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Dear Family and Friends,
Over the past several months, we have been busy in many areas of our lives in preparation for the future God is leading us towards in Peru. As we have talked with more and more people about the ministry, the country and the people, we have had some wonderful and challenging discussions. It has been good for you all and others to question us on why we would go to Peru and for such a long time. How can we move away from our families and friends? How could we be willing to leave what we know and have in the United States to serve in another country?
As we have thought about these valid questions, the answers that we keep coming back to are found in Matthew 28:19-20. In this passage Jesus instructs us, as Christians, to go and make disciples all over the world. These are the instructions he gave to the original twelve disciples that carry on to us. Jesus gave these instructions because it is a matter of eternal life and death. For those who believe in Christ as their Savior will know the Father for eternity.
While we could easily stay here and work in a church in the states, we know the need to proclaim the gospel is much greater in other places of the world. There are just not as many people willing to go and serve in other countries around the world as there are people who are willing to serve here in the states. Thus, in our willingness to go and serve in another country, God has continued to open the door for us to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in Peru. We need to be faithful to what God is leading us to and diligently move forward in getting there.
We thank you for your love, your prayers, your support for us and the ministry God has called us to.
May you have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN PERU
Many exciting things are already taking place with the work in Peru. Santos and Norma Buendia have been back in Peru for almost two years now. They were in St. Louis at Covenant Seminary for the completion of his schoolwork. They are currently working within the National Presbyterian Church of Peru to help pastor a church, San Pablo Presbyterian, and plant several others. One church plant, which is being led by Santos' brother Moises, is located in a poor section of Lima called Peralis. What started as a ministry of outreach to children in the neighborhood is now in the process of becoming a church. Currently over 120 children attend on Sunday mornings and the service at night is packed full with adults. Another Church plant is beginning in the same manner in another poor section called Manuel Correa. Currently, there is a weekly children's outreach which is being attended by 30-40 children. Santos and Norma are teaching them about the Bible and helping provide many of them with very practical needs. These relationships will hopefully extend to the parents and families as they did in the Peralis church.
There are also plans to have the members at the two stronger churches to branch out into new neighborhoods and begin work there. Our team is helping with the training and equipping of the future leaders. We are also looking to help start these future church plants. Santos currently preaches three times on Sunday and then teaches on several other occasions throughout the week. Norma is discipling women in several weekly Bible studies on understanding God's grace and how that applies to these women's lives as they live out the gospel before their neighbors. These times are equipping the Peruvian people to proclaim gospel of Jesus and to lead the church there.
In July, churches and houses in the southern part of Peru were destroyed and thousands lost all they owned in an earthquake. Santos helped lead a team of people from Virginia to help pour concrete for the foundation of several buildings. Rebuilding is a very slow process for the people there who lack resources and lost most everything.
Right after Christmas, there will be a national conference for the young adults. This will be held at a camp outside of Lima. We also hope to develop a Sunday School curriculum to give to all teachers during a training conference.
We also praise God for the arrival of two new teammates to the field. Laura Deadwyler and Julie Murphy will both be on the field by early December of this year. They will be helping out in the ministries above and in several other ways. The Berrys and Sean Galton are still in Costa Rica for language study and hope to be in Lima early next year.
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