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The quarantine has been extended again for another 2 weeks or through May 24th! We went under quarantine within a 4 hour notice on March 16^th with curfew from 6pm to 4am.  Since that time rules and laws change on a weekly basis- sometimes daily. Two weeks ago Monday, after the food was delivered, we suddenly received news that the limited public transportation was closing on Wednesday completely and the only vehicles allowed on the streets were vendors and they needed had to have special passes and that it would be strictly enforced with S/2000 fines for violators. Some were willing to take the risk and drive anyway, explaining and persuading the police and soldiers at the check points to allow our work to continue. Others felt that the risk of fines and vehicle seizures was too great. We prayed. Wednesday noon, at the time the food delivery was to start, the government lifted the ban on personal vehicles and we were allowed to distribute the food for the week!

This vehicle ban however brought up an idea of selling the food to the people who needed it with the price at $.30 per pack. This would give us the legal “vendor” pass required as well as allow those who receiving the food to being providing for their own, giving back to them the dignity of providing for themselves. Of course those who could not afford to pay the $.30 still could get a food pack anyway. So we tried this idea this past week and received enough money to purchase all of the potatoes we needed for this next week!

Last week we had a little scare with our supplier, Raquel. The government did random testing in 3 of the larger markets and found vendors there that had Covid-19. Raquel decided that the risk was too great and that she would no longer provide us with food. However, the government took steps and closed all 3 markets. Raquel found other sources for supplies so now she is supplying us again. Praise the Lord!

It is a miracle to us that the money comes in just in time to buy another week’s food! Last week we didn’t know if we had enough until Friday morning, right at the time we needed to get our order in for this week. It takes over $6000 to feed 800 – 900 families (over 25,000 meals) each week. We keep working at trying to make the money stretch farther. This past week the cost to feed a family was down to around $6.75 for one week!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

P.S. Check out our photo page for updated photos.

P.P.S

Many believers are commenting on Psalms 91, particularly verses 9-10 which says

⁹Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
    the Most High, who is my refuge—
¹⁰ no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent.

What do you think? Can believers today claim these promises and have confidence that they will not be affected by Covid-19? Please share your thoughts.

A face suddenly appeared in the window of the bagging room and then it was gone. Then a knock on the door. A woman was standing there. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“We are packing food bags to give away to those who needed them. Each bag is designed to last a family for one week. This week we were packing for 700 people.”

(Just that morning the workers were praying for more funds because there was not enough money to buy food for the next week.)

“Can I donate?” she asked.

“Why of course!” we answered. “Here are several numbers you can call to set up donations. We also have a form set up online where you can donate directly to our bank accounts. What is your number and your name? We can WhatsApp a link to the form to you.”

“Mi nombre es Milagros (My name is Miracles),” she answered.

This is one of the miracles that happened this week in relation to the Food Pack Project. As of Thursday this week, we still did not have enough money to pack for another week. But by Friday evening’s meeting when we decide what to order for next week’s food packs, the money was there!

President Martín Viscarra announced Thursday that the quarantine has been extended through May 10^th. The quarantine has been very hard on the poor and now it has gotten worse. We are asking the 700+ families that are receiving packs to join us in prayer for more food next week. We want them to understand that the food packs do not come from us – they come through us. Even if they are not believers we want to point them to the Source of their existence. It is God who is their Provider. Many have expressed appreciation for the tracks that are put into each pack. A lot of them are requesting Bibles.

What can you do? Pray that God would provide funds and give if you can. The church is God’s hands and feet to the world. (Click here to go to the Donation Page)

Pray also for those who are receiving the food packs. It appears that there will be a lot of discipling to do after the quarantine is lifted.

Pray for us- for our health, for physical strength, and for wisdom to point them to Jesus.

P.S. I promised those who get my newsletter by email or are on my WhatsApp group that I would share another miracle that happened this week. Some of you have already given to the Food Pack Project. These funds are of course in US banks and in US dollars and need to be changed to Peruvian soles. The exchange rate has been $1 – S/3.38 soles the last several days. But when I withdrew the money from the ATM the exchange rate was $1 – S/3.51 soles. This may not seem like much but it amounted to an additional S/200 for the Food Pack Project – enough to feed 7 more families for a week! Praise God for His provisions!

