|
|
|
|
January - A month of open doors
It is hard to believe that we have been back in Cusco for four months now. While the first few months were filled with teaching to close out 2018, January was a month of meeting with local pastors, the Lord opening more doors through those relationships, and prepping for upcoming trainings. For example, I had the opportunity to get to know a pastor with a lot of influence in the Assemblies of God (AG) denomination and through our time together he invited me to begin training a group of 15 AG pastors who will come in from their Quechua communities three times this year. Thus, Andy Miller and I will have our first training with them in April.
Another relationship that has opened a door is with a pastor who is building a training center about an hour outside of Cusco. His desire is to train pastors, church leaders, and potential missionaries from that area to strengthen the existing church and to reach the many unengaged villages in that region with the good news of Christ. As a result, Andy and I have agreed to work with a group of these men who will go to the training center a few times a year for a week at a time. Our families spent a day with the pastor and his family at the facility (pics below).
 
I was also recently invited by a small group of local pastors from various churches to speak with them on how to build better relationships between missionaries and local pastors here in Cusco. This was a great time of sharing and learning from one another. I think we all walked away with some valuable insights and I am thankful for the existing relationships that I had with some of these men that prompted them to invite me to speak with them.
Last Sunday, I began my monthly travels with another pastor friend to visit local churches that he oversees. Our plans were changed due to rain that would make navigating the mountain terrain too difficult so I ended up going to a church about 30 minutes outside of Cusco. Nora went with me and it was a great time of teaching and spending the day with the pastor's family. We will shoot to visit the community we couldn't get to on Sunday when we travel together next month.
Looking ahead, our team will be teaching here in Cusco this week and then Andy and I will travel to the jungle to teach the following week. Then in March, we will teach here in Cusco again and then travel to a city called, Tacna, which is on the border of Peru and Chile.
|
|
|
Pictures
- Betsy and I enjoying Jilly.
- The family enjoying a day at a nearby zoo that is actually on the side of a mountain.
- Hiking at a nearby place called Devil's Balcony. That water is cold!
- Ethan and Titus playing at a local park.
|
|
|
Family Update
On the home-front things have been going well. Betsy and the kids are going full-speed ahead with school and the kids continue to enjoy our dog. Betsy has also been showing a lot of hospitality to new friends, pastors who come over to visit and study, and our teammates. We celebrated Jill's first birthday which was a lot of fun. It is crazy to think that she is one year old already. Jill has also started to take her first steps and her favorite word is, "doggy." Nora and Ellie love picking fruit and vegetables from our garden and Ethan and Titus continue to love all things sports. As a family we really enjoy taking walks together.
One area that has been a great blessing for me and Betsy as a couple has been a concentrated effort to go on two dates per month. We have enjoyed the much needed time together and the opportunity to grow our relationship. Please pray that I continue to be diligent in planning ahead for childcare so that we can continue in this.
 Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership!
|
|
|
|
Praises
- The Lord continues to provide opportunities through relationships with national pastors and leaders.
- Betsy and the kids are doing great with school.
- Ethan and Titus continue to walk faithfully with the Lord.
- We have had such a wonderful first year with Jill.
Prayer Requests
- Blessing over the upcoming trainings we have.
- Betsy and the kids have a special time together during my travel.
- That the Lord would save Nora, Ellie, and Jill
- For more experienced, equipped, and qualified workers to join us in our work here!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
