““Sometimes what we see makes us forget what we hear. Let’s not forget God’s promises. Remember that faith comes by hearing his word.” -Pastor Robert Barriger”
Our first communion as a family.
Teaching Kaleb reason why we take communion.
Kaleb watching the Kids Sunday school program online!
Pray for our beautiful country and world.
Hi everyone, I hope this message finds you all healthy and safe. Here in Peru we are both healthy and safe as we enter into day 16/28 mandatory quarantine . It was extended over the weekend from initially 15 days to now 28. Here, only 1 person per family can leave the house, walking to a grocery store or pharmacy. Yesterday was my turn to go, it was the first time I had stepped foot out of our apartment in 18 days!! With mask (required), gloves (optional) and a baby stroller to carry our weeks grocery’s home, I was thankful to have the opportunity to leave the house! Some say it is such a hassle to go out because of all the new rules and the suggested process of cleaning your food and yourself once back home, but for me it was SUCH A GIFT to be able to leave the house even like this!
Last night the president increased our curfew to 6pm-5am which means that now the places that ARE open will also again reduce their hours. While this little change does complicate life a little since there are long lines at many grocery stores (of course with people standing 3-4 feet apart from each other in line), some people have expressed concern with the new curfew. For us, for right now, it doesn’t seem to impact us much. So quickly, let me give you some statistic updates about Peru as of today.
1065 positive cases confirmed
190 people hospitalized with 57 in ICU
24 reported deaths
400 reported recovered
*We are thankful that the numbers have stayed low and we are hoping that the strictness of our quarantine is helping reduce the spread.*
So how are we doing? We are doing pretty good under the circumstances. We are being intentional in making every day count. We continue to homeschool Kaleb, which is now beginning to be more fun for all of us. He really enjoys the one on one time with us. In May, it will be 2 years that we have had him in our home as his foster parents. Clever was just reminding me the other day of the fears I had at the beginning. Will he ever bond to us? Will he be happy? Will he talk and understand english? The unknown was almost unbearable. There were no books on how to care and love him like there are for new parents of newborns. Now 2 years later, we can say that all those things I worried about have been taken care of. Kaleb loves us and tells us regularly in both spanish and english! We are definitely bonded. And he absolutely can communicate in both spanish and english. Just in the past 3 weeks, he has started asking “why” and using the word "but” in both languages in very appropriate and funny contexts. Anyway, the reason I share that story with you is because, we may not know what our future holds with this virus, BUT we do know WHO knows all about our future and He wants only good things for us.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Clever and I continue to serve in our roles under the outreach ministry and the childrens ministry. It is truly amazing how our church has jumped in full speed ahead with all the online resources and outreach projects that we are doing over the phone or online. We are so thankful to be able to be a part of what is happening here.
Here are a few of the things that Camino de Vida is doing that we get to be a part of.
3 live online services on Sundays with communion at the night service. This is really special because we never took communion with Kaleb as a family before this quarantine. It was an unexpected opportunity to teach Kaleb about what it means. Perfect timing leading up to Easter.
Saturdays there is an online youth service that is live.
A full children’s Sunday school program including adapted curriculum for children with special needs!!!! We also have a pinterest page with activities to do throughout the week, including a page for children with special needs.
Online prayer with the pastors of the church 3 times a week
A hotline for families to call for support, prayer , and/or express needs.
A team of people reaching out to identified people in our church who need food and are checking in on families.
Online small groups continue
And a small team of volunteers (with special permission) alongside the national police have gone to the poorest of areas of Lima to give out basic supplies including food and water.
Our team of pastors who travel all over latin american to teach how to do church are reaching out to those same churches to help them walk through this time we are in.
This is just SOME of the things we are able to continue to do as a church. We are constantly reminded that church is not the building we meet in but the people who are a part of it. That means you are our church family too! We continue to see this time as an opportunity to instill hope where there is fear. We are thankful to be a part of something so much bigger than us. How can we pray for you today? Please share with us! We really do want to know!
I want to share with you a story of a family who we were able to talk to on the phone, pray for, and give a small donation from the church to help his family:
Jose and his family are refugees from Venezuela. His oldest daughter 16 years old had problems with her kidney function and she passed away a few weeks ago. About a week ago he and his wife welcomed the newest addition to their family, a baby boy. He worked daily to provide for his family. Now there is no source of income and the expenses of the funeral and delivery of a new baby has put them in dire need. Clever spent over an hour on the phone with Jose. Listening to him share his heart and pray for provision for his family.
We have done this for a week now. Calling and praying with families. Sometimes their stories are overwhelming. Our hope is to bring light and hope to them all. Please keep us in your prayers are we continue to encourage them.
As you know, we can not do any of this without your generosity. We continue to do our roles here from home and we are so thankful for your continued financial support during this time. May God continue to bless you and provide for all of your needs during this very different time.