Jon Hofer

Currently serving in Peru

Final Update

Greetings to all,

I am back in Nebraska now and my trip in Peru has come to an end. I arrived back to my home on August 13. During my final week in Peru, some of the days were very relaxed as we had some days off. On Monday I went to a zoo with two of my friends and Tuesday and Wednesday I spent at Alexis parents house. On Monday my friend and I had a neat opportunity to share the Gospel in a store to some ladies.

On Thursday and Friday things got back into gear and I helped with construction on the compound. We were putting up dry wall for the ceilings. On Saturday there was the normal Bible meetings. However, it was a little different as we took the adolescents group hiking up a mountain. We didn't quite make it to the top, but it was a lot of fun. We sang some and Alexis spoke from the Word. In the evening I was given a going away gift, which was flour being dumped on me.

I headed to the airport Sunday evening, but not before Sunday evening church. It was truly a blessing to me as the people were so friendly to me. The goodbyes were very difficult.

At last I boarded my plane early Monday morning. I definitely wasn't ready to leave. Getting back into the United States has felt very strange. I think there is reverse culture shock. I am missing my good friends in Christ.

My time in Peru was truly a blessing and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve the Lord there. I learned many things and believe in the future God may be calling me to be a missionary in another country, possibly Peru. Please pray about this.

Thank you so much to all who have prayed for me and followed my trip. Your prayers were so valued and you played a huge part in my trip. I ask that you would continue to pray for me. If you would like to contact me about my trip please feel free. My e-mail is jonathanahofer@yahoo.com or my cell phone is (308) 520-5411.

Prayer Requests

- Direction in my future as to where the Lord is calling me.

- Help getting into a different routine.

- That the Lord would help me become fluent in Spanish as I continue to study.

- Praise to God for all that He did in my life during this trip and just for everything He did during my time.

- That God would continue to do mighty things in Peru.

- Finally, for all the people who accepted Christ....that they would mature spiritually.

In Christ,

Jon Hofer

8/8/07 Update

Hello everyone,

Since my last update quite a few things have happened. July definitely was a busy month. A Sportreach team arrived from Colorado to help with a family camp here at the church and to put on some sport clinics. Both went well. I won't go into great detail of there time here, because there are updates from their trip under the missions abroad section of this website.

I helped out in many areas of the family camp. One night I played Mr. Incredible in a skit that they we put on. I also helped leading the games. One of the things that was really rewarding to me was the Musical/Theatre night of the camp. I was in the choir and we had been practicing for weeks. It was really awesome to sing in Spanish with them. I was even given the opportunity to sing a solo both in English and Spanish. I definitely didn't see that coming when I came to Peru. It has been a great way of practicing my Spanish and the Lord was gracious in getting me through.

We did three clinics with the Sportreach group that was down here and there were many first time decisions. Praise God! Some of the time we also went
around with the group to do some sightseeing.

The Sportreach group flew out on the August 3rd and things are starting to settle down from a very busy July. The missionaries have a few days off now, so yesterday I went and climbed a mountain with some of my friends. It was really neat that there was the opportunity to share the Gospel with some other people who were climbing. It was a good reminder that even though it is a day off, there is never a day off for serving the Lord. Later that day I ended up going to a Spanish circus. It was quite the experience.

As my trip here is coming to a close, I'm struggling with facing the reality of having to return home to the States. Please continue to pray for the time I have here.

Prayer Request

- Wisdom in where God is leading me in my future, whether Peru or elswhere.

- Protection from the enemy especially my thoughts.

- That God would bless the last days of my trip here tremendously.

- My Spanish

In Christ,
Jon

7/26/07 Update

Greetings From Peru Once Again,

Since my last update, things here have been incredible, not to mention busy. We have had a group from Anniston Bible Church, Alabama,and also a group from Korea here. Both an absolute blessing. We went around doing children's campaigns and there was also dental work done. Something I am so thankful to God for is the opportunities I have had to share the Gospel in Spanish. Although my Spanish is raw, it is a great reminder that it is all about the God working and not what I say. God has been gracious in getting the message across.

