When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. ( 1 Cor 9:22)
Doing everything I can to save some! An old Chinese proverb says “ a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” We can take such small steps by setting aside some traditions and trying new things to reach people with the Gospel. We may not see immediate results, but by the Grace of God such initiatives may be the first step on a journey that will lead some to salvation in Christ. We need to adapt and consider new ways in which to meet and relate to people in the community. “Cold evangelism”, which is word based only, lacks the relational, often not connecting or relating well with others. Building meaningful personal contacts affords a better platform for the gospel to be heard.
Recently we tried something different for an extended period: eight sewing classes with a number of women from the community. I am not a “crafty” person myself, but it was an opportunity to create the conditions and atmosphere for people to meet and get to know each other, building warm contacts in the community.
Two new singers side by side!
Last month we had the GBM Envision team with us for four weeks. We worked hard at using their talents and experience to create gospel opportunities here in Arequipa. We had four young girls with us, one of whom was Fiona, a seamstress for a small business that designs and produces costumes for dancers across Europe. Recognizing her considerable talents gave us the idea to organize sewing classes in Villa Magisterial.
We were able to gather a group of ladies from the community and during our times together they made dresses and trousers, and some clothing for children. Each meeting concluded with testimonies and a short evangelistic message. These classes provided the opportunity for the ladies to spend many hours working together. They would cut cloth and also learn how to use a sewing machine, and over the period we observed how much they appreciated attending, learning, and enjoying the final results of their handiwork! Lucresia was very encouraged when some of the ladies asked how they could go on to know the Lord.
It’s early days yet, but we pray that this contact will bear fruit and be the first step to some of these ladies coming to a true faith in Christ. This evangelistic outreach also provided a real impetus for restarting the adult meeting on a Sunday afternoon.
Pray with us that these times of communal fellowship will encourage the ladies to regularly attend the meetings. One of the ladies came with her husband, José, on the first Sunday after the classes; pray with us that we will see real sustainable growth as we meet regularly during this year. May this first step be a journey that leads some to Christ; the desired end for all activities here in Arequipa.
Pray also for Sonia, her sister had an accident and died during this period of outreach. Pray that the testimonies and messages she heard will cause her to give serious consideration to the brevity of life and judgment to come.
The girls also helped with the worship in the church at Simon Bolivar. Megumi has been a choir and orchestra leader at Queen Mary University, London, so the folk here appreciated the sweet harmony as she played her violin alongside myself on the guitar! They also baked cakes for the women’s meeting, helped in the various children’s clubs, and took part in the service at Villa Magisterial on their last Sunday. In addition of course, they also enjoyed the constant sunshine of Arequipa, as well as its culinary delights!
It was a joy for us to have this team; they had an evident desire to serve the Lord in various ways. They were even asked by a lady in the church to sing at a relatives wedding! That was not on the schedule; but typically Peruvian; last minute and improvise! They spent time with the children in all areas, and also with both Ronny & Rocio, culminating with a nice barbecue to round off their stay.
Church news
Alfredo’s wife, Suzanna recently underwent surgery. Whilst in hospital we visited her a number of times and exhorted her to seek the Lord during this period of difficulty. Pray that this recent providence will awaken her to a deeper walk with the Lord.
A young lady called Katty, who used to attend the Sunday school as a child, was also in hospital with an infection. In her case there seems to be a most evident change. She has openly repented of her sin and was at church the Sunday following her release from hospital. She has expressed her desire to serve the Lord in the church. Please pray that these initial signs of grace will deepen and that she will be given sure evidence of her salvation by the inward testimony of the Spirit. This is what we long to see, a real work of grace in people’s lives, where they will be able to say, without prompting, “the Lord has saved me”!
Pray for the evangelism in all areas, and the follow up visits in Villa Magisterial. Each Sunday we have a number who come but remain hardened and unresponsive to the Gospel. This comes as no surprise; for we know from the Scriptures how hard hearts are towards the gospel, yet we are confident that “salvation belongs to the Lord”. Even the Lord himself had to face that stark reality in his own ministry, yet He could say, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” (Matthew 11: 25)
Pray for couples that attend the fellowship, that we shall see in them a greater desire to serve the Lord in the church. Truly the workers are few! Pray that the Lord will raise up workers and diminish the shirkers!
We need above all else the power of the Spirit upon the ministry of the word, so blind eyes will be opened to see the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is said that, while Charles Spurgeon preached to huge crowds in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, the basement prayer room beneath the pulpit, was filled with some 200 praying people, and he affectionately referred to this room as ‘the fire room’. What we need is Holy Spirit FIRE. If you forget all the other points, don’t miss that one, and put it at the top of the list!
Pray for our health and strength as a family. We desire to show as much hospitality as we are able, and use our home to encourage others in their faith. May all these little steps we are able to make on our short journey here, lead to the salvation of many and all to the Glory of God. We thank you for your interest and continued support for the work here in Arequipa, as we all seek to do everything we can with the intent of saving some, and may the some be an increasing sum in the coming months!
