Arequippa News September 2014

Set backs

Since our Spring Prayer Letter, when we reported on the encouragements received from the Envision team, we have been largely taken up with concerns over Roxy’s health.

Shortly after the team moved to Lima, Roxy began to experience dizziness and other symptoms, which required us to seek urgent medical help. As many of you know, Roxy suffers from high blood pressure which flares up from time to time. This time however the symptoms gave us real cause for concern. We were able to seek advice from a trusted consultant who, thankfully ruled out anything sinister, but who prescribed a form of medication that induced complete rest. This course of medication was followed for a few weeks but the side effects were considerable, so we gradually reduced the dosage and were encouraged to see a degree of more normal health returning.

We praise God for His goodness to us thus far. The degree of improvement experienced enabled us, as a family, to have a weeks holiday, north from here at a place called Tarapoto.

We still do not have a formal diagnosis but there is some talk of reduced blood flow, due to living with long term high blood pressure.

We would value prayer for a complete restoration (James 5; 13-15)

Follow Up work

Roxy’s illness meant that we have not been able to follow up the new contacts made during the Envision team’s outreach to Villa Magisterial. (as reported in the last Prayer Letter) With Roxy’s health now improving please pray that we will soon be able to renew contact with some of the ladies who showed real spiritual interest. Please plead with God that we might see His kingdom grow in this area of the city. (Matt 6 v 10)

New initiatives

As part of our review of the work generally, and in order that I might attend the pastors’ fraternal in the city on a Friday, we have decided to move the children’s club at Villa Magisterial, to a Thursday. Please pray that this change will not affect attendance and also that I will be encouraged through meeting with other pastors in the city.

Also we have introduced a Saturday morning family breakfast meeting, commencing at 7.00am. The idea is to reach more families with the gospel at a time when they are more likely to be alert! For most unconverted people, Sunday is a work day just like any other day. Also, preaching to tired minds, after a long day at work, is not the most efficient way to proclaim good news! In the area of the city where the church is located, a high proportion of children are undernourished so we hope that we can reach whole families, offering good food for both body and soul! Pray that the members will be energised to invite unsaved neighbours and friends. Many live within easy walking distance of the church building.

Physical and spiritual energy

Rocio too has been unwell, although now fully recovered. (recurring bronchitis) Physical weakness can often lead to spiritual weakness so please pray for renewed physical and spiritual energy, both for us as leaders and within the church at Simon Bolivar (Rom 10 v1)

Looking Ahead

We are looking and praying to the Lord, that in time, we can strengthen the leadership at Simon Bolivar.

We need more workers (men gifted in leadership and teaching), preferably from within the existing membership, but not exclusively.

Prayer

Please Pray for the following seven concerns (one for each day!):

1. For wisdom as leaders (James 1 v 5)
2. For unity in the church (Philippians 2v2)
3. For members to have a greater confidence in the gospel (Eph 1 v 16 &18)
4. For the Spirit to move in salvation. (Luke 11 v 13) We see so few coming to a true faith in Christ
5. For increasing holiness among believers (Col 1 v 9-10)
6. For the believers to have a persevering faith (Luke 21 v 36
7. That Ronny and I will work in harmony, that we will be kept from falling and alert to the cunning ways of the enemy (1 Peter 5 v 8)

We are all too conscious, just like many in the UK today, that we are in a spiritual battle, but we hold firm to the promises in Scripture that He will build His church (2 Thess 1 v 11)

Thank You

We are so grateful to those who, in more recent months, have renewed their commitment to us, whether in prayer or through their giving. Without your support, especially in prayer, we can achieve so little. Our goal is to glorify the Lord’s name in the church, the family and in the community. Through your prayers, and by God’s grace we trust we can fulfil all three goals and through them see many more souls won to Christ and thus see His church grow.

Yours in the fellowship of Christ

Anthony, Roxy and Melissa Green