Crafts!

We've been as busy as elves in December, preparing the crafts to take on our trip. Thank you to everyone who has helped cut, tie, sort, and prepare!

We've also been assembling Christmas gifts for the children. Each child will get a Beanie Babie, a Hot Wheel car, and some candy.

In less than two weeks, we'll be placing these gifts into the hands of those precious children and working with them to complete these crafts, along with telling Bible stories, sharing the plan of salvation, singing songs, playing games, and giving lots of hugs! Please continue to pray for our team as we make final preparations.

Bibles for Peru

The following was shared by Tracy at the Peru benefit concert:


Library day at school was always an exciting day for me. While I think most kids look forward to library day, I don't know that all of those library books are actually read. In fact, sometimes those books are lost and have to be replaced - as my family has experienced!

In the orphanage in Ventanilla there are 20 copies of one book. This book is so popular that it is never on the shelf, never lost and never dusty! The book I refer to is the Bible.

The kids must sign out the Bible. They love to read it and they have never before been able to do that. Because of the generosity of a Sunday school class here at Southmont they can.

The children have also been given Proclaimers. These are audio Bibles that don't require electricity or batteries. Quechu, Spanish & English are the versions they currently have. You just wind them up and play.

Often when casa's misbehave, they are put under restriction. Lauren Robertson tells the story of a group of kids confined to their casa for misbehaving. They had nothing to do! What do you think they did? That's right! They listened to their proclaimer. All of it! They must have gotten into pretty big trouble!

I believe that the children are quickly learning to love the Bible. I can understand why. Can you imagine reading the story of David and Goliath for the first time? They can relate! They are David and the life they face each day is Goliath.

The loneliness they feel from losing parents to death or abandonment is probably similar to the loneliness Jonah felt in the belly of the whale!

How exciting it is for them to read about a Father who loves them and will never leave them!

They love these stories because they know they are true. The Holy Spirit tugs at them and tugs on their hearts with every word.

I wonder how many of the kids pray for their own Bible. I believe God will say yes to this request. If we become a part of this blessing I know in heaven we will meet these kids - orphans no more. And they will say "thank you." I received my first Bible because you said yes and gave me that precious gift.

We are still collecting money for Bibles for the children at the orphanage. If you are interested in making a donation it may be sent to Southmont Baptist Church at 2801 Pennsylvania Drive, Denton, TX 76205. Please designate "Peru Bibles" on your check.

Illuminate!

The Mission Peru benefit concert, Illuminate!, was a wonderful evening of music and worship. Thank you to all who attended and took part in the program. A special thanks to Kevin and Angeline for sharing their musical gifts with us, and to Wendy for coordinating the event.

Kevin and Angeline did an amazing job leading us in worship:

Larry served as MC, Josey shared scripture, Dr. Baldor shared about his call to join our team, and Jessica shared of God's provision.



Tracy shared the call to bring Bibles to the children of Sagrada Familia Orphanage, Wendy shared about the work God has already done since the trip last January, Shawn shared about his experience on our first trip to the orphanage, and Michelle shared a call to prayer.



After the concert Team Peru gathered for a group picture.

It Starts With One

The following was shared by Wendy at Illuminate!, the Peru benefit concert.

It starts with one, one salvation.

Last January, Liz accepted Christ as her Savior. She had been praying that God would send her someone to show her what she was missing. She believes that Lauren was the answer to her prayers. ONE

Carlos our lead translator prayed for Christ to walk with him. TWO

In March, five girls were led to Christ by another teenage girl at the community. SEVEN

A security guard accepted Christ in April. EIGHT

Two more teenagers accepted Christ. TEN

In July, Doris, the local dentist became a Christian. ELEVEN

Alvaro, the religion teacher made the decision to follow Christ in August. TWELVE

Since September 60 children have put their faith in the one true God.

SEVENTY TWO – 72 new believers in Jesus Christ.

Because of the work started a year ago and continuing now daily with Lauren and Nancy there is a momentum that cannot be stopped. Alvaro, the religion teacher is sharing the Good News in his classes with curriculum that teaches about Christ and salvation. Doris, the dentist is using her office as a house church each week. Liz shares her testimony and helps to prepare crafts for hundreds of kids at the public schools outside the orphanage. Lauren is becoming entrenched in the community where contacts are helping her reach many new people.

The Peruvians who have accepted Christ are excited and eager to share the Good News with the community.

What will you do to ensure this number continues to grow?

The Journey Continues!

God has clearly been at work, assembling the team for our next mission trip to Peru! December 26, 2010 - January 2, 2011 we will be traveling to Lima, Peru to work with the children at Sagrada Familia Communidad de Ninos, as well as the surrounding community.

In the next several weeks we will be posting stories of how we see God working to bring together everything necessary for this trip. We know He will provide for us and guide us and we are excited to share the process with our church family and friends. May God receive all the glory!

Please pray that God will continue to prompt those who are to go on this trip and those who are to give so that others may go. Pray that we will rely on Him to guide us each step of the way in preparing for our mission.

Buenos Dias! The trip has already been an adventure...after changing flights, waiting in Mexico City for 15+ hours, we finally made it Peru and we hit the ground running. :) Praise God we only missed the morning with the kids on Monday! Our first day of activities went so well we had more kids come last night! In addition to doing a mini-VBS in the afternoon, we've assisted Nancy and Lauren in their classes, cared for the little ones in the baby house, and started work on the new computer room/library. Thank you for all the prayers while we were traveling, we felt each one and we knew God would provide the way! Continue to pray that we continue to have unity within our group and that God grows us each day! - Jessica

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