 

Hi friends,

We are safe and healthy here in Peru, though we have been under strict quarantine since March 16th. Yesterday the government announced a 2 week extension of the quarantine – until April 26th. Borders and airports will remain closed through the month of April. On Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday this week there is zero movement, meaning no one is allowed outside their homes.

In Arequipa, population of over 1 million, at the present there have only been 74 cases of Covid-19, so it seems the restricted movement is working at keeping the disease from spreading at the moment.

Our days have been busy helping with the Food Pack Project. There are 10 of us involved with purchasing, packing, and distribution. Yesterday we finished packing 250 food packs for distribution for this week. As long as we have funds, we plan to distribute weekly during the quarantine and after until people can begin to earn money again. Each pack is for up to 4 people for a week and has:

• 2 kilo (4.4 lbs.) of rice
• 2 kilo (4.4 lbs.) potatoes
• 1 kilo (2.2 lbs.) of lentils
• 1 kilo (2.2 lbs.) of oatmeal
• 1 kilo (2.2 lbs.) pasta
• .5 kilo (1.1 lbs.) beans
• 3 cans of evaporated milk
• 2 tins of tuna
• 1 bar of soap
• Covid-19 health guidelines
• Gospel literature

If you would like to get involved and help us feed the poor and the vulnerable in Peru, please visit our “Donation Page”, Be sure to mention that it is for the Food Pack Project.

We have canceled our trip to the USA for this year. We had planned on being there May 13 through August 11, but the quarantine here is going to last at least through April 26^th. With most airlines canceling all service between the US and Peru until May 6^th, and with the US fighting the Covid-19 at the moment, it seems best for us to remain in place.

Blessings,

Stan

Yes, life can get a little boring not being able to go out of the house much. We did not have much notice about the quarantine coming, only about 4 hours from the time the president announced it until it went into effect. All stores, businesses are closed except those selling food, pharmacy and gas. This includes restaurants. One person per household may go to the food or pharmacy stores in our neighborhood to buy food. (As of April 4^th, only men are allowed out Monday, Wednesday and Fridays; woman Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays; no one on Sundays.) Even going out for exercises is not allowed. No personal vehicles are allowed on the streets unless they have an additional permission. If caught without permissions the vehicles are subject to impounding. You must carry your personal ID and permissions with you when you are out or be subject to arrest and a night in jail. Traffic blocks by police and military are approximately every kilometer. And yes, seeing military weaponry is common. On March 28 the president of Peru announced criminal proceedings against the violators. As of today over 30,000 people throughout Peru have been arrested for violating curfew.
Some of us have permission to circulate to check on people’s needs.

We have been under this quarantine since March 16th and it has been extended through April 12th. So far there is plenty of food. The issue is people not having money to buy food because they can’t work. The government has announced monetary help of the equivalent of $107 for a 2 week period, but only those in extreme poverty qualify so there are many needs, and many of them do not have bank accounts so they do not qualify to receive any. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Peruvian government leadership during this crisis has been outstanding, but the poor are the most vulnerable. We are trying our best not to let anyone go hungry, first those in the church and then those around us.

Venezuelan community is especially vulnerable, especially if they are here illegally. Many do not have food. And many are starting to live on the street because they can’t afford the $3 per night for a room. It gets complicated to try to give them food because they do not have any place to cook it, and all the restaurants are shut so they cannot buy prepared food.

Yesterday we visited some seniors and other families that we have connections and took them food packs.  There were tears of thankfulness because some of them had run out of food. Today we went to the market and bought enough rice, oil, lentils, beans, and milk to give to 100 families. Today people came out begging for help as we stopped to deliver food to a family from church. The next several weeks will be worse than the first 2 as people run out of money to buy food.
Pray for the needs here and give if you can.  Pray also that we would not get the virus because if one person in our house gets it, we will be shut down and not be able to help the needy.

Blessings,

Stan

P.S. If you would like to help with the Food Pack Project, go to the Donate page and mention that it is for the Food Pack Project when you donate.

P.P.S Check out our photo page for more photos.

