¿Cómo evito el agotamiento pastoral en medio del Covid-19? - Garrett Kell

Esta Pandemia ha expuesto a pastores a nuevos puntos de presión inesperados en su ministerio. Muchas veces, me he sentido solo y exhausto. No hay una manera fácil de salir del pozo de la desesperación, pero aquí un consejo el cual espero pueda ayudarte.

1. Discierne tu alma

La fidelidad no siempre es constante en medio de la niebla. A veces, necesitamos parar y ser re-orientados. ¿Por qué cosas estas ansioso? ¿De dónde viene tu presión? ¿A quién temes decepcionar? ¿A qué cosas corres para encontrar consuelo? Da a conocer a aquello que está dentro de ti.

Oro para que Dios saque a aquello que está en lo más profundo de tu alma. Busca procesarlo con hermanos de confianza que saben que ¨Como aguas profundas es el consejo en el corazón del hombre, Y el hombre de entendimiento lo sacará. ¨ (Proverbios 20:5). Pídele a Dios que use a tus amigos para exponer tus miedos, ansiedades, expectativas o algún pecado que te esté abrumando. Tráelos a los pies de Jesús y pon tus ansiedades delante de Él, reconociendo que Él té cuida (1 Pedro 5:7).

2. Abraza tus limitaciones

La pregunta ¨ Y para estas cosas, ¿quién está capacitado? ¨ debe ser el motor de cada ministro (2 Corintios 2:16). Aun así, muchas veces soy tentado a tratar y tener todo en control en maneras que solo Dios puede. He necesitado abrazar mis deficiencias de una manera fresca.

Yo no puedo ser un pastor omnipresente, quien trata de estar siempre allí para todos. Pero Dios me ha llamado a ser fiel en lo que está delante de mí. No puedo llamar a todos los mismos días. No puedo leer cada blog, ver cada noticia nueva o entrar a cada llamada a la cual soy invitado. Soy limitado, pero mi Dios no lo es, así que está bien.

Tampoco puedo ser un pastor omnipotente, quien trata de arreglar todo para todos. Más bien, debo descansar, entendiendo que hay cosas que no puedo controlar, ni arreglar. No puedo hacer que una pandemia pare o visitar a cada miembro que está solo. No puedo ser un esposo, padre, pastor o amigo perfecto. Pero Dios tiene poder para obrar en medio de mis debilidades, así que está bien (2 Corintios 2:9).

Yo no puedo ser un pastor omnisciente, quien tiene todas las respuestas. Dios no me ha llamado a ser un experto epidemiólogo político quien de manera experta navega las oportunidades sin precedentes de la tecnología en una pandemia global. Mi conocimiento tiene límites, pero Dios tiene un conocimiento sin medida, así que está bien (Salmos 147:5).

3. Cambia tu ritmo de paso

 Un amigo me retó a ver este tiempo de ministerio de una manera similar a cómo un triatleta ve una carrera (2 Tim 2:5). En cuanto el atleta se encuentra en diferentes terrenos, él se ajusta según el camino. De la misma manera, yo necesitaba ajustar el ritmo de mi paso en lo que entraba a este terreno pandémico.

Me di cuenta que al no dejar la casa me hizo estar “activo” de una manera a la cual no estaba acostumbrado. Mi ritmo fue borrado y de pronto ahora soy esposo, papa y Pastor; todo en el mismo lugar y al mismo tiempo.

Porque la vida y el ministerio no es lo mismo de lo que era hace unos meses, yo necesitaba hacer algunos cambios. Yo necesitaba humillarme bajo la mano poderosa de Dios y dejar que Él me muestre mis limitaciones (1 Pedro 5:5-6). Las interrupciones iban a hacer parte de la nueva disposición y que esto no tomo a Dios por sorpresa. Necesitaba humillarme, hacer cualquier ajuste que podía, y re-evaluar mi expectativa de cómo el trabajo iba a lucir ahora. 

