It was a regular bus ride to Downtown Lima. I sat there listening to my audio detective mystery show. A young mom sat next to me with her toddler on her lap. My stomach made its pre-lunch growl—that was my cue. I opened my backpack and removed my cookies and tangerines. I saw the little boy’s eyes dart to my hands. I smiled and asked his mom if I could share my tangerine with him. She smiled and nodded, “Yes.” He was already waiting with an outstretched hand. I asked him if he wanted to share with his mom or with me. He said “Mom.” He shared a tangerine with his mom while I ate my other tangerine and shared a conversation with his mom. She had come to Lima from provincia about six years ago. Provincia is the region outside the capitol city of Lima. Unfortunately, a majority of those areas are not as modern and are quite cut off from the modern world. Many regions lack an established modern medical facility or schooling system. The mom, Gaby, came to Lima to find a job to help her family back in provincia. She offered a little of her story, which was quite sad to say the least. Now here she was on a bus, headed to work in a market in Downtown Lima, with her toddler son. Needless to say, after our long conversation, we got to talking about the Bible, and I was able to share the Gospel with her. She trusted Christ as her personal Saviour right there on the bus. She stated that she could tell I was a foreigner because no one talks to each other on the bus, especially if they don’t know each other. She thanked me for taking the time to talk to her. She was feeling very depressed that morning and was losing hope. She thanked me for not being like everyone else and for taking the time to share the Gospel with her. I confessed to her that I, too, was feeling rather down that day for personal reasons. I offered that I always ask God to put the correct people in my path to allow me to be a blessing to someone throughout my daily journeys and that I was thankful for being able to be a blessing to her.
What a great responsibility God has given us.
Recently I was reflecting on the opportunities God has given me here in Peru. I had the opportunity to be involved in bringing the discipleship booklets, Foundations of My Faith, to Peru in the Spanish language. I also had a great opportunity to teach the series in our IBI Surco sister church. It was a beautiful experience. I also had the opportunity to teach a few lessons on child rearing at a family conference in another sister church, IBI Chorrillos. There was a great turnout. It was humbling to teach the notes on child rearing, as the first lesson taught is how we as parents are the number-one examples to our children. What a great responsibility God has given us. One couple came up to me after the conference and stated that the lessons had inspired them to be more proactive in their child rearing. I told them that WE ALL will suffer from complacency throughout the years. Stay strong. May we never get lazy in our home-based ministry, our families. May we always strive for continuous improvement.
To be continued . . .
I am thankful for praying and giving friends such as you. If it weren’t for you, my family and I would not be able to be here in Lima, Peru. We love you and pray for you often. I pray that the Lord continues to bless you and your family.
Prayer Requests
• Safety for our family, our team leader Bro. Zach Foust, and the other families of Team Peru
• Additional monthly financial support
• Health for the families of Team Peru
• A couple team members will be traveling in the next few months.
Blessings
• We saw 54 souls saved.
• Our Sunday school class children are soul winning and bringing visitors to church.
• We get to watch our children grow and develop into fine young individuals.
• Faby celebrated her birthday this March 22.
• Lani celebrated her 13th birthday this April 25.
• We had Pastor Luis Martinez visit Team Perú for a missions conference.
Thank you once again for your prayers and support.
Your co-laborers to Peru,
Abraham, Fabiola, Marco, Leilani, and Joaquin Avila
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- Pastor Luis Martinez at IBI Chorrillos
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- Abe teaching the discipleship class at IBI Chorrillos
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- The ladies at IBI Surco celebrated Faby’s birthday!
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- Marco enjoynig some melted cheese at Bro. Duberly’s house.
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- Discipleship class at IBI Surco
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- Discipleship class at IBI Surco
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- Celebrating Faby’s birthday at Osso—here we are with the owner, Mr. Garibaldi.