There are so many events and ministries that we took part in last month that it's hard to know where to begin. There were children's meetings, open air meetings and church meetings. There were baptisms, discipleship adventures and family outings. There were thermal springs to visit, marriage conferences to give and Bible training courses to teach. It was a full and very exciting February!
There's nothing better than swinging from vines like Tarzan in the jungle with a bunch of village kids! This was just one of the many exciting kids events that we participated in last month. Some of these children will grow to be the leaders of their communities, and churches. It has been a great joy to do children's meetings from village to village and to share the love of Christ with as many of them as we can. Please pray for the many kids that we were able to impact with the gospel in several villages during the course of the last few weeks.
While visiting the neighboring town of Yurimaguas I took some of the brothers into the market to do some evangelism. I walked up to a man and his son and started a friendly gospel conversation using my evangecube..... before I knew it there were about 40 kids crowded around to see what I had in my hand. After a ten minute message to the kids, many adults started listening in... So I jumped up on a table and began to sound forth Gods word with all the vocal cords I could give it. It was awesome! A hush kinda went out across the market as people were trying to listen from afar. After my voice was gone I handed it over to some of the young men with me and they took it from there. Please pray that the Lord would use His word that went forth that afternoon!
There is no greater joy for a parent than to see your children walking in the truth. We thank the Lord that our kids are following the Lord and desiring to be obedient to Him. Mya is our fifth child and the latest to profess faith in Christ. Last Sunday it was a great honor to baptize her before many witnesses from our Tarapoto church. What a great symbol of identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection! Please pray for Mya as she grows in her relationship with the Lord!
Nearly twelve years ago the Lord used us to start the assembly in Tarapoto. The body of believers have gone through many hard things. People have come and gone. Many have professed faith in Christ. Some have fallen away and some have changed churches but others have continued on and are serving the Lord with their gifts and abilities right there where they were planted. We thank the Lord for each member of this local body of believers. They are precious souls and it is always a huge joy to visit them and take part in much mutual encouragement!
It's always great to do a group workout on the shores of a jungle creek in front of a thermal hot spring! We did two unforgettable river trips last month. On the first I took eight brothers with me and on the second I took six brothers and six sisters. On the first trip we visited three villages and on the second we visited four. Both trips were full of evangelism and teaching and kids ministries.... and adventure. A huge thanks to doctor John Gill from Pitsburg who set up medical clinics in each village and blessed so many people with his expertise, medicine and spiritual encouragement!
Everyone in the family enjoyed being back in Tarapoto and being with old friends and visiting the churches. We thank the Lord for the amazing kids that God has given to us. They are such a blessing and help in the ministry. The only sad thing about this trip is that we didn't have Javen and Cullen with us. Many of the Peruvian brothers and asked about them and have missed them greatly. It was interesting to see Bria and Josiah step up and take on the role that Javen and Cullen had when they were going on river trips with me and when they were involved in the youth ministry. They grow up fast!
One of the most important events that the churches put on each year is something called: "Capacitation Biblica". Brothers and sisters come from all the surrounding villages to do intensive bible study for two weeks. On the classroom side of things, I had the privilege of teaching through the book of Revelation and then on the practical side of things I got to take the students out to do evangelism each day. It was a super valuable couple of days as these students are key future leaders. Please pray that these students would continue to dedicated their time and hard work in the study of God's word.
Amy and I had a fantastic Valentines day! We were able to separate February 14th, in its entirety, to one big long date. Strong marriages make strong families which make strong churches which make strong communities. Marriage must be worked at, it must be nurtured, it must be invested in. There is a major need everywhere to strengthen this God-ordained institution. Please pray for us as we desire to cultivate a Christ-centered, thriving relationship and then, in turn, help others in this area.
Missions quote for the day by C.H Spurgeon:
"I wish that our ministry -mine especially- might be tied and tethered to the cross. I would have no other subject to set before you but Jesus only"
Micah for the Tuttle's
