End of the year update

Hello

Sorry for the late update, this last month has been a little bit chaotic trying to figure out something's concerning the ministry but thanks the Lord that He has provided clarity for it. The church has been inconsistent also there is some people sharing my burden concerning the growing of the church but its majority seems to be indifferent to it. After talking with some people I've decided to have a meeting with the people from pueblo viejo who had any kind of involvement with the church in January. This will be helpful as to see what way the church is going to follow for the rest of my term and for the next person who jumps in. Also keep praying for the next person who jumps in to lead the church, we still haven't find anyone but there is going to be more clarity soon. Also pray for us as we have begun the book of 1 John three weeks ago.

To me the situation still frustrating but still seeing it as a channel to seek the Lord and rest in His sufficiency as I keep seeking guidance from Him. It's very discouraging sometimes but I also have to remember that if I keep trying just in my own strength I will get nothing done even tho if it looks outwardly like it, i must trust Him.

Prayer Requests

Character: pray that I may grow in humility, love, wisdom and faithfulness.

2. Church in Pueblo Viejo: pray that they grow in commitment and a desire to grow themselves and see others come to Christ. Pray for the upcoming meeting in January also.

3. Family: I'm in lima until the 27 so pray as I'm with them i can reflect the love of Christ.

4. Pray for the missionaries: Walter Isse, TJ Lindsey, Buddy Fitzgerald, Dan Nagao, Daniel Nunez, Scott Blackburn, Bud Lenz, Caleb Lenz, and Jay Cross.

5. Pastor for next year: pray that God raises someone to take over the ministry when I leave next year

6. Cedar lake team: there is a team coming next week and we are going to be working with kids so pray for that time.

7. Work permit: pray that the process in finding a summer job and getting a work permit to work legally go smooth.

8. Finances: The Lord has provided so pray as He gives me wisdom to be a good steward of His provisions.

Thank you so much for praying for me. Feel free to ask any question or call me, FaceTime and Skype.

Merry Christmas
Edher

Almost December Update

Hello brothers and sisters


This last month have been a lot of work and also frustration to be honest. People at the church are not responding as I would like to but God still Sovereign and Powerful to do what I can't. Good news also are that I have a team from Tennessee are coming in December to help work with the kids, approaching they are on vacations. There also will be a friend coming to help me with the church life and visitation for 10 days.

People are the church has become a little bit lazy, and even tho there is 3 people committed, they sometimes get frustrated and discouraged by the rest. I spend as much time with them as I can to encourage them and disciple them. On the other hand there is also 3 new people starting to come eventually to the church and one of them is a very baby believer so that was good. I kind of had a very honest straight talk with them 2 weeks ago about the important of commitment to the church and the effects it does have in the people who comes to visit which I thought they responded good. So I'm trusting for them to grow as we have some studies and also as I trust the Lord to do the work that my words can't.

This was kind of stressful, added with other more personal stress that I had, it kind of was taking my eyes away from the main thing who is God Himself. So I was just doing stuffs because I had to and not enjoying my time with the Lord at all because of it. But the Lord has shown me that if I don't keep Him at first on prayer, devotion and as my main desire, every activity or bible study will be worthless. So keeping Him first has demanded me to put my burdens, stress and frustrations on His shoulders and also pick carefully what battles I'm gonna fight so my heart doesn't faint at trying to look at a 1000 things at the same time. So prayer has been the perfect refuge, and fuel source for my personal life, battles as the future, some friendships, circumstances, personal wants are some battles that I don't need put on me but I must fight to keep the Lord first always, what's best in order to love those around me and the people in Pueblo viejo. I'm not saying those things are not important but I can't just control the outcome of all them but trust the Lord, that He will do what is best.

Prayer Requests

Character: pray that I may grow in humility, love, wisdom and faithfulness. I can't blame situations for how I behave but they always bring what my life needs work on. I'm not perfect but  that's not excuse to not seek diligently and obey the only One who is.

2. Church in Pueblo Viejo: pray that they grow in commitment and a desire to grow themselves and see others come to Christ.

3. Family: pray for my mom who is going through a difficult time right now, and for the salvation of my brother, dad, stepmother, sisters and stepbrother.

4. Pray for the missionaries: Walter Isse, TJ Lindsey, Buddy Fitzgerald, Dan Nagao, Daniel Nunez, Scott Blackburn, Bud Lenz, Caleb Lenz, and Jay Cross.

5. Pastor for next year: pray that God raises someone to take over the ministry when I leave next year.

6. Finances: pray that the Lord helps me to be wise always in spending and administrating the sources I have for His work.

Thank you for reading my update and praying for me,
Feel free to ask any question and let me know how can I pray for you.


PD: the Christmas activity has been cancelled due to commitment issues.

God is Patient with us

Hello my brothers and sisters

This past month has been encouraging having a team working alongside with me for even a few days, CBC from crossville, TN were here helping us with evangelism and visitations. Also encouraging people to be more consistent in their participation with the church. After they left people in pueblo viejo were encouraged to be more consistent in their participation and involvement in the church. Im right now working with the follow up of the people that were contacted that week. 

Church has been inconsistent in its attendance which normally occurs during the raining season, but im so glad that even when I have a lot or little there is few people being consistent in their assistance. I still working on discipleship on saturdays 3pm im teaching theology to a man from another church but lives in the Pueblo Viejo area. There is another group that we are going through the book of 1 John which we are going to finish next saturday. Im adding to my schedule a bible study on the attributes of God on sundays evening and also a new group to disciple on Saturday evening. I also plan to teach partly bible study methods to all te groups little by little so they can grow in how to have a personal bible study.

This is going progressively slow but is going and i have to be patient because there is not so much consistency always. But God doesn't give up on us so I shouldn't give up on them, I think the more I wait for them it gives me time to think how I shouldn't complain about me waiting for it. Which asks the main question: if i cant lovingly wait for them then why am I doing it at all? I think the Lord uses this situations to redirect us to the main motor of our service which is love. In other news I had to move for 5th time which im starting to consider each moving a mission trip but oh well. 

Pray Requests

Character: Pray that I grow in Patience, love, wisdom and faithfulness to God and the preaching of His word always preserving an attitude of humilty.

2. family: pray for some of them to be saved and others to grow in the faith as they walk with the Lord.

3. Church in Pueblo Viejo: pray that they grow in consistency and love for others to start evangelizing and discipling.

4. Pray for the Missionaries in Peru: Walter Isse, TJ Lindsey, Buddy Fitzgerald, Dan Nagao, Daniel Nunez, Scott Blackburn, Bud Lenz, Caleb Lenz.

5. Pastor for Pueblo Viejo: pray for a pastor to come next year to lead the church in pueblo viejo as I leave to the states next year.

6. Finances: Jehova Jireh, He mainly provided a sacrifice on my behalf and also im fine with my monthly expenses while im here. I always need wisdom to use the Lords resources accurately.

7. Christmas in Pueblo Viejo: im planing to do 2 activities in pueblo viejo, 1. Is a christmas for the kids is to have a program where we can feed the kids and give them a christmas gift and also teach them the meaning of Christmas. And 2. Is a dinner with the church members. Im planing to raise 350 dollars of which i already count with 50 and people of the church are planing to cover some of it which would be around 70 dollars. So if you want to bless the kids in pueblo viejo respond the email to give you the methods.

Thank you for reading this update and its an encouragement to hear from you always whether is skype, message or a call. Also I always need your prayers because I need Gods power to be wise and preach in the Spirit..

Love you all 

Edher

PD, to my american brethren: I know you guys are going through a tough election because of the candidates. But let me encourage you to never take your eyes away from the Gospel, the preaching of it will convert souls, whoever gets elected dont forget that the God who created heavens and earth is more than able to bring them to Himself. And never forget that those who oppose you politically are not your enemies but your mission field, what politics can do the power of the Gospel will. Praying that your love don't grow weary but be fueled by the Sovereignty of God.

Affirming and Praying

Hello brethren

Thanks for actually taking the time for reading this letter, the church in Pueblo Viejo has been a little inconsistent again and that is kind of frustrating because im trying to do everything i can on my hands to encourage them but they go back and forth. This is totally teaching me patience as the Lord was patient with me also. Because of that i've decided to be more intentional on discipling people so the Lord has provided so far two opportunities. The first is discipline Sani and her sons and neighbors, we are studying the book of 1 John. Also I was introduced to a man named Zacarias who lives in the area of pueblo viejo but he goes to another church that does not have a pastor, when i met him, he was attending a day seminar lead by a group of pastors from cuzco, they were learning hermeneutics and exegesis. I asked him if he would like someone to come to his house and disciple him, he gladly said yes and now im teaching him on saturdays theology, we are going through doctrine of scriptures. So that is encouraging in contrast of not having a lot of people at church being committed. After both groups we talk and have fellowship so that takes most of my afternoon so im glad im investing that day to disciple.


