I keep various countdowns on my phone. For example, I have a countdown for each of my children, counting down the number of weeks left until they turn eighteen because that is basically the number of weekends we have together before their lives get much busier, and I say weekends because that is often when dads get the most opportunity for higher value time with their children.
Bunny trail aside, one of my countdowns says we have 365 days left before we leave Peru. That would be 52 weeks left or just 12 months, of course—such a short time!
If the Lord wills, it is looking like our time in Peru is coming to an end. But what needs to happen before then?
I thought I would simply share with you our wish list. We want whatever God wants, but this is what we would ask for from our perspective:
- A pastoring couple and family to teach and preach and lead
- A deacon couple and family to oversee material things
- A couple other families to help establish the work longterm
- Some young men as helpers
- Some young women as helpers
Is this an impossible list? Not at all. I have read many missionary stories that have found workers in even less time. You should read about how Hudson Taylor asked God for 100 workers and how that need was filled in China.
And the most ideal way I can think of for this to happen would be for a church or group of churches, led by the Spirit, to send missionaries into this corner of the field. Wouldn’t that sound like a Book of Acts thing to do?
Is it odd that I’m asking for others to come while also planning to leave? Perhaps so. In many ways, we wish we weren’t leaving, but that’s what we feel is the next right step for us. But we worry so about our sisters and seekers here! There is so much hunger for truth in this valley. We simply need workers.
I recently heard of a church up north that decided that instead of building a bigger building for their growing brotherhood, and instead of simply moving to the next town with a Walmart, they would find a work in Latin America and send several families there. And they are doing that!
Do you know of any churches that are filling their benches and looking for someplace to put their members to work? Send them our way!
We are aware of churches that have this interest in multiplying outward instead of only protecting what they have. Our prayer is that God would open doors to allow just such a brotherhood to come and multiply here!
We love the people here and the church here, and we love what God is doing. May He send workers into the field so that His Kingdom can continue to grow—here!
Please pray with us to that end.
The picture above is overlooking the valley where we live. Izcuchaca is in the foreground; Marquesbamba is at the foot of the mountain on the right. We are standing in the “capital” of the valley, the little town of Anta.
Juan David 