How many times have you heard the expression, “there is power in prayer!”?  For the most part, I think people’s intentions are genuine. I know I have said the same thing. Usually, we infer that we realize that God answers prayer and we are not praying enough, which is probably true.

You have seen the forwards on all the social media; Facebook, Whatsapp, email, twitter, etc., telling you to pray, to pass on to 8 people, (why always 8?). Some even threaten you with mild curses if you neglect to pass it on.  It always makes me uncomfortable- I never pass them on.

In Peru, many people pray and believe strongly in its power.  Catholicism here has incorporated many pagan beliefs and ideas from the Incas and other ancient cultures. They pray to many saints, believing that the saints will pass/reinforce their petitions to God.  They pray to Mary, the mother of Jesus, believing that she suffered more than Jesus did on the cross. They believe that she understands human suffering the best and that she will intercede to God for us better than Jesus. Some Peruvians still pray and offer sacrifices to Pachamama, the ancient Inca mother earth, sincerely believing that she will help their crops. (Not just the indigenous people believe this- our mayor of Arequipa was involved also.) They also believe in the power of prayer!

I was talking with a local pastor here in Peru when he made the following statement, “I don’t believe in the power of prayer!”

My first reaction was probably the same as yours. “What! Blasphemy! Of course there is power in prayer! It works, doesn’t it? I mean, we all know of miracles being done because of prayer! We need to pray more! The more we pray, the better or faster God will answer! Maybe if we all pray at one time, exactly to the minute, it will work better! Maybe if we do prayer walks and walk around the object we are praying for 7 times, things will happen! Maybe we need to use certain language or words. Maybe…….

The pastor continued, “I don’t believe in the power of prayer, I believe in the power of God!”

Wow, what a paradigm shift!

“It’s just terminology,” you say, “We’re meaning the same thing!” “Don’t be so nicky, picky.”

 

Let’s talk about it. Believing in the “power of prayer” puts the emphasis on the prayer, how it is done, how many people need to help pray, the location, icons that help, etc, etc. There is no end of the ideas that “work”. Look at the religions around you. All have a prayer to pray. All have a method to follow. All have a place to do it or do it toward. Most have a certain time, whether it is yearly, monthly, daily, 5 times a day, 3 times a day, or on certain holidays. All religions believe in the “power of prayer”! Some resort to (hurting themselves while praying [there’s a word for this]) believing God will hear them better.

The power is in the prayer. This is the way of religion. It is about doing. It answers the question of “What can I do to make God do what I want. It puts the power in our hands. It is an attempt to obligate God. We become the bigger god obligating the lesser “God” to do what we want Him to do. And in doing so, we put ourselves in direct violation of the 1^st commandment given to Israel, “Thou shalt have no other God’s before me”.

So what is prayer? It is a way to draw near to God. (Heb.4:16) It is about aligning ourselves with God’s revealed will in His word and our request and petitions aligning with the same. (Matt.6:9-13) It’s an avenue of communication to God in faith (Matt.21:22; James 1:6), with patience (Luke 18:1–8), in obedience (Ps. 66:18; 1 Pet. 3:12), and in submission to God’s greater wisdom (Luke 22:42; Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 4:19).

Is there a method, though?

Yes! Our Lord taught us how to pray. (Matt 6:9-13)

Is there a place that works?

Yes! Our closet where no one sees. (Matt 6:5-8)

Is there a length of time or how often?

Yes! Without ceasing, praying always. (1 Thes 5:17; Eph 6:18)

Who has the power?

Our Father who hears us in secret. (Matt 6:5-8)

 

So I believe in God, and His power. I believe that he answers prayer. I do not have faith in the prayer itself or its varied pop methods. I do not try to manipulate God to do what I think needs done in my world, my nation, or my family, although I do bring my needs and desire before Him.

He is in control. He holds all things by the word of His power. He has promised to be be with us and provide for our needs. He is directing the affairs of the world to culmination. Everything was created by Him and for His purpose. He alone is worthy of all praise, honor and glory. Amen

So rather than believing in the power of prayer, let’s believe in God. Let’s not get caught up in the christian pop religious forms that subtly imply that there is power in the method. There is not. The power is in God and Him alone. Let us align our prayers, petitions and thanksgivings with Him and with what His purposes are in this world!