I still seeking opportunities to keep discipling people, i am praying for them to be stir up to want to learn more of the word of God. I had kind of new experiences for me to counsel like Angel from pueblo Viejo who's partner left with his kid ad he didnt know what to do and he wouldn't listen either but the Lord gave me patience with the situation. Or this other angel who lives in town, he uses drugs to not feel the pain he have with his girl, she works in a bar brothel, and is a mess up situation but is what the Lord has called us to do, to seek what is lost.

There is a few people that are concern for the commitment of the people at church and im trying to spend time with them the most also, so they can learn how to encourage others, this is a hard task because they don't always have time. But we trust the Lord that He will work in a mighty them to draw them to himself.

Pray Requests

Character: pray to keep growing in faith, humility, love and faithfulness to the Lord and showing it to the people. Also for wisdom to respond: there has been a few times when young ladies have asked inappropriate double sense questions to see how far I go in my answer. I mostly ignore it and them in the way but also i dont want to be taken as a Jerk, so pray they can see the love of God as I try to make them see the dignity in them that they dont understand.

2. The church: Pray that the church grows in number but most important in commitment and a passion for the Lord. There is people being awaken but we need to be awaken as a group. Prayer meetings are being more fruitful so PRAISE THE LORD to left and to the right. (If you are baptist you may not be allowed to move) JK

3. Job Interview: i have an interview via Skype on october 3rd to work in the states next summer so i can make money to continue my education. Please pray for this, or for me to find any other job to work to go to school.

4. Next Pastor: because of this, my term ends on april, so pray that the Lord will raise a man to lead the church. There has been a person whom has been asked for it but please pray for it, the church here is also praying for it.

5. Family: pray for my family, that they come to the Lord and for my mom and my sister to be affirmed. They go to the church i go in lima when i am in lima.

6. Missionaries in Peru: Walter and Gabriela Isse (church in lima), Tj and Pamela Lindsey (working with kids in caja de agua) Buddy and Loren Fitzgerald (church in la plaza in PM), Daniel and Becky Nunez (Church in la joya), Bud and Laura Lenz (Orphanage in Peru) Dan and Ruthie Nagao ( deaf church and library), scott and tracy Blackburn (girls rehab house in PM)

7. Finances: The Lord has provided what i need so im grateful for the generosity the Lord uses to bless me. Pray that i always be wise to administrate what He has given to me.

8. Christmas in Pueblo Viejo: im planing and praying to do an activity in Pueblo viejo for christmas, is what we normally do in Peru. The goal is reach 350 dollars and make a program for the kids and feed them. Also give them a christmas gift which not many of them would have the chance to get since pueblo viejo is a very poor area. Consider prayerfully donating for this activity and if you are interested answer this email to check the options.


Thank you for your prayers and your time to read this update.

Missions, Politics and Donald Trump: making the Gospel great again.

Elections are getting closer for my friends at the North of this Continent. And there is only two options Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, most of the people I know are Republicans and they are going to vote for Donald Trump and is ok because of that is their political inclination, they should do it. Now you should have a political position, share your political position but not Idolize it, evangelicals in the USA mostly in the south have traditionally voted republican because most of the candidates sympathized with moral values. Which is great, the problem is when we try to endorse the candidate as a face for what Christianity is.  

 Let me explain, if you are voting for Donald Trump because is the candidate that aligns more to your political views that's good, but say that he is a representation of Christianity?? I wouldn't take that far my friend. I'm glad that people are outspoken about their political opinions in the North but I would like also to be that outspoken about the Gospel, Sound Doctrine and Discipleship. Now as many of you who are reading this are probably Christians, I want to share with you some reasons why you should be wise with your political opinions for the sake of missions in your community and oversees.  

1. Dehumanizing people:  Illegal Immigration, let me talk about your golden calf for a second, yes I think that illegal immigration should be punish it because it's breaking your law, happy? Now the fact that illegal immigration is an issue shouldn't take away our responsibility to share the Gospel, I know you think those illegal people need to go back to their country but they need Jesus the most and I don't think they hearing that from you. Maybe this next president will make your dream come true of kicking them all of your country but then what's next? Will you go to their country and tell them how God loves them while you hated them in yours? I saw this because most of latinos immigrants in the USA have heard more about how they are unwelcome rather than the Gospel.  

 I know you have a political position, but if you are a Christian you know that it doesn't give you the right to dehumanize them of the greatest undeserved privilege you enjoy which is to know God. Illegal people needs Christ, they needed when they all came to this continent and killed all the Indians, mayans and Inkas and they still need Him today as much as you and I do.

   2. Classifying people: not long ago I read a post where a man (trump supporter) was talking about how latinos were ignorant, uneducated and low class people. Apparently he justified himself for the sake of illegal immigration issue, but I know illegal immigration is an issue but you have to insult an ethnic group in order to make your point valid? Isn't that racism?    Preaching heavenly things to people while you shove in their face all their earthly prejudices is certaintly hypocrisy, may some latinos had not the luck of going to school or college but that doesn't make them less worthy as human beings, I don't think you really believe in creation if you can't equally see people as God sees them. Yes, there is some clear limitations some of us have but focusing on them doesn't help us to live for the things above which we claim we hope for. Do you think that on judgement day your immigrant status really will matter? Or will the educated will be more privilege to get Grace rather than the uneducated ones?

   3. Unwholesome talk allowed?: i don't know if you notes but Donald trump likes to talk about things that aren't exactly edifying like some of the members of his body and big this is. I mean I think we are ok with it as long as they kick the immigrants out right? Surely is this how Christianity should be represented? To say Donald Trump is an actual good man and an example is to give room for  disrespectful speech be allowed in our young people, and even adults.  And I'm not adding insults, childish comment and more.

 4. Women are not objects: this man brags of his affairs as a seminary kid brags of his study bible. I don't think we think adultery in the Christian community is okay, even tho a rich powerful men who is running for our favorite party does it, right? Well if you who preach trump more than the Bible are ok with this, then tell the girls in your life that they need to be respected and be look for who they worth. We live in an age where their purity and beauty is strangled and we just so selfish to endorse and lift up a men who collaborated with this. Again is this a Christian principle or a quality in a man worthy to be exalted?  

 5. All Mexicans are bad: apparently Mexico= Latin America for this guy, he once said that mexicans (latinos) don't bring the best to his country, many of them are rapists, murders and more. Well mr trump, neither yours, we have a lot of American tourists coming to buy drugs, encourage human trafficking by consuming prostitution and they have been quite characters like Lori Berenson and people participating in pedophilia here. I think that's not the best of your country neither, but even tho that I won't think that all Americans are the same because is not just right. But you see there that people are sinners doesn't matter where they are from?

   I know you prefer Donald Trump over Hillary, that is okay, just be careful in preaching that he is the model of what's Christians stand for. Because if Americans Christians stand for that, then I'm greatly insulted as a person and as a believer. If you do missions, you have a greater reason to watch out what you stand for, don't forget most of the countries of people you want to kick out, they welcome you when you come for a mission trip. Let's not forget that there are brothers and sisters illegally in the whole world killed by the Gospel, and we will die for politics rather than for the Gospel. 

   I understand the desire many of you have to see their country as they used to be, and see people coming to Christ but law enforcement is okay but that's not the Gospel. Make the Gospel great again by making it your priority and may God have mercy and make your country great, God is sovereign my friend and this is more than a cliche. May the Lord have mercy on us and we look at the heavenly things, the things above and truly looking at them because whoever becomes the president won't alter the course of your eternity if you are in Christ. It's an indictment to our own faith to live obsesibly concerned by our earthly destiny without looking to the heavenly Kingdom.

   Praise the Lord that He will come for those whom He saved from every tribe, tongue and nation.          

Back to the field

Hello brethren i was taking a little while to write my report and what happens is that i was busy doing some stuffs here and catching up with the church here in Puerto. It has been a great encouragement to talk to the people and hear how the Lord has blessed them in their time here with Dan ad Ruthie, i've been blessed of having them helping while i am gone. The church is going through a transition of affirmation, so they can be solid in their faith, so i will be working for opportunities to disciple the people in pueblo viejo in their houses through small groups. Praise the Lord i already have two scheduled and one of them is a man who goes to another church but is willing to invest his weekends in learning more about the word of God. Also Dan and Ruthie has been a huge help during this transition so the people has been able to see the picture of Christ and His church through a marriage working in it for a while.


