Mark Rader Prayer Letter: Reaching MoreIn December, God blessed us in a great way here in Peru. During our first Sunday back from furlough, the church attendance was up, souls were saved, and we started preaching at another nursing home. The second Sunday in December, Carlos was baptized. The third weekend, we hosted a Saturday meeting, reaching out to new Venezuelans in the area. That night we had 45 visitors—Venezuelans and Peruvians. More than 20 received Christ as Saviour. The fourth weekend, we visited our firemen again, and more were saved. Three families participated in our Baby Dedication Day. That evening our church put on a Bethlehem play. We had so many people participate. They gave an excellent performance, and presenting the Gospel at the end was made very easy. We had 30 visitors that night, and many were saved.

One of our blessings in December was from Ariana, one of our new soul winners. She went to visit her sister-in-law in the hospital. Her sister-in-law was battling cancer and died in the hospital. One week before she died, Ariana led her to Christ.

In January, we celebrated Savannah’s and Samuel’s birthdays. The first week in January, we started a New Members’ Sunday School Class. We also started English services at 8 a.m. The first full week of January, our team flew to Paita on the north side of Peru. There our team hosted a five-day conference of teaching and preaching on the church. Seventy pastors were present, representing over 300 churches. These men were overwhelmingly grateful for the teaching and the preaching. They have invited us to host their annual conference for the next four years. The last full week of January, my wife and I were able to go to our church’s Marriage Retreat, where Pastor Clint Caviness taught and preached. This was a great privilege for us to have a few days to ourselves among friends of our own church while enjoying great edification. Thank you to those who helped make this possible for us. The last few days of January, our church and team enjoyed a two-day Sunday school teachers’ conference by Marco Turriza. All our Sunday school teachers came for two nights of training, and we had a great time.

One of my favorite experiences of January was while visiting the hospital. That Saturday, they confiscated our tracts and our New Testaments at the door. We did not let it shake us, and we went in to win 8 souls to Christ. I began talking to a couple; then two more ladies started listening to our conversation. Then a Catholic nun came in and sat with us and started listening as well. To be honest, I expected an argument, but she was completely open. When we concluded, all 5 received Christ as their only hope for eternal life.

We are moving forward with preparations for our team’s institute to start in our church building. Please pray for many other plans that we have for this year. Please pray for Sarah’s pregnancy. Please pray for our children’s education. Please continue to pray for our churches here in Lima and for God to use us in a great way this year. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers. God bless you.

In Christ in Peru,

Mark, Sarah, Savannah, Paul, Samuel, Rebekah, and One More