4. Chequea tus disciplinas

 La pandemia ha pavimentado el camino para la flojera en mi vida. Se me hizo fácil hacer excusas para vivir en flojera. La trayectoria iba a hacer espantosa. Menos mal, Dios me recordó de las Palabras de Pablo a Timoteo, “…disciplínate a ti mismo para la piedad. Porque el ejercicio físico aprovecha poco, pero la piedad es provechosa para todo, pues tiene promesa para la vida presente y también para la futura.” (1 Tim 4: 7-8). Este reto me ayudo a como re-evaluar la manera en que me estaba disciplinando en áreas “menos importantes” pero que tenía un impacto en mi vida espiritual. Aquí hay algunas:

• Comer: Ten cuidado de volverte indisciplinado en comer. Comer por estrés, comer mucho o comer de una manera no saludable afecta tu estado de ánimo, concentración y niveles de energía. Una copa de vino o una gaseosa de más puede ser fácilmente justificada en tiempos como estos. Disciplínate en lo que comer para el propósito de la piedad.

• Ejercicio: Tomarse unas pequeñas caminatas a través del día puede ser vivificarnos y aclarar nuestra mente. Desarrolar una rutina de ejercicios alcanzable e invitar amigos que nos pregunte a ver si estamos siendo responsable es una enorme ayuda para muchos.

• Entretenimiento: Escapes fáciles y accesibles de la realidad pueden siempre tentarnos. Embriagarte de ver shows o tiempos desordenados en las redes sociales pueden tener un efecto peligroso en tu caminar con Dios. Tenemos libertad para disfrutar un tiempo de entretenimiento, pero ten cuidado de que esto te termine dominando (1 Corintios 6:12).

• Acóplate: Sí tienes una familia, asegúrate de que el hecho que estas siempre “activo” no signifique que ellos reciban una forma irritada de ti. Guarda tu tiempo con ellos. Tomate el día libre. Apaga tu computador. Deja el teléfono, anda sal al patio. Juega con ellos. Habla con ellos. Ora con ellos. Interactúa con tu esposa, hijos, o compañeros de cuarto.

Tú vas a ser útil dependiendo cuan bien estés. Esto es verdad en lo espiritual, pero no está desconectado de lo que haces físicamente.

5. No te compares con otros pastores.

Inicialmente mis inseguridades se inflamaron al ver cómo otros pastores proclamaban sus planes para la pandemia. Me puse ansioso, envidioso y desanimado. Sentí que, si no se me venía una idea sorprendente de como traer multitudes a Jesús, yo estaba fallando. Pero Dios usó un amigo para recordarme lo que Pablo le dijo a Timoteo, “cumple tu ministerio” no te preocupes del ministerio de otros (2 Tim 4:5).

Si vives y mueres bajo la expectativa de otros, tú te vas a agotar, vas a ser tentado a comprometer, y olvidar de Jesús. Compárate solamente con Jesús. Dedícate solamente a buscar Su aprobación. Apaga tus redes sociales si eso invoca envidia. Pasa tiempo con Dios en su Palabra y siéntete libre de no seguir lo que todo el mundo está haciendo. Cumple con tu ministerio para el placer de Dios.

6. Ven a Jesús

“No teman a los que matan el cuerpo, pero no pueden matar el alma; más bien teman a Aquel que puede hacer perecer tanto el alma como el cuerpo en el infierno.” (Mateo 10:28).

Jesús nos asegura que, si estamos fatigados, Él nos va a cuidar. Guarda tu tiempo en su Palabra. Confiar que su palabra está obrando aun así no se sienta como si así fuera. Marca tiempos intencionales e ininterrumpidos para la oración.  Mantente fiel en medio de la niebla. Si vamos a ministrar la Palabra otros, debemos ser ministrados por Jesús a través de su Palabra. Confiesa los pecados a los cuales te has estado dando. Busque hermanos que le puedan animar y a los cuales pueda rendir cuentas. 

No te desanimes. Jesús promete cuidarte y darte descanso. Escucha esta promesa de la palabra de Dios de una manera fresca: “Pero los que esperan en el Señor Renovarán sus fuerzas. Se remontarán con alas como las águilas, Correrán y no se cansarán, Caminarán y no se fatigarán.” (Isaias 40:31)

Fortalécenos Señor, te necesitamos.

