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