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Arequipa News
Categories: Activities Latest News,Arequippa News,Featured News,Mission,People
A sword for the Lord and for Gideon. (Judges 7: 20)
In ancient history a story is told of a valiant captain whose banner was always foremost in the fight, whose sword was dreaded by his enemies, for it always heralded victory. His monarch once demanded to see this potent weapon for himself. On examination the king then sent it back with this critical message—”I see nothing wonderful in the sword; I cannot understand why any man should be afraid of it.” The captain replied, most respectfully, saying, “Your Majesty has been pleased to examine the sword, but I did not send the arm that wielded it; if you had examined that, and the heart that guided the arm, you would have understood the mystery.” The mystery we need to understand is that it is not just the Lord’s sword but that it is the weak instruments he is pleased to use in his service. Are you, by faith, like Gideon, placing yourself in his hand and trusting him to use you in his wonderful service?
Church news
One of our workers, who helps with the children’s outreach and ministry among the ladies, has finally received her visa to visit and serve abroad. With it taking so long, five months in total, we began to wonder if the Lord was perhaps closing the door on her desire to serve. However the way ahead is finally clear but she cannot travel until January 2020 due to the absence of missionary personnel on the ground. She hopes to spend some months with our home church in Southport to learn English, before travelling on to her new location. Please pray for all the detailed arrangements surrounding her travels and visits. Please pray that she may be a blessing and be blessed as she spends time with believers in the different countries and contexts.
A Venezuelan couple have been with us for nearly a year. Whilst they both look for work they are using their gifts among the young people. The husband’s brother, is a young Pastor with a young family, and who was with us for a few months, is now ministering in a city centre church who currently have no pastor. Pray for the country of Venezuela, that in times of suffering and real hunger, the Lord, the Bread of Life will, by his Spirit, create a lasting spiritual hunger.
Church activities
We had a full church for our recent anniversary services. The visiting speaker from Lima stayed with us and we had a very profitable time of fellowship and ministry. It was good to have a break from preaching and to be edified through God’s word. We were encouraged that a number from Villa Magisterial joined us for the weekend.
The Holiday Bible Club earlier in the year, mainly run by our young people, attracted many children. It was a means of reaching out to the local community with the purpose of increasing the number of children for the Sunday school. Sadly the response and support from the parents was disappointing. We realise, that with most of the population being nominally Roman Catholic, the spiritual opposition by the enemy is not easily overcome. Please pray that this aspect of the church’s work will increase.
In March we had an encouraging visit from Jim Sayers, the Communications Director of Grace Baptist Mission. It gave us an opportunity to share with Jim something of the work of the fellowship as well as the outreach to Villa Magisterial. Please pray that our work might receive a greater exposure among the churches in the UK, as there is a shortfall in our current financial support.
Recently, we finally received the shoeboxes from Samaritans purse, enabling us to have special meetings in both the church and at Villa Magisterial, Christmas came twice for the children!
Outreach in Villa Magisterial
We continue with the discipleship classes and teaching on Sunday afternoons at VM. As all attending have been taught Catholic doctrine since childhood, we decided to delay the baptisms until later in the year. What may seem perfectly understandable to us, is often not so clear to those hearing and reading the word of God for the first time. Please pray, as we move at a slower pace, that the teaching will be more meaningful and give them a clearer biblical understanding of Grace and Salvation.
In November we are planning a week of evangelism, designed to reach a larger section of the community. Carlos and I meet regularly with another Baptist pastor, and both of our churches will be working together during that week. We have invited a well known evangelist from South America whose time will be divided between tow separate areas. Please pray for all the organisation, visits to schools, and the various permissions needed from the authorities to use the open spaces we have in mind.
Please pray that the Lord will provide the finance for the outdoor awnings we need. Please pray that the publicity will reach the wider public in the surrounding areas. I have suggested that our churches hold joint prayer meetings two months before the planned meetings. We invite you to join with us in your prayer meetings that the Spirit of God will move among us, anoint the Lord´s servant and that He will also mobilise the whole church membership to be involved.
Family news
We’ve have had an eventful few months, Firstly, we had a joyful time celebrating the marriage of Roxy´s niece Daniella, who in an answer to many prayers, was married to a missionary from the US. Then our daughter Melissa had to go into hospital for a large kidney stone to be removed, not so welcome! Given that we have all had our health issues over the last year, please pray that the Lord will grant us a sustained period of good health!
Your ongoing support for us in the work here in Arequipa is greatly appreciated, and we trust that you will continue to pray that we will yet see even greater blessing through the salvation of souls in the coming days. We would love to hear from you as to what is happening in your church so please feel free to drop an email to antroxmel@gmail.com.
For further details on how you can support us financially please contact either us by email: arequipa@gracebaptist.org.uk, or Grace Baptist Mission using their address infodesk@gbm.org.uk.
In Christ, Anthony and Roxy Green