Finally, i found a mini apartment and i think i will stay here until i leave next year, praise the Lord for that, we are going to start to gather on the last sunday of the month at evenings to share a meal and have fellowship in the church. That will help them with fellowship and getting to know each other more. Im also encouraging them to invite people to the church, they have expressed before that they want to see the church grow and people in pueblo viejo get saved but now im teaching a little more of their part in evangelizing. Pray that their hearts will be prepared during this time so they can learn to share the good news with others.

Most men still resisting to the idea of coming to church but i still talk with many of them during the week so pray for them: Angel, Enrique, Celso, Chita and Erik. Thank you for praying for the church here.

Prayer requests

Character: pray that i grow in humility, love, faithfulness and self control as i am working here
Pueblo viejo: the church can be affirmed and the church may grow according to God's will but also be faithful in the sound teaching
Family: my mom keeps going to church and praying with my sister so i can confidently say they are also my family in Christ. Keep praying for my brother Johnny, dad Juan , sister Kyara, step mom Elizabeth and step brother Ricardo.
October team: there is a team coming in october to work with me so pray as they prepare to come and work here for a week
Missionaries in Peru: Walter and Gabriela Isse (church in lima), Tj and Pamela Lindsey (working with kids in caja de agua) Buddy and Loren Fitzgerald (church in la plaza in PM), Daniel and Becky Nunez (Church in la joya), Bud and Laura Lenz (Orphanage in Peru) Dan and Ruthie Nagao ( deaf church and library), scott and tracy Blackburn (girls rehab house in PM)
Pray for more people to be interested in help the ministry in Pueblo viejo, puerto maldonado
Finances: the Lord has provided faithfully so i cant complain but just to ask for wisdom to administrate His gifts to me.

Thank you all for your prayers
I aprecciate them, feel free to ask any question you want And tell me how i can pray for you.

Living in holiness is not legalism

As relativism advances in the church on this postmodern world we hear people shouting in group of voices phrases like: Christianity is not rules is a relationship, you don't have to be holy to be a Christian, we are all broken and need to be fixed and I can go on and on and you will think this post is about a contemporary worship song, well no it's not.

Let me say first that yes Christianity is about a relationship and yes we are broken but these things are only one side of the coin, if we read carefully these statement it reflects the voice of a generation of church attenders and Christians who openly oppose to obedience, they won't say it like that but they will kind of say things that suggest it. We all want to hear, say and believe the pseudo psychological statement of I'm broken/ i sin / feel sorry about me/ just don't say anything to me about it.

Now this is a dangerous trend because if we don't have to obey we basically can do whatever we want and still being saved. A group of people demand experience, but not just of living but of sin because it makes it more appealing and interesting to play the game of how far the line I can get and still being a Christian. Before they know it, they are already in the other side. 

Now living in obedience is described as living in holiness, the word holy means to be 'set apart' to live in holiness means to walk in the position of being set apart from the world. So holiness is not the enemy of fellowship with God but the basis of it and the confirmation of our position. (1 Peter 1:16, 2:9-12) so it's Christianity about relationship and not rules? Well there is not rules that take you to heaven only putting your trust in the work of Christ but obedience to Christ is going to be the term and evidence of the relationship, he said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15.

We don't obey to be holy but we obey because we are holy, we don't work hard to be set apart by God in order to be His people but we are set apart therefore we walk in obedience to Him. Those who walk in obedience will do it with joy for they will see the salvation that God has set before them. This means they are perfect? No, this means that they grow in repentance and forgiveness, holiness is not about perfection but is about walk towards Christ which one day will result in perfection when we see him for second time. 

Holiness is not prideful, a Christian doesn't boast in his obedience but boast that even tho he is fallen there is a God who always forgives him when he comes to Him. He sees that is not a free card to sin but is a privilege which should be taken with reverence. Yes we are broken and all that but if you don't come to Christ, all that brokenness you talk about is just pride, just because you refuse to come to the one who is able to put us together.

Holiness will be more sensitive to sin, a person who walks in obedience will be more aware of sin in their lives and will seek God for repentance and faith to live with a clean conscience and because they love God. May the sin he repents are absurd for other people, and they are not it is that he has become more intimate in his relationship with God and for him that's the most important relationship he have.

Holiness is about knowing God, the most important part of obedience is to know who you are obeying to which at the beginning is your  Loving Lord and Savior. And later he becomes the Sovereign one reigning in your life, Almighty, Omniscient, Immutable and always Faithful, and much more. Our view of God will increase our desire to live for Him and our love for Him.

We live in Holiness because we've been born in the Spirit, when God saves us He give us the Holy Spirit as a helper to live the Christian life. To look to out failures and brokenness and a big obstacle for obedience is to diminish the power that is within us for living the Christian life. Do you believe the Spirit is as powerful God says He is? 

I've seen people growing through disciple and people quickly applaud them as heroes while those who want to live righteously are being treated as the curse to the world. Impurity shouldn't never be applaudable in the church but we must go treat in mercy, love and grace to those whom have failed. But for those who are obeying and want to obey, don't get discouraged, your obedience will sometimes be an indictment to those who haven't resolve their conscience because of sin that's why they will be hostile to you. But behold, there is our God able to deliver us and make us show mercy to those who mock us and disrespect us. We are not legalistic since we are not imposing a work to be saved but we are encouraging to those who claim to be saved show some works for to the name of Jesus is worthy and if we are going to carry it, let's show His worth.Rejoice that He has put His Spirit in you.

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

Hebrews 8:7-10 NKJV

Enjoying Opportunities

Hello Brothers and Sisters, 

The time here has been busy so I wasn't able to write an early report as I wanted to but also I'm trusting that the Lord Sovereignty allow me to wait until today so I could testify of somethings which happened this week.

Things in Puerto are going good, Dan and Ruthie Nagao are doing an awesome job in plugging the church together while I am here, there are always an encouragement when I'm there and so its good to have them working there. People are coming but some of them are kind going back and forth so pray that the Lord gives them conviction to be consistent in their walk and assistance to church. Dan and Ruthie has been receiving teams and friends helping them with their ministry and the church in pueblo Viejo, also now they have a relative visiting so pray that the Lord brings rest and refreshment to them through it. 

I've seen the wisdom and faithfulness of God going through all my life since, I started working at the airport and practice my English, when I would go to this ESL bible study hosted by the IMB, when I begin to work a an interpreter. And clearly I could see the purpose the Lord had in this trip, even tho if I kind of consider it unwise to be this long, the Lord's wisdom was demonstrated through it. At the beginning was a lot of questions of what I would do, but the Lord put me to rest at the beginning and showed me why I needed to rest even tho I thought I didn't deserve it and I needed to be doing something when I was here. Also I had the opportunity to serve in a youth conference in the institute I graduate from and it was really neat to see how some members of my team were encouraged to be content with the Lord rather than just win the competitions. On the last day, one of the girls of the team testifies of how the team was encouraging to her because we seek to have enjoyment working as a team for the Lord rather than just do stuff, so that was great. Also I had an amazing co captain who helped a lot, it was a good time in general.

Also I was doing some fundraising to get some tools I need, through yard sale and through working, so I had the opportunity to do some work this week. My other highlight of this trip after the youth conference, has been working for this old retired couple. They served at small southern baptist churches and it really encouraged me their faithfulness. He says that the Lord was calling him to minister at small churches and even tho it wouldn't be financially easy for him, but he worked and minister sometimes while she even tho knowing this man calling, she was with him always. They always talked about the goodness of God in their lives and how He gave them what they've need even tho wasn't a lot, but you could see the contentment and the joy of the Lord in them. I've heard many people talk about being satisfied in Christ, mostly in the subject of singleness which is kind of annoying sometimes, but interacting with this couple I just would hear them and see them and I've learned what does it mean to be satisfied in Christ. Satisfaction in Christ is to be faithful to your calling in an age of success because there is more important things to live for. So many people talk about satisfaction in Christ and how satisfied they must be but this couple just kept talking of the Lord's goodness and their gratefulness for it and I just could see what it looks like to be satisfied in Christ. Ive been really encouraged by them.

If you read this report on Sunday, July 17, pray for me as I go to preach at 2 churches and also working this week, I've really enjoyed hard work a lot. On the 26 I'm flying to NJ and maybe visiting with some friend but mostly seeing family so pray for the opportunities to share Christ with them.

