Peru update — Serving in Arequipa

This post includes updates on Willy, several financial needs, news of a pastor friend’s cancer diagnosis, and much more.
Holy is the Lord God almighty. We say Holy, Holy, Holy is He.
It is with mixed emotions that we end November and begin December because our time for furlough is coming up very quickly.

That makes us both happy and sad. We love the people and the work, so it is bittersweet now that we just have three months left. It is also bittersweet as we think of Zack graduating this month. Where did the time go? Zack and Caleb are not looking forward to going to the states, but they know it is necessary. We still have no vehicles or housing lined up, but know that “the just shall live by faith” and that God will provide in His time. We are beginning to book meetings so if you would like for us to share with your church, please contact us. Our Vonage phone number is (304) 521-4330 and our email is akarr@abwe.cc. You can also contact us through Facebook. As of right now we are $150 under supported.

November was a wonderful month of service to our God. We started out the month with an evangelistic campaign followed by our church’s third anniversary. We had a special speaker from Lima who challenged our people and shared the message of hope in Christ. The Saturday before the anniversary service, we held our first sports tourney among the churches. Eight sister churches participated in volleyball and soccer competitions all day. It was amazing to see the fellowship among all the different churches and what was more amazing was that we, as missionaries, had nothing to do with the planning or carrying out of the event. On Sunday, we were excited to have an attendance of 90 people celebrate our anniversary with us.

The second week of November we had a retreat with our ABWE co-workers to Arica, Chile. Arica is just across the border from Peru, only about six hours from Arequipa. However, like so many of our stories this trip wasn’t without its adventure. When we arrived at the Chilean border, we learned that there was a country-wide strike and as a way of protest, the border agents were working extremely slowly. After nearly three hours standing outside in a line along with our luggage, we finally made it across the border. The time in Chile was a great time of fellowship, prayer and Bible study with our co-workers.

On the 19th we hosted a group of fifteen people arrived from Pennsylvania. They were here for 10 days working with Peruvian pastors on work projects and ministering every night in different churches. It was a blessing to have this group here since their leaders were our friends and former co-workers, John and Aimee. Two of their kids were also with them so Zack and Caleb had a great time catching up with old friends.

On November 21, the pastors’ fellowship planned a men’s conference for both single and married men. The theme was “purity”—purity in marriage as well as before marriage. We had 90 men, young and old, come from about ten churches. Aaron taught a seminar on purity to the single men, ages 14-30. It was a great blessing and he has been asked to come and teach the same in another church to all their teens.

The home bible study that Aaron is doing is going great. Every Saturday evening he meets with six ladies to teach them “The Story of Hope”. They are soaking up the teaching like a sponge and we believe they are close to making a decision for Christ. Please pray for them. The other Bible study that Pastor Abraham is leading is also going well; they have about 6 in attendance there as well.

The news about Willy is basically the same. He had an operation to clean out the infection in his hip. Aaron visits with him weekly but he still has not made a decision for the Lord. What a huge burden – knowing a dear friend is still without Christ. We still have three more months; Lord willing he will be saved before we leave for furlough.

The ladies ministry is going well. The retreat in October was a great time of fellowship and learning. Debbie is about to finish the course “The Christian Family” with 6 ladies in the church. She is also continuing to disciple two other ladies. The ladies are planning their last outreach of the year, a Christmas outreach with the theme “God’s Gifts to Us.” Please pray that many unsaved will come and hear the gospel.

It is hard for us to believe that Zack will be finishing high school on December 18. We plan to have a small celebration with his friends here before we leave. He is excited to finish, but he knows that this means his time in Peru is getting shorter. He has a great burden for his friends in his tennis academy. He is trying to set up a Bible study with one of his friends, Sebastian, who is not even sure God exists. Please pray for Zack as he tries to reach his friends. He is also still helping to lead the youth group. This month they will begin a study on how to apply God’s principles to everyday decisions. Steve, our co-worker, will be heading up the study for them.

Caleb will be finishing 10th grade and is very excited to be almost done with school for the year. He is also playing tennis and just played in his first tournament two weeks ago. Caleb loves working with the children at church and is a great help in Sunday School and Bible Club. We are beginning to see more of a desire on his part to reach out to his unsaved friends as well.

One of the national pastors and a dear friend, Julio, has been diagnosed with stage four cancer. The cancer was very silent but very aggressive; there were no major symptoms until the cancer was already at stage four. After several tests, they concluded that the cancer has mastisized and is in his lungs, liver, kidneys, thigh bone, back bone, and collar bone. They are only giving him between 3-4 months to live. Julio and his family came from the Amazon jungle 25 years ago as missionaries to Arequipa. He and his family have lived in the church for a number of years and do not have much. We are asking that our churches and friends help this godly man and his family with the bills they are incurring. God has raised $450 so far but they will need about $3000 for medical bills and, if God does not perform a miracle, more to help with funeral costs. If you would like to help, please let us know and we will send you the information on how to send a tax deductible gift.

November ended with a time of Thanksgiving with our co-workers. It is wonderful to think about all that the Lord has done for us and how much we have to be thankful for. We are very thankful for the ministries God has given us, for our family and friends and for each one of you and the part you play in our ministry in Arequipa. We pray that the Lord will continue to bless you as you bless others.

In His Service,
Aaron, Debbie, Zack and Caleb