Arequippa News September 2012

There is a spiritual chill that has come over us…!

I recently read a letter of John Newton’s, where he described our walk with the Lord as passing through seasons. Storms and frosts are useful and seasonable in their places. In our dark and dull hours we feel how little we can do for him! He comments: “The work seems (so far as it comes under my knowledge) much at a stand-still as to new awakenings and conversions; I trust you will pray for us, that the arm of the Lord may be revealed” Truly, I can echo his words and share his experience! Yes, dark and dull hours, a spiritual winter, where the ground is hard and there is no visible evidence of the power of God in salvation. But we are assured his presence is with us, and is sufficient to comfort in storms and trials. Why his power is withheld and restrained at this time is known only to him who dispenses his gifts and graces where he pleases; but we pray that a spiritual “Spring” may soon arrive to refresh our spirits and revive his church.

Villa Magisterial

The first 6 months in the new area have been encouraging in the sense that a number have responded and continue to attend the service on Sunday afternoon. There are 4 couples who are listening to the word of God regularly, and appear to be attentive to what is being preached. But of course the attentiveness we long for is that which can only be created by the Holy Spirit; listening with faith and confidence in the Lord and in his revealed word. The bible is a closed book until the Lord is pleased to awaken and grant understanding of his will. Pray that faith would spring forth by the power of God in those who listen to the word; and also among the children on Fridays. We would value your constant intercessions for the following by name: José & Lourdes, Marta & Nestor, Berta & Rubén, Lucresia & Joachin. We meet in Lucresia´s home, and her husband is always in attendance. He is interested but as yet showing no evidence of stirring or spiritual life. But these folk and other ladies are all coming, which we pray will be a sign of future blessing. One lady recently stopped attending through the opposition of her husband. Pray that soon we will see the Lord moving among us and establishing a group of believers in the area. All those who are coming are parents of children from the children´s club each Friday. Pray also for the visitation in the area, that we will continue to build up contacts and have opportunities to share the Gospel.

“Your people will volunteer freely in the day of your power.” Psalm 110:3

There is a great need among us as a fellowship for deeper commitment and service to the Lord. It is always very humbling to realise that of ourselves we can do nothing to increase power and spiritual life in the body of Christ. We are not only reliant on the Lord for the work of conversion, but also for the on-going sanctification of the Church. A.W Tozer once said: We pursue God because and only because, he has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. The text above reminds us we are no less dependent on his power than when we first believed. There is a spiritual chill that has come over us, evidenced by a lack of zeal and a lack of power in the preaching. We may remember what the Lord said in the parable of the wheat and tares: “An enemy has done this” (Matt 13:28) As Oliver Cromwell once said to the master painter doing his portrait “ paint me warts and all!” so, we must share both our joys and concerns. The one thing needful is the day of his power, without that we can relate to you only church activities. There are a number of families passing through various trials, pray that these will not weaken, but rather strengthen their faith and hope in the Gospel. It is often other family members who are the cause of their trials, and we know that the enemy is most subtle in diverting the mind away from the Lord. Pray that the burden and desire for prayer will increase; at the moment the level of concern for the Lord´s intervention does not indicate any move of God among us. Pray for the unsaved among us, and for us who preach. We should be broken and humbled by fruitless Sundays. May the Lord turn the wilderness into a fruitful field. Will he not keep his vineyard? ”..I, the Lord , am it´s keeper; I water it every moment, so that no one will damage it, I guard it night and day” ( Isaiah 27; 3) Thankfully I don´t have that burden, although I often carry it when I should just hand it over to the true keeper!

Other needs

Megan Addison is due to arrive here in Peru on the 24th of September. The first need is to process her visa, which is likely to take initially a couple of days stay in Lima,then another visit to pick up the visa card a month later. Pray that the whole process will go smoothly; things rarely go smoothly here! Talk bureaucracy, and you are talking time, constant change, and the need of a good dose of patience! Megan will be helping for a couple of years in an orphanage here in Arequipa, and also be involved in the church as time allows, when her full course of language study is completed. There are also serious concerns regarding changes to the number of missionaries required to form a religious association. The proposed change is that the minimum requirement would be 120 members. Bearing in mind no foreign Mission has that many missionaries, none would be eligible for visas. Pray that the Justice ministry will see sense and shelve such nonsensical ideas, and that the unseen forces behind such changes will be frustrated.

Family news

The Lord has been so gracious to us in keeping us all in good health. Roxy is so much better, and is a real help in “VM”, welcoming the ladies and supporting me in the ministry. Monday is a day for us to enjoy some quality time together after a busy Sunday. I recently finished helping Melly with a history project from School. For the lesson on Indian culture, she had to make a Hindu temple! Now that was a first, and I hope a last! There I was sticking hindu gods on our finished temple! Please Lord, lay not this charge to thy servant!!! Now that was the oddest work I´ve done; that won´t be in the HERALD! We do appreciate your support and prayers, and trust the Lord will soon make us all glad by what he has done, and sing for joy at the work of his hands (Psalm 92: 4)