Here in Peru, the Lord abundantly blessed us in December. We started the month with a one-day survey trip to a northern province of Peru to prepare for a pastors’ camp in January. The first weekend, we had an open-air meeting in one of the city parks. The second week was full of preparations for an evangelistic Sunday night at our church. The third weekend, we visited our fireman on Saturday, and on Sunday night we had our Christmas play, “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” Throughout the month of December, souls were saved, souls were baptized, and new members were added.
During preparations for our open-air meeting, we met with the neighborhood association of one of our central city parks. They were thrilled about what we wanted to do and decided not to charge us anything because our work was charity. Thirty-four of our church members volunteered their time to help make the event possible. The event included hot chocolate, panettone (Christmas Peruvian sweetbread), a soccer tournament for the teenagers, a children’s program with games, a bouncy house, and a raffle. In our raffle we gave away toys, gift baskets, phones, and bikes. After the games and before the giveaways, we had singing and special music, and then our youth director Exodo preached the Gospel message. More than 600 people attended the event and heard the Gospel. More than 100 people confirmed that they put their faith in Christ that day.
For our evangelistic Sunday night the following week, 23 visitors came. Some of them were from our meeting in the park. Our head usher, Renato Leon, preached an evangelistic message that night before we broke up into small groups to share the Gospel. Many were saved, and two followed in believer’s baptism.
The weekend before Christmas, we visited our firemen, and two of them received Christ as their Saviour. That weekend we also put on a Christmas play about the wise men. I’ve never seen our church come together like they did for this event—our entire church got involved. We had many visitors and souls saved. What a joy and pleasure it was to see our people get involved, to have new opportunities to serve and preach, and to see them grow in grace through their service to the Lord. We are blessed to work with the finest of Peru.
Please keep us in prayer for upcoming major events in January and February. Please keep our family in prayer as we serve together. Please pray for our family needs and ministry-work needs for this coming year. This coming year, we hope to do more for our Lord than ever. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers. God bless you.
In Christ in Peru,
Mark, Sarah, Savannah, Paul, Samuel, Rebekah, and Luke Rader
