Happy New Year from Peru!
As you can tell, we fell far behind our wonderful intentions to keep a running blog during the past few months. The time flew by, filled with a lot of counseling, teaching, preaching and overseeing. We will endeavor to do much better this coming year. But for now, here is an update from September to the present.
We began our spring (U.S.A. fall) semester of Reformed Biblical Seminary on September 12th. Bill taught a review course of Greek I to our students, since most of them weren’t able to keep it up during the break following the fall (U.S.A. spring) short semester. He reviewed what they studied previously then advanced 5 more chapters in order to be ready for Greek II, which begins in February. He also taught a Basic Rhetoric class, during which they read and discussed some of the classic works and applied the insights to preaching. There are six regular students (four of whom are our own pastoral interns; two of whom are from other denominations), while others attend as their time permits. They have some very profitable times together, digging into New Testament Greek and thinking of how better to impress the Gospel on the hearts of our congregations. Please pray that these students would be diligent in their studies and good stewards of the knowledge the Lord is blessing them with.
In addition to these daily classes, Bill has been working together with two of our pastors, Gerardo Castro and Ricardo Hernandez, to begin a regular small-group discipleship ministry. During the month of September they began forming the small groups and trying to nail down times. Now 5-6 groups are either regularly meeting or are in the process of formation. Since October Bill has been leading 2-3 small groups – the most faithful of which is the one comprised of the session of our Larco congregation. We are getting good feedback from this ministry, and others are seeking to join. We have been very encouraged by the insight and openness of our men in applying the Gospel and in their improvement in Scripture memory. Pray with us that these men might continue to grow spiritually and begin their own groups within the next year.
Small Group Discipleship
Our physical structures are also growing and improving. Our Larco church building now has the floor ready to extend the sanctuary, which will double its size. Furthermore, the woodwork for the beams and new ceiling is in construction and ought to be put in place this week. Also, the new façade and front walk is almost completed, thanks to the prior visiting teams and the most recent short term team from Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MO . Finally, the church now actually looks like a church and issues an unspoken invitation to all who pass by! Pray for Pastor Ricardo Hernandez as he receives and ministers to all the newcomers.
Larco Church Building
With respect to the Arevalo church, we now have a roof over the multi-use building, which really looks great. We are also building the frame of the second and third floors and the 30 windows and 6 doors ought to be arriving this week. It is so satisfying to see our unsightly facilities being transformed to provide pleasing environments in which we can more effectively proclaim the Gospel. Please pray for Eduardo Quiroz, the pastor.
Arevalo Church Building
The church in Wichanzao continues to grow as well. The elders in this church oversee our medical clinic in the church building, which is staffed daily by Rocio, an obstetrics nurse. We continue to see fruit from this ministry's presence in that poor neighborhood. Please pray for Guillermo Diaz, the pastor, and for Rocio.
The university ministry, Sociedad San Agustin, also continues to advance, as well as the English Language Institute. The Casa San Agustin, our mission headquarters in downtown Trujillo, is a very busy place!
In September, we held a presbytery meeting in Chililique, a small town near Piura. We planted a church there about a year ago and are seeing God’s blessing upon it. Thanks to the generous support of Trinity Presbyterian in Valparaiso, FL, the denomination now owns a house on the town square where we hold worship services, as well as another house a block away that serves as the church dining hall and lodging area. We had some rich times of fellowship with the brethren there and even traveled one night to a neighboring village to hold an outside evangelistic campaign. All was wonderfully received and seeds were planted and watered. Remember these humble brethren in Chililique in prayer.
On Sunday October 30th we held a special reformation service in the afternoon at our Arevalo church. It was well attended by our three churches and many from the Arevalo neighborhood also came. In all we had some 250 people. Seeing our three churches so eagerly participating was very encouraging – so much so that we held another joint service at Arevalo for Christmas Eve. Over 300 people attended that one! Join us in praying that the many new people from the neighborhood who attended will ponder the good news in their hearts and return to church to grow in grace.
Christmas Eve Service
In November Bill went to our Cajamarca presbytery meeting in Cajamarca. He was able to visit with some of the brethren there and see how God is continuing to bless the work. One recent activity of our Los Rosales church, under the direction of Ps. Juan Santa Cruz, was to solicit used clothing from a non-profit organization and distribute it inexpensively out of the church. This was a great service to the community – many from the city neighborhoods and from the rural areas benefited. Also, several members of the church were able to exercise their leadership gifts in overseeing the project. In addition, at the presbytery we were able to license two church leaders to preach and administer the sacraments in two rural churches. Please pray for these newly licensed leaders.
The family is doing well, still enjoying this very warm holiday season! We found it so strange to be swimming at the beach on Christmas Eve, but enjoyed it immensely! Allen’s brother Wesley came and spent Christmas with us and we all had a great time. The kids are doing well in school, karate and violin. The baby began walking for his first birthday, which is always a precious sight! Please pray for the continual adjustment the kids have to make in this different culture.
January will be really busy for everyone here. Bill’s parents will be here for the month to visit and to work with our mission. 5 new interns will arrive to teach in our English Language Institute. During the 3rd week in January our denomination will hold its General Assembly here in Trujillo, with its accompanying missions conference, given by Rev. Mike Ross of Jackson, MS, Rev. Roland Barnes from Statesboro, GA, and Rev. David Macpherson from Moyabamba, Peru. Also, our medical clinic will be in full swing with Dr. Dolittle here for a couple of weeks. And, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of a new team family, Allen and Sandi Smith and their 2 girls, on the 17th! Join us in praying for a blessed, productive month for the advancement of His kingdom in Peru.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! Because of your devotion to the Lord, the gospel is going forth in Peru. We keep you in our prayers - please let us know how to pray more specifically.
(photos courtesy of Wes Baker)
Dr. Dan Doolittle and Bill attending a patient in Wichanzao 