(Este blog post fue traducido de la publicación original hecha por 9Marks en este link https://www.9marks.org/article/how-do-i-avoid-pastoral-burnout-during-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR2HxrJtOdwd78W6Z8igrW0xrGuocdeqLQek0N3B6Zr6bczhbtuJByk0yi8)

Garrett Kell:  Es pastor de Del Ray Baptist Church en Alexandria, Virginia.

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

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

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

Update about Chacapampa

Chacapampa update 

Hey brethren

This is the update about the work I'm doing in the mountains. There is a lot going on so I will list it and detail it as pray request. Please feel free to ask any question about it. Just letting you know this is no my personal update that will be posted tomorrow. Is just what is going on in the field.

Here we go:

Rita and Espiritu: this is the couple that we've been trying to disciple, they seem to still having problems, as I said before there is things that we can't deal with, there must be a married couple coming to treat these with them. The other day we made them talk so they can pray for each other, but they end talking and arguing the whole time. Later on we talk we both of them and confront them about their issue to understanding each other, Espiritu works outside and he doesn't have a settled schedule, he sleeps from 4 to 7 hours daily (he said mostly 6). The thing is Rita asks him to do stuffs while he is at home and most times what he wants is to rest, but she is so demanding about it and he gets mad because she says but you only been driving, sitting all time, as if no stress, concentration and pressure were involved. And Rita as well works hard raising and making sure 4 kids go to school, eat, do homework, is as well other kind of stress. We talked the, about starting by understanding each other and then pray for each other and in that way try to seek restoration in the Lord. The thing Espiritu prayed for her and Rita prayed for herself, she seems to be resentful about what he did to her, I know I can't understand her but I'm trying to emphasize forgiveness in my conversations. I know she has been mistreated by him a lot before, but please pray that she stops victimizing herself bringing things of the past to justify her lack of forgiveness it as well restoration for her wounds. Also for Espiritu, he seems to be changing but he feels frustration to not be able to deal with things in a different way only because he hasn't be taught. Please for humbleness of heart on him and for wisdom about how to deal with him and he can be patient in how brings forgiveness to his family. We go to his house Tuesday and Fridays.

2. Saturday bible studies: I'm having a bible study with 2 young man on Saturday called Jonathan and Franz, they professed salvation not long ago. So cool on the 2nd bible study we had, I asked Franz what was the most cool or important teaching we have been through so far and he mention the study we had in Matthew 7 have made him think a lot, about going through the narrow gate and as well walking through the narrow path and the fact that every good tree bears good fruit and the impossibility that a good tree bears bad fruit, it seemed that has thought a lot about it which was really cool. Now we are going through the book of 1 John, we normally have a bible study, then cook and have dinner while watching a movie. For this coming Saturday a guy name aldrin will possibly join us, his grandfather is a believer and I look up to this kid because of his maturity and determination.

3. John: he is a kid from a town 90 minutes away by walking named Antacocha. He is starting to talk to us a lot and he may also come on Saturdays and spend the day with us for the bible study, he hasn't confirm yet. Pray that he can confirm us about it.

4. Mission House and Mr. Gilda: the owner of the house wants us to leave and we need to move soon. She is being really problematic but I always try talk to her and be nice and polite to her and her daughter. Is hard because she is really conflictive. We may moving to the house of a lady named Nicolas, she is moving out of the town towards the end of the year because her daughter is going to college. They are a really dear family.

5. Gospel impact: I just came in a time where catholic authorities were demanding to the people go through their rituals to "get to heaven". The thing is they have been exposed to bible teaching because Liz (another Peruvian missionary) and different mission teams that have come from the states and people are wondering sometimes if what they do is right or not. I'm been able to share directly the Gospel with others and has been amazing, some of them asked many questions about religions, others about the evidence that the bible is true, but all of them have been fruitful. There is openness to the Gospel but pray that they be willing to leave their tradition because of Christ. 

6. Helping them on the field has helped me to see that they value hard work and as well has helped to gain the respect of many. Adult men are often talking to me about different matters but I always try to lead the conversation to the Gospel somehow. Also pray that we get the chance to share the gospel with the catholic authorities, they need Christ as well.

7. Pray for Liz and Henry as they are in Chacapampa, pray for their lives and health. They are so encouraging to me and so useful for the ministry, I learn a lot from them.

Thanks for your prayers