Faithfulness. This week our team has learned more about the word faithfulness than perhaps anything else. The majority of our evangelism opportunities come during the time we spend in the parks. People come to the parks to relax, enjoy their lunch break, read the paper, or just to pass the time after school or work. After two weeks of relative success, having had serious conversations nearly every day, Luke, Nelson and I have gone virtually all week without any significant conversations. For one reason or another, the parks have been empty. Pray that those we have already encountered would return to the parks.
Despite this apparent road block in our ministry here in Ica, we have begun to develop a new definition of success, and especially a new understanding of faithfulness. We are learning to find joy in the simplicity of our faithfulness in the task. Day after day we pray for the harvest, and day after day we seek out the opportunities that God presents to us. Furthermore, we have been forced to deepen our understanding of the faithfulness of God. An assertion that we have repeated often in our team prayer meetings is this: God, you are infinitely more concerned with the salvation of the nations than we could ever be. We know that he will bring the nations to their knees before him in worship (Rom. 14:11, Phil. 2:9-11) and that every tribe and tongue will worship before the throne of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-10). We are confident that as we are faithful in sowing the seed, he will be faithful in bringing it to fruition. Pray for our continued faithfulness to the mission and a renewed passion for the glory of God through the salvation of souls in Peru.
The most rewarding moments this week have come in the midst of our involvement with Centro Biblico Familiar, our church family for the summer. These brothers and sisters in Christ have graciously opened their lives, families and homes to us in a way that deeply displays Christ’s love. On Monday nights we attend men’s bible study, led by Pastor Wilfredo, as the men of this church labor together towards a deeper understanding of the gospel and how to love and lead their families toward Christ. On Tuesdays we take part in the church prayer meeting, where members of the congregation, young and old, bow to their knees to intercede on behalf of each other, this church, and this city. Once a week the families of the church gather at a local sports park to play fútbol (soccer) and volei (volleyball). We have been blessed to enjoy their fellowship (and to score a few goals on them).
By far the best-decorated event of the week was the Princess Sofia Birthday Extravaganza, otherwise known as Abby’s birthday party. Pastor Wilfredo’s daughter turned five this week, and we celebrated in style. Nothing says happy birthday like thirty screaming children running circles around a pastor in full clown regalia. In all seriousness, we were blessed to be able to help decorate, facilitate, and clean up after the party, which brought around fifty adults into the sanctuary of the church to hear a clear gospel presentation. We praise the Lord for Wilfredo’s bold gospel witness. Pray that these families would return to the church and hear the gospel in a way that brings them to their knees in repentance and faith.
Our Sunday night was filled with the joyous sounds of Spanish praises. Our church joined with many others in attending the 25th anniversary of Filadelfia Baptist Church in a different section of Ica. The celebration consisted of five hours of praise and worship interspersed with stories of God’s faithfulness to the church over the past quarter of a decade. It served as yet another reminder of Christ’s promise of faithfulness to his bride and provided a touchstone for the future growth of the young congregation at Centro Biblico Familiar.
Another week down, another week of God’s provision and faithfulness. As always, we covet your prayers. Pray for our continued faithfulness to the mission as we travel to Cordova this week. Pray for God’s continued faithfulness to his own mission, that we would be able to harvest the seeds planted in Cordova by Eric during his time there. Above all, pray that our God would receive the glory in everything that we say and do.
-Matt Peel