June July August 2024

Philippians 2:13 
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

This verse is a good reminder to us every day. It is God’s work and God’s strength that enables us to be His hands and feet. Not that he is powerless to do it without humans, but He has chosen this method to “reconcile the world to Himself”. We count it a privilege to be part of His work here in Peru.

Visitors From Home

In July our good friends Leonard and Sherrie Hursh and Glenn and Darla Weber visited us from our home in the Alabama / Florida area. Leonard helped install a projector at José Olaya that was donated and which has been a huge blessing.

Glenn and Darla taught two different weekends, three sessions at José Olaya and three sessions at Esperanza de Vida. They also did some marriage counseling on the side. 

Our time is split unevenly between José Olaya and Esperanza de Vida. Ezperanza de Vida has a full functioning pastor and seems to be doing well. We have been joining them in their mid-week Bible studies and occasionally on Sunday.

José Olaya is in the middle of adjustments so most of our time is dedicated there for now. Dennis and Ruth Lacoursier planted this church approximately 30 years ago. It started as a daycare/kindergarten for kids and has slowly evolved into the functioning church that it is today. 

Ruth and Dennis Leaving and Ordination
Dennis and Ruth retired in August and moved back to Canada. They left the leadership to the leadership team, of which Ruth and I have been a part of almost since we came to Arequipa. Juan Sanz and I were ordained as elders to fill the role of pastor because as of now, the church cannot support a full time pastor financially. I see this as a temporary role for me, with the goal of eventually  having a local pastor in charge. We look forward to how God will provide in this situation.

So with the different farewells and goodbye services, garage sales and extra leader’s meetings, we have been very busy and everyone’s emotions have been high. 

Baptisms
The news of Dennis and Ruth leaving sparked a flurry of baptisms. Six people were baptized in the local river one Sunday afternoon. The other Christians in Action church was invited to join us for a joint outing.

This was a first for both churches, but we hope that this joint outing won’t be the last and we look forward to working together with them.

Pray with us:

• Pray for Dennis and Ruth as they adjust to life in Canada.
• Pray for us in our new roles at José Olaya.
• Pray against any unrest that their leaving might cause.
• Thank God with us for the work he started through Dennis and Ruth, and He will complete through others. 

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

You may send contributions to:

Missionary Companion Ministries ⬥ PO Box 533 ⬥ Greeneville, TN 37744

Please use our assignment number 4169 in the account/memo field.

Or donate online at http://www.missionarycompanionministries.org/

We love getting mail in Peru. Our address is:

Stanton and Ruth Schrock
Apartido 1293 Correo Central
Arequipa, Peru SA 04001