"Let the Peace of Christ rule in our hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:16

Hello dear friends, family, and prayer warriors,

We just wanted to update you on how this last month has been here in sunny Lima, Peru. I like to say that, as we have many months each year when it is cloudy, so we soak up all we can and enjoy it while it lasts!

God has blessed this last month and we have seen him at work in Lima! The second week of January brought back our teammate Andrew who had gone to be with his family for Christmas (it was great to have him back with us!), our five month intern, Marietta flew back to Illinois (we miss her), and we had a country-wide retreat for MTW missionaries at a beach hotel a little outside of Lima. It was a busy week as Frank and another missionary planned the retreat and it was a wonderful time of worshipping in English, hearing the Word of God, spending time with fellow missionaries, listening to stories of how God has been at work in the past year, and yes enjoying the pool and the beach. Of course, the boys were also eaten by mosquitoes and afterward we needed a vacation from our retreat, but it was worth it.

This past week we had a medical team of doctors, nurses, and dentists come to work at three churches in out lying areas of Lima. They went to the church in Huaycan and the church plant in Santa Anita for two days each and on Friday they went to a new community that mostly consists of thatch one room houses and ministered there. Here is an excerpt from a letter written by George Levell one of the members of the team:

"We were able to see over 1,000 patients during a 5 day period, many of which we saw last year. Our medical team was able to pray with each patient. In addition, we held daily VBS for all of the local children. VBS was heavily attended and the Gospel was taught to each of these children. Several people that came to the clinics prayed to accept Christ as their Savior and others were interested in getting more information about the churches that were involved in the ministry. To say the least, we were encouraged."

What a blessing this team of 19 was to Frank, Andrew, our children and myself as well as to over 1,000 people here in Lima!! May the name of the Lord be praised!

Coming Up:

At the end of February, Frank, Andrew and Peruvian pastors are traveling to Masamari a community in the jungle to teach courses during the last week of February and the first week of March. They are now gearing up for their time with brothers and sisters in this small town. Please be in prayer for their time there, safety for the group as they travel, and for the Holy Spirit to reign down on them teaching them more about God and His Word.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16

Praises:

• The team had safe travel and safety while they were here, they were able to minister to over 1,000 people
• Our country wide retreat went smoothly and we were all blessed by the teaching from George and Karen Grant and the music by Steve Dale
• God is continuing to open doors for our team and the churches
• Home School is going well for Joshua, Micah, and Suzanne
• The women's Bible Study is going well and the women are asking thoughtful questions and applying what they are learning to their lives

Prayers:

• That God will supply Frank and Andrew with insightful material to teach to the people in Masamari, for health and safety for each member of the group, and that God would lead mightily throughout the entire conference
• For our team mates Mark & Lori Berry and their family as they will be continually traveling, for health, and for adjustment for them as well as Julie Murphy and Marietta Lessley as they adjust back into American culture
• That God would continue to grow the women in the Bible study and that He would lead each of them to begin new Bible studies with non Christians in our community - that God would make them disciples of Jesus

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17

Thank you for your consistent prayers for our team here in Lima, for Peruvians that God is putting in our path to minister to, and on behalf of our family. We couldn't continue working here without your incredible support and we "thank God every time we remember you. In all our prayers for all of you, we always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:4-6

May God continue to go before each of us as we proclaim to others all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ his Son.

Grace and Peace,

Frank and Suzanne
Joshua, Micah, and Aaron Matthews