 

P.S. This article by far does not cover all aspects of prayer. It was written to expose and push back at the subtle false belief and tendency to put faith in the prayer rather than in God.

-Stan Schrock

March 2020

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14

 

“Would you like to pray and ask Jesus into your heart?” the group leader asked.

“No, I like the devil’s games better.”

This just happened a little over a week ago – not with an adult group or even a teenager group.  This was the answer of a 5 year old at Kid’s Club!  It’s true that kids may not understand the implications or maybe are repeating things that they heard an adult say. But if we take them serious when they accept Christ, we must also take statements such as these very seriously.  We are praying for little “Luke”, that God would soften his heart and draw him to himself.

February was very busy with Kid’s Club at Jose Olaya every Saturday. It’s VBS time during summer school break.  The theme this year was “My birthday is special”. The sub themes built on it – God made me for a purpose, He wants me to follow Him, and now I need to make a choice.

We helped act out three stories – I’m not a Robot, Elijah and the false prophets, and the 3 Hebrew Children.  The skits DEFINITELY made impressions, especially Denver, the robot; dumping water on the altar and it still “burned”; and the fiery furnace with the sparkler fireworks that wouldn’t light. L  They were talking about it weeks after!  And that is what we wanted to do – impress upon their memories these lessons.

One kid except Christ for the first time.  Another kid wouldn’t pray because he didn’t believe that Jesus was coming again.  After group leader explained in simple examples that we need to be ready at any time, he was willing. He in particular is wise beyond his years in spiritual things. Several kids are now coming to church.  It is impossible to calculate the final impact of this year’s Kid’s Club!

Please join us in prayer for these kid’s. God has a plan for them!

Blessings,

Stan Schrock

P.S. Check out videos of the plays by emailing me at the4schrocks@gmail.com to request a link.

 

The other week our church shared the Christmas story with the kids at kids club. I was struck again with the profoundness of it – even if it a short story in the Bible. The angelic announcement was only to the some of the lowest of society, hidden away in the obscure hill country of Bethlehem is particularly noteworthy.

And the angels sang…

It got me thinking about its significance and of the different events in Scripture where the angels sang. And they all have to do with the salvation plan.

– They sang when God’s plan was put into action. Job 38:4-11

– They sang when the main character entered the scene – the Savior. Luke 2:38

– They will sing when the salvation plan is completed – heaven. Revelations 5:11-13

But there is one other time that the angels “sing”. And that is when a new child of God is born- when a
person accepts God’s plan personally. Luke 15:3-10.

It’s understandable that they would sing when the son of God was born. After all it’s God’s son, one of the heavenly beings. It’s understandable that they would sing at the creation of the world including man- it was a big event. It’s understandable that they will sing in the final worship program of the ages- all the righteous will be there participating. But that they sing when one person accepts Jesus as their person
Savior raises the importance of this event dramatically- into the only 4 times that angels sing according to scripture. And think about the salvation plan a little and meditate on its ingenuity-
God created the world, a beautiful place, for humans to live. And God created humans to live in this
beautiful, perfect world. And he made them with a choice to love and obey Him or hate and disobey Him.
And he knew that they would hate Him and disobey Him and that their punishment according to His rules
is that they must die. But he made a plan to rescue them. And the plan was that God would send his son to
die because the people he made (us) would disobey God and sin, and according to the rules of God we
will have to die, unless a perfect sinless human can be found to die instead. Until Jesus, there has never
been a sinless, perfect human. This is why God sent his son, part of the trinity, a perfect, sinless person,
who was born of a virgin, and in this way he was made completely human (Heb. 2:14-17.) He died for our
disobedience and sin, and in this way saved us from death. Sad for God, sad for Jesus, but happy for
humanity, happy for everyone in the world, happy for us if we accept him. What a grand plan that no
human person needs to die. We as a human race can be saved! This is the only way there will be “peace
on earth”.

This is why the angels sing, why they praised God at the beginning of the plan- creation, and at the
entrance of the giver- Jesus the Savior, and praise at the entrance of the receiver- you and I, and will sing
at the culmination of the plan in heaven.