Dear friends,

The quarantine has AGAIN been extended – this time for 30 more days through June 30th! But it is beginning to look and feel different. It seems that this is the government’s way of opening the economy in a controlled manner. Some businesses are allowed to open for delivery only. Others look like they are closed with windows and doors shuttered but if you knock on the little security door, they will come and give you service at the door or let limited people in. Some things are available online, although personally I do not trust the security of it. Besides, some things take months to arrive as they must come from Lima. Sundays continue to be complete lockdown days and will be so through the month of June.

How do you disciple and reach people at a time like this? We have been using Zoom quite extensively. Some of the older people are becoming tech savvy enough to use it now also. Monday night we have a church leadership meeting/ Bible study, Tuesday night we have prayer meeting with a small group of 4. Friday or Saturday night we have a Food Project meeting. Sunday evening we have a church-wide Bible study online. It is not ideal but we remember that according to church history, there were no church buildings for 3 centuries!

One brother, Victor, from the Jose Olaya church started meeting with his neighbors in the park every Saturday. They observe social distancing and wear the required mask. He and his family do not have much and receive free food from the project. But he is willing to share the Word with his neighbors.

We continue to work with the Food Project. David, a team member from Australia, with help from volunteers from different parts of the world including Australia and Egypt, has developed an app to help manage the delivery of the food packs. Within 1 week of opening the app for signup, over 3000 families registered! They closed the app from receiving additional people because we do not have the resources to reach them more.

Part of the reason for developing this app was to have a way to follow up with people spiritually. Among the 3000 Venezuelan families that signed up only 9 people are known to be believers. Through the app though, 500+ families have indicated that they would like to receive some type of spiritual follow-up. Not only do we not have enough physical food for everyone, neither do we have enough personnel to help the 500+ that want spiritual help!

How can you help?

1. You can give to the project. Every week is a test of faith and prayer for money for food for the next week.
2. Consider supporting us. While many supported the project last month our personal support dropped 62%. We need your help to continue.
3. Pray for the team and their health and stamina. PRAY for the recipients and their salvation, PRAY for the donors and God’s blessing on them, and PRAY that God would provide workers in His field.

Blessings,

Stan