Pray requests:

1.  Character: pray that I can be quicker to listen so I can keep learning from other people and also to walk in humility, love and faithfulness to the Lord.

2. Pueblo Viejo: pray for the people at pueblo Viejo and they can be changed by the power of God, and they get saved and the people who are going to church to be established in the Gospel.

3. Dan and Ruthie: pray as they minister in pueblo Viejo the Lord empowers them and encourages them as they share the goodnews with others.

4. Chacapampa: for those who don't know, I did spend a little over 2 months at the mountains and there was this couple Rita and Espiritu, Rita was pregnant and there as a risk on her pregnancy but she is ok and the baby also so praise the Lord, keep praying for them and their kids. Also for Jonathan and Franz, for Hermes, Luis and Silvio and the missionaries Liz and Henry.

5. Missionaries in Peru: Pray for TJ and Pamela Lindsey as they minister in Caja de Agua with the kids ministry, Buddy and Loren as they lead the church near by the main square in Puerto, Bud and Laura Lenz as they lead their orphanage in Cuzco and Puerto. Daniel and Becky Nuñez as they lead their church a little farther from town, Scott and Tracy Blackburn as they have the girls home.

6. Family: pray for my mother as she gets discipled and encouraged by the Ladies of my church back in Lima.

7. Mission teams: pray that there may be more mission groups encouraged to come to Puerto, whether I'm there or not whom can be an encouragement to the people there and also the local missionaries. If you, your church are interested in doing a short term trip for a week or a month or few weeks and months. Write back so I can share with you show you could help us, also if you are a doctor it would be helpful to have you for medical campaigns.

8. Finances: the Lord has been good in providing some jobs for fundraising to get some tools so pray that I can get more work this week before heading to NJ so I can do it. 

If you have any questions, suggestions or complains :D answer back this email and also let me know how can I be praying for you. Really please like #praying.

Love you all

Edher

Report from the USA.

Report from the USA

Hello brethren, I'm glad to greet you all again, I'm in the land of y'all so I'm so glad that I'm able to write to you. From the last time I've wrote from Puerto, we had a team from Central Baptist Church in Crossville, Tennessee. It was an encouraging, exciting long week of work, we went to an school and a pre school, went to do visitations around pueblo Viejo, also we were able to visit/help other missionaries in Puerto also. It was an encouraging time.

Now there is a couple staying at the church, their name is Dan and Ruthie, they are such a godly and sweet family from Texas, and they have 2 beautiful kids, they will be filling in while I'm here in the USA. Please pray for them as they minister and encourage people in pueblo Viejo, I think it will be good for the people there to see a while a couple ministering them so some of their needs can be addressed in their context also. The last 2 days before I head to Lima I did send time with them and it was such an encouragement for me.

Concerning USA: for some reason I forgot the address of the friend I was staying with when I entered the states, so there was a time when I was looking in my phone and tablet for the address and I couldn't find it and immigration could have easily tell me to go back to Peru. But for some reason the person in immigration was merciful to me so I gave my friend's work address, so I could clearly see that the Lord wanted me to be here. I will be here until August 3 but I'm gonna travel on July 25/26 to NJ, because my returning flight is from there, also I will approach that time to visit/minister family and visit my uncle in prison and encourage my family. 

While I am in the states I'm looking to raise funds to be used for ministry tools and help people who want to come to help me in Peru whether they are from Lima or from another country. As many of you know, I'm by myself working in Puerto so there is sometimes not a lot that I can do by being a single pastor By myself in there, so I would like to have help while working in here, so that money would help people to pay fully or partially their trip to Puerto depending where they are from. They will help me to do program with kids, youth, working with women and also helping other local missionaries with whatever they need. Also it will be used for anything may be needed for the ministry, or tools that I can use while I work there also. 

So I'm looking to present this project to people and churches in here while I'm in the USA. My calendar is open and flexible except July 17 because I'm meeting with a team coming in October to Puerto.  But my calendar is open until July 25/26 so if your church wants to hear more about what is going on in Puerto or would like to go to a short term trip to the jungle of Peru or just support a local missionary, let me know, I will be glad to go there and see you and sharing the ministry with you all. 

Prayer Requests

Character: pray that the Lord grows in me humility, it is essential to look others as a bigger priority than myself and sometimes I can grow an inch above and that inch above is too high. Pray also for love for people and that I be sensitive to minister people while I'm in the USA. Also for perseverance in patience and faithfulness to the sound preaching of the Gospel.

Missionaries in Peru: Pray for Tj Lindsey(missionary in Lima, working with kids in Caja de Agua), Buddy and Loren Fitzgerald, Daniel and Becky, (The husbands are pastor in other churches in Puerto Maldonado), Scott and Tracy (La buena Semilla, Puerto Maldonado, girls home) Bud and Laura Lenz (El Arca orphanage) Walter Isse (Pastor in a church in Lima).

Dan and Ruthie: pray for them as they are in pueblo Viejo ministering to people.

Opportunities to speak in the USA: I'm waiting for two confirmations if I speak in a church in CO and AL so I don't know how that will end but please pray for it and if you think of a church I can speak on and introduce them to ministry let me know.

Chacapampa: there is a team in the mountains of Peru where I was last year and do you guys remember the couple Espiritu and Rita? Well they just got married so that's a huge praise I haven't talk with the team that is there right now about them but the sat time they came in March I've heard that things were getting better with them so praise the Lord, keep praying for this team from Fort Collins, Colorado while they are there sharing the Gospel and also encouraging the local missionary, Liz. 

Family: my mother is very involved in church and really having good friendships from it, she is really encouraged and I think the Lord is truly working in her, she is very willing to be taught and she is also getting discipled, I thought I would baptize her right after I came back from Peru last year but did not happened but pray she keeps growing. I'm getting more close with my Dominican sister so that is great. And pray that rest of my family comes to Christ.

Finances: the Lord has been faithful and He will, pray for wisdom to administrate the money I have, also I'm looking for some project I can work on while I'm here so if you have anything I can do let me know. 

If you would like to Support me, please consider it prayerfully as you doing the will of God and if the Lord will so here are the options:

The Great Comission, C/o Edher Cavero

700 N. Parker Rd. Greenville, SC 29609

TD Bank account: reply this message so the account will be sent to you.

If you would like to send me an encouragement letter or anything, you can send it to 

Edher Cavero

12 west 53rd St Bayonne NJ 07002

If you have any questions, complaining or anything, let me know and feel free to ask any question.

Also tell me how can I pray for you.

Love you all

Edher

Why your short term mission trip is a good idea.

There is a lot of blogs and articles questioning the idea of a short term mission trip,  that last a few weeks or months. Some arguments presented in these articles are really good but the idea of always questioning short term mission trips brings discouragement to those who want to go with a genuine desire to serve God. 

So even tho I will give some warnings, the purpose of this post is redirect your thought about why it is important to do short term trips and how can we make the most of it. 

1. Encourage the long term missionaries and local pastors: even if you are going for a short period of time, there is missionaries and pastors who stay in those countries, these long term missionaries or local pastors most time deal with frustration, loneliness, stress and interpersonal conflicts within their families or with other people. The presence of short term teams can bring refreshment to the long term ministers, even if the week gets busier, I highly recommend to make the most use of your time to encourage the local missionaries or initiate personal conversations regarding how you can pray for them or what is going on in their lives. It is important to take care of those who are staying after you leave, I know you have projects and want to get them done, but you should never forget the hearts of those who will see the long term of the fruit of your work.

     You can also encourage missionaries by having a relax time with them and talking to them, chilling or hanging out with them, or if they are from your country, you can bring them something they miss. Where I work, I know a lot of long term missionaries who speak English and they get excited when English speaking people come. Remember, there is missionaries who are planing to stay long term and having a little taste from home helps them in their homesickness.  People you know and love, even tho they are from different countries can be an encouragement to people in the field, there is a big importance in lift up spiritually (not their ego) to those who stay in the field. 

2. They have people to work with some projects: sometimes missionaries have specific tasks they wish they could do but they sometimes can't because of lack of people prepared for this or just lack of availability in people. So your medical team, construction team, or the group of people you brought can be used for the task that missionaries may have at that point. The presence of your team will be a blessing as you are willing to be flexible and help them with the projects they have in mind. So yes, you should come and help them.

