At present we are housing 13 "two month" interns for June and July  8 college women, 3 college men, and a seminary couple. I am living in a house with the 8 college women (!) .  The mornings are spent with devotionals, worship, study, and debriefing from the day or week before. We are studying Romans, Tim Keller's book "Mercy Ministries", and John Piper's book "Let the Nations be Glad", along with learning about the culture. The Romans study is causing many of the interns to look deep into their faith and ask very good questions. We spend a significant amount of time in prayer each morning: for Peru, for one other country, and for any other personal needs. It is a wonderful group of young men and women and I have thoroughly enjoyed being with them!!

On the last night of VBS, two small girls came during the last 30 minutes. They were filthy and had no shoes, despite the freezing temperatures. One girl was about 8 (but looked about 5), and other was about 3. The 3 year old fell asleep with her head on her sisters shoulder during the last part of VBS, so a couple of our team walked home with them (since it was after dark) and carried the sleeping child. When they were close to the house, they asked a boy who was their neighbor where the two small girls lived. He showed them their house, which was dark and empty except for 2 other children. He said the parents were rarely there, that the Father was a drunk who rarely came home, and when he did come home, he beat them. He said the Father had many children by many different women. The mother, he said, worked on the streets, and was rarely at home as well. Apparently this is the plight of many of the poor of this small town.  PLEASE PRAY FOR HEBER, FOR THE CHURCH, AND FOR KIDS FROM VBS TO RETURN TO THE CHURCH!

I think the thing about our trip to Santo Tomas that touched my heart the most was our trip to the prison the morning before we left. Someone from the prison asked Heber if we would come and give a service, and we were delighted to go. There were 11 men housed in the prison. When we entered, they called them out and had them go through some kind of military call to order. When the men turned to face us, almost every one of them had their eyes downcast, with shame... They brought out benches for us, and then they sat on one of the side walks so that we formed a circle. Heber explained why we were there  that we wanted to share the news of Christ with them. We sang a bit, and then he shared the gospel with them, telling them of both the good news and the bad news in the Bible. The bad news: we are all sinners, all sin and fall short of the glory of God; no one is able to reach God with his or her works. BUT the good news: God in his mercy has reached out to US to bridge that gap. They are able to stand before him as SONS, not because they deserve it, but because of faith in Christ and the work that HE did. Heber was able to talk about the love of God and his forgiveness. (Of course, Heber was much more eloquent than that in presenting the good news!) Out of the 11 men, a few stared off into space, and a few listened quietly, but there were 4 or 5 that listened intently, asked questions, and responded. Heber asked if any would like to pray, and those men stepped forward, and prayed with Peter Beck to received Christ as their Savior.

One of the men with our group was Norman, an 18 year old Peruvian who formerly lived on the streets of Lima. Norman's life is an incredible testimony to God's grace. Norman, once a street child, is now a SON. He lived on the streets, was addicted to drugs, stole food, and fought in gangs. Even when he became a Christian, he was told he would lose his salvation if he sinned, which of course (like all of us), he did again. Norman thought all hope was lost for him, and at times wished he were dead; in fact, there were many times when he should have been dead. He shared with the prisoners that BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD he would be in their place. He shared his experiences of living on the streets, and how God has changed his heart. Once addicted to cocaine, he now has no desire for the drug and has been drug free for over a year. His testimony was POWERFUL, and the men listened with total attention. His testimony along with Heber's presentation of the gospel was an overwhelming thing for all of us to experience. Afterward, Heber asked if anyone would like to continue with a Bible study, and 4-5 of the men came forward and talked to him about it. Heber plans to study the Bible with these men twice a month at the jail.

HERE IS THE INCREDIBLE THING:  We visited the jail. We sang. We shared. The gospel was presented. The prayer was prayed. Testimonies were given. We left.

BUT  Heber is there, to continue to minister to these men and take them through Bible studies, and love them, and continue to be present with them long after we have gone. PLEASE PRAY FOR HEBER, AND FOR THESE MEN.

HERE IS THE OTHER INCREDIBLE THING: In order for men like Heber to continue to minister to the outer villages and towns in Peru, we need to have training. In order to have training we need to have a training center and teachers, as well as for God to raise up Peruvian men and women who are gifted and desire to take this leadership. In order to have this training center, we need someone to help construct the building, and someone to help with administration, and someone to teach. What has been incredible for our interns is that 2 weeks ago they went out to Panpancuay (where the half finished training center is located, just outside of Cusco), took shovels and pick axes, and dug. And dug. And dug some more. THEN, last week, they went to Santo Tomas and with Heber experienced what happens when Peruvian leaders are trained to plant churches. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR INTERNS, THAT GOD WOULD BE CHANGING AND GROWING THEIR HEARTS IN GRACE AND THAT HE WOULD USE THEM IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

Yes, I know this is a long one...   But after reading about the prison, now go back and read Psalm 142 at the beginning of this email. Now do you see why I am full of joy, and yet at the same time my heart aches?  My heart aches because there are so many people in the world who can say this Psalm PERSONALLY; but my heart is full of joy because we have a God to whom we can say "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME, THAT I WILL BE ONE OF THE ONES WHO IS ABLE TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST WITH OTHERS, BOTH IN WORD AND DEED.

And again, THANK YOU for making it possible for me to have the privilege to be here!