduled for July 3, 2012. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support and prayers. You are the force God is using to reach South America. Thank you for your investment in my family. There will be fruit that will remain on your account in Lima, Peru. We are looking forward to what God has for us.
Please pray for God's continued direction in the logistics of starting our first church and getting established. The Devil is certainly aware of our call to Peru, and he will not be idle in trying to disrupt God's work. Pray for protection from principalities. Pray for the churches that we are going to start. Lastly, pray for us to meet and cultivate relationships with the right people in the government, neighborhoods, schools, and elsewhere to accelerate God's business.
Thanks again for your prayers. They mean the world to us.
In Christ's love,
Daniel and Heather Kokubun
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)