3. Unique time of fellowship: there are missionaries who work in very small rural areas where there is no church at all. For those missionaries the only fellowship they get with other believers is when mission teams comes to help them. So take a time to get in deep fellowship with them because sometimes it has been several weeks or months since they had contact with other believer in person. Fellowship is important in the Christian life, but there is times where the Lord takes you to work in places where fellowship with other believers is something you get once in a while, I've been in those shoes and I can tell how encouraging it can be.

4. You can learn from them: sometimes the mission field help us to grow in maturity if we are not stubborn or proud. The Lord humble us and as missionaries we hope to teach you how to do things effectively in your short term mission trip. And we can say that not because we are proud or we think we know better than you but because when we stay we see the outcome of the work done by short term teams. So if you want to help long term missionaries, let them help you in your short term trip, you may want to get things done but the long term workers know what is best for the area.

5. Don't get too caught in your plans: I know that some people have the mindset of having a full schedule trip where they gonna work 24/7 and that's a great start but sometimes the things you are going to do more by learning, praying and encouraging. Listen before you speak, learn before you act and pray before you preach; it may an eternal help for you and those who hear you. There is some cultures or places where is harder to have everything scheduled because things go slower so be flexible, if you don't have a lot to do one of those days maybe the Lord wants you to be quiet and think about the interactions you already had or meditate in his word and who knows maybe you need to study his word more that day so He prepares you for a particular time He will use you. Whatever plans you have, surrender them to the Lord, and if you are a workaholic, don't worry He will teach you.

6. Enjoy the Culture: Some people who goes on short-term trips are afflicted by the culture they are in, they feel so different and that everybody is staring at them because is not common for the locals to see people like them. I understand that in different places people don't navigate things in the same way you do. But instead of focusing in all the differences and saying look at this or look at that, learn why locals think that way or learn how they get their culture, it will be helpful for you as you are there and also to contextualize your gospel witness.

I think short term mission trips are good but we must be careful to not do our own thing but go along what the Lord directs us to do as we learn more about  the culture and the missionaries who are there. Also don't forget to prepare yourself biblically and in prayer and if you have access to ask questions, don't hesitate but always learn.

My prayer is that you be encouraged by this and go help a missionary whether is locally or oversees.

In need of Wisdom

Brethren I'm glad to be able to send you a report from Puerto maldonado, for my next report I will be in the USA. Things at church are going well but slow, people are starting to ask questions about faith, how to read the bible and more. Some people have grown into consistency, they are coming by themselves to church and getting engaged in it, although the number of people who are coming are varying, there is people willing to hear the Gospel at least. There is a young man whose name is Gerardo, he is one of the man who has the most consistency, so pray for him. Also there is another young man who rarely comes but he likes to talk, his name is Angel, even tho we had good conversations, he hasn't been involved too much with the things at church. 

Concerning the 2 old man whom I visit, Gerardo is doing well and he is always willing to listen but not too much response, Masao is getting more into the stories and ask questions and this past time I've visited, his wife joined us so that was great, we are going through 1 John and they asked just from reading the first chapter about universalism, who is truly a believer? Who is going to heaven? Why everybody doesn't go to heaven?. Visitations are getting better, people knows me, jokes with me and sometimes feed me, they say they don't want me to look unloved that's why they want me to gain weight, I'm not that skinny but Jungle love equals fat by the way.

I was planing to write this letter yesterday but I had a rough weekend with problems and stress, I was preaching in the morning and there was one 3 people and a kid and that kid wasn't quiet at all and was interrupting every minute and I felt praying to the Lord to give me patience or provide ducktape for her mother. But she got quieter, a little, and it was weird because when there is more kids, they normally aren't as loud, even tho sometimes they can make the church look like Chuck E. Cheese playground not kidding. But later evening I played a movie and after the movie I got to talk with Angel and he was telling me how the counsel I gave about how to make his relationship with his girl better was starting to work. Which is funny because I thought of myself very incapable to provide counseling for this because I'm single but heyyyyy the Lord provided wisdom, so he was very encouraged and he is committing again to get involved to church. He said that before but he never came, well most people here does that, they never do what they told you, I wonder if they ever wanted to be politicians, anyways. I love people here even tho they drive me nuts but then God reminds me that I can be also so annoying and I get over.

God then gave more reasons to rejoice at looking how He was using me, and told me to stop whining as a little kid for people. While I was being ungrateful, He gave me a reason for joy.

God has been speaking to me through His Word and through different things (not angels or anything supernatural, I'm not too high spiritually for that) about seeking to be filled with the Spirit, being in a place where my integrity and purity is often attacked I need not just do stuff. But to do ministry in the power of God, don't worry I didn't became charismatic, just biblical, while being fueled by His word, I saw that sometimes my frustrations when I don't get people to church or get excited to church, doesn't depend on what I do or what I know but how much I trust Him in light of it. So this is starting to be my daily pursue and prayer, and what I'm seeking is to be filled with the Spirit, I need it.

prayer requests: 

Character: pray that I get wisdom, humility and Love. Also for faithfulness, that I never diminish the greatness of the Gospel but remain sound in my preaching. I also need wisdom to make upcoming decisions concerning ministry/life. Also pray for me health even tho I've haven't been sick for 2 weeks, it seems that I may get sick again, I have headaches a lot lately.

Church in Pueblo Viejo: Pray that people have a desire to know God and the Holy Spirit to be working in them. Also that God shows through fruits those whom He is saving so I can disciple them, and to not be tempted to give false assurance of faith to those who aren't converted but faithfully persist in sharing the Gospel with them. Pray also for the time when I'm gone Dan Nagao is going to be with them, so they can learn as much from this brother.

3.  Family: pray they come to the knowledge of the Lord, hey y'all remember long ago when I told you about my mom making a profession of faith? Well lately she has been going to my church back in Lima for 3 Sunday's in a rode and she told me that she will mee with one of the ladies on Saturdays which possibly means that she will get discipled, so yayyyyyy Praise the Lord. So Keep praying for her, he name is Marlene and she goes with my sister Nicole she is liking it also.

4. Missionaries in Puerto: Daniel and Becky Nuñez, they just had a baby Alejandro, yay babies. Scott and Tracy Blackburn, they re opened a girls home so praise the Lord. Dan and Ruthie Nagao, as they work in the Library. Buddy and Lauren Fitgerald, they lead a church in the city by the main square. Bud and Laura Lenz, as they work in the orphanage EL Arca. Pray for unity among all of us. 

5. Seminary project: My friend Mike who lives in Scotland is planing to put a seminary in the jungle region north Peru so pray for wisdom as he plans to do this. 

 6. USA trip: so yay I'm going to the states, but I made a fool decision which is I scheduled my trip for very long trusting that I would had my full support for those months which I'm only gonna have 28 percent of it, which my supporters are in their right because I won't be doing ministry all the time tho, so actually they are being so merciful to me. So if you have any project I can while I'm there let me know or if you would like to provide it by donation, do it prayerfully. .

7. Speaking opportunities: pray that I get speaking opportunities in church to encourage people to come to Peru and to give towards ministry funds, this funds are intended to help those who want to come, as example: with these founds someone who wants to come from the states can be half financed from these funds or someone from Peru like Lima can be fully supported for a month and it would help me a lot here, since I'm doing the work by myself and also other missionaries in here if needed. There is people interested in coming to Puerto from Peru and the USA so that would be a huge help for them.

8. Finances: The Lord has been so good by providing while I'm  here so pray that I be a good administrator of what He has given to me. For the ministry fund I plan to work there and maybe make a Peruvian meal and sell it there in order to raise funds and if you don't Iike any of the ideas above, you can give towards it but consider it prayerfully as you doing the will of God. Also pray that the Lord provides a laptop, the one I have is not working properly lately.

Please if you  have any questions, doubt, curiosity, complain, or something you just want to voice, please let me know. ALSO LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN PRY FOR YOU..........!!!!!!!!!!

Haha

I love you all, thanks for your prayers.

Edher

Only by His Grace

Hello Brethren

I hope all of you are doing well and having a blessed time wherever you are. 

 I'm back in Puerto maldonado, things here are going well thanks God. They are going slow but they are doing well, even tho the majority of the people are inconsistent, I'm starting to see consistency in few of the people at church. Today we had a review of what we've been studying so far which is Ephesians 1:1-2:16, and the responses were good, I gave them a time to ask things they felt curious about or they wanted to understand and they asked really deep theological/historical questions concerning election, adoption and circumcision. That really made me happy today, also one of the men Gerardo is getting more into it, even tho he is not always avaliable to go to church, he goes when he can, and something that really excited me was that in one of the prayer meetings is that he prayed for people in Pubelo Viejo to know God. Inwardly I was shouting out of joy because clearly God has been working in him, I will take him to lunch or coffee one of this days and ask him if I can personally disciple him because I see a big potential in him. 

