A story of a miraculous healing- Sarah (name changed), a sister from our church had a Christian friend that called her crying. This friend was the only believer in her family. Many of them had Covid-19. One brother in particular only had one lung and was particularly bad. They had taken him to the hospital and he had been there for 10 days. The doctors had given up on him and he was moved to the room where people with hopeless cases were put to die. (They do this to make room for those who are living in line on the street in front of the hospitals waiting for room.) Sarah asked her friend if he was a believer and her friend replied, “No”. Sarah implored her friend to lead him to Christ, because if he died without Christ all would be lost. But if he died with Christ, only his body would die but his soul would be with Jesus. Sarah’s friend did exactly this, she called the hospital, talked with her brother on the phone and he accepted Christ as his Savior.  The next morning, still in the “death ward”, his oxygen levels rose to 95% with only one lung! He began witnessing to others in the room. The next day he was released to go home. This testimony has encouraged both Peruvians and missionaries during this difficult time.

It is really cool to see God’s hand at work. The church at Jose Olaya has seemed to draw together, even though all our meetings have been on Zoom for the past 5 months. Attendance on the Zoom meetings seems to be more consistently attended than our church services use to be!

The corona virus continues to wax and wane here also.  Arequipa is one of those that remains in quarantine because of the rise of cases. Additional areas of Peru have gone back into quarantine this week. Quarantine means that no one is to leave there residence except for bank, pharmacy, and food needs. However, this doesn’t seemed to be enforced much anymore.

There has been an uptick in crime also. The US embassy in Lima issued warnings this week against travel to Peru because of it. Shining Path, the terrorist group that was active in the 90’s has become active again particularly in the Cusco area.

We are still packing food weekly. God has blessed us with health, volunteers, and funds to continue at least as long as the quarantine last here in Arequipa.

Blessings,

Stan Schrock