Monday, November 16, 2015

Updates and Prayer Requests


It's hard to believe, but October 2nd marked 3 years of living in Peru for our family. God has done so much in the time that we've been here. He has blessed our family with a beautiful baby girl who was born here and knows this as the only home she's ever had. We've been blessed to care for and be a part of so many precious children's lives; close to 100 kids have came through this orphanage in the past three years. Some have stayed only a week or two, and others have been here their whole lives, and some, 10 actually, have been adopted! 

We've seen God's faithfulness like never before as He's provided for needs day after day, and month after month, often in such awesome and unexpected ways that remind us it's All Him. We have a Father who loves us cares for our every need! He never fails us.

We've met and got to know so many new friends and families here in Pacasmayo and surrounding areas, that have welcomed us and helped us feel at home here. 

We know that these three years couldn't have happened without our brothers and sisters out there who support us, both financially and prayerfully.  Coming here we had enough to get us by 2 years max, and we simply trusted that if the Lord wanted us here longer, he would provide, And he has been, and continues to, through people with generous hearts. We feel blessed to still be here :) 

Here's a bit of the latest happenings at Casa de Paz and in Pacasmayo, and a few prayer requests:

Pray for the children's health and well being. 
Protecting and caring for kids, that's what Casa de Paz is here for, and we want our kids well! Thankfully the majority of our kids are strong and healthy with energy to spare, but there have been a few not so well lately.  One of our Casa kids was recently diagnosed with hepatitis A. He was put on treatment and doing well, but it is contagious and has already spread to one of the other kids.  2 others are epileptic and need to be closely watched for seizures. We also have 2 cases of chicken pox, so far..lets pray it stops there. And to top it all off we still have head lice going around.. fun! Those critters are nearly impossible to get rid, especially with so many kids living closely together. 
Three girls (sisters) have joined the Casa de Paz family. The oldest (14) was pregnant as a result of abuse from within their home. We didn't know about the pregnancy until she had a painful miscarriage shortly after arriving here. We later learned that this was not her first pregnancy. There have been a lot of tears and some late nights praying with this young girl as she tries to cope with the pain. Thankfully brighter days are ahead and healing is happening. Pray for peace for these sisters and continued healing, physically and spiritually. 

Esteban, who has worked at Casa de Paz for many years, has been unable to work for some time now due to cancer. We recently heard the sad news that one of his little daughters has also been  diagnosed with cancer. Esteban's wife and son have been working Estaban's shift at Casa de Paz to maintain an income for the family. It's hard to watch this happen to one of the the most godly, humble families we know, but we believe that God has a purpose for everything that happens, the good and the bad, and we believe in the power of the name of Jesus in who we ask all things. There is power in prayer, especially where many unite together, so join with us in praying healing for this beautiful family! 

After an amazing trip to Israel and only a few short weeks back at Casa de Paz, Avis is back in the states again. We were glad to be able to celebrate her 71st birthday before she left. The Casa de Paz and church family together threw a surprise party for Avis. Hers was the biggest carrot cake I have ever made! Pray for renewed strength for Avis this year, and peace as she follows where the Lord is leading her next. 
                            

Jake has been a pastor for some time now, but, now it has been made official! He is now an ordained pastor, and I guess that makes me a pastor's wife! Pray for Jake as he leads this church that has been entrusted to us. Pray that this church family continues to grow, not only in number but in unity and in love, in strength and in boldness to proclaim the gospel, in compassion and mercy to help our neighbor and those in need, in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit and in heavenly wisdom and understanding as we seek to know Christ more and walk in a deeper relationship with Him.

Avis doing the ordination
                     
Pray for me as I lead our weekly women's bible study. This leading thing is still a bit out of my comfort zone. I think I will always be more comfortable serving behind the scenes. But, if there's one thing I've learned it's that being out of comfort zone is the perfect place to be to grow and be conformed more into the likeness of Christ as I learn to rely on Him completely. I am in positions now that I never thought I'd be in and doing things I never thought I could do, but as long as I trust in God, his promises prove true: His grace is sufficient in my weakness! And I know that I in myself can do nothing, but Christ in me can - to Him be the glory!

An old photo from one of my first times with the women
Pray for these women, that they would hold on to hope and continue to grow in faith, being a light to those around them and that their husbands and families would come to know the Lord too. 

Pray for our other missionary families. Tammy, who is in the U.S right now until January visiting family and doing events to raise funds for Casa de Paz.
And John and Eva and their 3 kids who have lived here with us for 4 months now and have been such a blessing to our family and so awesome to work alongside with. 
And for our staff and house moms, who work here not only for an income but because they love these kids. 
We had three young volunteers this year who have cared for these kids with the love of Christ. These women served with all they had while they were here, but now they have returned to the states to start the next chapter of their lives. We miss them and pray for more volunteers like these! 

We are heading into hot summer weather here, but this summer might be different. There has been a lot of talk about El Niño, a season of climate change that causes heavy rains in areas that normally don't get rain. It's expected to hit this area in December.  A little bit of rain is good, but too much and it could cause a lot of damage to the mud brick homes, and mudslides and flooding. Pray for people to be prepared as best they can, and let's hope it won't be as severe as predicted. We trust that God is in control and will help us through anything that comes our way. Most of the schools in this area are putting in extra hours on Saturday's to finish the school year a month earlier than usual so that kids won't have to go to school during the El Niño season. 

Thank you to all who are keeping us in prayer. God bless you!

            

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12