Church growth have been progressive but people are inconstant that's why it's hard to see a growth but there actually is one. I know there is not a lot of numbers in my ministry but I can see there is a lot of joy so that's good for now. My desire is for more people to come to church and I always invite and go around and talk to them but many just don't come and there is nothing I can do about it. I can invite but not insist but persevere in how I encourage them to come to church. 

I personally been challenged lately because I have a lot of limitations as a single guy and being the only person at church working but if this is the way it is then must be good. I've been in Lima not long ago because of presidential election and visa interview which I have to say that I got the visa again yayyyy......!!!!!!!!  I've been struggling with depression lately also, but later on as I spend time with the Lord, I was able to see that it was a self-centered one. I can't call the attention anymore and what I have to say is not relevant for anyone, and that was kind of bringing me down, but I could see is a self centered struggle, because I'm not the center of the world. So even tho I can say there is genuine moments of discouragement, God gave me the joy to see that I'm not the center of the world but He is. The ministry is a place where you see yourself as who you really are, I know I say this a lot but is true. Many of our struggles are not as important as we think because sometimes there can be personal  interests where our ego is afflicted. I'm a window of what I preach so as much as I like doing this I need humility and love, and it will weed the ground of my heart so only it will grow what is good. Please I don't write this for you to feel sorry for me but to give testimony of what the Lord is doing in my life, this is a big responsibility so as I work and see the life of others, God is seeing mine.

Prayers requests

1. Character: to walk in Humility and Love, looking others as better than myself, I need a daily reminder of this so I can be a servant not just a leader. Also wisdom as I dear with some family issues, and find my encouragement and sufficiency in the Lord. 

2. Church in Pueblo Viejo: Pray we can grow in unity, and communion with the Lord and one another. They can grow in their communion with God and love for Him and that be reflected in their personal time with the Lord. 

3. Family: pray for their salvation and also there is a situation with my mother, please pray for wisdom, Grace and peace for this, I can't go into details unless you are really interested in order to be able to pray specifically. 

4. Missionaries in Puerto: Daniel and Becky Nuñez, they just had a baby Alejandro, yay babies. Scott and Tracy Blackburn, they re opened a girls home so praise the Lord. Dan and Ruthie Nagao, as they work in the Library. Buddy and Lauren Fitgerald, they are on family vacation but they are coming back soon. Bud and Laura Lenz, as they work in the orphanage EL Arca. Pray for unity among all of us.

5. Seminary project: My friend Mike who lives in Scotland is planing to put a seminary in the jungle region north Peru so pray for wisdom as he plans to do this. 

6. USA Trip: I got the visa yay..!!! So some people are wondering what I'm gonna do there, well this I'm going to a wedding of a good friend of mine also for a youth conference in the institute that I graduate from. Also seeking the opportunities to speak in churches so I can encourage people to come to Peru and help my ministry, and for people who want to support those who are willing to come but can't fund themselves whether they are in USA or Peru. I possibly be from June 16 through July 25, this will come to happen if I have someone who can preach while I'm gone otherwise I will just stay, for obvious and logical reasons. 

7. Support: the Lord has been faithful in providing while i'm here, pray that I can be a good administrator of His good entrusted to me. Also pray that the Lord provides for me while I am in the states. Also if you can pray, I need a new laptop, mine is falling apart, the wireless card just died and the one I got is not working really well. 

Thanks for your prayers and thanks for reading this letter which is a form of sanctification for some of you because of my grammar. Well..........Amon and Amen.

Let me know how I can pray for you or just maybe talk or Skype to encourage one another, unless you are teamCap. 

Love you all (oh and if you are female and this is awkward, I love you in Christ :D)

Edher

But the Lord was pleased to crush Him..........Isaiah 53:10

First at all, the person who is writing this article is a sinner, so this is why I am so grateful for this truth because otherwise I would not have hope whatsoever.

This has been the Easter week, and many of us have remember the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of us are going to hear a sermon about the cross, after having watched a movie about Jesus which for some ends being an emotional preparation for Sunday service even tho if it is not intended. 

Since I became a Christian, I've hear many preachers talk about the love of God, and how Jesus died on the cross for us, and the Romans beating him till death. Sometimes sermons will put up picture to make his death graphic so it moves us emotionally, which is normal. I remembered the once I heard a sermon where the preacher said this: "We are not saved because the Romans beated Jesus or because they hanged Him on the cross, that was necessary and is part of it but we mainly are saved because on that cross the Wrath of God was poured upon Him" ........this preacher accompanied the sermon with the passage Isaiah 53. Of all the passage a verse stood out to me “But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.”

Isaiah 53:10 NASB

But the Lord was pleased to crush Him........the preacher kept explaining that this mean that the death of Christ was necessary as a propitiation for our sins. No one else could have died, let me put it this way if you or me or any other human being would have tried to die on the cross for the sins of the people, that would have been a complete failure. Because 1. We are sinners who deserve death, so we wouldn't not be paying for the sins of the world but dying as a consequence of our sin. 2. Therefore God wouldn't have been so pleased with a sinful sacrifice because there was not righteousness to be imputed. The Lord was pleased to crush Jesus Christ on the cross, meaning that Jesus being fully human and fully God being obedient to the father in everything, without breaking any law or commandment gives Himself for us. 

I will never forget the words of my teacher Michael Garreau when we were talking about the doctrines of salvation he said: "the Lord was pleased doesn't mean that the Lord was jumping happy because Christ was dying, but what it means is that the demands of the Justice of God were met on Jesus Christ on the cross and His wrath was being satisfied at that moment. Justice which the nature and character of God demands so the sinner could not just be forgiven but also be declared righteous and blameless before God."

What a great do we have, who is so wise and powerful. So many times we look at the cross and we are very self centered about it, we highly everything Jesus did for us. He died for ME, loves ME, He forgave ME, He did it for ME, and we can go forth with more ME, ME and ME. But the demonstration of the Love of God on the cross is an spark of His being, therefore this should lead us to worship Him. Yes it is true that He did it for you, but he did it for you to be something. God showed His love on the cross so we will come to Him, and if we have come to Him, we will love Him. Loving Him demands that we obey his commandments says John 14:15,23; so it means that if we are not obeying Him then we are not loving Him. God was pleased to crush Christ so you can be righteous, obeying and loving God genuinely is not forced by the human efforts but it flows out of a heart that has responded to the sacrifice of Christ in repentance and faith  who's heart has been changed. 

Yes He died for you and He loves you so you will look to Him, so you will be His child and live like one. It doesn't matter how well your doctrine may be or if you believe the right things but if you don't love God and neither obey Him just because you don't want then you need Him. Doesn't matter if you say the right things, or if you say amen in the right parts of the sermon, We Need Him.!!!!! Doesn't matter how pity or how low you think of yourself, you must go to Him. Self-pittiness doesn't mean that we already have come to Him but it should lead us to Him. God will not overlook our hypocrisy doesn't matter how much we pity ourselves or how much we exalt self. 

Brethren, don't let this precious gift becomes so normal and common for you that you are not amazed anymore at the thought that He gave His only begotten son and was pleased to crush Him so our sins are gone and we receive righteousness. Because it's really easy to buy the next Christian book or study bible and conform ourselves with little of Christ while we lead our own lives. But seriously, if He gave His son and was pleased to crush Him, what excuse do you think you have to not give yourself to the one who died for you.

He is risen and He reigns. He will come back for His church, how do you think that he is going to find you? Our holiness is the mark of our thankfulness for the gift of Salvation in Christ, may God not find us ungrateful on that day.

Love

Edher

“Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.”

Psalms 24:7-10 NASB

God is good

Hi Brethren

I know that I've said before that ministry is about learning but I feel as I walk more into it, more things I see. The commitment of people to some things, and the love that other can have for their beloved ones, sometimes its just little acts of service that others do which reminds me of how I ought to walk. Yes, ministry can be really stressful and sometimes you feel that you can't handle it, sometimes you have joyful days and others are more depressing but I am greatly thankful for where I am. Also, even tho if I have many limitations because of my age, status, and time at place, I am here because God wants me to be. God is good brothers and sisters and He place us where He want us, even tho our mistakes, limitations and our sin still there, He remind us of His greatness because is not about who we are but about who He is and what He can do in us.

