November 30, 2001

 

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

     Greetings to you all in the name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We praise the Lord Jesus for having so wonderfully blessed us and for having sent his Holy Spirit to guide and teach us. We hope and pray that He has been blessing you wonderfully and that your life has been filled with His grace.  We pray that He would bless you in a special way as you prepare to celebrate the birthday of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for your continued prayers for us.  We definitely see the results of you praying for us.  We are adjusting rapidly and the children are doing well in school. You are special people called by our Lord Jesus Christ to minister to His children.  Thank you for your faithfulness to His calling.  Thank you for your love for Him, for us, and for His children.

 

     November has been a month of adventure, separation, sickness and blessing. The two Kid's Clubs have continued to grow.  We have had over 120 children at both locations and have been averaging 20 or more adults at both Huancayo and Ahauc.  The number of young people from the Methodist Church in El Tambo helping to lead these ministries has grown, also.  Mary Alice has continued to prepare lesson plans and meet each week with this team to prepare for each week, plan future activities and especially teach the team members how to prepare and run this type of ministry on their own.  We are praying that the Lord will continue adding to the number of the team, not only from the el Tambo Church, but from the Huancayo church as well.  We are praying specifically for strong young Christian men to help because their influence among the boys that come is much needed.  We have potential opportunities to develop this type ministry in two or three more locations in the near future, but can not do it without additional help.  Please pray for those that are helping us now: Pilar, Rosario, Breta, Ester, Erika, Marleni, and Genaro, and for the Lord to call others. 

 

     During the Kid's Clubs at Huancayo it is not unusual for men to pass through that have been drinking.  Arthur was approached by one of these men one Saturday who wanted to disrupt one of the groups.  Arthur took him aside and begin to talk to him.  His breath was strong with the smell of alcohol.  He would talk in Spanish, then in English.  When he spoke in English he lost his slur and his eyes changed in appearance.  Arthur ask if he him if he was speaking to the man or to demons, and the man replied to demons.  Arthur asked if he would like to be free, and the man responded yes.  After a brief prayer for the man's freedom Arthur lead him in a prayer to receive Christ as Lord and Savior.  The man prayed to receive Christ. His countenance changed. He said his head was clear, like it had never been before.  He said he felt new and alive.  Praise the Lord Jesus for His power over sin, evil and death.    

                                             

Special Drama in Town Square at Ahuac for Kid's Club

 

     We also had the opportunity to show the Jesus film one Saturday night at the same field where we have the Kid's Club.  An estimated 250 persons came. We handed out popcorn and soda to the people in attendance.  After the presentation, Ricardo Visaraga, a local lay pastor present gave a brief Gospel presentation and invitation to receive Christ.  Since it was dark, we don't know how many prayed, but it was a significant chorus of voices.  We praise the Lord for his move of the Spirit there.

 

     Mary Alice has been teaching a group from the Huancayo Church to sing.  They have been preparing for special presentations during Christmas.  They meet every Wednesday night and some Saturday nights to practice.  Joshua is participating with this group and has been helping Mary Alice.  In addition to this group, Benjamin has started a Bible study with some boys from his class at school.  They are meeting once a month and Benjamin is preparing the lessons and activities for this group.

Jose Bustamante, Ernesto and Anna Flores at Church in Kanariaki

 

     Arthur has spent much of the month traveling to the churches in the Sierra y Selva District.  He traveled with the District Superintendent, Jose Bustamante.  This time together allowed them to get to know each other better and discuss some of the needs of each church.  Arthur got to meet the Pastors and many of the members of the churches as well as see first hand some of their needs.  Some of the travel was hard and difficult, some was easy, but it was all worth the effort.  In Puerto Bermudez four people were baptized and three new members were received into the church.

 

Road to Puerto Bermudez

 

    Again we want to thank you for all your support and prayers.  Please continue to pray for our adjustment to the new culture and that we will boldly speak God's Word wherever we go.  Pray that God will raise up Godly leaders for the church here. Pray for healing and protection from intestinal parasites.  We pray that God is drawing you closer and closer to Him every day. 

 

    God bless you.  We love you.

 

 

                                                                                                                           Yours in Christ,

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                           Arthur, Mary Alice, Benjamin, Joshua, and Mary Beth Ivey

                                                                                                                                    Missionaries to Peru