Two Birthdays

As I celebrated my birthday this past week, many friends and family blessed me with thoughtful gifts and greetings.  Colleagues Pat and Garry Cruce came from Lima to spend a long weekend with us.  The ladies of the Tarma Shalom church brought presents and a cake to share.  Modesto from the Nuevo Eden church invited us for a meal of fresh trout from his fish farm.

Saturday evening at small group at Sonya and Anibal's house they brought out another cake.  But his time we were celebrating two birthdays.  We weren't just celebrating the anniversary of my physical birth, but also the spiritual birthday of Sonya's friend Iris.  Earlier that evening I'd had the privilege of praying with Iris to help her be "reborn" in Jesus Christ.  Now that's something to celebrate!

Sunday school kick-off

Sunday school kick-off, a set on Flickr.

We're in the new building! Well, almost. The sanctuary was finished enough to hold Sunday school there this past Sunday morning. They organized a welcome party with lots of games and snacks. Forty-one kids came and 12 of them were first-time visitors. We're hoping to finish the classrooms and the light installations in the sanctuary for an inaugural service this weekend, but they've run into a few snags and it might not be possible. Thanks for your prayers for all the finishing touches. We know this building will be a blessing to many - it already has!

Seminary Graduation 2012

Seminary Graduation 2012, a set on Flickr.

This past weekend we attended a historic event for the Free Methodist Church in Peru. The first four students to complete all the requirements of the FM Light and Life Seminary graduated. Congratulations to Hna. Julia Doria Bravo, Pastora Maria Elena Salinas Calderón, Pastor Juan Pedro Hernandez Perez, and Pastor Guillermo Landa Jorge!

Shalom Church Repairs

Shalom Church Repairs, a set on Flickr.

The Tarma Shalom church is moving to a new location. The building is larger with a nicer layout. Several church people have been helping out with the fix-up during the month of March. We hope to be meeting there by April 1. In the meantime church ministries are meeting in various church members' homes. The Sunday school meets at our house on Sunday mornings. Enjoy the photos!

Man Knows Not His Time

For five years Anibal had been inviting his father Rosario to come to church with him, so that his father's life could be changed like his had been.  Every time his father declined the invitation.  On Saturday, February 11, Anibal again called his parents to invite them to the small group that met in his home that night.  His parents once again declined.  So when his father showed up later at the meeting, Anibal was pleasantly surprised.  Pastor Miguel Algorta prayed with Rosario to accept Jesus that night.  Even though Rosario's body was weakened by cirrhosis, Anibal looked forward to spending time with his "new" father.

That was not to be.  A couple days later Rosario fell and soon had a heart attack.  On February 19, only 8 days after he became a Christian, he passed away at only 60 years of age. We are so thankful that he made his decision in time.  And though the timing was not what Anibal had hoped for, God is using this incident for his purposes.  Anibal's youngest brother and sister prayed to become Christians the day before their father died.  Anibal and Pastor Miguel spoke at the most evangelistic funeral I have ever attended.  Several attendees prayed along with Pastor Miguel to give their hearts to Jesus. 

"Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds."  John 12:24

Tarma Vacation Bible School 2012

Tarma Vacation Bible School 2012, a set on Flickr.

Forty children attended the vacation Bible school organized by the Tarma Shalom church last week. We had a great time singing, playing, doing crafts, and learning about friendship - especially friendship with our best friend, Jesus. Two new children who attended the VBS came to Sunday school this week. Thanks for your prayers for this event.