The church is growing in number in attendance on Sunday, from 3-6 people we have gone to 10-16, and its really cool and exciting. Now, it is growing in number of people, because there is not outward fruit, I can't tell if most people that are starting to come are truly saved, but I am glad they are coming so they can hear the Gospel. And even tho I would like more people to come, my desire is that this group starts to be consistent and God saves them. Visitations are getting better, people are more receptive and accepting more my leadership in the church. People are asking more, people are digging more, people are getting more curious about things, and I work in making my sermons as simple as I can but as sound as they ought to be. Because although I must be clear to them, I must be faithful to God, so receptiveness of people is a great answer to prayer. From the beginning of this year, I've started a series on the book of Ephesians and that  has been good to them for it has raised many important questions. Praise God for that.

There is a family which lives next to the church and they have been attending the church almost every Sunday. This past Monday, their daughter passed away because of Dengue complications and they are now devastated, I am doing everything I can to encouragement but im trusting the Lord as He uses m to comfort them and draw them nearer to Him.

Prayer Requests

1. Character: Pray that I can grow in Prudence, Humility, Wisdom and Love. Also for my relationship with God to increase, I need more of Him as I work for Him. And Faithfulness in my life and preaching.

2. Family: Pray for the salvation of my family. I'm going back to Lima in 3 weeks for voting and also for my visa interview so pray that I can minister to them as I am there.

3. Church in Pueblo Viejo: There is more people coming and pray that I can remain humble and always quick to serve those who are in need. Pray that they come to Salvation which is more important. The city in general is getting a little bit more dangerous so pray the Gospel spread more around the city. Also pray for Gerardo and Erica, parents of Geisha, the little girl that just passed away.

4. Help: Pray that I can get helpers from out of Puerto or from other countries that want to help with the ministry here in Pueblo viejo.

5. USA visa: I'm going to a visa interview in 3 weeks in order to go back to the states for a short time. pray that it will go well. Also if there is a chance, I plan to speak in churches to encourage people to come to Peru. but well let it be whatever the Lord wants.

6. Missionaries: pray for the Missionaries nationals and internationals: Scott and Tracy Blackburn (Canada), Buddy and Loren Firtzgerald (Greenville, South Carolina), Dan and Ruthie Nagao (Texas), Bud and Laura Lenz (Texas), Daniel and Becky Nuñez (Lima and USA).

7.Seminary Project: A Peruvian missionary in Scotland is praying about the possibility to open a seminary training center in the jungle but up north, he also would like me to teach there. Pray for him and this project his name is Mike Fernandez. pray for God's confirmation, and provision for this and this is a long term project so it will take time for the confirmation of this.

8. Support: God has been faithful to provide for my financial needs. Pray that I can be a wise steward of what He has given to me, If you would like to support me financially, you can do it through TD Bank or The Great Commission, ask for more details if you are interested. Also you can send electronic gift cards from amazon or apple to buy eBooks.

Thanks for your prayers, thanks for your encouragement, please feel free to ask any question you have concerning ministry or personal questions. Don't forget to pray, and also tell me how can I pray for you.

Love you all

Edher

Redirecting Passions, Reaching out in Love.

For those who read this blog for first time, I'm a Peruvian missionary in Puerto Maldonado (City in the jungle region). In the ministry that I do, i regularly visit 2 old men, today I want to share the story of one of them and how has this impacted my life.

Gustavo (88 years old), shared a story which reminded me of an important truth which we sometimes ignore. When i visited him for the first bible reading, he welcomed me in a joyful way. I meet with him 2 or 3 times a week to read the bible to him. After our bible reading, he said: I want to share with you a story.

                Long ago his wife was diagnose with a disease (he wasn't sure about which disease was), and she was on treatment for years, he was with her day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. He said: "as her husband I had to be there in her sickness and remind her how beautiful she is and how much I love her". She wasn't always in a happy mood because of her sickness and the treatment, but for Gustavo all he cared about was that she still there and he was there for her.

               After a while the sickness got worse and she got more sick, one day they took her on emergency to the hospital. The doctor said that she wouldn't be able to move as she used to before, her body got weaker and she needed to stay in the hospital. She was at the hospital for a moderate length of time (he didn't specifically say how long), after that he said: "she wasn't treated as she deserved, she was dying, and I needed to take care of her". Not long after this, Gustavo asked the doctor if he could take care back home, and they said yes but also that she would need a person who dedicates full time to her. Gustavo left everything else that he was doing at that point, and he decided to dedicate fully to serve his wife, getting help from a nurse when needed, he would stay at home taking care of his wife.

                     After a while he said: "she was in pain and something she would groan because of it and I had to do something, so I asked to a catholic priest to pray for her, also a group of nuns would visit her regularly and pray to Mary for her. After a while that I asked an evangelical pastor to come and pray for her, also the mormons but nothing was resulting or making her better. I finally tried a witch doctor to treat her but also that neither worked, I knew she was about to die and i didn't know what to do" said Gustavo in tears.

                      He described the impotence of not being able to do anything for his wife, and that she was about to die. The passion of his words and the tears coming out of their eyes wasn't a sufficient expression of how this man loved his wife, not longer after she passed away.

I want you to see the love and passion that this man had for his wife, I know that many of the things he tried was wrong but there is one thing he wanted and was really passionate about, and that was to save his wife life. He had a big love for her which made him be passionate for anything that would be for the good of her, no other object he was sharing this passion with but only with his wife because he wanted her.

What about us? who probably have the right answer. Are we as passionate like this man that we will do everything it takes to save someones life because we love God and we are passionate about Him? what do we want in this world? and why?

I know too many questions but once in a while is healthy to question ourselves and get offended so we can redirect our minds and lived to what really matters. There is many people like Gustavo, many their stories are not as beautiful even tho mess up likes his. But there is people whom love different other things that are not God, and they are willing to give their lived for it. And it seems that must of us who claim to be believers are willing to be the audience of how this people runs down the pit and we wont tell them about it because of self-preservation.

We just love them we say, oh my dear friend if you love them then you would see that what expects them is eternal destruction. But the Spirit is the one who does the work you say, but the same Spirit also inspired the word of God which tell us to: Love your neighbor as yourself, go preach the Gospel in season and out of season.

Believer what are you living for? what do you want? a mate, career, success, richness? you may say but that's not wrong if we want it in a moderate way. Well let me ask what is consuming our time the most to get those things or God? You don't have time? how come you never have time to the one who always have time for you?

What we live for is a matter of eternity, don't live for things that you may lose of may give you security and satisfaction only in this world but live for God, and you will have eternal security and satisfaction. Love Him with passion, let Him consume your time, your thoughts in such way that you will love other in the same way because the greatness, love, mercy, grace and power of God.

Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' (NASB)

God is enough

Hello brethren.

I'm glad of greeting you all again, I feel that writing this monthly letter helps me to share the burden of the ministry with others. It has been lately a challenge to find joy, people are not coming and they don't get serious about God and I'm like hey can't you see it. This is really clear, you need Christ and you think you are doing a favor to Him by accepting me? (I had this conversation with them in my mind, so this actually didn't happened, so don't get afraid). The thing is that y efforts are there but people don't respond, they actually believe they deserve the goodness of God, they don't know the concept of Grace because they don't understand sin at all. And it frustrates me but, at the end I think, wasn't I like that with God? So why I complain instead of trust the God who was patient with me. It doesn't matter how much I do try, God at the end have the last word, and if I'm not rejoicing in Him and find Him sufficient for my beginning and the end of my day, I will probably keep trying harder for self. 

Has there been more struggles coming to my life lately, but I can tell that the misery or burdens of this life are to point us to something higher than them and ourselves. Now not everything is frustration and fighting, God has been answering prayers. The couple that lives next door to the church are getting involved more actively, even if there is not many people in church and sometimes is just them, they can sing and listen carefully to the word. They don't know but their willingness to enjoy that make me feel ashamed for my personal complaints about not having people. Their names are Gerardo and Erica, also there is a lady named Erica who is starting to come more often with her kids. Most people around told me that the other pastor had the same struggle around these dates to get people, because since is vacations for the kids, some people take the time to travel or get out of the city for a while. 

These 3 people have been really encouraging in their concern to invite more people to church, they say sometimes people comes for interest when the Americans come. And they kind of were bitter about it, and at some point I a little bit, but then I don't know but I told them, that even if they come with the wrong intentions, we should always encourage them to come all the time of the year. Whether they come only when we have visits, let's make that time even more meaningful. Also I'm trying to do fun things to engage and connect with the community, we have movies night on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, on evenings. I've tried to get the men on soccer, but they haven't come at all, so I may try something different. I'm trying that to get to know them, and share the Gospel also, if they don't come to church, I need to create interaction that helps me to connect with them. I just need to be careful I don't want also to make the church a six flags over Jesus by doing that.

