Realizing Where I Am....

The last year has been quite the journey. I left Peru in June 2007 looking for support as the Lord had directed me to return to Peru full time. Just under a year all my monthly ministry support was raised and as of June of 2008 I was returning to Peru as a career missionary. I spent three months in Arequipa, Peru officially studying Spanish and had returned to Pucallpa to assume all that awaited on Sept. 13, 2008!

I was quickly running...with teaching at the school, starting up the missionary kid youth group, and working at Mil Palmeras (our church plant of 300). My job is to be the missions pastor and I am looking at getting missions classes and such started soon and having that transition into actual local projects and then to other cities and eventually other countries. Since I have been here (2 months) I have taught three classes on "sects/false religions" 2 classes on Mormonism and 1 class on the prosperity gospel. Last Sunday 11/9, was a historical day for me as I preached my frist sermon in Spanish (twice). I am also slotted to preach on 11/23 and 12/7. Exciting huh....keep reading!

There is nothing like being where GOD has called you to be EVEN in the midst of resistance and oppostion. Last week as I was preparing my sermon and such..."things" started happening in the house and such. One night about 10:30pm I was downstairs - my roomates had already gone to bed...and the upstairs shower comes on and I noticed and evil presence in the hosue - so I go upstairs - pray, and turn it off. Come back down and continue my NCAA football game (the nerve to interupt my game!!) Ten minutes later...it happened again. I went back upstairs and turned it off. Yep, ten minutes later...it happened again. Prayed (had been) and prayed some more...then, I took a shower! And went to bed. It happened the next two nights. It never has happened before...nor has it happend since.

I also "lost" my keys for my motocylce three days - and on Sunday morning...happen to find them in shorts I was had not been wearing the day I lost them. Also that week...one time...I walked by my big floor fan and it turned off by itself...brown outs here are common...but we still had power!

Many of you have asked how to pray for me and the ministry here. Here is a snap shot of the resistance that is beginning and I believe will continue. I am not scared, frightened, spooked or anything...not at all...God already has taught me not to fear this. So...would pray for the ministry here in Peru.

Please pray for:
- Salvations
- The understanding of Missions
- Personal growth in the lives of those that attend Mil Palmeras
- Wisdom (for me)
- Anything else the Lord lays on your heart!

Thank you so much!

Yum Yum - MANGOES!!!

Hey all! Well...yes please forgive me for not posting more and actually placing pics when I said I would do them....but today...I have pics! Things are good...just gotta a full plate of ministry to do... and well...looking forward to see how it is all gonna get done! Some of that includes some of you guys coming down and being a part of a missions team!

We are just beginning our mango season here! There are several kind of trees that produce different kinds of mangoes - the best are the kind without the fiber inside...oh-so-good!! I will put some pics of some mangoes that I took near my house this afternoon. I also am putting up a pic of my scooter I bought last month - nice wheels I know! I have some missionaries interested in my little bike...so I might sell it soon and get something really cool! I'll surprise you later with a pic of "The Cholly" haa haa!

Life here is good...and even crazy at times. Now that I am here...the dust has settled and I am into a groove, I am like..."where is my helper?" I feel like I am swimming in the olympics and forgot my swimsuit in the locker room! Your swimsuit is vital part of your routine (ha haa) ...wonder where mine is? Anyhow...if you happen to think of it please pray for a wife for me!!

What an honor and a priveledge to be able to be here and share the love of Christ with people. We have been coving false religions in our Thursday night discipleship class - and I have actually taught in three of them - Mormonism and Prosperity Gospel. I also...am preaching three times in five weeks with the first one being this sunday - so if you happen to get this...please pray for me and our church. The father of lies is stirring up trouble...but God is bigger - thanks for your prayers.

Here is a group shot from left to right: Pastor Miguel (wife not here), Pastor Joel and his wife Evelyn, and Pastor Julio (wife not here), and ME (um, don't know who my wife is yet!) haa ha. We make up the Mil Palmeras staff. This photo was taken inside the church...you can see the big screen (its wood painted white) and the speakers in the background. We get about 300 on a sunday - and yep, my crazy self will be preaching here...eeeyyyy!!!!


Please pray for:
- My Spanish as I am preaching three times soon. 11/9, 11/23, and 12/7
- For strength to handle all my responsibilities
- For teams to come this year and partner with what God is doing here