Dear friends,

While you all are enjoying fall weather, we’re enjoying the warmth of spring.  The flowers are prettier, the birds are singing their spring songs and we can open the windows again!

We are enjoying life here in Arequipa.  As most of you know we had been planning on going back to the jungle.  However, little by little we saw evidence of doors closing and we were beginning to wonder what we were suppose to do.  Then we were approached about staying and helping with some of the churches in Arequipa. After a lot of praying and encouragement from others we feel called to stay.  Now that our decision has been made, we are excited about all the possibilities here.

Stan and I finished school last week.  Denver finished 2 weeks ago. Our farewell party was on Friday and we all had to give a speech in Spanish of course. We are looking forward to having more time to spend with the work here.

The retired folks from the local church meet in the basement every other Wednesday afternoon. I help make refreshments for this meeting as needed. To say the least, I really enjoy it here.  My talents are being utilized more than I would have thought possible.

Denver is involved with the worship team, youth ministry, and plays fútbol with some local friends.  Occasionally the music team meets at our house for practice. We always enjoy that.

As some of you know I led the devotional at the ladies Bible Study 2 weeks ago.  My practice teacher helped me put it together and was a huge encouragement in the whole process.  My grammar teacher even showed up at the Bible Study to support me. Bless her!

We have some dear Venezuelan friends here.  Gabriella lives in Dennis and Ruth Lacoursiere’s apartment below us.  For the last several months she has been trying to get her visa so she can join her husband in Chile.  Because of the heavy influx of Venezuelans the immigration laws keep changing, creating all sorts of frustrations for her.  She only has a part-time job because she is not planning on staying here permanently. On the weekends she pours herself into the church work.  She has an amazing attitude and has become like family to us. Please pray for her.

Efrein and Mariel are a young, Venezuelan couple who also love the Lord.  Mariel has a job but Efrein doesn’t because Peruvians are slow to trust Venezuelan men.  Please pray for them as well.

There are so many needs here!  There is a great need for discipleship here as well as scriptural teaching.  We have been blessed to meet up with various Peruvians who are rooted and grounded in their faith but many are not.  We look forward to helping with this need.

Thank you for your prayers.

 

Ruth Schrock