People are asking for the kids ministry a lot, but since I'm alone there I can't do too much about it, but I  call try to figure out something, because it seems big for them. We are on elections and I will have to go to Lima soon, like in April. Pray for our country, it's a mess, probably yours too so we all feel the pain. I'm also going to the gym 3 times per week, playing soccer with other missionaries, doing weekly sporadic visitations to people, evangelism, cleaning the church, study for my sermon, I normally takes Tuesdays as day off to rest read and My personal study. Services are Wednesday 6pm, Sunday 10am, 5pm. It's sounds a lot but it's not really.

Pray Requests:

1. Character: I tend to think a lot how things affect me, well I need to look up more than down here, I need to learn that not always will find encouragment from people, they may not even have time for that. So I need to rely in the Lord's sufficiency through prayer. Pray that I be faithful in my personal obedience and the my ministry, that even if I have a lot or a few people, I can be humble and loving. 

2. Church: there is some awakening in 3 people but guys is 3 people and those people are dear to God even if they aren't dozens and hundreds. So pray that they can still encouraged, and encourage others to come to Christ. Pray that we can grow as a church but that we learn to rejoice in our lack of multitude so when we grow we don't become prideful. 

3. May team: there is a team coming from Tennessee, so yay, so pray for their coming and as well for their preparation while they are in the states. The leaders are Scott White and Jill Denney, pray for them as the heads of the teams.

4. Find an appartment: so things where I am at are okay but the person who runs the place is not being that pleasant so I need to find an appartment soon, by March 3rd I must know where I am gonna move so pray for it. So people can see the privilege of having me with them ;D...........Just Kidding. If you know me you will get it.

5.Help.....!!!!! : okay I'm being dramatic, not in that way, but I actually need help if I want to work with the ladies and the kids, I can't do it by myself so pray for helpers to come, whether from Lima, USA or anywhere in the world. Doesn't matter their denomination as long they bring me Reeses ;D, or their last name be MacArthur, Washer, Calvin, Luther. Yes you supposed to be laughing, you are welcome, now read next.

6. USA Visa: I'm starting my process to get a tourist visa, since I'm not coming back to school this year. I plan to be from 20 or 40 days in the states. I'm going to be in 2 weddings during that time, 2 of my bests friends are getting married, and apparently I'm invited lol. But the other purpose to travel to the state is that I'm looking to connect my ministry with church in the states that want to do trips oversees, long or short doesn't matter. Or Volunteers that want to come for a certain amount of time, and also do fundraising for 2 projects. I'm gonna have this all written in a more detailed format soon, so if you think you or your church may be interested, send me a feed back so I can send you the letter I'm preparing. But pray that I get the visa first, and the Uncle Sam land admit cinnamon cute Peruvians back the country, you are welcome.

7. Puerto Maldonado: pray for the Missionaries nationals and internationals: Scott and Tracy Blackburn (Canada), Buddy and Loren Firtzgerald (Greenville, South Carolina), Dan and Ruthie Nagao (Texas), Bud and Laura Lenz (Texas), Daniel and Becky Nuñez (Lima and USA).

8. Support: pray that I can be a good steward of what I have and wise with it. People once on a while ask me how they can support me: well you can do it through my TD bank account or the great Comission for tax deductible (ask for more info). Or also you can send electronic gifts cards from Amazon or ITunes so I can get Ebooks. 

Please also tell me how I can pray for you, and if you have any other question, concerning anything in this letter please feel free to ask.

Thanks so much for praying for me, I need it as much I need to breath. I really thank you guys.

 Love you all.

Enjoying Christian Diversity

Hi brethren

I am reading a book named Strange Fire by John MacArthur (aka Juanito Macar or Johnny Mac), the book goes directly to address the issue of the false fire that are created by charismatics and Pentecostals churches. Now, one thing that i found kind of not good/nice is to put all Pentecostals and charismatics in the same bag. Why? may you ask yourself, well because i know Pentecostals and charismatics who also feel ashamed and indignation of the teachings of so called professing Christians under the same denomination.

I'm not a charismatic or a Pentecostal first at all, but i think what MacArthur has done in his book is the evidence of a particular and common trend we have. This is that we don't know how to enjoy our brothers and sister in Christ by who they are. I think that through church history denominations has helped in some sense to characterize a system of beliefs, which i think is healthy at some extent. the problem is the exclusivity we are taking out of this mindset to receive and kick off people by belonging to a certain class of denomination. Don't take me wrong, you and I may share the same disagreements we have with Pentecostals, Charismatics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists and Anglicans. But that doesn't give me a right to give a final judgment of how genuine may be the work of regeneration in the life of this Person.

Let me say that i also feel indignation before false doctrine, mostly at this present age where everybody wants to be heard but not many people wants to be understood. Many will try their best to write quotable phrases that may tickle the ear of many, but only few will take the time to define what they mean. So, i feel your pain Bruh or Sis. 

Now, what do you mean with enjoying Christian Diversity? well i mean this, not everyone have to agree with you. Of course i'm not compromising the essentials of the christian life such like the Depravity of man, Salvation by faith alone, the nature of Christ and the attributes of God. They are non negotiable doctrines doesn't matter what is your denomination (including baptists and Presbyterians). Now you may ask yourself, what makes the difference in someone under a certain denomination (specifically Pentecostals and charismatics, lets be honest we are harsh on them and sometimes we wrongly like it)?

Well the difference is made by what the bible says about true believers, so before you run to give a final judgment on people who's denomination seems to be sketchy, ask yourself this questions:

1. Has the Heart of the person be changed? The scripture says that everyone who is in Christ is a new creature, and a new creature doesn't just supresses immorality but loves, desires and want God. So if a person shows a desire for God, not just to keep the morals right but a desire to know Christ in an intimate way, then my friend you have a believer. And you will see of course a behavior that matches this desire, but they will do it because of their delight to obey God, not because they just want to stay out of church trouble. 

2. Diligent study of the scriptures: a desire for God will lead us to know who God is, what He has done and how we should act before Him and all this is revealed in the scriptures. So if you see a person going to the scriptures diligently to know more about God so he or she can enjoy Him, you should encourage the pursuit of this knowledge. Remember Jesus said: This is eternal life, that they know you, probably at this moment you may not agree with them but take the time to let them share with you. I know you are right an he is wrong and he should listen you because you are so sound in your doctrine but if you who claim to be right, don't dig into the theological worldview of the person you hardly will be able to contextualize what you want to say. And to be honest, listen to people with different views challenges my views and sometimes it makes me think more than speak. But I know you still won't change after reading this so imma pray for you.

3. prayer: now any pagan or so called pseudo Christian can pray, what I mean is that this person goes to prayer regularly and enjoys God and being with Him. Is not a just imma pray for you, but he prays because he needs of God. Let's be careful to not discourage prayer, and I know in this one I will be honest charismatics are more intentional about it than any other denomination. Yes, sometimes there is more things to learn than to condemn in people who we judge regularly.

4. Enjoys fellowship: maybe you disagree with them but you can see the joy of the Lord in them, and even if you drive them nuts, they enjoy to hang around with the brethren. Christ is the link for those whom Him has redeemed, even if you disagree with a brother, spend time with them. Because if you think he is weird, he thinks the same about you but you need to realize that both of you have been bought with a price. 

5. A desire for evangelism: the reality of eternity will be evident in this person, looking up more than down here. A desire to see souls saved and coming to Christ, ministering won't be just a part time job but a style of life. This person will share your zeal for evangelism and see people confessing Christ. 

So there is only a few of steps that you may want to consider, I bet you can recognize a heretic and someone who disagrees with you in minor points. Before I finish I want to also talk about a subject which doesn't matter your denomination, I think will be helpful.

Don't judge people by your personal preference: I know that there is things that personally people considers sin which are not necessary sin. As example: drink a cup of alcohol or listen music with drums. Guys, really? Don't use your personal preferences as an standard of godliness, and don't use please the excuse of the weak brother if you are not, or unless a weak brother have witnessed the imprudence. Let me encourage you to examine your motivation to judge someone who doesn't fill our personal expectancies or standards. You know how to recognize sin from personal standards and if you don't, use the bible, it helps.

I hope this blog nurtures your desire to engage into fellowship with people from different denominations in a very discerning and thoughtful way. 

Let the bond of Christ salvation be stronger than your denomination.