|
Dear Friends,
Warmest greetings to each of you in the love of Christ.
We are glad you are praying for us. Each day we feel more and more our need
for your prayers as we face obstacles to the gospel that are insurmountable
but for the prayers of God’s people.
Please praise God with us for these things He has done and is doing:
- Our Spanish is improving. Some words, phrases, constructions are
starting to come a bit easier, and our minds seem to be opening up a bit
more to remember more vocabulary.
- Michael and Laura Salvatierra (two year missionaries) and their
son Noah got to the field safely and are up and going in language school.
- The new Saturday night cell group in Salamanca is growing and has
a good spirit to it. People are responding well to teaching on the
Westminster Shorter Catechism, asking lots of questions and obviously very
hungry for truth. There are always new people, most still not yet believers
but wanting to learn more about Christianity.
- We had a sweet baptism service at Juana Espinoza’s bedside two
weeks ago. She is our newly converted sister in Christ who has terminal
cancer who you’ll recall praying for last time. She requested to be
baptized and we were able to honor that request and serve her the Lord’s
Supper in a small worship service in her bedroom with many from our
fledgling congregation in Salamanca attending.
- For the way our congregation in Salamanca already is caring for
its own with many acts of mercy and loving care. We have multiple diaconal
needs in our group, Juana being one of the main ones right now, and people,
most of them new believers, are just responding and caring for one another
in such a mature and godly way that we are just really moved and thankful
for the Spirit’s obvious work in people’s lives.
- For the health of our missionary team. I am encouraged with how
we are growing in our love and appreciation for one another, how each member
is growing and being used in their different areas of ministry and for how
the Lord has really blessed and met with us during our monthly prayer and
planning times.
- For the way the Lord has sustained us in a very busy season of
ministry.
Please be in prayer for these things:
- For Juana Espinoza—healing, comfort, hope—for her and her
family: sister Mercedes, niece Kiara, Mom Maximina.
- For Pastor Adrián Fernández who lost his Mom two weeks
ago. She was 86 and a believer, and her death was expected and merciful as
she had been in a tremendous amount of physical pain for the last couple of
years of her life.
- For our landlord, Dr. Grimaldo Rojas, who is a new
believer, 79, and suffered a mild stroke also two weeks ago. Pray that he
will recover full use of his left arm and hand, which was the only part of
his body directly affected. He has become a dear friend to us.
- For Mark’s continued meetings with the Huaycán session to
establish a comprehensive church planting partnership.
- For our health. Both Lori and I (Mark) have pretty bad
sinus infections that we’ve had for over a week now. I’m losing my voice
today and both of us have real bad sore throats. Emmett has had stomach
problems too.
- For a building to rent in Salamanca for the church plant
and Sunday school. Pray that God would also provide the resources for the
rent from the offerings and tithes of our members, so that we can be self
sustaining from the start.
- For Lori and me to be able to prepare for and pass the
driver’s exam so we can get our Peruvian driver’s licenses.
- For Mark’s preaching and teaching:
- April 5 Discipleship in Salamanca
- April 6 (Good Friday) Preaching one of 7 phrases of Christ on the
cross at joint worship service in Huaycán
- April 8 Preaching in Santa Anita on the Resurrection
- April 12 Discipleship in Salamanca
- April 14 Cell Group teaching on Shorter Catechism in Salamanca
- April 15 Preaching in Amauta on The Road to Emmaus
- April 19 Discipleship in Salamanca
- April 21 Cell Group teaching on Shorter Catechism in Salamanca
- April 22 Preaching in Santa Anita on Doubting Thomas (John
20:19-31)
- April 26 Discipleship in Salamanca
- April 28 Cell Group teaching on Shorter Catechism in Salamanca
- For our team day of prayer and fasting: April 25
- For Lori to get some much needed planning time.
- For protection from the wiles of the devil and for grace to
resist him alertly, wisely and steadfastly
Thank you dear friends for standing with us “en la lucha” (in the
struggle):-) We love you deeply in the love of Christ,
Sincerely,
Mark and Lori Berry
Lima, Peru
Contact information:
mberry@mtwla.org
http://limanewcity.mtwla.org/
Support information:
Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368
Support Acct #10541
|
