Life in Arequipa — Karr update, April 22

Dear Friends, April, 2009

The last month has been filled with proof of God’s awesome power. Despite satanic attacks and even near-death experiences, many have heard the gospel, people have been saved and baptized, and Christians have grown in the Lord.

The month started out with a group from Liberty University. The first night, we had a youth service at Vida Abundante. The group sang, performed mimes and shared the gospel and one young man trusted Christ as his Savior. The next day the group shared in our church and a young man from our home church preached while Zack translated for him. After a quick lunch, we boarded a bus for the Colca Canyon, a 4 hour drive from Arequipa, to minister in the town of Chivay. We arrived at the town, which is at 12,000 feet, and held a worship service with songs and puppets. That afternoon there were several decisions for Christ.

The next morning, one of the girls told us that she had had an asthma attack during the night and was still struggling so the hotel provided some oxygen to get her stabilized. That day, the group ministered to around 3,500 students in 4 different schools and saw many salvation decisions. That night Debbie and Aaron ended up at the hospital with one young man who was having breathing and stomach problems. At the hospital, they discovered that his oxygen saturation level was only 70% and needs to be at 95-100%. He was much better after receiving oxygen for close to an hour.

The next day we visited the deepest canyon in the world, the Colca Canyon, and saw the condors soar out of the canyon. We were all impressed with God’s power as we watched the giant birds and basked in the beautiful scenery. On our way home, at about 15,500 feet, two of the tires blew on the bus. At that altitude, breathing is a challenge and having to change two tires was exhausting, but God helped us and we were soon back on the road. However, the girl who had had the asthma attack had another severe attack. We were able to get her off the bus, but the oxygen tank would not work. Aaron and another guy worked on the oxygen tank and were finally able to get some oxygen passing through the tube and began giving her the oxygen. In the meantime, the young man who had been sick the night before began having problems again and started throwing up. Just at that moment, God sent another tourist bus our way and we were able to stop them and borrow their oxygen tank for the young man. After about 15 minutes, they were both stable enough that we could start moving again. Both of them shared the oxygen tank every few minutes. Once we reached the altitude of 8,000 feet in Arequipa, they began to recover quickly.

Back in Arequipa, the group ministered in 2 schools and 3 churches. They worked very hard and never complained, but the attack never let up either. As far as we know, every person on the trip had some kind of problem at one point or another, whether it was sickness, severe back pain, nightmares, altitude problems, etc. However, through it all, they refused to give Satan the victory and constantly praised God for His goodness. The last night, we took them out to a nice restaurant and as we were leaving we realized that one of the young men’s backpack had been stolen off the back of his chair. It had his Bible, wallet, camera, iPod, etc. in it. We were all so hurt for him and even angry. However, his reaction was, “My only regret is that I lost my Bible!” Even though they all agreed that this was the hardest trip they had ever experienced, they agreed they would do it all over again.

The biggest testimony to this group was the bus driver. Because they were such a large group (22 young people plus our family), we had to rent a bus. The bus driver watched how they acted and reacted on the trip back from Colca. Even though he was not scheduled to drive for us the rest of the week, he asked his boss to please let him stay with the group. The two young people who had the health problems considered him their hero for getting them back to Arequipa safely and told him so many times. Aaron had the privilege of witnessing to him and he told Aaron that he could see that this group was different; they were always joyful!

The last day the group was here, they held a Bible Club. They did puppets, face painting, animal balloons, games and stories. We had 45 kids and gave an invitation, but there were no decisions. After Club was over, Debbie asked one of the girls who had come several times, when she was going to accept Christ. She said “soon”. Right before Easter, we had Bible Club again. We had 25 kids that we taught the Easter story to, emphasizing the resurrection, not the crucifixion. After the Club, this same girl told Debbie that she was ready to accept Christ. Praise God!!!

The Monday after the group left, we had seminary registration. With 36 students studying this semester, we have more students than any other semester to date. Aaron is teaching False Religions and has been able to use what he is teaching to witness to a Jehovah’s Witness.

The third Sunday of March we had a special baptism service where two young ladies were baptized. We have about 5 more that will be taking this step soon.

The month of March ended with a two day campaign on prophecy. We were privileged to have retired missionaries Don and Vivian Bond here with us. The messages were very encouraging and there were several visitors that week.

Aaron has been doing a series of messages on the requirements of a pastor. In the coming months, our church will be calling a co-pastor to be in charge of the ministry when we take our furlough in 2010. Pray for wisdom.

During holy week the front page headlines read “Arequipa is still the Little Rome of the Americas”. Friday Aaron took a photographer to one of the processions. He was shooting pictures and got caught up in the procession. When he got back, he was pretty upset. He said he could really feel the oppression. He has taken pictures in Africa and other countries, but never experienced the demonic influence like he did here.

The church ladies are studying the family this year and Debbie is trying to delegate her responsibilities in preparation for furlough. Last week, the ladies held a Friendship Tea and 35 women attended.

Zack and Caleb are doing fine. Zack is in his senior year and is preparing to take his SAT on June 6. Zack is taking electric guitar lessons to add more to the church music. He is very concerned for the salvation of his friends in the tennis academy and is still helping to lead the youth group. Caleb is in 10th grade and is doing well. He is taking the test for his black belt in karate on May 2, so watch out! As soon as we can, he will begin taking keyboard lessons again, since the Liberty group gave the church money for a keyboard.

Thanks for your prayers, as they keep us strong in the midst of attacks.

Your Servants,
The Karrs