Keeping Up with the Ebys in Peru

September '09

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by a group of university students for a project on crime in one of our neighborhoods. Their first question was, "How have you experienced crime in Wichanzo?" I replied, "I'm 6'5" and weigh three times more than any of you. I haven't experienced any crime." They laughed and I asked if they had any more questions. They did. The rest of their questions weren't nearly as easy as the first. They asked about the role of the individual versus the government in preventing crime, the differences between nature and nurture, whether progress was a myth and many other challenging and thought provoking questions.

As we discussed things, we talked the dynamics of the neighborhood and why people choose to hurt and harm their neighbors. We talked about the reality of our brokenness and how it effects each and every one of us in profound ways. We talked about loving and serving our neighbors, rather than using them. We talked choosing to live in peace, rather than in hostility with one another. As we talked, they expressed their desire to do their part in bringing about much needed change.

Thank you so much for partnering with us as we live out the hope that things will change as we embody God's love, joy, forgiveness and peace here in Trujillo, Peru. As you are able please pray for us in the following ways:

* Pray that our communities and neighborhoods would be revitalized and reshaped by God's love. We are encouraged by many things happening in and through our work, but we are in need of constant renewal.

* In August we received 12 new fellows into our fellowship program. They have been serving faithfully in our communities teaching English, working in our medical clinic, and with our micro-finance institute. They also study Spanish, theology and culture and are preparing for a trip to Ecuador in October in order to renew their Visas. Please pray that I will lead them well and that they will grow in many ways during their time in Peru.

* In August we moved out of the building we used for our language institute and decided to suspend classes indefinitely. We have found a new house downtown that is large enough to house English classes, our offices, seminary and our university ministry. We are currently negotiating the lease and hope to confirm the contract and move soon. Please pray for the resources to afford this new space and for the ability to use it wisely. Pray that we would love and serve many from this space.

Thank you so much for your friendship, encouragement and generosity to us and for giving us the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in Peru.

Warmly,
Josh, Robin, Jonathan, Jacob, Caroline and Caleb