We were glad to celebrate Juanito’s birthday in March—our little boy turned nine. Watching him grow and mature is a blessing, though it often leaves Stephanie and me scratching our heads and lifting our hands to heaven, asking for wisdom.
Parenting older children is different from tending to babies, and we want to shepherd them well at every stage, raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—but how to make someone want to do what they know to do? A mystery at times.
For Shawn’s birthday, I did something I don’t think I’ve ever done before—I dropped his cake! I was mortified. Shawn tried to look sad, but he was a good sport and laughed about it. I think he thought it was funny that I could mess up that badly.
Church Disruptions
Church attendance has been sparse lately. Protests once again disrupted the Cusco region, this time led by the private transportation sector in response to rising fuel costs and fuel exports to Chile. The roads were blocked, making travel difficult. Esmeralda and Alicia were unable to come to meetings, and Reina couldn’t have her weekly Bible study.
Even apart from the protests, Esmeralda and Alicia have been facing increasing pressure from their communities, which demand their attendance at Sunday meetings. It’s difficult for them to say no, especially when it involves family expectations. Over the past couple of months, we’ve had many long conversations and Bible studies about the Lord’s calling for His church.
Please pray for these dear sisters—that their conviction would deepen and that they would have boldness to stand firm in their faith. And pray for Stephanie and me, that we would have wisdom, patience, and love as we walk with them.
Now, Reina has up and moved to Italy. She says she plans to be there until she saves up enough money to take care of her family and to live off of—maybe five years. The money is greener on the other side of the pond.
Esmeralda’s Father in Critical Condition
Several weeks ago, Esmeralda’s father was hospitalized with severe digestive pain. Doctors found a blockage in his colon and recommended emergency surgery. He underwent the procedure around Valentine’s Day but had been in a coma for weeks after.
Now in his late 70s, his condition was uncertain. Esmeralda went to Lima to be with him and her siblings. She didn’t know what he could understand or if he was aware of her presence, but she wanted to be there with her family through this difficult time.
She was gone for a couple of weeks, which left only our family and Alicia in church—along with Tanner for another week until his departure. After that, it was just our family and Alicia.
It’s not fun to be alone, but Steph pointed out how much more enjoyable it is now that we have teenagers. I agree.
Signs of Renewal
A couple weeks ago, Percy approached me, saying that he feels the world pulling him further from God and that he wants to return to church. He asked if he would be welcome to come back, and I assured him that he would. We talked for over an hour about the struggles he faces within his family and community that make it difficult to keep his commitments to the Lord.
Please pray for Percy, Lucrecia, and their family—that they would act on the truth they know and take steps of faith to walk with Christ again.
A Lost Sheep
One of the heavier burdens on my heart the past couple of months has been Piero. He had been coming faithfully to church, studying the Bible with Tanner and me multiple times a week. But since February, he has completely disappeared. No messages, no responses, no contact.
It seems that he may have been torn between two lives—keeping his Catholic employers happy while also trying to pursue the truth he was learning at church. Before he vanished, I had a final conversation with him.
I assured him that we were not trying to force him into anything, but that above all, we wanted him to have a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus. I encouraged him to study the Bible daily, to submit himself fully to the Holy Spirit, and to obey whatever truth he found there. That was the last time I heard from him.
Neither Tanner nor I have been able to reach him. Even Rafael and Elisabet, his former employers, haven’t seen or heard from him. He had mentioned the possibility of moving to Arequipa for work, hoping to “get rich” and escape the struggles of life. Perhaps that’s where he is.
If you think of him, please pray for Piero. May God bring his lost sheep home.
Juan David 