On July 13, the group from Alabama, some of the Peruanos, and myself got on a bus and traveled up north. We went to an area near a place called Chipillico. To get there, we traveled quite a ways on a dirt road. We ended up getting a flat tire. However, I could totally see God at work. He let it happen right in front of someone's house. It gave us the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

Things were completely different there than in Lima. It is in the mountains and is a lot poorer. We had no running water, (which meant bathing in the river), many houses were adobe, and there were pigs and other animals running all over the place. Things were very dirty. However, God was all over the place. Many campaigns were put on. These were times to have fun with the kids, but teach them about the love of God. We also did street evangelism. We saw many first time decisions to trust Christ. Something that really stands out to me here is when a lady in her 80's and a lady in her 50's accepted Christ It just goes to show how gracious God is in bringing people to Himself.

Later during our time up north, I got the opportunity to travel up into Ecuador with two other guys. One of them had some business to take care of, and I was blessed with the opportunity to go with him. It was a nice day to get some rest. We ended up spending the night there in a hotel and returning to Peru the next day. Although it was just right across the border, to my surprise, things were very different than Peru.

We then headed to Chucanas, Peru to work with a church. We also put on children's programs here. The Anniston group left a day before us, and it was hard to say the goodbyes. They were truly a blessing here the way God used them to share the Gospel and encourage other believers. Things seemed different once they left.

We arrived back in Peru late in the night and the next day had the usual Saturday meetings with kids, adolescents, and youth. Preparations have been going on for the family camp that starts July 26. A Sportreach team from Colorado will be coming in to help with that

and do evangelism. .

Things here have been amazing, and I wish I could go into greater detail explaining the so many stories that are happening. Please continue to pray for me. I greatly appreciate all who do.

Prayer Requests

- Peace of mind for my thoughts.

- That God would continue to help my Spanish.

- Good health for everyone during the family camp.

- That God would use the Sportreach team coming all for His Glory.

- Thankfullnes for the many first time decisions during our journey north.

In Christ,

Jon Hofer

7/9/07 Update

Greetings from Peru,

This past week I have been helping a lot at the church with various things. As we are well into the month of July now, things are really starting to get busy around here. The reason for this is because there are many groups coming from the United States this month (including one Sportreach group). On Thursday there was a celebration here for the teachers in the La Roca School. Friday was Teacher's Day in Peru and there was no school here.

Much of my time this week has been helping to prepare for these groups arrival. A group from Alabama just arrived and today we started working on construction for the compound. Towards the end of July, there is a family camp coming, and a Sportreach team will be helping with that. A lot of my time has been preparing for this in particular. Alexis and I also got a new roomate this week. He is from Peru and will be with us for three weeks.

Some of the things that I have been helping with during the week have been constuction projects, helping prepare rooms, helping with kids, adolescents, and youth Bible studies, and singing in church. I have also helped Alexis with some computer work for the family camp.

One thing that really stands out to me right now is something that happened Sunday night after church. Not too long ago, I prayed that God would give me someone to witness to one on one. After the evening church service, a group of us went out to a pizza restaurant. The guy who served us spoke some English. As it turned out, God gave me the opportunity to share the Gospel with him. I shared with him in English and had the help of a Spanish translator as he wasn't fluent. It was just awesome how God answered my prayer to have an opportunity like that. It reminds me of the assurance I have in God and the power of prayer. The sad thing is that he seemed to be blind to the Truth. Please pray for this man.

Once again, I want to thank everyone who is praying for me. You are greatly appreciated.

Prayer requests

- Good health - many people are getting sick around here (I got the flu this week and had to get a shot, and it wasn't in the arm if you know what I mean... Ha!)

- Travel in the near future as we go north to Chipillico and that God would bless our time

- All the campaigns, clinics, and the family camp would go well

- God would bless the work of all the groups coming

- A continued understanding of the language

- Great opportunity to share the Gospel

- God would show me plans for my future during this trip

In Christ,

Jon Hofer

7/3/07 Update

Hello Friends and Family,

On June 22, at 11:45 in the night, we traveled up to Huancayo on a 7 hour bus ride to do some evangelsim. We arrived in the morning and helped out at Alexis' uncle's church. We did games for a children's gathering and then the Gospel message was shared. It appeared that some kids accepted the Lord! On that Sunday I also shared my testimony in a different church.

