A big thank you to all who join us in prayer. We believe that prayer is the key to everything.
A more concise list of prayer requests will appear at the bottom of each news item in "our news",
but for those of you who want more.... see below!!
| REQUESTS |
DEVELOPMENTS / THANKS GIVING |
Rachel (who is now her lightest ever and is struggling to maintain or put on weight) has been treated for parasites and lung inflammation and has had other tests to locate the reason why she has lost weight and for Manuel, the boss of Peru Children's Trust (who has been suffering with double vision for 6 weeks and is having enforced rest) |
Rachel's weight has been going up again since she was prayed for by the Pastors from Vineyard in Lima, who were sure that it was something spiritual rather than physical. She's still underweight, however. |
| For understanding and commitment between the US and Peruvian Vineyard movements. |
Historically there have been some difficulties in the relationship between the US and the Peruvian Vineyards and we seem to be involved in a process of reconciliation and renewed commitment between both parties. Please pray that this would come to fruition and that the relationship would prosper. Initial signs are promising, with renewed intent on both sides to make it work. The Vineyard in Peru itself is also making some attempts to become more unified, with various events planned for over the next few months. |
| Wisdom for Paul as he endeavours to pick his way through project info and begins to put together suggestions for a more efficient way forward. Pray also that he finds a way to put into practise his training on launching small-businesses both within the context of the Training Centre and also with the families the Trust supports. |
He is currently learning the ropes, perhaps with a view to taking over for a while from the summer onwards. He is starting a small-business course at the Training Centre soon with the idea of stimulating production and generating money for the work and there are plans afoot to train selected families too. |
| For the upcoming (1st May) training day for pastors and those involved in running sunday schools throughout the city and beyond, that it would run smoothly, the right people would come and that they would go back to their own churches inspired |
It was a brilliant day - packed out and they want to do it all again for 3 days this time in October!! |
| Good friendships. |
We've experienced warm welcomes at church and are developing good relationships with Elizabeth and her family. We are also getting to know colleagues within Peru Children's Trust. We are also getting to know people within the wider (though small) Vineyard movement in Peru. We've also recently met some lovely Americans who live in Huancayo. |
Involvement with Huancayo Vineyard Church :
• For unity as leaders (Paul, Rach and Eli (a Peruvian))
• For wisdom as we decide how to meet the needs of the group
• To know what to teach
• For friendship and trust within the group
• That those who come will have a personal encounter with God
• That those who come will feel loved and valued and keep coming.
• That we would learn to pray together as, at the moment, that is a new concept for most
• That we would find a way to develop children's work
• For Jhonatan who, at his own request, is being discipled by Paul by going through the Alpha Course
• That group members would catch a vision for where we're going and want to get involved and take on responsibility
|
We have recently moved venue to our house and our numbers are now going up (we had 29 last week). In addition to doing work on the side with the children, we have decided to abandon formal studies and concentrate on short dynamics and leaving plenty of time for prayer and ministry. We have found that we're being over-run with people in the group asking for help (marital advice, family problems, finances, discipleship etc), which is a privilege, but is keeping us very busy. |
| For ease of language acquisition (particularly for Paul), since Spanish remains key |
We're finding that our church work in particular is leading us into areas where we need to talk at a deep level with people and we feel we're lacking the language for that at the moment |
| That we would be able to organise visas for our return in February and get together all the necessary documentation. |
Rachel's permission to work is another story and one that seems to be dragging its heels somewhat - pray that this comes through by the end of this month. |
| That Rachel would have opportunities to speak to others about her faith at work and that she'd be able to control her class of teenagers |
One of her colleagues has joined our group and she is having contact with others. |