The following Tuesday morning we began our journey back to Lima. We had no idea what God had in store for us that day. Around three and a half hours into our trip, we were stopped right in the heart of the Andes Mountains. There was a protest going on by a mineral mining company. Traffic began to get backed up for miles with hardly any place to go due to the mountains. Some of us started to walk to see what was going on. We came to the protest and on a side note, I even got interviewed by a Spanish T.V. station. It was kind of awkward.

Later as the day began to pass on, we decided to start passing out tracks to people and sharing the Gospel message. Make the most of the opportunity. We got on some busses and Alexis shared the Good News. Many hands went up saying they put their faith in Christ! Praise the Lord!

That evening, we still were blocked and it was getting cold. We had decided to stay on the bus for the night. It was rather uncomfortable and cold, but we survived. In the morning we decided to just start walking as it looked like the protest could go on for a long time. We went on a three hour hike through the mountains, with all of our luggage, hoping to find transportation back to Lima. We journeyed both on and off road. We walked right through the critical point and on our way we saw a burned spot, railroad ties, and a lot of rocks on the road.

As we were walking, at just the right time we saw a semi who had been able to somehow maneuver and turn around. We were able to get a ride with him back to Lima. It was totally a God thing as we just happened to be in the right spot at the right time. There was hardly any room to turn vehicles around (especially semis and busses), and to catch this semi was truly a blessing. However, it was more than just getting a ride back to Lima. Alexis shared the Gospel with him and he made a decision to trust Christ! He then wanted to share the Gospel with his family and I gave him my Spanish Gideon Bible. It was simply amazing how God brought everything together.

Finally, later that day, we arrived in Lima around 24 hours late. While we were there, we figured traffic got backed up for roughly 20 miles. It really seemed like an ugly situation, but God used it for His glory as we had the opportunity to share the Gospel! He definitely protected us as well. After we were home a while, it was found out that a police officer had been killed. We are just so greatful to God for the opportunity share the Gospel and for the safety He provided. It was really a lesson of relying on God. I wish I could write more, but this is already long. Thanks everyone who is praying and I ask that you would continue to.

Prayer Requests

- Learning the language
- Preparing to teach English class.
- Wisdom in making decisions for both now and for future plans.
- Praise for the work God did in the mountains and for the safety that we had.

In Christ the Lord,

Jon Hofer

Hola,
This week has been very eventful. Sunday I got out of bed at 3:00 in the morning to head to the airport. By the time I arrived to the house where I am staying, it was probably around 24 hours later. To say I was tired would be an understatement, but travel went well and everything made it.

This is my third time to Peru. I am staying at the house of my good friend Alexis. He is an amazing friend and has a passion for the Lord that more of us need. I am learning the difference of being here without a huge group of Americans as well, although there are a few us. Things have been very different in that way, as I have to rely more and more on the little Spanish I know. We often are not all together. Please pray that I would pick up the language quickly.

It has been great reuniting with my family in Christ. So far a lot of my time here has been breaking into Peru, and helping around the church. Monday I traveled with Alexis to his parents house and recovered from my travel. They were so very kind to me and welcomed me with open arms. Tuesday and Wednesday I began helping around the compound from painting to changing sprinklers. Amazing how my short summer job that I prayed for came into play here. God is good!

Tommorrow (Friday) at 11:45 in the night, we will travel to Huancayo by bus to do evangelism. Alexis and I purchased the tickets yesterday and we are excited to go. It will be around a 7 hour bus ride.

Please pray for me that God would teach me what He desires during my stay here and that I would get everything out of this trip that God wants. Pray for protection from the enemy as he is trying to prevent us from sharing the Gospel.
Pray for good health as well, as there are colds all around.

As my time here has just begun, I am excited to see what God will do. I know it will be big things.

In Christ,
Jon Hofer

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *